• Length 5 years full-time
  • Minimum 240 Units
Admission requirements
  • Academic plan ALLB / BPPE
  • CRICOS code 079095B
  • UAC code 137010
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics

A student admitted to a program for a coursework award must enrol in the courses, sequences of courses, or combinations of courses, that the University determines may be included in the program for the year in which the student is admitted to the program.

Please ensure that you follow the study requirements of the academic year you were admitted or, if accepted, will be admitted to the program.

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.

Are you a leader? The Australian National University is a leader too, especially in the fields of philosophy, politics and economics. This progressive and well-regarded degree will arm you with the moral, economic and political perspectives you need to make a real impact.

You will develop exceptional problem-solving skills and critical and conceptual thinking, all while gaining a passport to some of the world’s most promising careers.

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

  1. Review, analyse, and synthesise knowledge from primary and secondary legal sources to identify and provide solutions to complex legal and justice problems.
  2. Interpret and critically evaluate the nature of law and its social and ethical impact on society, at a local, national, and international level.
  3. Undertake technical legal research to access a range of legal materials, literature databases, and other online sources, and apply legal or transdisciplinary research methodologies to evaluate and synthesise findings.
  4. Communicate to a variety of legal and non-legal audiences in a range of oral and written formats.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  1. describe and critically evaluate the methods and theories of political analysis, and the assumptions, ‘tools’ and limitations of political economy;
  2. describe and critically evaluate major philosophical theories and approaches to the evaluation of social practices and institutions;
  3. describe and critically evaluate the methods and findings of economics and apply them to the study of political institutions and processes;
  4. articulate and debate, both orally and in written form, arguments and positions drawn from the disciplines of politics, philosophy and economics; and
  5. critically reflect and draw upon the distinct contributions of diverse disciplines, including politics, philosophy and economics, to devise innovative solutions to real-world challenges, both independently and in groups.

Admission Requirements

ATAR:
97
International Baccalaureate:
41

Pathways

N/A

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites. But assumed knowledge is: ACT: Mathematical Methods (Major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/Specialist Methods or NSW: HSC Mathematics Advanced or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here [https://www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria]

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are combined with an applicant's secondary education results to determine their Selection Rank. ANU offers adjustment factors based on equity, diversity, and/or performance principles, such as for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.

To be eligible for adjustment factors, you must have:

  • achieved a Selection Rank of 70 or more before adjustment factors are applied
  • if you have undertaken higher education, completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of a higher education program
  • applied for an eligible ANU bachelor degree program

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$53,700.00

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

This double degree requires the completion of 240 units.

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: 

48 units from completion of 4000-level LAWS-coded courses, which may contribute to meeting the transdisciplinary course global requirement, and which must also include: 

 a minimum of 6 units of Research Capstone courses from the following list: 

  • LAWS4010 Jessup Moot 
  • LAWS4213 Contemporary Issues in Constitutional Law 
  • LAWS4218 Feminist and Critical Legal Theory 
  • LAWS4601 Comparative Human Rights 
  • LAWS4230 Law Internship (Capstone) 
  • LAWS4256 Law, Gender Identities and Sexualities 
  • LAWS4262 Advanced Administrative Law 
  • LAWS4299 Laws History and Context 
  • LAWS4300 Undergraduate Law Dissertation
  • LAWS4302 International Law Clinic 
  • LAWS4315 Law and Development in the Contemporary South Pacific 
  • LAWS4700 Law Research Capstone Project 


HONS4300 Final Honours Grade will be used to record the class of honours. The final honours 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 Politics, Philosophy, and Economics flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 48 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

54 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

ECON2101 Microeconomics 2

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction

PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics

POLS1009 Introduction to Data and Methods for Political Science and International Relations

PPEI1001 PPE Integration 1

PPEI2001 PPE Integration 2

PPEI3001 PPE Integration 3


6 units from completion of one of the following courses:

ECON1100 Economics I (H)

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1


12 units from the completion of any 2000 or 3000 level POLS course of which at least 6 units must come from one of the courses on the following list:

