Skip to main content
Start of main content
CDU alumni in corporate attire looking confident
Undergraduate

Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)

Key details

Duration

3 year/s full-time
6 year/s part-time
3 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2
On campus - Semester 1, Semester 2
Online - No
Important Dates

Locations

CDU Waterfront Darwin, Online
CDU Waterfront Darwin

Credit points required

240

Course code

WLAWG1
SATAC/UAC codes

Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) provides you with the academic foundation for admission to legal practice. In that context, the course provides you with knowledge of the law, legal processes and legal principles and cultivates a capacity for legal research, analysis and communication.

There is a focus on the analysis, interpretation, evaluation and application of various sources of legal authority to construct solutions to legal problems. The course also deals with theoretical perspectives on the law and encourages an appreciation of legal issues of special significance to the Northern Territory, including Aboriginal legal issues.

This Bachelor-level course has an entry pathway for students who already hold an undergraduate degree. The course structure and content is the same as the standard Bachelor of Laws, however the course title is distinguished by the inclusion of `Graduate Entry' to place distinction on a graduate's multiple qualifications.



Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Admission Board of the Northern Territory and provides the academic foundation for admission to legal practice in the Northern Territory and elsewhere in Australia.


To be admitted to legal practice in Australia, you must also complete the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP). This can be taken through the College of Law, Sydney, and completed online.

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full time study is AUD $28,848.00. This equates to $ $3,606.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.

CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

CDU Law Student

Why study law at CDU?

Study law with the experts in online legal education at CDU. Learn from a leader in transnational, human rights, cyber and customary law to become a first-class legal practitioner. You'll be prepared for a multitude of career opportunities, from Australia's legal systems and public service to business, government, industrial relations, and more. 

  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
  • Fast-track your law degree and qualify in 3 years
  • #4 in Australia for law and paralegal employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
International student Adele

Why study Law and Legal Studies at CDU?

Study law at CDU to learn from a leader in transnational, human rights, cyber and customary law to become a first-class legal practitioner. You'll be prepared for a multitude of career opportunities, from Australia's legal systems and public service to business, government, industrial relations, and more.

  • #4 in Australia for law and paralegal employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
CDU Law Student

Why study law at CDU?

Study law with the experts in online legal education at CDU. Learn from a leader in transnational, human rights, cyber and customary law to become a first-class legal practitioner. You'll be prepared for a multitude of career opportunities, from Australia's legal systems and public service to business, government, industrial relations, and more. 

  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
  • Fast-track your law degree and qualify in 3 years
  • #4 in Australia for law and paralegal employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
International student Adele

Why study Law and Legal Studies at CDU?

Study law at CDU to learn from a leader in transnational, human rights, cyber and customary law to become a first-class legal practitioner. You'll be prepared for a multitude of career opportunities, from Australia's legal systems and public service to business, government, industrial relations, and more.

  • #4 in Australia for law and paralegal employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)

What will I study?

The course is divided between core units and specialist electives. Most of the core units are those prescribed by the legal profession as essential for meeting the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia. The specialist electives are designed to allow students to gain understanding of a range of other aspects of the law, including family law, international law, and competition and consumer law.

Course structure

The degree is available for external and internal modes of study. External students receive online learning materials including recordings of all lectures, as well as on-line tutorial assistance via the online learning platform, enabling them to complete the course anywhere in the world.


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 240 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Students seeking to graduate with Honours should apply for the one-year Bachelor of Laws Honours (VLAWH2) upon completion of this course.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core Units
(13 units)
130 cpCompulsory Core units totalling 130 credit points as detailed below. 

LWZ114 Criminal Law
LWZ115 Legal Process
LWZ116 Torts
LWZ118 Contracts
LWZ204 Constitutional Law
LWZ210 Equity
LWZ211 Trusts
LWZ223 Property Law
LWZ304 Administrative Law
LWZ315 Corporations Law
LWZ316 Evidence
LWZ317 Civil Procedure
LWZ320 Professional Responsibility
Specialist Elective
(11 units)
110cp

Units totalling 110 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below.

