Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Theology

School of Law & Business

Are you interested in a unique double degree? The University of Notre Dame Australia is one of two universities in Australia which offers this double degree in Law and Theology. The increasingly complex relationship between law and religion and contemporary challenges to religious freedoms make this a particularly valuable degree combination. Graduates may pursue a wide range of career options in law, business, politics and academia. The NSW Legal Profession Admission Board fully accredits your law degree. Contact us to find out more.

• Why study this degree?

  The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Theology explores the increasingly complex relationship between the law and religion, religious freedom, and religious conflict. As a Catholic University, theology holds a central place in the life and mission of The University of Notre Dame Australia. By studying theology and various research methodologies, you will develop the skills to critically examine Scripture and Christian Tradition, thereby improving your understanding of the Catholic faith within a legal framework.

  The Bachelor of Laws, meanwhile, focuses on the practical application of legal and ethical principles. This degree focuses on the basic building blocks of the law (the so-called “Priestley” subjects) and on developing practical skills such as public speaking, advocacy, alternative dispute resolution and commercial practice skills.

  Through our mentoring and internship programs, students have many opportunities to experience the law in practice. All of our academics have substantial experience in legal practice (either as solicitors, law experts, barristers or judges) in Australia or overseas. This allows each student to learn legal principles and how they apply them in legal practice.

  Graduates of this double degree program can work as a solicitor in private practice, become a barrister, join a corporation or not-for-profit organisation as an in-house solicitor, work in the courts as a judge’s associate or enter academia.

• Program summary

  Year One

  • Legal Research & Writing
  • Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation
  • Legal History
  • Criminal Law A
  • Criminal Law B
  • Philosophy of the Human Person

  Year Two

  • Equity
  • Contract Law A
  • Torts A
  • Trusts
  • Contract Law N
  • Torts N
  • Natural Law
  • Introduction to Sacramental Theology

  Year Three

  • Property Law A
  • Constitutional Law
  • Advocacy
  • History of Philosophy: Ancient
  • Property Law B
  • Administrative Law
  • Evidence
  • History of Philosophy: Medieval

  Year Four

  • Civil Procedure
  • Remedies
  • Corporations & Partnerships
  • Introduction to the Old Testament
  • Legal Philosophy
  • Contemporary Legal Issues
  • Natural Law
  • Introduction to the New Testament
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution

  Year Five

  • Ecclesiology/Mariology
  • Liturgy
  • Commercial Practice & Ethics
  • History of the Early Church
  • Marriage and Sexuality
  • Moral Theology OR Canon Law
  • Law Elective One
  • Law Elective Two (International)
  • Law Elective Three
  • Law Elective Four

  Law Electives

  • Advanced Administrative Law
  • Advanced Civil Procedure
  • Advanced Constitutional Law
  • Advanced Evidence
  • Advanced Research Project (i.e. Honours research - 2 courses)
  • Bioethics and the Law
  • Advanced Taxation Law
  • Commercial Drafting
  • Commercial Law
  • Construction and Building Contract Law
  • Contemporary Legal Issues
  • Directed Research Project
  • Employee Relations Law
  • Entertainment Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Family Law
  • Health Law
  • Human Rights Law
  • Indigenous Law
  • Insolvency
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • International Dispute Resolution
  • Canon Law (i.e. Church Law)
  • Law and Religion
  • Law in Context (Externships) – involves work experience
  • Mining and Petroleum Law
  • Occupational Safety and Health Law
  • Introduction to Australian Taxation Law
  • Succession
  • Competition and Consumer Law
  • Trial Advocacy

  Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

• Entry requirements

  Entry requirements NSW

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.  See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank*

  OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score

  *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

  Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher* with an average grade of 65% or higher.

  *Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

  Note: Tertiary Preparation Programs are not accepted for entry.

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Diploma or higher in a relevant discipline from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.

  OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 160 in the Multiple Choice section and 160 in the Written English section.

  OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

  *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

  Please note: all applicants must be of school leaving age or older to apply.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws (Honours), graduates will be able to:

  1. Write effective and professional documents adapted to suit the purpose and audience
  2. Develop and deliver effective and professional presentations adapted to suit the purpose and audience, using appropriate technologies
  3. Synthesise, interpret and apply information in order to resolve legal problems
  4. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of foundational legal concepts, principles and theories, and apply and transfer knowledge to diverse national, regional and international legal contexts
  5. Undertake self-directed learning with an appreciation of the value and importance of engaging in continuing professional development
  6. Provide social justice in the community including the provision of legal advice on a pro bono basis
  7. Use ethical and socially responsible decision-making skills
  8. Critically reflect on the influence of Catholic and other philosophical and intellectual traditions on the law and on their role in resolving legal issues
  9. Work responsibly and collaboratively in diverse teams to achieve shared outcomes
  10. Conduct independent legal research and employ appropriate legal research methods and sources to locate, evaluate, synthesise and present accurate, up-to-date and reliable legal sources
  11. Critically evaluate, analyse and deploy evidence in support of a research thesis and communicate their findings in both oral and written form (Honours Only)

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Theology, graduates will be able to:

  1. Articulate a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in the discipline of theology as a basis for independent lifelong learning
  2. Critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge
  3. Demonstrate technical skills to a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in theology
  4. Exercise critical thinking and judgement for identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence
  5. Communicate and present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of theological knowledge and concepts; and
  6. Apply theological reflection, knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, well-developed theoretical and practical judgement and ethical responsibility.

• Career opportunities

  Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; career opportunities range from Government, policy development, management, education, advocacy, diocesan agencies or Church offices, charities, not-for-profits, non-government organisations, welfare and social service, mission, voluntary and youth work.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from our academics, who are leaders in their field. There are no practicum requirements for this program.

• Honours

  An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Law (Honours), Bachelor of Theology regulations, or by contacting the School of Law & Business.

• Study abroad

  A global perspective adds a valuable dimension to your university education. At Notre Dame University you can study while experiencing the world. We encourage students to become active global citizens through a range of exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit International Opportunities to find out more.

• Professional accreditation

  The Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) accreditation requirements are according to the accreditation rules administered by the Legal Profession Admission Board in New South Wales. There are no professional accreditation requirements applicable to the Bachelor of Theology component of the Awards.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  
  

  CSP
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at university where the government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  • The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.
  • The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  
  

  HECS-HELP
  The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  
  

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees Page.

• Student data profile

  The tables below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this Program. It provides data on all students who commenced in this Program in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

  Sydney Student Profile Data

  TABLE 2a – Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Theology BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  Applicant background	Semester 1 2022
  	Number of students	Percentage of all students
  (A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	N/A	N/A
  (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study	N/A	N/A
  (C) Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)	N/A	N/A
  (D) Recent secondary education: Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	N/A	N/A
  Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, interview, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	N/A	N/A
  Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)	<5	N/P
  International students	N/A	N/A
  All students	<5	100.0%

  TABLE 2b – Bachelor of Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Theology ATAR PROFILE DATA FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING ON THE BASIS OF RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION - ATAR-based offers	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors) *	Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *[only if relevant]
  Highest rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A
  Median rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A
  Lowest rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A

  Notes:  

  “<5” – the number of students is less than 5
  N/A – Students not accepted in this category
  N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent the calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

  In 2022, due to COVID, additional adjustment factor points were granted to applicants from NSW, ACT and VIC.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?

  Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.

  
  

  For more information, please call our Prospective Students Office on +61 2 8204 4404 or email sydney@nd.edu.au.

  
  

  All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.