POLS2044 Quantitative Methods in Political Science and International Relations

POLS2094 International Political Economy

POLS2114 Australian Politics

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

POLS3029 Sharing Power: Federalism in Comparative Perspective

POLS3043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying

POLS3111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia

POLS3125 Game Theory and Social Sciences


12 units from the completion of any 2000 or 3000 level PHIL course of which at least 6 units must come from one of the courses on the following list:

PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science

PHIL2122 Philosophy and Public Policy

PHIL2125 Rationality and Social Cooperation

PHIL2126 Science in Society: Ethics, Public Policy and Scientific Practice

PHIL2129 Normative Ethical Theory

PHIL2290 Philosophy, AI and Society

PHIL3073 Advanced Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy

PHIL3075 The Philosophy of Gender: Knowledge, Power, Bodies


6 units from the completion of any 2000 or 3000 level ECON, ECHI or EMET course, or EMET1001.


A maximum of 6 units of Experiential Courses from the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program A

ASIA3037 Study Tour: Cultural Landscapes and Environmental Change in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA3084 Study Tour: Modern Mongolia - Challenges to the Environment, Economy and Empire

CBEA3001 College of Business and Economics Special Industry Project

ENVS2005 Island Sustainable Development: Fiji Field School

MEAS2008 Middle East and Central Asia Study Tour

PASI2030 Regional Policy Making for Pacific Development

STST2020 Study Tour: Southeast Asia's Security Choices

Minors

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics Minors

Specialisations

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Specialisations

Study Options

Year 1 LAWS1201 Foundations of Australian Law 6 units LAWS1203 Torts 6 units - -
LAWS1202 Lawyers Justice and Ethics 6 units LAWS1204 Contracts 6 units - -
Year 2 LAWS1205 Australian Public Law 6 units LAWS1206 Criminal Law and Procedure 6 units - -
LAWS2250 International Law 6 units LAWS2249 Legal Theory 6 units - -
Year 3 LAWS2201 Administrative Law 6 units LAWS2203 Corporations Law 6 units - -
LAWS2202 Commonwealth Constitutional Law 6 units LAWS2248 Legal Research and Writing 6 units - -
Year 4 LAWS2204 Property 6 units Law Elective Course 6 units - -
LAWS2205 Equity and Trusts 6 units Law Elective Course 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. You will also find your recommended study plan.

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 RulePolicy: Credit and Procedure: Credit.

For more information and how to apply, please refer to the ANU College of Law Application for Credit/Status.

Academic Advice

If you require information or advice regarding your degree, please contact the College Student and Education Support team.
Ground floor, 5 Fellows Rd
Telephone: +61 2 6125 3483
Email: enquiries.law@anu.edu.au

Back to the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics page

Enrolling for the first time can be overwhelming. Below, you will find information that will assist. Please note that advice on this page is indicative, and you are encouraged to contact the CASS Student office at students.cass@anu.edu.au or visit the the CASS student office website  if you require tailored information. 

Important items to note:

  • We recommend you start a CASS Program Plan. This is a way to track how the courses you take fit within the overall structure of your degree and will help you plan for your later year courses.
  • The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics can be taken as a single degree or combined with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD). When the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics is combined with another undergraduate degree through a Flexible Double Degree, 48 units of ANU electives units are replaced with the core requirements of the other degree and the total program duration is expanded to 192 units (4 years Full-Time) or 240 units (5 years Full-Time) depending on the duration of the other program.

 Semester 2 commencers 

Please note that if you are commencing your studies in Semester 2 there may be restrictions on the courses available for enrolment. If you have concerns, please contact students.cass@anu.edu.au.

Single degree

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics requires 144 units (24 courses), including:

  • A maximum of 60 units from 1000-level courses (i.e. 10 x 6 unit courses) 
  • A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of 3000 level courses (i.e. 3 x 6 units courses) 
  • Nine compulsory courses  
  • A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses) 

Double degree

The total number of overall units in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD) depends on the FDD combination e.g.

  • Flexible Double Degree - Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Science (4050): 192 units 
  • Flexible Double Degree - Law (Honours) (4350), Flexible Double Degree PhB Advanced Arts Social Sciences Business & Science (4569), or Flexible Double Degree - Engineering and Advanced Computing (Honours) (4750): 240 units

Of which a minimum of 12 units (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses) must be tagged as transdisciplinary problem-solving. These courses may be taken in either component of the FDD. 

