Erudera's Complete Guide to Studying Law in Australia
Australia has long been known for welcoming international students with open arms. And, international students who want to study law have chosen the country for this reason, and because of its highly reputable law schools. These schools educate their international students to enrich their campuses and retain the reputation they have as international law educators. It is due to the high number of international students that Australian legal education has become quite internationalized. In addition to being one of the top destinations for international students, the fact that the country has been an early practitioner of common law adds to the reasons why you should study law in Australia.
Reasons to Study Law in Australia
Australian Law Schools
One of the first factors that make international students from all over the world choose Australia to study law is its law schools. There are a total of 36 accredited law schools in Australia and six of them are ranked in the top 50 of the best law schools in the world. In addition to this, three Australian law schools have made the list of the top 100 law schools in the world. Considering the high quality of education these schools offer, you will be at an advantage whenever you graduate and go on to practice your profession.
Employment Opportunities
Being able to study somewhere where there are work opportunities in the field you decide to study is a great thing. This is what Australia offers to its students. Apart from studying the field, you can also do an internship in a law firm during summer or winter breaks which will definitely increase your chances of employment after graduation. In addition to this, considering that a huge part of the population lives within a common law jurisdiction and that Australian law degrees are recognized all around the world there is a great chance you will find employment in many other countries apart from Australia.
Master Invaluable Skills
Whether you plan to pursue a career in government service or a non-profit sector, law schools in Australia will ensure that you are prepared for a career in a dynamic environment. Apart from receiving an excellent quality of education, throughout your studies, you will have the opportunity to be involved in a number of co-curricular activities which will help you develop crucial skills in the field of law including critical thinking, strong reasoning, initiative and independence, negotiation and many more. Furthermore, you will also have the opportunity to network with students from all over the world.
Law School Structure in Australia
In Australia you can complete three of the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Combined Degree
- Juris Doctor (JD)
The difference between these degrees is that LLB and a combined LLB are offered at an undergraduate level, while a Juris Doctor is offered at a postgraduate level. In addition to this you can also extend your knowledge in the field of law by completing an advanced degree and earn the following qualifications:
- GradCertLaw - Graduate Certificate in Law
- GradDipLaw - Graduate Diploma in Law
- LLM - Master of Laws by coursework
- LLM - Master of Laws by research
- Ph.D.- Doctor of Philosophy in a legal field
Top Universities to Study Law in Australia
Some of the best universities in Australia for Engineering are:
- University of Melbourne
- UNSW Sydney
- University of Sydney
- Australian National University
- The University of Queensland
- Monash University
- University of Technology Sydney
- University of Wollongong
- The University of Western Australia
- University of Southern Australia
- University of Tasmania
Requirements
In Australia, in order to be eligible to study law at an undergraduate level, you must have completed the Australian Year 12 qualification or the equivalent of it in the country of your origin. Requirements may differ between different levels of study. For example, for a postgraduate degree, you must have completed an undergraduate law degree. In addition to this, you should also show that you are proficient in the English language. Australian universities expect their prospective students to have an IELTS score of at least 7.0 or 7.5.
You should also be aware that individual universities or law schools may have their own specific requirements for international students. Some universities may require you to enter interviews or pass an entrance exam in addition to meeting the minimum requirements. For this reason, it is important to always search for information on requirements on the website of your university or contact the university directly so you can receive more detailed information if there is a need for it.
Application Process
The application process might be a tiring process, yet is of crucial importance. Once you decide to study in Australia the first step you need to take is to do some research on Australian law schools. Australia has some of the highest-ranked law schools so you have plenty of options. Once you choose the university that best suits your career goals you should check if you meet their requirements. This is a crucial step since you will need to meet at least the minimum requirements to be eligible for admission.
Once you make sure you are eligible to apply you should start preparing the supporting documents. These include your previous academic qualifications, official transcripts, proof of English proficiency, CV, work experience, and the like. Australia does not have a centralized application portal so you will have to apply to your university directly. You can either apply online or via post. Information about the application process can be found on the university website.
Degree Duration: How Long Does It Take to Study Law in Australia?
In Australia, the duration of a law degree is determined by whether you choose to pursue a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB) or a combined LLB. If you choose to pursue a standard Bachelor of Law degree you will study for at least four years. Whereas, if you choose a combined LLB then you will be studying for 5 + years. The Juris Doctor is a three-year curriculum.
While you are studying law in Australia you will have the opportunity to develop further knowledge on subjects such as Principles of Public Law, Obligations, Tort, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Disputes and Ethics, Legal Theory, Administrative Law, Property, Equity and Trusts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Legal Research, Remedies, etc.
Tuition Fees: How Much Does It Cost to Study Law in Australia?
As a student who is planning to study abroad, the cost of your tuition should be among the things you consider first. In Australia, tuition fees for law degrees range between AU$15,000 (US$11,064) to AU$33,000(US$24,341) for undergraduate degrees, while for postgraduate degrees such as Master’s the cost of tuition ranges from AU$20,000 (US$14,752) to AU$37,000 (US$27,292) per year. The cost of tuition for Ph.D.’s in law may fall anywhere between AU$14,000 (US$10,26) to AU$37,000 (US$27,293) per year.
If you cannot afford tuition fees you can check for scholarships that are available to international students studying in Australia. The Australian education system offers not only scholarships but also grants and bursaries to students who manage to set themselves apart from all the other candidates. Considering that Australia receives numerous scholarship applications from students all over the world, the competitiveness for a scholarship is quite fierce. Yet, the most deserving students manage to win these scholarships.
Law Career Prospects in Australia
The nature of the field of law makes employment opportunities quite competitive. Usually, law graduates in Australia go for positions such as barristers or solicitors, but there are many more professions you can choose with a degree in law. These include working as a: Paralegal; Law Clerk; Probation Officer; Legislative Assistant; Policy Analyst; Mediator; Senior Compliance Officer; Judge; Litigation Attorney, etc. Due to the large number of skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, and problem-solving developed during their studies, Australian law graduates also go on to work in different fields other than those in law.
International students may find themselves pursuing various career paths including the field of journalism, business, technology, and more. Some seek employment with large corporations or public interest organizations. As various as the professions you can take with a law degree, so are the salaries of law graduates. In Australia, graduates of the law field earn an average of AU$110,000 (US$81,214) per year. The lowest salary you can earn as a law graduate is around AU$33,000(US$24,364), while the highest is around AU$270,000 (US$199,349) per year.