LWA110 Legal History and Jurisprudence (unit title change 2023)
LWA111 Indigenous Peoples and the Legal System
LWA112 Environmental and Planning Law (not offered in 2024)
LWA113 Customary Law (not offered in 2024)
LWA115 Comparative Legal Systems (previously LWZ112)
LWA120 Law in Context
LWA133 Legal Reasoning
LWA207 Dispute Resolution
LWA210 Contemporary Issues
LWA213 Family Law (not offered in 2024)
LWA217 Resources and Energy Law
LWA219 Criminology (not offered in 2024)
LWA221 Human Rights Law 
LWA225 True Justice: Deep Listening
LWA298 Legal Clinic (previously LWZ019)
LWA316 Intellectual Property Law
LWA317 Research Paper
LWA319 Private International Law (not offered 2024)
LWA321 Public International Law (not offered in 2024)
LWA322 Moot Court
LWA325 Succession (not offered in 2024)
LWA328 Competition and Consumer Law (not offered in 2024)
LWA329 Conveyancing Law 
LWA331 Finance and Securities Law (no longer available)
LWA332 Science and the Law (not offered in 2024)

 240cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (240cp)

  • A maximum of 100 credit points may be taken from 100 level units.
  • A minimum of 60 credit points must be taken from 300 level units or above.
  • See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.

If course commenced prior to 2023:
No more than 20 credit points shall be counted with a grade of "PC" in a Bachelor AQF Level 7 course award and no more than 10 credit points at "PC" may be received at the highest level of the program of learning.

 

Course Changes and Transitional Arrangements - 2021

The required core units have reduced from 15 units (150cp) to 13 units (130cp). The required specialist elective units have increased from 9 units (90cp) to 11 units (110cp).

  • LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems has been recoded to LWA115 Comparative Legal Systems and changed from a Law Core Unit to a Law Specialist Elective unit. Students who have already completed LWZ112 will have it counted as a Law Specialist Elective.
  • LWZ212 Transnational Law has been discontinued. Students who have already completed LWZ212 will have it counted as a Law Specialist Elective.
  • LWA114 Law, Justice and the State has been discontinued.
  • LWA120 Law in Context has been added as a Law Specialist Elective.

Course Changes - 2017

LWA133 Legal Reasoning has been added as a specialist elective from 2017.

Course Changes and Transfer Arrangements - 2016

The unit LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems has been added to the course structure as an introductory unit, in addition to LWZ115 Legal Process. LWZ212 Transnational Law has also been made a core unit.

  • Students who began their studies in 2015 and completed LWZ111 Introduction to Law will be exempt from completing LWZ115 Legal Process. However, they will still be required to complete LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems and LWZ212 Transnational Law.
  • Students will be given credit for all units accredited under the past course codes of BLAW, BLAWG and ADLS

In 2015 LWZ100A and LWZ100B were replaced by one introductory unit - LWZ111.

  • Students who have completed either LWZ100A or LWZ100B will be exempt from completing LWZ115. However they will still be required to complete LWZ112 and LWZ212.
  • Students who have completed both LWZ100A and LWZ100B will be exempt from doing LWZ115 and they will still have to complete LWZ112 and LWZ212. However, they will not be disadvantaged and will receive 10cp to be credited towards their degree as a specialist elective at 100 level.

Please see the same information below in a table format:

Student has completed before 2016Student Exempt in 2016Student has to complete in 2016
LWZ111 LWZ115 Legal ProcessLWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems
LWZ212 Transnational Law
LWZ100A and LWZ100BLWZ115 Legal Process plus
Receive 10cp as a specialist elective unit at 100 level
LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems
LWZ212 Transnational Law
LWZ100ALWZ115 Legal ProcessLWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems
LWZ212 Transnational Law
LWZ100BLWZ115 Legal ProcessLWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems
LWZ212 Transnational Law


Additional transitioning rules applicable to students who started before 2015:

LWZ202 was a core unit which was being discontinued and its outcomes were incorporated into the core units LWZ203 Constitutional Law and LWZ312 Administrative Law.

