Bachelor of Laws

Bachelor

The University of Tasmania is home to the fourth oldest law schools in Australia. We're committed to ensuring that our graduates are prepared for legal practice and that they view the law, not as an end in itself, but as a vehicle for creating a fairer society in Tasmania, Australia and globally.

Key details

Degree Type

Bachelor

Duration

3.5 - 8 years full-time

Course Code

L3C, 102757F

Study Mode

In person

Intake Months

Feb, Jul

International Fees

$36,691 per year / $134,310 total

About this course

The University of Tasmania is home to the fourth oldest law schools in Australia. We're committed to ensuring that our graduates are prepared for legal practice and that they view the law, not as an end in itself, but as a vehicle for creating a fairer society in Tasmania, Australia and globally.

Studying with us, you receive more than an in-depth knowledge of the law. The law school is closely connected to the Tasmanian legal community and our network of alumni. With opportunities to connect with the judiciary, senior practitioners, leaders f rom government and key legal institutions. You'll develop all the practical skills to become a successful practitioner, whether that's in law, business, government, or the community sector.

Our island location as Australia's Antarctic and marine gateway provides ideal opportunities to learn from our leaders in Environmental, Antarctic, Marine and Climate Law. You'll also get the chance to learn from experienced practitioners across specialist areas of law such as International Humanitarian Law and Health Care Law. Throughout your degree you will have opportunities to design an elective program that suits your interests and career aspirations.

After successfully completing the Bachelor of Laws, you can apply for the six-month Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and be admitted to legal practice the same year that you graduate your Bachelor of Laws.

Entry requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study.

Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)

Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. In 2022, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 80.50. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.

Domestic applicants with higher education study

Bachelor of Arts pathway

Students who do not receive an offer for the Bachelor of Laws are encouraged to enrol in the Bachelor of Arts or other Bachelor's degree with an elective component such as the Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Science and complete 50 credit points including:

25 credit points of Introductory (100-level) Law units and
25 credit points of other Introductory (100-level) units.

Students who pass all their units will be offered a place in the Bachelor of Laws and will be eligible for credit for completed units. We recommend students complete two Law Core units in their pathway course to enable completion of the Bachelor of Laws within the normal timeframes.

Other students with higher education study

To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have either:

Completed a course at Bachelor level or higher at any Australian higher education provider (or an equivalent overseas qualification) or;
partially completed an undergraduate course at Bachelor level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least eight units of study (equivalent to 100 UTAS credit points) with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 on a seven-point scale.

You can enquire online for advice on converting your results into grade point average on a seven-point scale.

Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study

This course does not admit students on the basis of VET / TAFE study.

You can enquire online for advice on pathways or alternative course options.

Domestic applicants with work and life experience

This course does not admit students on the basis of work or life experience.

You can enquire online for advice on pathways or alternative course options.

Special Consideration

If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.

We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.

All international students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, University General Entry Requirements and any course specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects, if applicable.

English Language Requirements

This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.5, with no individual band less than 6.0, or a PTE Academic score of 58, with no score lower than 50 or equivalent.

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

General Entry Requirements

Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a 12th year of education in Australia.

Please review the equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. The ATAR information for this course is located in the "For Domestic Students" section of the entry requirements on this page.

Students who do not receive an offer for the Bachelor of Laws will be assessed for a packaged offer for the Bachelor of Arts leading to the Bachelor of Laws and complete 50 credit points including:

25 credit points of Introductory (100-level) Core Law units and
25 credit points of other Introductory (100-level) units.

Students may package with any Bachelor's degree with an elective component such as the Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Science.

Students who pass all their units will be allowed to proceed into the Bachelor of Laws and will be eligible for credit for completed units.

You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:

Completed a course at Bachelor level or higher at any Australian higher education provider (or an equivalent overseas qualification)
partially completed an undergraduate course at Bachelor level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least eight units of study (equivalent to 100 UTAS credit points) with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 on a seven-point scale

If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.

Course Specific Requirements

This course does not have any course specific requirements.

Study locations

Hobart

What you will learn

1 Apply knowledge of law, legal principles, and legal systems appropriate to local and transnational contexts, including theoretical and ethical dimensions, to provide advice and achieve legal solutions.

2 Analyse, interpret, and synthesise legal materials to identify and critically assess legal and ethical issues.

3 Devise and implement a range of effective legal research strategies, utilising a variety of digital and other resources.

4 Develop and present persuasive and clear arguments, in written and spoken form, to a range of audiences.

5 Work collaboratively and independently and respond constructively to feedback.

6 Honours Graduates will be able to plan and execute a piece of research and scholarship that demonstrates advanced legal knowledge and develops new understanding with some independence.

Career pathways

A law degree is a prerequisite to admission as a legal practitioner. Today, however, employers from a widening range of disciplines value the skills that law graduates possess. A range of career choices lie open to law graduates as a solicitor, barrister, industry legal officer or ministerial adviser, as well as in legal aid, community legal centres, the Attorney-General's department, law reform commissions, consumer affairs, environment, foreign affairs, police, legal drafting, politics, banking, finance, journalism, publishing and teaching.

Postgraduate study

If you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research. Filter the course list by Postgraduate to view the current courses available.

Course structure

The Bachelor of Laws requires the completion of 350 credit points of study comprising:

212.5 credit points of Law Core units,
87.5 credit points of Law Elective units, and
50 credit points of Elective units

The first year of the Bachelor of Laws is available in Hobart, Launceston and Cradle Coast campuses. The remainder of the course is available in Hobart only.

High achieving students may be invited to complete the Honours program in Year 4, leading to the award of Bachelor of Laws (Honours).

If you are starting in 2023 you can find your course planner here. Your course planner gives you a visual representation of your course and will help you plan which units to enrol in and when.

For course planners from previous years, refer to the handbook entry for that year.