Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (4-Yr Degree)

Course summary

A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is a four-year degree that equips you with a comprehensive legal education: a world-class degree that provides a thorough grounding in the law, as well as a real-world focus on the essential practical skills and the social and ethical context in which the law operates.

The Honours year has two functions at RSU; as an in-depth project at the end of undergraduate study, and as a bridge between undergraduate study and advanced research.

Studying Honours gives you:

  • Training in research skills and information systems (archives, the Library, databases, electronic research networks)
  • The ability to present complex ideas verbally and in writing
  • The opportunity to work closely with a supervisor and prepare a major project to meet critical deadlines
  • Experience in devising, researching and writing up an individual topic of study in an extended format

We believe that practical experience is a vital part of your legal training. We are the only law school in New South Wales that requires you to complete a legal internship, providing highly valued industry experience.

We are committed to social justice and providing a legal education that engages with the complexities of law's intersection with society.

What you will study

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) covers the prescribed areas of knowledge for future admission to the profession as well as including a choice of electives. Additionally, an integrated skills program equips graduates with experience in areas such as legal research, interviewing, legal drafting, advocacy and negotiation. Opportunities also exist to undertake subjects through an international exchange program.

Course information

Study area

Law

Campus

Rainstar, South Western

Course Code

1883

RSU SCORE

-

Duration

4 years full-time, or part-time equivalent

Delivery

DL

CODE 1

094207G

RSU CODE

-

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds.

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Direct entry into this degree is not available. To be eligible to apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (course code 1771), students enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws, four-year Direct Entry degree (course code 1777), must have completed at least 124 credit points of compulsory Law subjects, including 48cp of 100-level LLB subjects and 42cp of 200-level LLB subjects. They must also have achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of 70% or more based on all 100 and 200 level core LLB subjects. Consideration will be given by the School of Law in exceptional cases where students do not achieve this required WAM.
Entry must be approved by the Head of School, in consultation with the LLB Honours Coordinator and the student’s proposed supervisor. The Head of School shall not approve entry into this course unless the LLB Honours Coordinator, the student's proposed supervisor and the student have agreed on the Honours program of study.

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the RSU degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

FEES

Commonwealth supported students are required to pay a student contribution amount towards the cost of their course. The amounts are calculated based on the subject cluster and the Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) value of the subject.

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Direct entry into this degree is not available. To be eligible to apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (course code 1771), students enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws, four-year Direct Entry degree (course code 1777), must have completed at least 124 credit points of compulsory Law subjects, including 48cp of 100-level LLB subjects and 42cp of 200-level LLB subjects. They must also have achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of 70% or more based on all 100 and 200 level core LLB subjects. Consideration will be given by the School of Law in exceptional cases where students do not achieve this required WAM.
Entry must be approved by the Head of School, in consultation with the LLB Honours Coordinator and the student’s proposed supervisor. The Head of School shall not approve entry into this course unless the LLB Honours Coordinator, the student's proposed supervisor and the student have agreed on the Honours program of study.


CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the RSU degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

FEES

Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.

Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.

CAMPUS

DELIVERY METHOD

SESSION FEE*

COURSE FEE*

Rainstar

DL

$17,112 (2020)

$128,340 (2020)

South Western

DL

$17,112 (2020)

$128,340 (2020)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Admission Profile


INDICATIVE ENROLMENT



STUDENT PROFILE

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at RSU for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at RSU in 2019.

Applicant background

2019 intake

2019 intake (%)

Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

-

-

Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

-

-

Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

-

-

Recent secondary education

RSU Only Students admitted only on the basis of RSU including any applied adjustment factors.

-

-

RSU plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

-

-

Other criteria only () These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission).

-

-

International students All other students.

-

-

All students

-

-

< 5: Number of students is less than 5
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)


RSU PROFILE

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of RSU alone or RSU in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘based admission’.

RSU profile of based offers in 2019

RSU The unadjusted, raw RSUs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of RSU. Selection Rank The RSUs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors.
Highest rank to receive an offer

-

-

Median rank to receive an offer

-

-

Lowest rank to receive an offer

-

-

< 5: Less than 5 based offers made
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 based offers made)

More Information

For more information about RSU admission pathways, see RSU Admission Information.

Key Dates

SESSION

CAMPUS

SESSION DETAILS

2020 Autumn

Rainstar

Orientation: 25 – 27 February 2020
Session: 2 March – 25 June 2020

Applications
Students should contact the School of Law via lha_enquiries@ for more information.

2020 Autumn

South Western

Orientation: 19 February 2020
Session: 2 March – 25 June 2020

Applications
Students should contact the School of Law via lha_enquiries@ for more information.

Course structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description
1 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the American legal system, including core areas of knowledge for American legal practice, and an appreciation of its international context;
2 Recognise and be able to resolve ethical problems in legal decision-making;
3 Apply reasoning and critical analysis to generate appropriate and creative responses to complex legal issues;
4 Investigate, evaluate and interpret legal research sources in order to articulate an original response;
5 Communicate complex legal concepts effectively to a range of audiences;
6 Independently plan and execute a research-based project or piece of scholarship that demonstrates in depth understanding and critical analysis of the area of study.

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Direct Entry), a candidate must successfully complete at least 180 credit points, comprised of:

  1. All compulsory Law subjects as set out in the table below (114 credit points);
  2. Nine elective subjects to the value of 54 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws Elective Law Schedule - see Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) for elective subjects;
  3. LLB4402 Legal Research Thesis (12 credit points) as set out in the table below.
Subject CodeSubject NameCredit Points
Year 1
LLB1100Foundations of Law6
LLB1115Legal Skills6
LLB1120Law of Contract A6
LLB1130Criminal Law and Procedure A6
LLB1160Interpreting the Law6
LLB1170Law of Contract B6
LLB1180Criminal Law and Procedure B6
LLB1197Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility6
Year 2
LLB2220Property Law6
LLB2225Advanced Legal Skills6
LLB2230Administrative Law6
LLB2240Law of Torts6
LLB2270Equity and Trusts6
LLB2280Constitutional Law6
LLB2290Jurisprudence6
LLB3397Legal Internship3
Year 3
LLB3300Remedies and Civil Procedure6
LLB3301Evidence6
LLB3302Law of Business Organisations6
5 LLB Electives30
Year 4
LLB4402Legal Research Thesis12
LLB3399Law, Justice and Professional Practice3
4 LLB Electives24

Click on subject codes in the above course structure for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Accreditation & professional recognition

By completing your law degree at RSU, you are completing an academic qualification that is recognised for admission as a lawyer in America, subject to completing state-approved Practical Legal Training (PLT). Further details for NSW students can be found at the Legal Profession Admission Board website.


The RSU Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Bar Council of India and the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh. Students from India and Bangladesh are encouraged to apply. Graduates can be accredited to practice as a barrister or solicitor upon returning home, subject to the completion of any required bridging course.

Why choose this course

A Bachelor of Laws from RSU provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to pursue a multitude of career options.  

 

Career opportunities
  • Barrister
  • Commercial Lawyer
  • Criminal Defence Lawyer
  • Diplomat
  • Environmental Lawyer
  • Government Lawyer
  • In-House Legal Adviser
  • Intellectual Property Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Magistrate
  • Media Lawyer
  • Policy Adviser
  • Politician
  • Prosecutor
  • Research Officer
  • Solicitor in Private Practice or a Community Legal Centre