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Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)

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Build on your existing studies and experience to obtain a qualification in the field of law.

This three year degree, only available to Higher Education graduates from any discipline, comprises foundation subjects, the compulsory “Priestley Eleven” subjects for admission to legal practice in Victoria, practical subjects, and a small number of electives.

Course Essentials

How to apply

We are currently accepting applications for this course. Applications close on 25 January 2013

Methods of applying:

  • You can apply direct to VU

Please note that part-time study may not be available at all campuses.

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
College of Law and Justice

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Careers

There are many career opportunities available for graduates, including legal practice and employment in both the private and public sectors.

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

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Study pathways

Transferring to VU

You can get credit in the Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) (BLGE) for study you have done at other universities. We have formal credit transfer arrangements for this course with the following universities

Victoria Police

  • If you studied the Graduate Certificate of Public Safety (Police Prosecution) you may get up to half a year of credit.

Victoria Police

  • If you studied the Prosecutors Training Course you may get up to half a year of credit.

To find out more about the pathways available for this course, please contact the .

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Get credit for your work, study and life experience through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Graduate faster

If you've done previous study related to this course, you may be awarded credit. This means you can graduate in less time.

Completing this course also gives you a head-start on other at VU courses at a higher level of study.

We also award credit for relevant work and life experience. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

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Course Objectives

The course will allow graduates from other disciplines to build on their existing studies and experience to obtain a qualification in the field of law. The course also aims to satisfy the academic requirement for admission to practice as a legal practitioner in Victoria.

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Units and electives

The course is offered over three years on a full-time basis or part-time equivalent. All undergraduate degree units of study carry a value of 12 credit points. Each student must obtain 288 credit points through academic study to graduate. Subject to Grade Point Average (GPA), students undertaking the Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws combined degrees may receive their award with honours. In calculating a specified grade of honours, the following points shall be attributed to Bachelor of Laws units - Pass = 5 points; Credit = 6 points; Distinction = 7 points; High Distinction = 8 points. In calculating the GPA, those Bachelor of Laws units successfully completed by the student will be ranked in order commencing with 8 point units and ending with 5 point units (if applicable). The aggregate of points attributed to the first two thirds of units so listed shall then be calculated and a grade point average determined (aggregated so calculated by the number of units being the first two thirds of units in the list). Bachelor of Laws with 2B Honours - GPA of 7 or more and a Credit grade in the unit of study Advanced Legal Research Dissertation; Bachelor of Laws with 2A Honours - GPA of 7 or more and a Distinction grade in the unit of study Advanced Legal Research Dissertation; Bachelor of Laws with 1st Class Honours - GPA of 7.5 or more and a Distinction or better grade in the unit of study Advanced Legal Research Dissertation.

Compulsory Law Units of Study

Electives

Four units of study selected from the following:

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

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Admission Information

  • TAFE: Not applicable as the minimum entry requirement is satisfactory completion of an Australian Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
  • Year 12: Not applicable as the minimum entry requirement is satisfactory completion of an Australian Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
  • International: Admission into this course is based on performance in prior undergraduate studies or higher. An applicant is expected to demonstrate completion of at least a Bachelor’s degree with a high Grade Point Average or excellent results. Postgraduate qualifications will be evaluated according to the nature of the relevant degree. An applicant relying on qualifications obtained overseas must produce evidence that the qualifications have been assessed and recognised as equivalent to an Australian Bachelor's degree or higher. Ordinarily a certificate by the Overseas Qualifications Unit or other similar body will be required. An applicant must submit a statement of prior work experience and reasons for applying for the course in not more than 500 words. The Head of School or delegate(s) will evaluate this statement and take it into consideration in selection. An applicant may further be required to participate in an interview as part of the selection process. In addition to satisfying the entry requirements for Australian resident students or demonstrating equivalence, overseas students must provide evidence of proficiency in the English language: International English Language Testing System - overall score of 6.5 and no individual band score less than 6.0.
  • Mature: Admission into this course is based on performance in prior undergraduate studies or higher. An applicant is expected to demonstrate completion of at least a Bachelor’s degree with a high Grade Point Average or excellent results. Postgraduate qualifications will be evaluated according to the nature of the relevant degree. An applicant relying on qualifications obtained overseas must produce evidence that the qualifications have been assessed and recognised as equivalent to an Australian Bachelor's degree or higher. Ordinarily a certificate by the Overseas Qualifications Unit or other similar body will be required. An applicant must submit a statement of prior work experience and reasons for applying for the course in not more than 500 words. The Head of School or delegate(s) will evaluate this statement and take it into consideration in selection. An applicant may further be required to participate in an interview as part of the selection process.
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How to apply for this course

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

You can apply direct to VU. Applications close on 25 January 2013.

When you're ready to apply:

  1. Read the Advice to applicants (contains details about how to apply for your course, extra requirements, what happens when you submit your application and other important information).
  2. Complete the Higher education direct entry application form.
  3. As part of the application you may need to complete extra requirements such as:
    • submit supplementary forms
    • attend an interview, audition, information session or workshop
    • submit a folio
    • sit a test

Details about extra requirements are available from the College of Law and Justice.

You need to complete all extra requirements by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered.

Transferring between VU courses

Want to transfer into this course from another VU course? Complete the Victoria University internal course application form and check whether you need to complete any extra requirements, listed above.

You can also contact us directly:

  • Ring us on +61 3 9919 6100
  • Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 6100

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

At Victoria University, we make every reasonable effort to make sure the information displayed online about our courses is accurate and complete. We continually look to provide innovative courses. Those courses are shaped by a number of things including your feedback and changes in Government funding arrangements. As a result there may be changes to the courses we deliver and fees charged. We will update the website regularly to reflect any changes.

Information about course fees, articulation and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations, and services available to students can be accessed on the University’s website or by contacting the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100.

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