Apply for Bachelor of Laws

A moot court setting with judge sitting at a desk facing another desk where a man stands. Behind him are audience seats, where several people sit and watch.
B-LAWS

Law

Bachelor degree

Set the bar high and become a legal practitioner. An undergraduate degree in law
is the first qualification you need to commence a career in legal practice.

Enquire
Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Guaranteed ATAR 90
  • Qualification
    Bachelor of Laws
  • Duration

    Duration

    3 years full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    800
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    077962B
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth,  Perth city
Course outline

Select your preferred campus:

2024

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

2025

Semester 1

On campus

2026

Semester 1

On campus

2024

Semester 1

On campus

Trimester 2

On campus

Trimester 3

On campus

Course outline
Law

Outline

Outline

Give legal advice, perform legal work and appear in court as a legal practitioner. An undergraduate degree in law is the first qualification you need to practise as a lawyer in Australia.

Curtin’s Bachelor of Laws offers a rich and professionally relevant foundation in legal knowledge. You’ll learn core skills essential to effective legal practice and build a strong commercial awareness. From early on in your studies, you’ll start to recognise the importance of respecting the rule of law along with the responsibilities and ethics of legal practice.

You can also choose from optional units that focus on topics such as forensic advocacy, employment law, family law, law and technology, human rights law and native title law and policy. This range of optional units enables you to tailor your degree to your interests.

You'll complete most of your course at Curtin Law School in the heart of Perth’s legal precinct. You can gain practical experience by undertaking simulated legal proceedings in our high-tech moot court, working on real cases at the John Curtin Law Clinic, and participating in our Legal Internships Program.

The first year of this course is delivered in semesters at Curtin Perth, with the second and third years delivered in trimesters at Curtin Law School in Perth city. This accelerated format enables you to complete the equivalent study load of a four-year degree, in just three years of full-time study.

Legal Internships Program

Through the Legal Internships Program, you can experience working in a legal environment such as a court, law firm or community legal centre, with an organisation’s in-house legal team or with a barrister. These experiences will develop your practical legal skills and help you identify the area of law in which you'd like to practise. Curtin Law School has developed relationships with a range of organisations to offer legal internship placements to our students through this optional unit. 

Practical Legal Training

Complete your entire pathway to legal practice through Curtin. After gaining your Bachelor of Laws, you can complete our Practical Legal Training (PLT) course, the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Recognised by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia, this course is the first specialised PLT program to be directly delivered by a WA university. Together, the two qualifications satisfy the academic and practical legal training requirements to qualify for admission to the legal profession in WA.

What jobs can the Law lead to?

Careers

  • Barrister
  • Criminal lawyer
  • Employment lawyer
  • Family lawyer
  • Human rights lawyer
  • In-house counsel
  • Mining lawyer
  • Solicitor

Industries

  • Law
  • Private legal practice
  • Courts and tribunals
  • Banking and finance
  • Government
  • Resources

What you'll learn

  • apply knowledge of the Australian legal system, statutory rules and case law principles in both the fundamental areas of legal knowledge and a range of elective fields to the resolution of legal problems
  • critically and creatively analyse legal problems to articulate the issues involved and apply legal reasoning to make a considered choice between competing solutions
  • identify, access, assess and synthesise relevant information from primary legal sources such as cases and legislation and secondary sources such as journal articles and commentaries (including electronic versions of these sources) and gather relevant oral and documentary evidence
  • communicate the outcomes of legal research and analysis effectively, appropriately and persuasively to colleagues, to clients and to other professionals and the broader community
  • use appropriate electronic legal databases for research purposes and be able to communicate effectively in electronic forms
  • maintain intellectual curiosity as to justice and its practical application in the legal system, be able to identify areas where their legal knowledge and skills require further development, and to critically reflect on their own performance as legal professionals, making use of feedback as appropriate
  • articulate the similarities and differences between local and other jurisdictions, including interstate and overseas ones, and be aware of the principles of public and private international law
  • articulate distinct concepts of law, justice and human rights, with an awareness of different legal traditions and cultures, particularly indigenous cultures; identify how and where indigenous persons and other identifiable social groups are differentially impacted by the legal system.
  • work independently, as well as collaboratively, with a developing sense of the ethical issues that arise in legal practice and how these may be resolved

Why study Law

Get the Curtin edge

Curtin Law School is in the heart of Perth city and co-located with a barrister's chambers.