Their new unit codes are LWZ204 Constitutional Law and LWZ304 Administrative Law

Proposed rules:

  • Students who have done LWZ202 and LWZ203 are not required to do LWZ204 however they still have to complete the core unit LWZ304
  • Students who have done LWZ202 and LWZ312 are not required to do LWZ304. However they still have to complete the core unit LWZ204
  • Students who have done LWZ203 will have to do LWZ204. However they will receive 10cp towards their Bachelor of Laws degree so they will not be disadvantaged.
  • Students who have done LWZ312 will have to do LWZ304. However they will receive 10cp towards their Bachelor of Laws degree so they will not be disadvantaged.

Table format: 

Student has completed before 2015Student Exempt from completingStudent has to complete
LWZ202 and LWZ203 and LWZ312 LWZ204
LWZ304
1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level
 
LWZ202 and LWZ203LWZ204
1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level
LWZ304
 
LWZ202 and LWZ312LWZ304
1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level
LWZ204
LWZ202 (but not LWZ203 or LWZ312)1 x Specialist Elective at 200 levelLWZ204
LWZ304
LWZ203 (but not LWZ202 or LWZ312)1 x Specialist Elective at 200 levelLWZ204
LWZ304
LWZ312 (but not LWZ202 or LWZ203)1 x Specialist Elective at 200 levelLWZ204
LWZ304

  

Study plan


Students commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:
-    ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
-    maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
-    check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.

All students should enrol in LWZ115 in the first semester of study.

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
LWZ114 Criminal LawCOLWZ116 TortsCO
LWZ115 Legal ProcessCOLWZ118 ContractsCO
Specialist Elective 1SESpecialist Elective 3SE
Specialist Elective 2SESpecialist Elective 4SE
Year 2
LWZ210 Equity COLWZ204 Constitutional LawCO
LWZ223 Property LawCOLWZ211 TrustsCO
Specialist Elective 5SESpecialist Elective 7SE
Specialist Elective 6SESpecialist Elective 8SE
Year 3
LWZ304 Administrative LawCOLWZ317 Civil ProcedureSE
LWZ315 Corporations LawCOLWZ320 Professional ResponsibilitySE
LWZ316 EvidenceCOSpecialist Elective 10SE
Specialist Elective 9SESpecialist Elective 11SE

Specialist Elective Availability for 2024

Law Specialist Elective (SE) units may be selected from the following:

Semester 1Semester 2Intensive Periods (INT)Summer Semester
Specialist Electives Available in 2024 
LWA120 Law in Context
LWA133 Legal Reasoning
LWA298 Legal Clinic
LWA316 Intellectual Property Law
LWA317 Research Paper
LWA329 Conveyancing Law
LWA110 Legal History and Jurisprudence
LWA112 Environmental and Planning Law
LWA115 Comparative Legal Systems
LWA210 Contemporary Issues
LWA298 Legal Clinic
LWA317 Research Paper
LWA322 Moot Court
 
LWA111 Indigenous Peoples and the Legal System (INT-4)
LWA207 Dispute Resolution (INT-4)
LWA210 Contemporary Issues (INT-4)
LWA221 Human Rights Law (INT-2)
LWA225 True Justice: Deep Listening (INT-4)
LWA317 Research Paper (INT-1)
LWA210 Contemporary Issues
LWA217 Resources and Energy Law

 
 
Specialist Electives Not Offered in 2024 
LWA319 Private International Law
LWA325 Succession

 
LWA213 Family Law
LWA328 Competition and Consumer Law
LWA332 Science and Law
 
LWA113 Customary Law (INT-4)
LWA219 Criminology (INT-4)
 
LWA321 Public International Law

 


Students commencing in Semester 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:
-    ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
-    maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
-    check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.

All students should enrol in LWZ115 in the first semester of study.

