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The University of Notre Dame Australia

  • 2% international / 98% domestic

Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Theology

  • Bachelor

The University of Notre Dame Australia is one of two universities in Australia which offers this double degree in Law and Theology. The increasingly complex relationship between law and religion and contemporary challenges to religious freedoms make this a particularly valuable degree combination.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
5 years full-time
Course Code
3534
Study Mode
In person

About this course

School of Law, Sydney Campus

The University of Notre Dame Australia is one of two universities in Australia which offers this double degree in Law and Theology. The increasingly complex relationship between law and religion and contemporary challenges to religious freedoms make this a particularly valuable degree combination. Graduates may pursue a wide range of career options in the law, business, politics and academia. Your law degree is fully accredited by the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy minimum requirements outlined at admission requirements. These include those relating to age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education:

  • HSC Performance Band Results with a Band 5 in English, a minimum average of Bands 5s and an overall minimum average HSC mark of 80% in HSC Category A Courses (or Interstate equivalent). Applicants must be eligible for an ATAR or OP; or
  • Minimum International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 31.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Other University Studies completed at undergraduate level or higher. A minimum number of 4 subjects with a high credit average is required.

Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the program of study, may be eligible for Advanced Standing.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Completed AQF Diploma or higher in a relevant discipline, from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants with relevant work and life experience who left secondary education more than two years ago and have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then may seek admission on the basis of:

  • Their experience. 'Experience' could include a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education. These include Mature Age entry and relevant professional experience particularly in a legal context such as paralegal, legal clerk, tipstaff, alternative dispute resolution, law enforcement, relevant social work or legal secretarial work. Work experience and community involvement involving commercial business practice, caring for others, working in religious activities, social welfare or social justice activities will also be considered. Evidence must be provided as to the type and duration of relevant employment or community involvement (more than two years). The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.
  • STAT - Scores of 160 in the Multiple Choice and Written English sections are required.
  • Higher School Certificate (HSC) (or equivalent) results if these have been completed within the last 5 years.

Study locations

Sydney

What you will learn

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Theology explores the increasingly complex relationship between the law and religion, religious freedom, and religious conflict. As a Catholic University, theology holds a central place in the life and mission of The University of Notre Dame Australia. Through the study of theology and various research methodologies, our students develop the skills to critically examine Scripture and Christian Tradition, thereby improving your understanding of the Catholic faith within a legal framework.

The Bachelor of Laws, meanwhile, focuses on the practical application of legal and ethical principles. This degree has a particular focus on the basic building blocks of the law (the so-called "Priestley" subjects) and on developing practical skills such as public speaking, advocacy, alternative dispute resolution and commercial practice skills. Through our mentoring and internship programs students have many opportunities to experience the law in practice. All of our academics have a substantial amount of experience in legal practice (either as solicitors, law experts, barristers or judges) in Australia or overseas. This allows each student to learn not just legal principles but how they apply in legal practice.

Graduates of this double degree program can work as a solicitor in private practice, become a barrister, join a corporation or not-for-profit organisation as an in-house solicitor, work in the courts as a judge's associate or enter academia.

Career pathways

The following careers are open to graduates of this program:

  • Government
  • Policy development
  • Management
  • Education
  • Advocacy
  • Diocesan agencies or Church offices
  • Charities, not-for-profits, non-government organisations
  • Welfare and social service
  • Mission, voluntary and youth work

Course structure

Core Curriculum - The Logos Program
  • Logos I
  • Logos II
  • Logos III
Year One
  • Legal Research & Writing
  • Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation
  • Legal History
  • Criminal Law A
  • Criminal Law B
  • Philosophy of the Human Person
Year Two
  • Equity
  • Contract Law A
  • Torts A
  • Trusts
  • Contract Law N
  • Torts N
  • Natural Law
  • Introduction to Sacramental Theology
Year Three
  • Property Law A
  • Constitutional Law
  • Advocacy
  • History of Philosophy: Ancient
  • Property Law B
  • Administrative Law
  • Evidence
  • History of Philosophy: Medieval
Year Four
  • Civil Procedure
  • Remedies
  • Corporations & Partnerships
  • Introduction to the Old Testament
  • Legal Philosophy
  • Contemporary Legal Issues
  • Natural Law
  • Introduction to the New Testament
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
Year Five
  • Ecclesiology/Mariology
  • Liturgy
  • Commercial Practice & Ethics
  • History of the Early Church
  • Marriage and Sexuality
  • Moral Theology OR Canon Law
  • Law Elective One
  • Law Elective Two (International)
  • Law Elective Three
  • Law Elective Four
Law Electives
  • Advanced Administrative Law
  • Advanced Civil Procedure
  • Advanced Constitutional Law
  • Advanced Evidence
  • Advanced Research Project (i.e. Honours research - 2 courses)
  • Bioethics and the Law
  • Advanced Taxation Law
  • Commercial Drafting
  • Commercial Law
  • Construction and Building Contract Law
  • Contemporary Legal Issues
  • Directed Research Project
  • Employee Relations Law
  • Entertainment Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Family Law
  • Health Law
  • Human Rights Law
  • Indigenous Law
  • Insolvency
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • International Dispute Resolution
  • Canon Law (i.e. Church Law)
  • Law and Religion
  • Law in Context (Externships) - involves work experience
  • Mining and Petroleum Law
  • Occupational Safety and Health Law
  • Introduction to Australian Taxation Law
  • Succession
  • Competition and Consumer Law
  • Trial Advocacy

Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Regulations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Law & Paralegal Studies courses at The University of Notre Dame Australia.
92.4%
Overall satisfaction
91.4%
Skill scale
81.9%
Teaching scale
84.4%
Employed full-time
$65k
Average salary