Information about Studying Law at UWA

What is Law about?

The study of law does more than create career opportunities - it allows the development of many important intellectual skills. Good lawyers possess proficient language skills, clear thought processes and the ability to resolve complex problems, which have both a legal and a human component.

Not a day passes without legal issues forming a significant part of the daily news. This illustrates that law does not exist in a vacuum but is an integral part of modern living and that legal issues raise social and, at times, political issues.

The UWA Law School aims to provide students with the essential training in legal reasoning, analysis and research, along with an understanding of the obligations of lawyers to their clients, the courts and society.

What are the options for studying Law at UWA?

The academic program at the University of Western Australia (UWA) contains three options for studying a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) - a 5 year combined course, a three year graduate entry LLB, and a four year undergraduate entry LLB course.

Each of these options qualifies the student for legal practice. Students do not have to enter Law School straight from secondary school to gain the chance to study law.

The Law School also has a Business Law programme (Law for Non-Lawyers) for students who want a knowledge of the legal system and the way it affects business. Students in the UWA Business School may qualify for a Business Law minor, and students in other faculties may be permitted to study individual business law units.

For students who have already completed an undergraduate degree in Law, a variety of postgraduate courses are offered at UWA as well.

Five Year Combined Course

Based on the required TEE score, school leavers enter the combined program (Category A) which requires at least five years of study. A limited number of students who are not school leavers may also be offered a combined course.

Students combine the study of Law with either Arts, Arts (Asian Studies), Arts (Communication Studies), Science, Health Science, Economics, Commerce, Musical Arts or Engineering.

The aim of this program is to give law students a broader education to equip them with the skills needed to work in a demanding and rapidly changing environment.

The time limit for a combined course is 12 years. If you want to complete your course in 5 years, there are recommended pathways you should follow (combined courses with Health Science and Engineering will take longer).

Three Year Graduate Entry LLB

This program is open only to graduate applicants ("Category B").

The three year LLB requires students to study a total of 19 compulsory units (2 full-year and 17 half-year) and 9 half-year (or equivalent) option units.

The time limit for this single Law course is 10 years.

Four Year Undergraduate Entry LLB

This program of study is for students who are neither school leavers nor graduates ("Category C").

The four year LLB requires students to study a total of 19 compulsory units (2 full-year and 17 half-year) and 12 half-year (or equivalent) option units.

The time limit for this single Law course is 10 years.

What Career Opportunities exist for Law Graduates?

Most people who study law hope to practise as professional lawyers. You may practise with a firm of lawyers, at the independent bar, or as a legal advisor in a company or in the public service. After completing the LLB, a graduate must serve a period of one year as an articled clerk. You are then qualified for admission as a legal practitioner, but must then work for another year (the ‘restricted practice year’) as an employee of a qualified lawyer or law firm before working independently.

However, the study of law should not be considered merely as a path to professional legal practice and, as with all professions, employment opportunities reflect market demand. There are many other career opportunities for law graduates, especially those with a combined degree.

Some well-known graduates of the UWA Law School have pursued careers outside law with great success for example, in politics, business, diplomacy, finance and banking, public service, publishing, advertising and academia. You are strongly advised to consider all career options.

See the Blackstone Society for more information.

What Scholarships are available?

Please see the Faculty of Law Scholarships page for information.