Undergraduate · Law
Bachelor of Laws
Australian Catholic University, Multi-campus (7 campuses, 5 states), Australia
About this program
The single Bachelor of Laws at ACU runs to 320 credit points, longer than a typical arts or science degree, and includes a distinctive requirement: 80 hours of pro bono legal work after first year, which counts toward a compulsory community engagement unit. It's a practical touch that puts students in front of real legal need (community legal centres, tenancy advice services) well before they graduate.
Accreditation covers admission to legal practice in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, with recognition extending to other states and territories, so graduates aren't locked into one jurisdiction. Students with a strong first two years of law units (GPA 5.75 or above on ACU's seven-point scale) can apply to upgrade into the honours stream, which adds a research component on top of the standard core.
Because ACU offers this as both a standalone LLB and in combination with Arts, Business, Psychological Science and other degrees, the standalone version tends to suit students who already know law is the destination rather than one option among several. It moves faster into legal reasoning and doctrine without the breadth units a double degree would carry.
Cost & duration
English test scores
Course structure
5 terms of coursework
- Year 1: Foundations of Law and Legal Research, Criminal Law, Contract Law A and B, Legal Institutions
- Year 2: Torts, Property Law, Equity and Trusts, Constitutional Law, community engagement pro bono placement (80 hours)
- Year 3: Corporations Law, Administrative Law, Evidence, Civil Procedure, elective law units
- Year 4: Ethics and the Legal Profession, Advanced electives (e.g. family law, international law, intellectual property), capstone unit integrating practical legal skills
- Honours pathway (GPA 5.75+): additional research-based unit sequence replacing part of the standard elective load
Admissions
Year 12 completion, ATAR approx 80 or equivalent