Bachelor of Business (Legal Studies)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2024
You're viewing degree information for Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Entry Scores
2024 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 65.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,C
TAFE/RTO: DIP
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2023 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 65.00
TAFE/RTO: Cert IV
View full entry requirements
-
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Higher education study- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR
Work and life experience- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
NoneAssumed Knowledge
None
Degree overview
- Become a business professional in the private, public or legal sectors.
- Learn the foundations of law and the Australian legal system.
- Gain a strong understanding of law in business operations.
- Gain real-world experience as part of your studies through an optional internship, student exchange or mentorship opportunity.
- Extend your knowledge through a broad range of elective courses.
- Take a direct pathway into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) or Laws (Honours) Double Degree.
- Study a curriculum informed by above world-class research in Business1.
- Ranked No. 1 in SA for graduate careers2 and student satisfaction in Business and Management3.
- Ranked in the Top 150 in Australia for Business and Management4.
12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 2ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.?3ComparED (QILT) Course Experience Questionnaire 2021-22 – Overall Satisfaction Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA Public universities. 4Ranked equal #14, 2023 QS Subject Rankings.
Snapshot
A specialised degree in legal studies will prepare you for a business career in the private, public or legal sectors.
Employers look for graduates who can apply theory to real industry challenges. You’ll have opportunities to embed an internship into your degree and seek career mentoring from legal professionals. You will also complete career-focused electives in business and legal studies to get valuable industry experience and deepen your legal knowledge.
The Bachelor of Business (Legal Studies) is also a pathway into our Bachelor of Laws (Honours) or a Laws (Honours) Double Degree.
What you'll learn
The degree starts with core courses in business theory. These will give you a solid grasp of business fundamentals such as international business, economics and accounting and intelligence.
You’ll then branch out into your legal studies specialisation where you’ll focus on areas such as the foundations of law and public law; torts and contracts. You will also study eight electives – four in legal studies and four in business. Through these you’ll get valuable industry experience and deepen your legal knowledge.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- reports, project documentation, case studies and presentations
- essays and assignments
- examinations
- industry-relevant, research-based projects
- practicals and team-based projects
- participation in the workplace and in class
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Research
Our research in the area of law is recognised as world-class1. We are committed to research that changes the profession. Our law researchers make an impact on the content, practice, administration and development of the law and legal education.
UniSA’s high-quality research shapes the thinking of society, government and the legal profession. Our specialists examine both future and emerging legal challenges and topical issues, and have extensive industry connections and experience. Research areas of focus at UniSA are:
- Corporate and Commercial Law: researching corporate governance, competition and consumer law, and Chinese commercial law
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law: exploring water law, climate change and environmental regulation, and the conservation of scarce resources
- Criminal Law and Sentencing: investigating societal issues including juries and sentencing, policing and security, digital identity and cybercrime
- Public Law and Human Rights: leading the way in research into Indigenous law, constitutional law, judicial power, children’s rights in family law proceedings, and the rights of older people
12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
Why Bachelor of Business (Legal Studies)
This degree will give you a solid grounding in core business concepts and expertise in some areas of the law. You will study courses from the Law discipline and focus on fundamental principles of the Australian legal system.
Many of our teaching staff are legal professionals and current researchers and you will study their findings in class. We also consult with industry as part of course planning – so you’ll work on real-world projects that are relevant today.
The Bachelor of Business (Legal Studies) is also a pathway into our Bachelor of Laws (Honours) or Laws (Honours) Double Degree.
Combined degrees
We offer a wide range of combined degrees so you can specialise in two fields and expand your career prospects. Discover how you can pair this degree with another business degree, or a degree from another discipline, and tailor your qualifications to your interests.
More ways to study
Our flexible delivery and extracurricular opportunities are designed to suit your lifestyle, preferred learning style, and career interests. You can benefit from online and on-campus study, part-time or full-time learning, Summer and Winter School intensive courses, mentoring and networking opportunities with industry, and accelerated learning pathways. Plus, you can make the most of professional development courses endorsed by industry, build leadership skills by participating in the UniSA+ Award, or seek support at our on-campus Business Student Hub.
Real-world connections
In addition to learning from teachers with professional experience as part of your studies, we offer opportunities for you to connect with industry outside the classroom:
- Complete an industry project.
- Undertake an internship and apply the skills and knowledge gained from your studies in a real workplace setting.
- Become a global citizen with our overseas exchange program – we have more than 60 partner universities worldwide, and study options that range from two weeks to one year.
- Build your network and career by participating in our Business Career Mentor Program which pairs you with an experienced business professional.
- Meet one-to-one with a senior business executive through our Executive in Residence program and advance your career with their expert guidance and support.
We also host regular University-wide employee master classes, employment expos and alumni events in Australia and overseas.
Online study
Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle. You can:
- study online, including accessing videos and course resources
- participate in an interactive online learning environment
- submit your assignments and get feedback online
- use discussion forums for team work and communication
Please note that for some degrees, some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any requirements like this are detailed on individual course pages.
This could be you
At UniSA, you'll learn invaluable transferable employability skills to future-proof your career.
Your career
Our quality teaching and experiences beyond the classroom will ensure you graduate career ready.
Employment for legal professionals in Australia is projected to increase by 17.8 per cent between now and November 20201. Careers to consider:
- Court or legal clerk: performing clerical work for courts and legal practices such as organising jury and witness lists, maintaining order in courts, executing court orders, processing court documents, documenting court proceedings
- Government affairs/policy adviser: analysing policies and their effects to provide advice and guidance to governments and organisations; offering strategic policy and planning advice on programs and operations; reviewing, developing, and implementing policies and strategies
- Legal adviser: preparing legal documentation; conducting legal research projects; consulting with clients and stakeholders
- Legal secretary: providing administrative and operational support to legal professionals such as law firms, government departments, law courts and judges
- Paralegal: support the delivery of legal services such as case planning, legal research, drafting correspondence, fact checking, preparing for and assisting at trial, locating and interviewing witnesses
1Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2015.
Industry facts
Applying to study with us:
- go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
- you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
Alternative Pathways
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
- UniSA College Diploma in Social Sciences (Law)
- UniSA College Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies (Social Sciences)
- SAIBT Diploma of Business - if you complete this two year Diploma, you can apply to enter the 2nd year of this degree
- see the full list of entry pathways that may apply
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
- SAIBT Diploma of Business - if you complete this two year Diploma, you can apply to enter the 2nd year of this degree
- see the full list of entry pathways that may apply
Deferment
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
UniSA law students can join our active UniSA Law Students Association (USALSA) and benefit from a like-minded community while participating in a variety of social and networking events.
Student services
The Business Student Hub is a dedicated convenient, support service for business students, from first year right through to graduation. The team provides expert advice on study options, elective choices and any academic difficulties, and can help with referrals to support services across the University. The Business Student Hub is there to facilitate your life at university, so you get the most out of your UniSA experience.
You can also access a range of other student services including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
We also offer study support from our Learning Advisers which you can work with face-to-face or online. They are here to help you develop academically and professionally during your studies.
When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your ID cards, fees and any other questions you might have.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your program director
The creation of law through judgments handed down by judges over centuries makes law one of the most significant and profound intellectual achievements of our society. Law speaks to the human condition. It cements core values – integrity, loyalty, perseverance and compassion. And it has never been needed as much it is needed today. I believe that this philosophy, which is integral to the law program at UniSA, equips you with the skills, passion and commitment to excel in your future careers – the legal profession, government, business, community enterprise and postgraduate study.
-
How do I apply?
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
-
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
-
Where can I get further information?
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.
