Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
240Course code
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.
Career opportunities
Law prepares you to pursue the pathway towards a career as a solicitor or barrister. It may also provide career paths into areas where an in-depth understanding of the law is advantageous, including politics, the public service, industrial relations or community advocacy.
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 in 2025 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.
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)
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)
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)
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 otherwise indicated.
Students seeking to graduate with Honours should apply for the one-year Bachelor of Laws Honours (VLAWH2) upon completion of this course.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (13 units) | 130cp | Compulsory 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 |
| 240cp | Total 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 AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2017
LWA133 Legal Reasoning has been added as a specialist elective from 2017.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL 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 2016 | Student Exempt in 2016 | Student has to complete in 2016 |
| LWZ111 | LWZ115 Legal Process | LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems LWZ212 Transnational Law |
| LWZ100A and LWZ100B | LWZ115 Legal Process plus Receive 10cp as a specialist elective unit at 100 level | LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems LWZ212 Transnational Law |
| LWZ100A | LWZ115 Legal Process | LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems LWZ212 Transnational Law |
| LWZ100B | LWZ115 Legal Process | LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems LWZ212 Transnational Law |
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - PRE 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 2015 | Student Exempt from completing | Student has to complete |
| LWZ202 and LWZ203 and LWZ312 | LWZ204 LWZ304 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level | |
| LWZ202 and LWZ203 | LWZ204 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level | LWZ304 |
| LWZ202 and LWZ312 | LWZ304 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level | LWZ204 |
| LWZ202 (but not LWZ203 or LWZ312) | 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level | LWZ204 LWZ304 |
| LWZ203 (but not LWZ202 or LWZ312) | 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level | LWZ204 LWZ304 |
| LWZ312 (but not LWZ202 or LWZ203) | 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level | LWZ204 LWZ304 |
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to 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:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
NOTE:
All students should enrol in LWZ115 in the first semester of study.
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| LWZ114 Criminal Law | CO | LWZ116 Torts | CO |
| LWZ115 Legal Process | CO | LWZ118 Contracts | CO |
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | Specialist Elective 3 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | Specialist Elective 4 | SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| LWZ210 Equity | CO | LWZ204 Constitutional Law | CO |
| LWZ223 Property Law | CO | LWZ211 Trusts | CO |
| Specialist Elective 5 | SE | Specialist Elective 7 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 6 | SE | Specialist Elective 8 | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| LWZ304 Administrative Law | CO | LWZ317 Civil Procedure | SE |
| LWZ315 Corporations Law | CO | LWZ320 Professional Responsibility | SE |
| LWZ316 Evidence | CO | Specialist Elective 10 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 9 | SE | Specialist Elective 11 | SE |
Specialist Elective Availability for 2025
Law Specialist Elective (SE) units may be selected from the following:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Intensive Periods (INT) | Summer Semester |
| Specialist Electives Available in 2025 | |||
| LWA120 Law in Context | LWA110 Legal History and Jurisprudence | LWA113 Customary Law (INT-4) | LWA317 Research Paper |
| LWA133 Legal Reasoning | LWA115 Comparative Legal Systems | LWA207 Dispute Resolution (INT-4) | LWA321 Public International Law |
| LWA317 Research Paper | LWA213 Family Law | LWA210 Contemporary Issues (INT-2, INT-4) | |
| LWA319 Private International Law | LWA219 Criminology | LWA225 True Justice: Deep Listening (INT-4) | |
| LWA325 Succession | LWA298 Legal Clinic | ||
| LWA317 Research Paper | |||
| LWA322 Moot Court | |||
| LWA328 Competition and Consumer Law | |||
| Specialist Electives Next Offered in 2026 | |||
| LWA316 Intellectual Property Law | LWA112 Environmental and Planning Law | LWA111 Indigenous Peoples and the Legal System (INT-4) | LWA217 Resources and Energy Law |
| LWA329 Conveyancing Law | LWA332 Science and Law | LWA221 Human Rights Law (INT-2) | |
| IAS339 Intercultural Mediation (INT-3) | |||
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to 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:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
NOTE:
All students should enrol in LWZ115 in the first semester of study.
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| LWZ115 Legal Process | CO | ||
| LWZ116 Torts | CO | ||
| LWZ118 Contracts | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| LWZ114 Criminal Law | CO | LWZ204 Constitutional Law | CO |
| LWZ210 Equity | CO | LWZ211 Trusts | CO |
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | Specialist Elective 4 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | Specialist Elective 5 | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| LWZ223 Property Law | CO | LWZ317 Civil Procedure | CO |
| LWZ304 Administrative Law | CO | LWZ320 Professional Responsibility | CO |
| Specialist Elective 6 | SE | Specialist Elective 8 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 7 | SE | Specialist Elective 9 | SE |
| Year 4 | |||
| LWZ315 Corporations Law | CO | ||
| LWZ316 Evidence | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 10 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 11 | SE | ||
Specialist Elective Availability for 2025
Law Specialist Elective (SE) units may be selected from the following:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Intensive Periods (INT) | Summer Semester |
| Specialist Electives Available in 2025 | |||
| LWA120 Law in Context | LWA110 Legal History and Jurisprudence | LWA113 Customary Law (INT-4) | LWA317 Research Paper |
| LWA133 Legal Reasoning | LWA115 Comparative Legal Systems | LWA207 Dispute Resolution (INT-4) | LWA321 Public International Law |
| LWA317 Research Paper | LWA213 Family Law | LWA210 Contemporary Issues (INT-2, INT-4) | |
| LWA319 Private International Law | LWA219 Criminology | LWA225 True Justice: Deep Listening (INT-4) | |
| LWA325 Succession | LWA298 Legal Clinic | ||
| LWA317 Research Paper | |||
| LWA322 Moot Court | |||
| LWA328 Competition and Consumer Law | |||
| Specialist Electives Next Offered in 2026 | |||
| LWA316 Intellectual Property Law | LWA112 Environmental and Planning Law | LWA111 Indigenous Peoples and the Legal System (INT-4) | LWA217 Resources and Energy Law |
| LWA329 Conveyancing Law | LWA332 Science and Law | LWA221 Human Rights Law (INT-2) | |
| IAS339 Intercultural Mediation (INT-3) | |||
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
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
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. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
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.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from 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 Module (including One Skill Retake) | A 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 Proficiency | A 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 module | A 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
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
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
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
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, 2024.
| Applicant background (Semester one intake 2024) | 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 | <5 | N/P |
| C. Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) | <5 | N/P |
D. Recent secondary education
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | <5 | N/P |
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra offer conditional on minimum ATAR) | <5 | N/P |
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) | <5 | N/P |
| International students | <5 | N/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
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
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, NSW or TAS.
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.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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