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Study home Search Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

COURSE

Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

BH-LAWS

TAUGHT BY: Curtin Law School

DURATION

Duration of the course with a full-time study load. Studying part-time will extend the duration of your course.

If duration is not available (N/A) the offering may be part of a larger course.

1year

CREDIT

A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.

200

About offering

A Bachelor Honours Degree – which is located at level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework – teaches advanced legal research and writing skills and enables Honours graduates to apply a specialised body of knowledge in a specific context. In addition to coursework, it requires the production of a 12,000 word dissertation. The degree provides further opportunities for law graduates in professional fields and can be a pathway towards continuing post-graduate study.

The undergraduate Bachelor of Laws degree is the qualification offered by Curtin Law School that meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice. Bachelor of Laws’ graduates who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree. Our Bachelor of Laws (Honours) programme significantly enhances students’ already developed legal skills so that they can conduct sophisticated legal research to solve complex legal problems and contribute to the body of legal knowledge .

Students who successfully complete the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree will be awarded First Class, Upper Second Class, Lower Second Class, or Third Class Honours.

What you'll learn

  • apply knowledge of legal research methodology, the Australian legal system, statutory rules and case law principles to understand and evaluate current and emerging research in law; contribute to the body of legal knowledge through research
  • critically and creatively analyse complex 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 as journal articles and commentaries (including electronic versions of these sources) and gather relevant oral and documentary evidence
  • communicate the outcome 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 advanced legal research purposes and be able to communicate effectively in electronic forms
  • critically reflect on their own performance as legal professionals, making use of feedback as appropriate and demonstrate intellectual curiosity
  • 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
  • demonstrate a highly developed understanding of and be able to articulate distinct concepts of law, justice and human rights, with an awareness of different legal traditions and cultures, particularly indigenous cultures; critically analyse how and where indigenous person and other identifiable social groups are differentially impacted by the legal system
  • critique and reconceptualise the roles of leadership, ethical legal practice and professional integrity when working within a team and independently

Why study Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Law graduates who have graduated with Honours, particularly First Class Honours, are generally better regarded and are more highly sought after by employers than law graduates without Honours. Some employers in the legal profession specifically advertise for law graduates with Honours and are known for recruiting mostly those who satisfy that criterion. Law Honours graduates who have significantly enhanced their legal knowledge and skills should have improved career opportunities with top tier legal firms, in government departments and agencies, and with courts and tribunals.

You should choose to do the Bachelor of Law (Honours) programme at Curtin, as our programme:

  • provides an additional year of fulltime study for a further degree in contrast to other institutions’ embedded law honours;
  • has coursework classes in semester 1 taught in the evening in the Perth CBD, with close proximity to professional and business environments; and
  • is taught and supervised by experienced academics and legal professionals who conduct legal research in a broad range of legal areas, using traditional and interdisciplinary methodologies.

Honours can be also a pathway to further learning in a Master of Laws (LLM) program or post-graduate research degrees such as a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

How this course will make you industry ready

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) programme significantly enhances students’ already developed legal knowledge and skills so that they can conduct sophisticated legal research to solve complex legal problems and contribute to the body of legal knowledge. Students gain a sophisticated understanding of contemporary legal issues and the theoretical foundations of law through focused study in a seminar setting. Under the guidance of their Honours supervisor, students learn project management techniques and collaboration while also strengthening their capacity for independent learning and critical thinking. In completing and defending a research dissertation, students also further develop and gain confidence in their legal writing and oral presentation skills.

Student profile

View our student profile table to get an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students at Curtin University. This table provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and passed the census date in the most relevant recent intake period for which data are available. It includes those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

Career information

Law graduate in the legal, government or business; court or tribunal associate; community legal services; general employment in public service; NGOs; early career academic.

Admission criteria for Australian and New Zealand students

What kind of applicant are you?

Applicants with higher education study

Undertaken higher education study before? Find out how you can apply for a Curtin course and what credit you may be eligible for.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Have you studied a VET course? Find out how you can get into Curtin using these qualifications.

Applicants with work and life experience

Spent time in the workforce, completed a pathway program or finished secondary education more than two years ago? See how you can apply to study at Curtin

Applicants with higher education study

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 includes 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 also includes applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

  • Applicants for a Bachelor Honours degree must have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognised Australian university with a Course Weighted Average of at least 70% to be considered. In the calculation of the Course Weighted Average for an applicant with a double degree (or similar), only those units which form part of the LLB will be included.

    Eligibility is competitive and quota restricted with preference given to students who have completed their LLB at Curtin. The course is only available to domestic students.

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

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  • completed an Australian Bachelor of Laws degree or equivalent, with a course weighted average (CWA) of 70% or above.
Higher education course switcher criteria

To switch into this course from an other higher education course, you need to have:

  • completed an Australian Bachelor of Laws degree or equivalent, with a course weighted average (CWA) of 70% or above.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

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.

Applicants with work and life experience

Applicants with work and life experience are those who 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.

‘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.

Other requirements and notes for this course

Applicants for a Bachelor Honours degree must have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognised Australian university with a Course Weighted Average of at least 70% to be considered. In the calculation of the Course Weighted Average for an applicant with a double degree (or similar), only those units which form part of the LLB will be included.

Eligibility is competitive and quota restricted with preference given to students who have completed their LLB at Curtin. The course is only available to domestic students.

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.

Advanced standing / credit transfer / recognition of prior learning

Credit for recognised learning (CRL) is the term Curtin uses to describe advanced standing, academic credit or recognition of prior learning.

You may be entitled to credit for recognised learning for formal, non-formal or informal learning.

Formal learning is learning that takes place through a structured program of learning that leads to the full or partial achievement of an officially recognised qualification. Recognised institutions include, but are not limited to, RTO providers and universities. Non-formal learning is adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning or various kinds of work and life experience.

Credit can reduce the amount of study needed to complete a degree.

For further information, please visit our credit for recognised learning webpage or contact our CRL Office on crl@curtin.edu.au or 1300 222 888.

Credit for recognised learning (CRL) is the term Curtin uses to describe advanced standing, academic credit or recognition of prior learning.

You may be entitled to credit for recognised learning for formal, non-formal or informal learning.

Formal learning is learning that takes place through a structured program of learning that leads to the full or partial achievement of an officially recognised qualification. Recognised institutions include, but are not limited to, RTO providers and universities. Non-formal learning is adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning or various kinds of work and life experience.

Credit can reduce the amount of study needed to complete a degree.

For further information, please see our credit for previous study website or contact tne_pathways@curtin.edu.au.

Fees and charges

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees for 2018

Student type Cost

Commonwealth supported

What is a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)?

A CSP is subsidised by the Australian Government. They pay part of the course fees directly to Curtin and then the student pays the remainder (referred to as the “student contribution amount”). The student can defer this fee to their HECS-HELP loan.

All Australian students studying an undergraduate degree are automatically awarded a Commonwealth supported place. A limited number of Commonwealth supported places are also available for some postgraduate courses.

Learn more about CSPs and whether you’re eligible by visiting the Australian Government’s StudyAssist website.

 $10,760*

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

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on [offering.credits] 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 do 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

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

No international fee data available

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.

Apply now

Where to get further information

Applicants applying with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

Find information on how you can apply to study at Curtin with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

Applicants with other international qualifications

Find information on what qualifications you can use to apply for a Curtin course.

  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information. View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: BH-LAWS
  • This offering was last updated on: September 24, 2018