Bachelor of Laws

Program Overview

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Bachelor of Laws

School of Law & Business

The Bachelor of Laws from The University of Notre Dame Australia provides a gateway to an exciting and rewarding legal career. Completed over four years of full-time study, this program combines comprehensive coverage of legal and ethical principles and the skills to apply these principles in legal practice.

Why study this degree?

If you want a solid grounding in legal theory and practice and the qualifications to practice law, this challenging but rewarding career could be for you. The University of Notre Dame Australia Bachelor of Laws degree has been formulated with the help of leading judges, senior barristers and solicitors to design a quality degree that is rigorous, ethical, practical and relevant to the current Australian legal landscape.

The Bachelor of Laws program will allow you to hone your negotiation, advocacy and mooting skills. Through our Legal Clinic, mentoring program, courtroom visits, mooting and internship programs, our law students have multiple opportunities to experience the law in practice.

Students are also encouraged to learn outside the classroom by attending seminars and professional development events such as our Eminent Speakers Series. This prestigious forum connects students and graduates with leading experts in discussing contemporary legal and professional matters.

Notre Dame is the only university in Australia with a historic, fully functioning courthouse for student use. Known as the oldest surviving courthouse in Fremantle, the University community has restored the Justice Owen Moot Court. It now provides students the perfect setting to perfect their advocacy and mooting skills.

Program summary

Year One

• Legal Research & Writing
• Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation
• Legal History
• Criminal Law A
• Criminal Law B

Year Two

• Contract Law A
• Torts A
• Property Law A
• Equity
• Contract Law B
• Torts B
• Property Law B
• Trusts

Year Three

• Advocacy
• Constitutional Law
• Corporations & Partnerships
• Evidence
• Administration Law
• Law Elective One
• Law Elective Two
• Law Elective Three

Year Four

• Remedies
• Civil Procedure
• Legal Philosophy
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Commercial Practice & Ethics
• Law Elective Four
• Law Elective Five
• Law Elective Six

Law Electives

• Advanced Administrative Law
• Advanced Civil Procedure
• Advanced Constitutional Law
• Advanced Evidence
• Advanced Research Project (i.e. Honours research – two courses)
• Bioethics and the Law
• Advanced Taxation Law
• Commercial Drafting
• Commercial Law
• Construction and Building Contract Law
• Contemporary Legal Issues
• Directed Research Project
• Employee Relations Law
• Entertainment Law
• Environmental Law
• Family Law
• Health Law
• Human Rights Law
• Indigenous Law
• Insolvency
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Dispute Resolution
• Canon Law (i.e. Church Law)
• Law and Religion
• Law in Context (Externships) – involves work experience
• Mining and Petroleum Law
• Occupational Safety and Health Law
• Introduction to Australian Taxation Law
• Succession
• Competition and Consumer Law
• Trial Advocacy

Core Curriculum

• CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
• CORE II: Elective
  • Electives in philosophy and/or theology
  • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and/or theology
  • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
  • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
  • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

Entry requirements

Entry requirements WA

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

• Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 80

OR

• International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 29

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education

• Successful completion of at least 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*, with mid-credit average.

Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

• Successful completion of AQF Diploma or higher in a relevant discipline from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

• In exceptional circumstances, applicants who have significant relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

OR

• Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section*.

OR

• Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

Entry requirements NSW

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

• Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*

OR

• Equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education

• Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*, with mid-credit average.

Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

• Successful completion of AQF Diploma or higher in a relevant discipline from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

• In exceptional circumstances, applicants who have significant relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

OR

• Completion of STAT with scores of at least 160 in the Multiple Choice section and 160 in the Written English section*.

OR

• Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws graduates will be able to:

1. Write effective and professional documents adapted to suit the purpose and audience
2. Develop and deliver effective and professional presentations adapted to suit the purpose and audience, using appropriate technologies
3. Synthesise, interpret, and apply information in order to resolve legal problems
4. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of foundational legal concepts, principles, and theories, and apply and transfer knowledge to diverse national, regional, and international legal contexts
5. Undertake self-directed learning with an appreciation of the value and importance of engaging in continuing professional development
6. Provide social justice in the community including the provision of legal advice on a pro bono basis.
7. Use ethical and socially responsible decision-making skills
8. Critically reflect on the influence of Catholic and other philosophical and intellectual traditions on the law and on their role in resolving legal issues
9. Work responsibly and collaboratively in diverse teams to achieve shared outcomes
10. Conduct independent legal research and employ appropriate legal research methods and sources to locate, evaluate, synthesise, and present accurate, up-to-date, and reliable legal sources; and
11. Critically evaluate, analyse, and deploy evidence in support of a research thesis and communicate their findings in both oral and written form (Honours Only).

Career opportunities

Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; career opportunities range from Solicitor, barrister, judge’s associate, and research assistant.

Real-world experience

You will learn from our academics, who are leaders in their field. This program has no practicum requirements, but students are encouraged to participate in law competitions and attend professional development outside the class.

Honours

An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Law (Honours) regulations, or by contacting the School of Law and Business.

Opportunities and experiences

At the University of Notre Dame, we believe that gaining a global perspective is an important part of your university education. We offer various opportunities for students to study abroad and become active global citizens. These opportunities include exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit Opportunities and experiences to find out more.

Professional accreditation

The Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) accreditation requirements are according to the accreditation rules administered by the Legal Profession Admission Board in New South Wales and the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia.

Scholarships

Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Undergraduate students.

Fees and costs

This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

International Full-Fee Paying
Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

Student profile data

ATAR and selection rank profile

The University of Notre Dame Australia offers clear and transparent information regarding ATAR and selection rank for domestic students beginning in Semester 1. This data includes the highest, median and lowest ranks required for admission to assist you in making informed study decisions.

Explore our detailed overview of ATAR offers and student profiles to find the ideal degree that matches your interests and aspirations.

View our ATAR and selection rank profile data.

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