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  LWZ115 Legal Process CO
  LWZ116 Torts CO
  LWZ118 Contracts CO
  Specialist Elective 1 SE
Year 2
LWZ114 Criminal Law COLWZ204 Constitutional Law CO
LWZ210 Equity  COLWZ211 Trusts CO
Specialist Elective 2 SESpecialist Elective 4 SE
Specialist Elective 3SESpecialist Elective 5SE
Year 3
LWZ223 Property LawCOLWZ317 Civil Procedure CO
LWZ304 Administrative Law COLWZ320 Professional Responsibility CO
Specialist Elective 6SESpecialist Elective 8SE
Specialist Elective 7SESpecialist Elective 9SE
Year 4
LWZ315 Corporations LawCO  
LWZ316 EvidenceCO  
Specialist Elective 10SE  
Specialist Elective 11SE  

Specialist Elective Availability for 2024

Law Specialist Elective (SE) units may be selected from the following:

Semester 1Semester 2Intensive Periods (INT)Summer Semester
Specialist Electives Available in 2024 
LWA120 Law in Context
LWA133 Legal Reasoning
LWA298 Legal Clinic
LWA316 Intellectual Property Law
LWA317 Research Paper
LWA329 Conveyancing Law
LWA110 Legal History and Jurisprudence
LWA112 Environmental and Planning Law
LWA115 Comparative Legal Systems
LWA210 Contemporary Issues
LWA298 Legal Clinic
LWA317 Research Paper
LWA322 Moot Court
 
LWA111 Indigenous Peoples and the Legal System (INT-4)
LWA207 Dispute Resolution (INT-4)
LWA210 Contemporary Issues (INT-4)
LWA221 Human Rights Law (INT-2)
LWA225 True Justice: Deep Listening (INT-4)
LWA317 Research Paper (INT-1)
LWA210 Contemporary Issues
LWA217 Resources and Energy Law

 
 
Specialist Electives Not Offered in 2024 
LWA319 Private International Law
LWA325 Succession

 
LWA213 Family Law
LWA328 Competition and Consumer Law
LWA332 Science and Law
 
LWA113 Customary Law (INT-4)
LWA219 Criminology (INT-4)
 
LWA321 Public International Law

 

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, master's degree, PhD (other than law) or equivalent international qualification.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic ModuleA minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.

* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.

 

ATAR profile


There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.

CDU offered an amazing fast track option for law. I could complete my law degree in three years, as opposed to the usual four. Finishing my law degree in a shorter amount of time will mean I reach the workplace faster and there's no compromise on how many different areas of the law I study.

Ade

CDU student

Student sitting with laptop

Thanks to the Law school we had the chance in the past to participate in professional development days attended by lawyers, judges, and legal officers which gave us a clear idea of how the law works in practice.

Adele

CDU student

International student Adele (Law)

CDU offered an amazing fast track option for law. I could complete my law degree in three years, as opposed to the usual four. Finishing my law degree in a shorter amount of time will mean I reach the workplace faster and there's no compromise on how many different areas of the law I study.

Ade

CDU student

Student sitting with laptop

Thanks to the Law school we had the chance in the past to participate in professional development days attended by lawyers, judges, and legal officers which gave us a clear idea of how the law works in practice.

Adele

CDU student

International student Adele (Law)

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Student profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students that commenced this course and passed the census date in Semester 1, 2023.

Applicant background (Semester one intake 2023)No. of Students% of all Students
A. Higher education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)
6 .0
B. Vocational education and training (VET) study<5N/P
C. Work and life experience
(Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
<5N/P
D. Recent secondary education
  • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR

(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)

<5N/P
  • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered

(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra offer conditional on minimum ATAR)

<5N/P
  • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor

(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)

<5N/P
International students<5N/P
All students 6 .0

Notes
"<5" - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Bachelor of Laws
Faculty/College
Faculty of Arts and Society
Sector
HE
Area of study
Law and Legal Studies

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC or TAS.

UAC

UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.

SATAC/UAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
UAC Code
CDU Waterfront Darwin (CSP)
1BG015
820011
Online (CSP)
1BG015
820011
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
CDU Waterfront Darwin
085365A

We are here to help

Submit an enquiry and our friendly team will be in touch.

You can unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy notice.
Back to top