In recent years, Australia has gained wide popularity among international students. One of the top choices for applicants is studying law in Australia.
The institutions in Australia include some of the top-ranking universities in the world, offering high-quality education and globally recognized law courses. Students can pursue law courses in Australia at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels or join vocational training to gain technical knowledge.
If you wish to kickstart your legal career and become a lawyer, prosecutor, or legal advisor, take a few minutes to read the post. You may gain valuable insight into various law degrees, the best university for you to study law in Australia, the eligibility criteria for international students, and your future prospects after completing the study.
International students can participate at various levels to study law in Australia. These include:
The undergraduate (or bachelor's) level focuses on the foundational legal principles and critical thinking skills of law students. Students can apply to this level after completing high school or the Australian Year 12 equivalent. The undergraduate level in law lays the groundwork for legal understanding and developing various skills, such as research, writing, and communication, which are essential for a legal career.
The popular programs to enroll in at the undergraduate level to study in Australia are:
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Bachelor of Legal Studies
The duration for this level is 3 to 4 years full-time.
Master's and PhD programs combined are called postgraduate level. This level builds upon the knowledge gained at the undergraduate level, typically delving deeper into specific areas of law, such as criminal law and environmental law.
Major programs at the postgraduate level include:
The duration for this level is 1 to 2 years full-time.
The VET level differs from undergraduate or postgraduate programs. The students who choose the VET level to study law in Australia seek job-ready skills for specific legal support roles. The VET level provides practical knowledge of legal procedures, drafting documents, and legal assistance.
The most sought-out VET programs to study law in Australia are:
Certificate in Law
Diploma of Law
The duration of the VET program for law is 10 to 18 months.
Many universities in Australia rank among the top 200 globally to provide courses in law. The following enlists some of these universities with their ranks:
Rank in Australia | Rank Globally | University |
---|---|---|
1 | 25 | University of Melbourne |
2 | 26 | University of Sydney |
3 | 40 | University of Queensland |
4 | 42 | Monash University |
5 | 43 | University of New South Wales |
6 | 52 | Australian National University |
7 | 117 | Griffith University |
8 | 141 | Queensland University of Technology |
9 | 143 | Deakin University |
10 | 157 | University of Adelaide |
International students need to fulfill some criteria to study law in Australia. They can vary slightly based on the course, but the prerequisites remain mostly the same between all universities.
International students in Australia must have the necessary educational qualifications to study law in Australia at their respective levels, which are Australian Year 12 or equivalent for the undergraduate program and bachelor's or master's equivalent for the postgraduate level. Most universities expect the equivalent of a GPA of at least 5.5 (out of 7.0) from the applicant, even if this is not a strict requirement.
International students must have English language proficiency to an acceptable level to enroll in Australian universities to study law. These universities accept various English proficiency tests, which include the following:
Test Type | Requirements |
---|---|
IELTS | 6.5 to 7.5 (with no band less than 6.0) |
TOEFL | 79 to 105 |
PTE Pearson | 58 to 65 (no communicative skill below 50) |
Cambridge English: Advanced | 176 (no skill below 169) |
Another crucial document required to study law in Australia is a student visa. Student visa applications are submitted to the Australian Ministry of Home Affairs, a separate entity from the universities. The process is often meticulous, with a high chance of errors and oversight. So, to avoid making mistakes and losing valuable time and resources, students should seek guidance from the experts.
Apart from the above condition, international students also require documents such as a valid passport, a letter of acceptance, proof of sustenance, proof of experience, health insurance, character certificates, and a statement of purpose.
Litigation: In this field, lawyers represent clients in court, either plaintiffs (who bring the lawsuit) or defendants (against whom the lawsuit is filed). They strategize the case, gather evidence, prepare witnesses, and argue before the judge or jury. The types of trial lawyers include advocates, criminal lawyers, civil lawyers, and family lawyers.
Corporate Law: Lawyers in this area advise businesses on legal matters, draft contracts, and ensure compliance with regulations. Titles include corporate lawyer, legal counsel, and in-house counsel.
Legal Services: Law graduates can provide legal advice and support in the legal departments of government agencies or NGOs. Such roles include legal advisor, government lawyer, and public interest lawyer.
Judiciary: Law practitioners with strong legal knowledge and experience can take competitive exams and aspire to be judges. Judges preside over court proceedings, analyze the arguments, and ultimately decide the outcome of the case.
Legal Academia: Law graduates can choose to teach law at universities or colleges or contribute to legal scholarship by writing journals and books.
Non-traditional Careers: Law graduates can also find success in compliance, legal research, analysis, and even writing. Although these careers seem unorthodox and unpopular in the market, they have good earning potential and provide a stimulating working environment.
Australia has the top universities in the world for students who want to study and pursue a career in law. The universities in the country also offer courses at all levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate. Even though the eligibility criteria may present a hurdle, those who graduate by studying law in Australia get many job opportunities in the legal sector.
If you want to know more about how you can apply to study law in Australia or which is the perfect university for you, contact our professional counselors at AusStudies to solve all your difficulties.