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 Humanitarian Visa holders)
Discipline info for Australian students
Interested in Law?
Prepare for a dynamic career in the legal profession with a flexible and experience-based law degree from UniSA.
You will learn the fundamental principles of the Australian legal system and obtain specialised knowledge through elective courses, allowing you to graduate with the skills to analyse and apply legal principles. Delivering practical learning, small class sizes, and courtroom-like facilities, our degrees provide a learning experience that takes you beyond the theory of law.
You will be prepared for legal practice through practical learning experiences including mooting, negotiation, witness examination, the student-run Legal Advice Clinic and student placements in legal and other professional settings. You will learn how to argue a case by developing your skills in reasoning, analysis, communication and advocacy and gain experience 'at the bar' in a mock court and present before a judge.
Offering double degrees and flexible trimester study options, we allow you to tailor your studies to your interests and needs, including opportunities for overseas study placements, as well as local and national internships and clerkships.
Recognised as above world-class in law research1 and ranked number one in South Australia for overall satisfaction and good teaching in undergraduate law2, you’ll be learning from experts at the forefront of the legal profession.
12015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 2QILT – undergraduate 2017.
Key features
- Learn the fundamental principles of the Australian legal system and build a dynamic career in law.
- Get involved with the student-run Legal Advice Clinic providing advice to real clients.
- Experience practical learning in a mock court and get involved in industry placements throughout your studies.
- Gain a competitive advantage by combining law with another discipline and graduate with two degrees in just five years.
- Fast track your studies with our flexible trimester system.
- Leverage opportunities to participate in industry placements and overseas exchanges – we have more than 2,500 industry partners and over 60 university partners worldwide.
- Our Business School is in the top one per cent worldwide1 and awarded five stars in the QS Stars Business School Rankings.
- Awarded five stars in the category Teaching and Student Quality in the QS Stars Business School Rankings.
- Ranked No.1 in SA for overall graduate satisfaction in law2
1UniSA Business School is one of just nine institutions in the country and 163 globally to be accredited by EQUIS. There are a total pool of 16,585 business schools worldwide, AACSB, July 2016. 2QILT: Course Experience Questionnaire 2015-2016.
Why UniSA?
- We make it our business to provide you with opportunities to gain practical experience. Mooting (mock trials), legal negotiation, legal drafting and witness examination are some of the experiences you will have from your very first year
- Fast-track your degree with flexible trimester study options, allowing you to complete a bachelor's degree within three years,
or a double degree within five years - Participate in the Business Career Mentor Program and be paired with a legal professional to help you build professional networks and your career
- With strong real-world connections, learn from academics and researchers whose research is recognised as above world-class1
- UniSA is in the top five ranked institutions in Australia for teaching, international outlook, research and industry income2. Because of our experience, we know that employers look for graduates who can apply theory to real-world challenges.
12015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 2Times Higher Education (THE) Top 200 Under 50.
UniSA offers 15 Law degrees
Choose your level of study
Your career
Employment for legal professionals in Australia is projected to increase by 17.8 per cent between now and November 20201. Careers to consider:
- Personal solicitor: focusing on areas such as personal injury, family and tort law, criminal litigation, succession and inheritance, residential property and conveyancing, taxation and trusts
- Law 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
- Judge’s associate: working closely with a judge in and out of court; conducting legal research; liaising with court staff, the legal profession, government departments, the press and the public; ensuring the effective and efficient conduct of the judge’s court
- Mediator: facilitating negotiation and settlement between disputing parties by providing direction and encouragement; working collaboratively with the parties and finding creative ways to reach a mutual solution
- Policy advisor: 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
1Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2015
Global networks
We are a globally connected university, our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.
Our Business School works with more than 200 companies, governments and organisations, and many of these are long-standing relationships built on common goals and shared values.
In the 2015 Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) rankings, our research in law was assessed as above world-class. We have strong links, individually and collectively, with leading and like-minded research institutions in North America, Europe and the UK and are building equally exciting new relationships in Asia.
-
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.
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 Masters by 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. Click here to 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?
You may be eligible to receive credit 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 credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive credit (recognised prior learning) for this experience. Receiving credit will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
Credit 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 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.
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.
Study at UniSA
University of South Australia students and staff provide an insight into what it’s like to study Law at UniSA
What others are saying
I decided to combine my studies in law with international relations because I have an interest in politics, history, and international affairs. To further expand my studies, I travelled overseas and undertook a program at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. The program benefited my studies by adding a global perspective, allowing me to understand international law and human rights from a UN and EU perspective.
Philippa Jones
Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts (International Relations)
I have found studying a law double degree at UniSA to be extremely engaging. My lecturers are wonderful and they are committed to helping their students succeed, which makes studying at the university even more enjoyable. The degree focuses on the practical application of theory, preparing you for professional practice and making transition into the workplace smoother.
Grace English
Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
In 2013 I had the opportunity to cover and report on the Federal Election, which was an amazing and exhausting experience. An 8 week campaign took a lot of energy and resources from our Bureau, and it was great to travel around the country and experience the diversity of Australia's cities and regions. The combination of journalism and law gave me the strength to take vast amounts of information on complex issues like the election, and distil it into something an audience understands.
Matt Doran, Political Reporter
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing
Employment: ABC Canberra Press Gallery
UniSA embraces modern learning styles, provides exposure to professional development opportunities, such as the Business Mentoring Program, and integrates real-world projects into the classroom. I was also able to complete an internship overseas with the United Nations, working on the Khmer Rouge Trials. This diverse learning experience will help me pursue a career in international law.
Lachlan Merrigan
Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts (International Relations)
Why study at UniSA?
As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:
Accessible, helpful and flexible
We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.
Graduate success
UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*QILT: Graduate Destination Survey 2014-2016 Full-time Employment Indicator
A five star university
Five stars for research, teaching, employability, internationalisation, facilities, social responsibility and inclusiveness.*
*QS Stars rankings 2017