A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree provides candidates with a law degree that opens doors to a diverse range of professional careers in Australia and around the world.
In addition to equipping you with an understanding of law and the contexts in which it operates, the LLB (Hons) places a significant emphasis on building your high-level research skills through opportunities to conduct independent legal research.
Through the LLB (Hons), you will graduate with an honours-degree, giving you additional advantages in establishing your career or providing a strong foundation for postgraduate study. The program satisfies the academic component to be admitted as a legal practitioner in Australia.
Can you see yourself jet-setting the globe with a career in trade, foreign affairs, journalism, international business or research? You have found the right degree.
ANU is a leader in the field of International Relations.
Our program will introduce you to International Relations, initially via the broad historical and intellectual framework which has framed the modern world of states since the 17th century. It will then concentrate on the 20th century, the age of World Wars and the Cold War, before addressing contemporary issues, the age of global political economy, global culture and communication, global environmental concerns and post-Cold war political conflict, including the 'War on Terror'.
With our flexible program you can extend your chosen language subject into a major, and have the opportunity to go on exchange or an international/national internship.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
Employment Opportunities
Law graduates may find work either in areas where a law degree is a professional requirement or more general fields in which law is especially useful.
A Bachelor of Laws would normally be a requirement for the following occupations: a Barrister or Solicitor in professional practice; a Legal Officer in government departments or private enterprise; a Corporate Legal Officer in private industry, commerce and finance; community legal work; law teaching and academic research; a Judge's Associate, and legal journalism.
To practice as a Barrister or Solicitor graduates must also complete Practical Legal Training at an accredited institution.
More general fields of employment include: the Australian Foreign Service; industrial relations; social welfare; government administration; business management; lobbying; media; public relations; law librarianship; court reporting; environmental agencies; technology and communications; and Federal and State police forces.
Law graduates may find work either in areas where a law degree is a professional requirement or more general fields in which law is especially useful.
A Bachelor of Laws would normally be a requirement for the following occupations: a Barrister or Solicitor in professional practice; a Legal Officer in government departments or private enterprise; a Corporate Legal Officer in private industry, commerce and finance; community legal work; law teaching and academic research; a Judge's Associate, and legal journalism.
To practice as a Barrister or Solicitor graduates must also complete Practical Legal Training at an accredited institution.
More general fields of employment include: the Australian Foreign Service; industrial relations; social welfare; government administration; business management; lobbying; media; public relations; law librarianship; court reporting; environmental agencies; technology and communications; and Federal and State police forces.
Learning Outcomes
Review, analyse, and synthesise knowledge from primary and secondary legal sources to identify and provide solutions to complex legal and justice problems.
Interpret and critically evaluate the nature of law and its social and ethical impact on society, at a local, national, and international level.
Undertake technical legal research to access a range of legal materials, literature databases, and other online sources, and apply legal or interdisciplinary research methodologies to evaluate and synthesise findings.
Communicate to a variety of legal and non-legal audiences in a range of oral and written formats.
Develop insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ diverse perspectives on laws and society and evaluate their relationship and importance to contemporary Australian law and society.
Work both independently and collaboratively as required, and evaluate and reflect on feedback to develop personal, professional and ethical capability across a range of legal disciplines.
identify the principal theoretical approaches to the study of international relations, and the relationships between them;
have a thorough understanding of the historical development of the global system;
demonstrate an understanding of the principal actors in contemporary global politics and the challenges they face;
understand the principal factors that determine the foreign policies of major powers and of Australia; and
reflect critically on the knowledge and skills developed in their study of International Relations.
Admission Requirements
At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.
In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.
The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.
- ATAR:
- 96
- International Baccalaureate:
- 38
Domestic applicants
Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.
- Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
- completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
- co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
- English language proficiency; and
- any program-specific requirements listed below.
- Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
- previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
- English language proficiency; and
- any program-specific requirements listed below.
- Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
- previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
- English language proficiency; and
- any program-specific requirements listed below.
- Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
- ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
- English language proficiency; and
- any program-specific requirements listed below.
International applicants
Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.
