From high school to law school: choosing the right Bachelor of Laws degree

28 June 2017

Throughout Australia, more than 30 universities offer professional law degrees that are open to international students. These include undergraduate and graduate-entry Bachelor of Laws degrees as well as postgraduate Juris Doctor (JD) degrees.

From high school to law school: choosing the right Bachelor of Laws degree
Study law in Australia (Photo: Bond University)

Typically, Australian students complete either a general Bachelor of Laws program in four years or a combined/dual degree in five years. In these four- and five-year programs, students complete classes in other areas, in addition to their law subjects. In Australia, most Bachelor of Laws students graduate at approximately 23 years of age.
As a Canadian seeking to become qualified to practice law, you have a range of study options abroad. As Commonwealth nations, the Australian and Canadian systems are based on English common law, and Australian law schools provide a solid foundation for students planning to practice law in Canada (with the exception of Quebec). OzTREKK’s aim is to assist you in choosing the best Australian law school for you.

Bond University

Program: Bachelor of Laws
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Semester intakes: January, May, September
Duration: 2 years, 8 months full time (8 semesters in total)
Entry requirements: Completed a high school diploma with a minimum average of 70% based on the best Grade 12 subjects; (for students who have completed some university study, a 70% GPA is required)
Application deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply a minimum of three months prior to the program start date.

Griffith University

Program: Bachelor of Laws
Location: Brisbane or Gold Coast, Queensland
Semester intake: February
Duration: 4 years
Entry requirements: Completed a high school diploma and successful completion of 6 university/college courses with an average of 76%.
Application deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply a minimum of three months prior to the program start date.

James Cook University

Program: Bachelor of Laws
Location: Townsville or Cairns, Queensland
Semester intakes: February or July
Duration: 4 years
Entry requirements: Completed a high school diploma and achieved a minimum 70% average based on the best six Grade 12 subjects.
Application deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply a minimum of three months prior to the program start date.

Monash University

Program: Bachelor of Laws Honours
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Semester intakes: February or July
Duration: 4 – 4.25 years
Entry requirements: Completed a high school diploma and achieved a minimum 85% average based on the best six Grade 12 subjects.
Application deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply a minimum of three months prior to the program start date.

University of Newcastle

Program: Bachelor of Laws Honours (Combined degree)
Location: Newcastle, New South Wales
Semester intake: February
Duration: 5 years
Entry requirements: Completed a high school diploma and achieved a minimum 85% average based on the best six Grade 12 subjects.
Application deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply a minimum of three months prior to the program start date.

University of Queensland

Program: Bachelor of Laws Honours
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Semester intake: February
Duration: 4 years
Entry requirements: Completed a high school diploma with a minimum cumulative GPA of 98%. For students who have completed some university study, a 6.5 out of 7 GPA is required.
Application deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply a minimum of three months prior to the program start date.

University of Sydney

Program: Bachelor of Laws
Location: Sydney, New South Wales
Semester intake: February
Duration: 5 (or 6) years
Entry requirements: Completed a high school diploma. Entry requirements will be determined by the degree combination chosen for the Combined Law program
Application deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply a minimum of three months prior to the program start date.
Graduate qualifications in law from Australian universities are recognized internationally. Canadian students who wish to practice as lawyers upon their return to Canada are required to apply to the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) for assessment as the first step in the accreditation process.
*

Think you might like to go to law school straight from high school? Find out more about Bachelor of Laws degrees in Australia. Contact OzTREKK’s Australian Law Schools Admissions Officer Shannon Tilston at shannon@oztrekk.com.

News