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics component of an FDD requires 96 units, including: 

  • A maximum of 36 units from 1000-level courses (i.e. 6 x 6 unit courses)
  • A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of 3000 level courses (i.e. 3 x 6 units courses) 
  • Nine compulsory courses  
  • A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses)

Enrolment Status

Duration 

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics typically takes three years to complete on a full-time basis. Students will usually take 24-units (four x six-unit courses) each semester and there are two semesters each year. One course is typically worth six-units. 

In total, students need to complete 144 units of study towards the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics. This will be 24 courses if all courses are worth six-units, but may be fewer if one or more courses of 12-units or more are taken. 

If you combine the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree, you will need to complete a total of 192 units (32 six-unit courses) or 240 units (40 six-unit courses) depending on the combination. This will typically take four years for a 192-unit degree or five years for a 240-unit degree on a full-time basis.

Domestic students may choose to enrol in fewer than 24-units in any semester or half-year study period. Students studying 18 or more units in a half year (January – June or July – December) are considered full-time. Students studying less than this are considered part-time. 

If you take fewer than 24-units in any half year period, then your degree is likely to take longer than three years to complete. 

International students on a student visa are required to enrol in a full-time study load of 24-units in each half year study period (Summer, Semester 1, Autumn or Winter, Semester 2, Spring) unless they have been approved for Reduced Study Load or program leave.

Maximum time for completion 

  • The maximum period for completion of the single Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the program. This 10 years includes any periods of leave. 
  • The maximum period for completion of a flexible double degree is 10 years for a 192-unit degree or 11 years for a 240-unit degree from the date of first enrolment in the program. The maximum period includes periods of leave.

A transfer of credit (status) from previous studies will reduce the total amount of time remaining to complete the balance of your degree. When you are assessed for credit, you will be notified of the new maximum end date for your degree in your credit offer. 

Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses

In your first year, you will typically enrol in 1000-level courses – these courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code. E.g. POLS1002, POLS1009. Many 2000 and 3000 level courses build upon the specific knowledge achieved through 1000-level courses. 

You may take 1000-level courses later in your program.  But remember you can’t count more than 10 x 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or 6 x 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Politics, Philosophy and Economics half of the double degree. 

Electives

Electives are courses that provide freedom for you to select subjects that align to your personal interests and career aspirations in a more individualised way than is possible through general major or degree requirements. An ANU elective is a course that you can select without restriction, beyond the global requirements of your program (e.g. limits on 1000-level courses, etc). 

In the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, you can select a minimum of 48 units of electives.? You can try a range of courses such as computing, history, or marketing. The choice is yours. 

We also recommend holding some ANU electives in reserve to keep other opportunities open, such as international exchange, internships, and meeting the transdisciplinary requirements of your degree.

Study Options

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics - single degree

For study plans, please visit cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/degrees-and-program-plans

Study Options

Year 1 48 units ~ ~ ` ~
~ ~ ~ ~

FDD

For study plans, please visit cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/degrees-and-program-plans

Study Options

Year 1 48 units ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~

Disciplines

Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Courses (TD)

Transdisciplinary courses at the ANU are courses that encourage students to collaborate across different disciplines and perspectives to solve complex problems. These courses help students develop skills to synthesise knowledge from different fields. 

In this degree, you will have to complete 12 units of courses flagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (TD). TD courses can be identified using the Programs and Courses search engine. 

You can satisfy this requirement through a course/s listed in the program or through the ANU electives it all depends on how you structure your degree and your other enrolment choices. 

Academic Advice

Course credit

If you have undertaken previous study that is relevant to your current academic program, you can request to receive course credit. For more information and how to apply, see the CASS credit application webpage, or contact the CASS Student Office.

For further information on prerequisites and Arts and Social Science disciplines you can: 

  • Email us at?students.cass@anu.edu.au, or 
  •  Come and talk to someone - you can attend a drop in session with an academic advisor here  

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