Diversity factors & English language proficiency
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.
Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission
Adjustment Factors
Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded.
You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:
- applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
- undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
- achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
- not previously attempted tertiary study.
Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of International Relations - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $44,470.00
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) flexible double degree component requires completion of 144 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 144 units must include:
96 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
LAWS1201 Foundations of Australian Law
LAWS1202 Lawyers, Justice and Ethics
LAWS1203 Torts
LAWS1204 Contracts
LAWS1205 Australian Public Law
LAWS1206 Criminal Law and Procedure
LAWS2201 Administrative Law
LAWS2202 Commonwealth Constitutional Law
LAWS2203 Corporations Law
LAWS2204 Property
LAWS2205 Equity and Trusts
LAWS2207 Evidence
LAWS2244 Litigation and Dispute Management
LAWS2248 Legal Research and Writing (available 2022)
LAWS2249 Legal Theory
LAWS2250 International Law
48 units from completion of 4000-level LAWS-coded courses including at least 6 units from completion of courses on the following list:
LAWS4010 Jessup Moot
LAWS4213 Contemporary Issues in Constitutional Law
LAWS4220 Human Rights Law in Australia
LAWS4230 Law Internship
LAWS4231 Law and Art: Representation and Critique (if the optional 4000 word research essay is completed)
LAWS4254 Restitution (if the optional 4000 word research essay is completed)
LAWS4256 Law and Sexualities
LAWS4258 International Organisations (Geneva)
LAWS4262 Advanced Administrative Law
LAWS4286 Literature, Law and Human Rights (if the optional 4000 word research essay is completed)
LAWS4218 Feminist and Critical Legal Theory
LAWS4290 High Court of Australia
LAWS4300 Supervised Research Paper
LAWS4315 Law and Development in the Contemporary South Pacific
48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
HONS4300 Final Honours Grade will be used to record the class of honours. The final honour mark will be calculated using the formula S (mark x units) / S units, giving NCN and WN a nominal mark of zero. All LAWS-coded courses will be included in the calculation.
The Bachelor of International Relations flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:
24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts
POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues
POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy
POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis
A minimum of 6 units from the following theory courses:
POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory
POLS2102 Political Belief and Deceit
POLS2119 Ideas in Politics
POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory
POLS3017 International Relations Theory
POLS3032 The Politics of Empire
A minimum of 6 units from the following methods courses:
POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science
POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis
POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences
POLS2137 Meaning in Politics: Interpretation, Method and Critique
POLS3045 Qualitative Research Methods in Political Science Research
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
A minimum of 12 units from the following areas studies courses:
ASIA1035 Introduction to Asian Politics
ASIA1999 The Origins of Political Order in Asia
ASIA2109 Violence, Poverty, and Politics in India
EURO1004 Europe in the Modern Era
EURO2012 Uniting Europe: History, Politics, Theory
EURO3002 Comparative European Politics
INTR2010 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific
MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East
MEAS2001 New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security
MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East
POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East
POLS2055 Pacific Politics
POLS2095 Politics in Latin America
POLS2117 The International Relations of Latin America
POLS3040 Conflict and Change in Sub-Saharan Africa
A minimum of 12 units from the following security courses:
ASIA2111 Indonesian Foreign and Security Policy
INTR2012 Chinese Foreign and Security Policy
INTR2014 Indian Foreign and Security Policy
INTR2016 US Foreign and Security Policy in Asia
INTR2018 Japanese Foreign and Security Policy
INTR2020 (In)Stability on the Korean Peninsula
INTR2024 Nuclear Politics in Asia: Challenges and Opportunities
POLS2123 Peace and Conflict Studies
POLS2136 Power and Influence in world politics
POLS3033 Environment, Human Security and Conflict
POLS3036 International Terrorism
STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies
STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific
STST2124 Politics of Nuclear Weapons
STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands
STST3002 Australia's Security in the Asian Century
A minimum of 12 units from the following global politics courses:
DEMO2003 Migration in the Modern World
DIPL2000 Leadership and Diplomacy
HIST1209 Terror to Terrorism: A History
HIST2136 World at War: 1939-1945
HIST2141 The Cold War: 1945-1989
HIST2240 Democracy and Dissent: Europe Since 1945
INTR3001 Humanitarianism: Principles, Politics and Practice
PHIL2113 Global Justice
POLS2011 Development and Change
POLS2100 Genocide in the Modern World
POLS2101 Refugee Politics: Displacement and Exclusion in the 20th and 21st Centuries
POLS2113 Human Rights
POLS2133 International Organisations in World Politics
POLS2135 Race, Ethnicity and Representation
POLS3004 Emotions in International Politics
POLS3035 The Politics of International Law
POLS3037 Globalisation: Communications, Culture and Democracy
SOCY2030 Social Inequalities and Development
A maximum of 12 units from the following internships and Vice-Chancellor's courses:
ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program A
ANIP3005 Australian National Internships Program B
VCUG2001 Creating Knowledge
VCUG2002 Leadership and Influence in a Complex World
VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity
VCUG3002 Mobilising Research
A maximum of 24 units from courses in the following language minors:
Advanced Chinese Language
Advanced French Studies
Advanced German Studies
Advanced Italian Studies
Advanced Japanese Language
Advanced Korean Language
Advanced Spanish Studies
Arabic
Burmese Language
Chinese Language
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Language and Culture
Japanese Language
Japanese Linguistics
Korean Language
Mongolian Language
Russian
Persian
Spanish
Tetum Language
Thai Language
Vietnamese Language
Minors
Bachelor of International Relations Minors
Specialisations
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Specialisations
Study Options
Year 1 | LAWS1201 Foundations of Australian Law 6 units | LAWS1203 Torts 6 units | POLS1005 Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts 6 units | Any 1000 level course from the Area Studies or Security Lists or Minor 1000/2000 Level Course 6 units |
LAWS1202 Lawyers Justice and Ethics 6 units | LAWS1204 Contracts 6 units | POLS1006 Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues 6 units | Any 1000 level course from the Area Studies or Security Lists or Minor 1000/2000 Level Course 6 units | |
Year 2 | LAWS1205 Australian Public Law 6 units | LAWS1206 Criminal Law and Procedure 6 units | POLS2133 International Organisations in World Politics 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units |
LAWS2250 International Law 6 units | LAWS2249 Legal Theory 6 units | POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | |
Year 3 | LAWS2201 Administrative Law 6 units | LAWS2203 Corporations Law 6 units | POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units |
LAWS2202 Commonwealth Constitutional Law 6 units | LAWS2248 | POLS3017 International Relations Theory 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | |
Year 4 | LAWS2204 Property 6 units | Law Elective Course 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units |
LAWS2205 Equity and Trusts 6 units | Law Elective Course 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | Any 2000/3000 level course from the listed award rules 6 units | |
Year 5 | LAWS2244 Litigation and Dispute Management 6 units | Law Elective Courses 18 units | ||
LAWS2207 Evidence 6 units | Law Elective Courses Law Capstone Courses 6 units 12 units |
Back to the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) page
The curriculum of the ANU law degree consists of compulsory and elective courses.
The compulsory courses are designed to ensure that every student gains a sufficient grounding in the fundamental branches of the law, as well as satisfying applicable requirements for admission to practice.
The elective courses provide an opportunity to develop particular interests, deepen understanding and engage students in research opportunities.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please refer to the New students | ANU College of Law page. You will find all the information you require to activate your ANU email account, enrol into courses and our O ‘Week and induction session details.
CREDIT/STATUS for PRIOR STUDY
Students who have undertaken previous study that is relevant to
their current academic program can request to receive course credit based on
their prior learning. University rules, policy and procedure relating to the
granting credit is set out in the Coursework Awards Rule, Policy: Credit and Procedure: Credit.
For more information and how to apply, please refer to the ANU College of Law Application for Credit/Status.
Single degree
The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) consists of 192 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load.
- 96 units (16 courses) are compulsory
- 42 units (7 courses) are elective and must be LAWS courses
- 6 units (1 course) must be used as the Research Capstone, selected from the study tab.