Accelerated learning

Our teaching staff include active legal practitioners, and you can practise legal presentations and debating at our purpose-designed Jeanette Hacket Moot Court.

Work experience

At the John Curtin Law Clinic, you can prepare advice for real clients under the supervision of experienced legal practitioners. 

Professional recognition

Curtin University provides you with a complete pathway to legal practice. If you go on to complete a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice after completing your Bachelor of Laws, you will satisfy the academic and practical legal training requirements to qualify for admission to the legal profession in Western Australia.

I’ve always wanted to do something justice-wise either with human rights or the environment. That’s why I came into law at Curtin – because I wanted to have the power to make change and I knew the Curtin Business School had a good reputation. From this degree, I’ve learned strong research and writing skills and how to communicate clearly, as well as how to synthesise information and come up with a concise document and explanation

Sarah Flynne

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 90

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 90

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    None.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Other requirements and notes for this course

Semester 2 intake requires special approval.

Applications to the Bachelor of Laws outside of the standard intake, Semester 1, are available to students who have completed units in the preceding semester(s). These non-standard intakes allow students to enter the course part-way through the degree. 

To apply to Semester 2, Trimester 1, Trimester 2, or Trimester 3 please submit an online inquiry and include an application for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) along with your application for admission, so it may be determined if you have completed the units required to enter this degree outside of the standard intake.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 90

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 90

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    None.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Semester 2 intake requires special approval.

Applications to the Bachelor of Laws outside of the standard intake, Semester 1, are available to students who have completed units in the preceding semester(s). These non-standard intakes allow students to enter the course part-way through the degree. 

To apply to Semester 2, Trimester 1, Trimester 2, or Trimester 3 please submit an online inquiry and include an application for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) along with your application for admission, so it may be determined if you have completed the units required to enter this degree outside of the standard intake.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    Not accepted. VET study cannot meet the equivalent ATAR requirement.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 90

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 90

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    None.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Semester 2 intake requires special approval.

Applications to the Bachelor of Laws outside of the standard intake, Semester 1, are available to students who have completed units in the preceding semester(s). These non-standard intakes allow students to enter the course part-way through the degree. 

To apply to Semester 2, Trimester 1, Trimester 2, or Trimester 3 please submit an online inquiry and include an application for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) along with your application for admission, so it may be determined if you have completed the units required to enter this degree outside of the standard intake.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  • attained an ATAR of 90, or completed 8 or more undergraduate level units with a course weighted average (CWA) of 70% or above; or
  • attained an ATAR of 90 or completed an Australian bachelor degree or equivalent with a CWA of 65% or above; or
  • attained an ATAR of 90 or completed an Australian masters degree with a CWA of 70% or above.

Higher education course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have completed 8 or more undergraduate-level units with a course-weighted average of 70% or above.

Applicants with completed higher education qualifications

You’ll need to meet one of the following admissions criteria (or equivalent):

If you’re a domestic applicant with an overseas qualification, check our list of equivalent qualifications.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 90

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 90

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    None.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Semester 2 intake requires special approval.

Applications to the Bachelor of Laws outside of the standard intake, Semester 1, are available to students who have completed units in the preceding semester(s). These non-standard intakes allow students to enter the course part-way through the degree. 

To apply to Semester 2, Trimester 1, Trimester 2, or Trimester 3 please submit an online inquiry and include an application for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) along with your application for admission, so it may be determined if you have completed the units required to enter this degree outside of the standard intake.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool
Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and charges

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

2024 Fee year:

$16,300*

Commonwealth supported

Commonwealth supported

Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.

This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website

To be eligible for the Commonwealth supported fee:

  • Australian citizens must complete some of their course of study while residing in Australia.
  • Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens must be residing in Australia for the entire course.

For further information on eligibility please refer to the Australian Government Study Assist website.

If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2024

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus

2026

Semester 1
  • On campus
Perth city flag

2024

Semester 1
  • On campus
Trimester 2
  • On campus
Trimester 3
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. Please view our application deadlines page for further information.

Frequently asked questions

Search our FAQs
  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: B-LAWS
  • CRICOS code: 077962B
  • Last updated on: 18 March 2024

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