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BH-LAWS

Laws

Bachelor honours degree

A competitive honours year where you’ll hone your legal skills, undertake legal research and contribute to the body of legal knowledge.

Course outline
  • Qualification
    Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
  • Duration

    Duration

    1 year full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    200
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    099032G
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth,  Perth city
Course outline

Select your preferred campus:

2024

Semester 1

On campus

2025

Semester 1

On campus

2025

Semester 1

On campus

2026

Semester 1

On campus

Course outline

Outline

Outline

The Bachelor of Laws (Hons) is an additional year of study offered to high-achieving LLB students. It progresses your understanding of the law and prepares you to work in top tier legal firms, government agencies, courts and tribunals. 

You’ll advance your skills in research and writing, which are increasingly relevant to the legal profession and other industries. You’ll also build on your existing legal skills, solve complex legal problems and contribute to the body of legal knowledge. 

In addition to coursework, you’ll undertake advanced legal research under the guidance of a supervisor, and write a 12,000–15,000-word dissertation on a topic of legal significance and personal interest. 

Classes take place in the evening in Perth city, close to the legal professional environment of the courts, tribunals and law firms. 

Studying honours can be a pathway towards postgraduate study, such as the Master of Philosophy (Law), or Doctor of Philosophy.

See the Curtin handbook for more course information.

How this course will make you industry ready

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program 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.

What jobs can the Laws course lead to?

Careers

  • Law graduate in the legal profession, government or business
  • Court or tribunal associate
  • Employment in community legal services
  • General employment in the public service
  • Employment in non-governmental associations (NGOs)
  • Early career academic.

Industries

  • Private legal practice
  • Courts and tribunals
  • Government and non-government organisations
  • Community legal services
  • Public service
  • Research.

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

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 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)

    STAT is not accepted as an entry pathway.

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

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

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

Applicants for the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree must have met the requirements for the conferral of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognised Australian university.

Applicants must generally have a Course Weighted Average of at least 70% to be considered for entry into the degree. However the Head of School (or authorised representative) may, in exceptional circumstances, allow entry into the degree to those with a Course Weighted Average of less than 70%.

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.

This Honours course is one year full-time study and it is available to both domestic and international onshore 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.

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 studies cannot meet the equivalent ATAR requirement.  

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT is not accepted as an entry pathway.

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

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

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

Applicants for the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree must have met the requirements for the conferral of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognised Australian university.

Applicants must generally have a Course Weighted Average of at least 70% to be considered for entry into the degree. However the Head of School (or authorised representative) may, in exceptional circumstances, allow entry into the degree to those with a Course Weighted Average of less than 70%.

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.

This Honours course is one year full-time study and it is available to both domestic and international onshore 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.

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:

A completed 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:

A completed Australian Bachelor of Laws degree or equivalent with a Course Weighted Average (CWA) of 70% or above.

ATAR pathway

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • 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

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

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

Applicants for the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree must have met the requirements for the conferral of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognised Australian university.

Applicants must generally have a Course Weighted Average of at least 70% to be considered for entry into the degree. However the Head of School (or authorised representative) may, in exceptional circumstances, allow entry into the degree to those with a Course Weighted Average of less than 70%.

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.

This Honours course is one year full-time study and it is available to both domestic and international onshore 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.

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

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus
Perth city flag

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus

2026

Semester 1
  • 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. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now
  • 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: BH-LAWS
  • CRICOS code: 099032G
  • Last updated on: 7 October 2024

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