- 48 units (8 courses) of electives chosen from any other ANU College or from LAWS courses.
You must enrol in the following courses in first year in this order:
Commencing Semester 1:
Semester 1
Semester 2
Commencing Semester 2:
Semester 2
For your non-Law electives, you may wish to seek advice from the relevant college that offers the course or from a Law adviser.
Courses coded in the 1000 range are first year courses and most first year courses do not have any prerequisites – details of any prerequisites will be listed in the relevant course entry.
Double degree
The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in a flexible double degree consists of 144 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load.
- 96 units (16 courses) are compulsory
- 42 units (7 courses) are elective and must be LAWS courses
- 6 units (1 course) must be used as the Research Capstone, selected from the study tab.
Non-Law electives are usually taken by your other degree
You must enrol in the following courses in first year in this order:
Commencing Semester 1:
Semester 1
Semester 2
Commencing Semester 2:
Semester 2
Academic Advice
If
you require further information or advice regarding your degree,
please contact the ANU College of Law
College Student Administration Services Office | Ground Floor, 5 Fellows Rd
Telephone: (02) 6125 3483 or
Email: enquiries.law@anu.edu.au
Single degree
This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab. Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.
Bachelor of International Relations consists of 144 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1005 towards the International Relations Major and the Human Rights Major.
For the Bachelor of International Relations you will need to complete:
- Six compulsory courses (36 units)
- A minimum of one theory course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of one methods course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of two areas studies courses from the designated list (12 units)
- A minimum of one security course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of one global politics course from the designated list (6 units)
- Up to 12 units from the internships and Vice Chancellors courses from the designated list
- Up to four courses from the designated Language minors list (24 units)
- Eight electives from across the ANU (48 units)
Please note that you are only permitted to count ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your program.
You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of International Relations. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.
Double degree
This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab. Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.
Bachelor of International Relations Double Degree program consists of 96 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load. During each semester you are likely to take two courses from your Bachelor of International Relations degree and another two courses from the other half of your double degree – making up a total of four courses per semester.
You will need to complete:
- Six compulsory courses (36 units)
- A minimum of one theory course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of one methods course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of two areas studies courses from the designated list (12 units)
- A minimum of one security course from the designated list (6 units)
- A minimum of one global politics course from the designated list (6 units)
- Up to 12 units from the internships and Vice Chancellors courses from the designated list
- Up to four courses from the designated Language minors list (24 units)
You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of International Relations. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.
Enrolment Status
While it is possible for domestic students to enrol in fewer than four courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
First year students are not permitted to study more than four courses (24 units) per semester.
If you are beginning your program in Semester 1, you should enrol for all your courses for both Semester 1 and Semester 2 (8 courses for full time), so that you can plan your study year.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ARTS1234. Whilst it is important to take 1000-level courses in your first year (so that you can meet the pre-requisites for later year courses) they also can be taken later in your program.
You can only count a maximum of ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of International Relations half of the double degree.
In your first year you need to enrol in:
- The following compulsory courses:
- POLS1005 - Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts
- POLS1006 - Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues
- Depending on your interests and in keeping with the program requirements, courses from the area studies, security, and language minor lists:
- ASIA1035 - Introduction to Asian Politics
- ASIA1999 - The Origins of Political Order in Asia
- EURO1004 - Europe in the Modern Era
- MEAS1001 - Introduction to the Modern Middle East
- STST1001 - Introduction to International Security Studies
- Language courses at the appropriate level
- Elective courses for students undertaking the single degree.
Electives
For students in the single degree, your electives (48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU) can be additional courses from your discipline (including the option of a major or minor) or courses from another ANU College. If you have an interest in another discipline such as management, psychology or mathematics, then you should explore first year courses in these areas. In particular look at the majors and minors in these areas. These will give you an idea of the first year courses you can study.
If you are interested in undertaking a language and have prior knowledge/experience with that language you may need to undertake a placement test – you should check with the relevant language area for further details by searching ‘language placement test’ on ANU website.
Study Options
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
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Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
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