Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
80Course code
Overview
The Bachelor of Laws Honours is a one-year course for high-achieving Bachelor of Laws' graduates. It may provide you with a pathway to a PhD, enhance your career prospects and advance your legal research and writing skills.
During the course, you'll undertake a substantial legal research project in an area relevant to your career. This is an opportunity to deeply explore a legal topic of your interest, as well as develop a sound understanding of the research methodologies relevant to law and legal scholarship.
With the support of CDU's academic staff and your research supervisor, you will be encouraged to produce quality research and develop your project to a publishable level.
If you successfully complete the Bachelor of Laws Honours, you may be eligible for admission to a PhD.
Career opportunities
Law prepares you to pursue the pathway towards a career as a solicitor or barrister, however, 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
This course is recognised by the Legal Profession Admission Board in the Northern Territory.
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 2026 is AUD $31,728.00. This equates to $3,966.00 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. See 2026 Higher Education International Annual Tuition Fees.
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?
This course will support you to undertake a substantial and high-quality research project. You will undertake two coursework units that cultivate your understanding of legal research methodologies and develop your research skills and project proposal. You will also undertake two specialist elective units, with the option to choose either a coursework law unit or from other research training units offered by CDU (provided they are relevant to your chosen area of research). You will then focus on undertaking your research and producing a substantial honours thesis for the main component of the course.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (2 units) | 20cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below. LWZ401 Legal Research Methodologies LWZ402 Legal Research Development |
| Research Units (1-2 units) | 40cp | Research units totalling 40 credit points. LWZ711 Law Honours Research Thesis A (40cp) OR LWZ712 Law Honours Research Thesis B (20cp) AND |
| Specialist Elective Units (2 units) | 20cp | Specialist Elective unit totalling 20 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below. The selection of specialist electives will need to be approved by Course Coordinator and Supervisor before students enrol in any specialist elective unit. LAW515 Indigenous Peoples and the Law Students can also select specialist electives from available 400 or 500 level units across CDU where they will support their research project. Students should discuss enrolment with the unit coordinator before enrolling. Units can include the below or others on application: ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Course Changes and Transitional Arrangements - 2026
PSY426 has been replaced by PSY416. Students that have completed PSY416 prior to 2022 should not complete PSY416.
PSY447 has been replaced by PSY417. Students that have completed PSY447 prior to 2022 should not complete PSY417.
LAW521 Finance and Securities Law is no longer offered. Students who have already completed LAW521 will have it counted as a Law Specialist Elective.
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 full time or part time 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:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | R = Research Unit |
FULL TIME STUDY PLAN
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| LWZ401 Legal Research Methodologies | CO | LWZ711 Law Honours Research Thesis A (40cp) | R |
| LWZ402 Legal Project Development | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | R = Research Unit |
PART TIME STUDY PLAN
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| LWZ401 Legal Research Methodologies | CO | Specialist Elective 1 | SE |
| LWZ402 Legal Project Development | CO | Specialist Elective 2 | SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| LWZ712 Law Honours Research Thesis B (20cp) | R | LWZ713 Law Honours Research Thesis C (20cp) | R |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a Bachelor of Laws degree or a related discipline with a minimum GPA of 5.50.
Additional admission requirements
Applicants must contact the Faculty by email at fas@cdu.edu.au to discuss a potential research project and supervision prior to application. In addition to minimum GPA of 5.50, applicants are required to have a research project topic and supervisor who has agreed to supervise the student and project before admission is approved.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the standard English language proficiency requirements for Higher Education courses at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and provide evidence as part of their application.
You can meet the minimum English language requirement by providing evidence of one of following:
| Previous study in English |
|
| AHPRA Registration | Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English Test within two years of commencement, with the minimum scores shown below. |
| Primary language pathway | Completion of six years of primary and/or secondary schooling in a recognised English-speaking country*, including at least two years between years 7-12. |
Additional information about accepted tests and the evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
^English tests - approved tests and minimum scores
| Undergraduate and postgraduate pathway program requirement | Postgraduate requirement (HDR and coursework) | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP003 | Successful completion of EAP004 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below 6.0 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 | Overall minimum: 58 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 |
Information about test validity, accepted combined test results, IELTS One Skill Retake and evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
*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, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
All previous studies must have been delivered in English (medium of instruction was English). Applicants who have studied at an institution from a coutnry on the extended list must provide confirmation that their study was completed within the last five years.
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
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 8.
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, 2025.
| Applicant background (Semester one intake 2025) | No. of Students | % of all Students |
|---|---|---|
| A. Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | <5 | N/P |
| 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 | <5 | N/P |
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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