Careers Centre

Getting into a Law Degree

Steps to professional legal qualification begin with tertiary study for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). Careers in law are highly sought after, resulting in stringent entry requirements for tertiary courses in Victoria. Double degrees - where law is combined with arts, commerce or science - are common and can maximise employment opportunities.

When study requirements have been met, law graduates wishing to practice law begin their graduate training by undertaking either a practical legal training (PLT) program like the one offered by The College of Law Victoria in association with the LIV or Supervised Workplace Training(SWT) as an employee of a firm.

Subject Prerequisites and ENTER (scores)

English is the only prerequisite for entry into a single law degree, but there may be further requirements for double degrees, which now constitute 75% of all law courses.

You may also be able to apply for admission through a special entry scheme (mature age, course transfer, other entry for applicants failing to meet minimum tertiary requirements). This may require you to sit a special tertiary admission test.

Visit the VTAC website for all the information you need regarding requirements for application and terms of acceptance for all law courses at all tertiary institutions.Your VTAC guide will provide information on combined degrees, entry schemes and requirements, as well as guaranteed and fee places for each university.

The required VCE Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Ranks* ('ENTER') in 2010, to guarantee a Commonwealth Supported Place are detailed below. CPS costs can be deferred and repaid gradually when a student's income reaches about $38,000.

* Round 1 “Clearly-in” ENTER scores are indicated for Commonwealth Supported Places (formerly HECS). 

Key
n/a = data not available; can mean ENTER not available as course taking 10 students of less. Does not necessarily mean course is not running.
RC = courses select using a range of criteria

Note: Scores listed here are for VTAC-registered universities only. See also TAFE institutes, Independent Tertiary Colleges and interstate education providers.

There are also interstate universities which offer law, which are of interest to Victorian students including the University of Tasmania in Hobart.

Please be aware that from 2008, entry to law at The University of Melbourne will be as graduate entry for all students. The course is called the Melbourne JD.

Areas of Knowledge

To be admitted to practice all law graduates must pass 11 "areas of knowledge":

• Criminal law and procedures
• Torts
• Contracts
• Property both real (including Torrens system land) and personal
• Equity (including Trusts)
• Administrative law
• Federal and state constitutional law
• Civil procedure
• Evidence
• Professional conduct (including basic trust accounting)
• Company law