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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March, July, October
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Duration
3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
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Location
Gold Coast, Online
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Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
60
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Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.0
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
BLJSt
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Course code
3006110
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Credit points
288
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Equivalent units
24
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
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Start Date
March, June
-
Duration
3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
-
Location
Gold Coast, Online
-
Placement
Yes Learn more
-
ATAR
60
-
Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.0
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
BLJSt
-
Course code
3006110
-
Credit points
288
-
Equivalent units
24
-
Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
-
CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
In the fight for justice, you need knowledge, integrity and perseverance. This degree embraces all these qualities as you learn how the law works, why specific laws exist, and how our laws impact on others.
The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies is an excellent degree for those wanting to work in policy development, paralegal positions, conveyancing, and in the justice sector. It provides a thorough practical grounding in legal knowledge and a strong understanding of Australian and international politics and society. If you have already been working professionally in the fields of law and justice, this course will extend your knowledge, skills and expertise. The conveyancing major, which is accredited by New South Wales Fair Trading, enables you to become a licenced conveyancer in NSW.
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“I chose Southern Cross because I wanted somewhere where the lecturers knew me by name and provided one-on-one assistance. The course was definitely challenging but I learned so much and the staff were always so willing to help.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context. |
GA2: Creativity Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses. |
GA3: Ethical practice Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development. Demonstrate the ability to analyse and evaluate a broad body of knowledge relating to the paralegal, professional and social contexts of the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts. |
GA5: Lifelong learning Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development. Develop self-management skills to learn and work independently and reflect on one's own capabilities and performance. Demonstrate appropriate and effective collaborations and communications with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Demonstrate appropriate and effective collaborations and communications with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development. |
GA7: Cultural competence Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development. Demonstrate appropriate and effective collaborations and communications with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on Australian indigenous perspectives in law, justice and the legal environment. |
The course consists of core and elective units, including Australian Politics, the Australian Legal System, Global Social Movements and Social Policy. Students can choose to study a major in Conveyancing.
Additional information: Some elective units, when studied online, require students to attend on-campus workshops.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 |
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 022342G |
| Online | Term 1 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | N/A |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Career Outcomes
Our graduates can envisage career roles across the justice and social policy sector, as well as the public service.
The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies, when studied with the Conveyancing major, is a recognised educational qualification for a licensed conveyancer in NSW.
Students wanting to become lawyers may receive advanced standing for eligible units in the Bachelor of Laws, during or on completion of the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies, subject to approval by the Course Coordinator. Students intending to apply for advanced standing into the Bachelor of Laws are advised to contact SCU Law Enquiry at their earliest convenience.
Alternatively, students can choose to graduate with the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) after completing the required 16 units.
Other career outcomes include law-related work in legal firms, government policy making, corporate firms, government legal departments, law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, court administration, public prosecutions, and in the corporate sector in banking, insurance and conveyancing.
The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies (Conveyancing major) conducted by Southern Cross University is an approved educational qualification as provided for in Schedule 1 of the Conveyancers Licensing (Qualifications) Order 2006. For licensing requirements, and details of mandatory additional work experience required to enable registration, enquiries should be made to NSW Fair Trading.
Note that each Australian state or territory has its own legislation regulating conveyancing practice, except QLD where only qualified solicitors are legally permitted to engage in conveyancing.
The subject ‘LEGL2012 – Mediation Practice and Procedure’, meets the training and assessment threshold requirements as specified in the National Mediator Accreditation System. As such, Southern Cross University is recognised as an Education and Training Provider Member of the Mediation Standards Board. Upon successful completion of the unit, students may apply to a Registered Mediation Accreditation Body (RMAB) to finalise their accreditation.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.0 |
| Listening | minimum 5.5 |
| Reading | minimum 5.5 |
| Speaking | minimum 5.5 |
| Writing | minimum 5.5 |
Credit for prior learning
Candidates who have completed an Associate Degree of Law (Paralegal Studies) may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units towards the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
| Country | Score |
|---|---|
| Austria AMC | 3.4 |
| Bangladesh HSC | 3.6 |
| Brazil SSLC | 8.2 |
| Canada High School OSSD | 50 |
| Chile PSU | 6.4, overall 600-649 |
| China Gao Kao | 449 |
| Colombia CB (NAT) | 81, overall 300-349 |
| Denmark USSLE | 6.2 |
| France FB | 11 |
| German Abitur | 3 |
| Hong Kong HKDSE | 14 |
| India CBSE (best 4) | 8.5 external exam |
| India CBSE (best 4) | 8.5 external exam |
| India CISCE | 71 |
| India CISCE | 71 |
| India Higher Secondary School Certificate (best 4) | 78 in academic |
| Indonesia SMA | 8.2 |
| International Baccalaureate | 24 |
| Japan USSLC | 4 |
| Korea, Republic of, CSAT | 298 |
| Malaysia ICSSUEC | 71 |
| Malaysia STPM | 5 (best 3 A levels) |
| Nepal Higher Secondary Education Certificate | 73 |
| Nepal Proficiency Certificate | 82 |
| Norway GPA | 1.5 |
| Pakistan HSSC Humanities and Science streams | 77 |
| Pakistan HSSC Pre-Eng and Pre-Med streams | 31 |
| Papua New Guinea HSC (best 5) | 2.5 pass Eng & Math |
| Peru OCSE | 17 |
| Phillipines NSAT | 89 |
| Russia FCCSE | 4.4 |
| Saudi Arabia MESSLC | 83 |
| Singapore SCGCE | 15.5 |
| Spain SSSD | 8.2 |
| Spain STBPU | 7.5 |
| Sri Lanka GCE | 4.5 |
| Sweden SSLC | 13 (4 subjects) |
| Taiwan GSAT | 54 |
| Taiwan Senior High School Certificate | 87 |
| Thailand CSE | (Matayom 6) 1.9 |
| Turkey HSD | 4 |
| UK Board GCE A Levels | 13 |
| USA SAT & ACT | SAT 1410, ACT 20 |
| Vietnam (in 4 subjects) | 7.5 academic average |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:
- 12 core units (144 credit points),
- Conveyancing Major (96 credit points) and 4 Law electives (48 credit points), or
- 10 Law electives (120 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points), or
- 4 Law electives (48 credit points) and a Shared Major (96 credit points), excluding the Law and Justice Major.
Exit Award
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Law (Paralegal Studies) after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:
- 8 core Law units (96 credit points) and
- Conveyancing Major (96 credit points) or
- 6 Law electives (72 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points).
Other things to consider
As part of our commitment to admissions transparency, the University provides a snapshot of how students were admitted to their courses and the profile of students studying with us here.
There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.
Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.
SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.
Course structure
Why Law at SCU
5-star rating
We're rated 5-stars for teaching quality and student support
(Good Universities Guide 2023: Law)Postgraduate experience
We're rated 5-stars for postgraduate overall experience, student support and teaching quality
(GUG 2023)Entry pathways
Entry pathways available into Bachelor of Laws from the Associate Degree in Law
(Paralegal Studies)Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Apply now
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- Choose where and when from the available options
Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Early offer
If you're a current year 12 student you can register for our Early Offer program. You may be eligible to receive an early offer based on your School Principal's recommendation.
Apply now for your early offerChoose where you want to study
Gold Coast
Online
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International students studying in Australia
Gold Coast
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
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Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
Find a pathway