Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (2844)
- Approved Abbreviation: BA(Psy)/LLB(Hons)
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 2844
- AQF Level: 8
CRICOS code: 108411F
This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.
This program is designed for high achieving law students in the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) /Bachelor of Laws program who wish to undertake an extended level of study and research in Law. An honours degree indicates academic excellence in a professional context and, as an Australian Qualifications Framework Level 8 qualification, students may also have direct entry into postgraduate programs including Masters and Doctor of Philosophy programs.
There is no direct entry into the Honours program. Entry is by application only following completion of at least 160 credit points of Law study and by meeting specified criteria (see Admission details). As an embedded honours program, students are not required to undertake an additional period of study. Further details regarding the honours program and its requirements are available at: Honours in Law and School of Law Honours Guidelines.
The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program satisfies the academic degree requirements for admission to practice as an Australian lawyer. Students will engage in collaborative face-to-face problem and case-based learning, will be supported by online learning materials, and will participate in authentic assessment to develop knowledge and skills. The program provides students with a broad progressive legal education with a strong practical orientation to the law. Students develop skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, research, communication, collaboration, self-management, and ethical and professional awareness and judgement. Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in legal advocacy, negotiation, and legal technology and extend their professional and learning experiences through work integrated learning, clinical placement and international exchange engagements.
Study Mode
Five and a half years full-time or eleven years part-time. Law subjects are available at Campbelltown and Parramatta campuses. Arts subjects are available at various campuses (mainly Parramatta, Bankstown and Penrith), depending on the units chosen.
Program Advice
courseadvicelaw@westernsydney.edu.au
Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.
Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |
Location
| Campus | Attendance | Mode | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbelltown Campus | Full Time | Internal | See above |
| Campbelltown Campus | Part Time | Internal | See above |
| Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road | Full Time | Internal | See above |
| Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road | Part Time | Internal | See above |
Accreditation
Graduates from the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program are eligible to apply to the Legal Profession Admission Board for admission to legal practice in NSW after undertaking prescribed practical legal training.
The Testamur Major in Psychology offered within the Bachelor of Arts is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as an undergraduate three year sequence in Psychology.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.
Work Integrated Learning
Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.
There is an optional work component available in this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the program but the work itself was not registered with CRICOS, students can still complete these electives but it would be counted towards the work limitation. For more details, refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website.
Admission
This program is designed for students in the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Laws program who wish to undertake an Honours program.
Students must meet all of the following criteria for admission:
- Completion of at least 160 credit points of law study (or 140 credit points if two Summer subjects are undertaken);
- Demonstration of the likelihood of graduating with an Honours Weighted Average Mark (HWAM) of at least 70 at the time of graduation; or an Admission Average Mark (AAM) of at least 70 at the time of admission to the Honours program. Refer to https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/schools/sol/honours for details
- Submission of a ‘Nomination of Topics’ form which expresses preferences among supervisor-defined topics and/or describes a student-defined topic in a scholarly manner. Refer to https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0008/1784474/Honours_topic_nomination_form_2020.docx
- Demonstration of satisfactory academic writing skills
- Availability of a principal supervisor
Special Requirements
Students enrolling in these subjects may need to have a National Police Certificate and consent or prohibited employment declarations as they may be conducting their placement in circumstances where they work with minors. This would be managed on an as needs basis:
- LAWS 4017 Access to Justice Clinic
- LAWS 3074 Judicial Internship
- LAWS 3077 Legal Internship
- LAWS 4012 First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic
- LAWS 3080 Street Law Clinic
- JUST 3011 Issues in the Criminal Justice System (corrective services field trip requirement) also records and identity check.
The following units require a visa for the relevant country and the ability to travel at a specified time:
Program Structure
Qualification for a double degree in law requires the successful completion of 420 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended sequences for the relevant double degree programs.
Students enrolled in the 2844 Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) will only be eligible to graduate from their Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree upon completion of the entire 420 credit point program. Students enrolled in this program who wish to graduate with a standalone law degree prior to completion of the entire Bachelor of Arts component must transfer to program 2829 Bachelor of Laws (Non Graduate Entry) (Honours) which requires the completion of 320 credit points (inclusive of 80 credit points of non-LLB study).
Students must complete 240 credit points of Law subjects comprising:
- 160 credit points of specified core subjects to meet Priestly 11 accreditation requirements;
- 10 credit points Research Training Component (LAWS 4016 Legal Research and Methodology)
- 20 credit points Research Component (LAWS 4011 Law Honours Dissertation)
- 50 credit points of LLB alternate subjects.
Arts Subjects
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) students are required to complete four Level 1 Bachelor of Arts core subjects plus 14 Psychology, Testamur Major subjects (18 subjects, including the four level 1 Arts core subjects) together with the LLB program (24 subjects).
Students must complete the four Level 1 (40 credit points) of Bachelor of Arts (BA) core subjects
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| HUMN 1052 | Australian Politics and Active Citizenship | 10 |
| LANG 1029 | Foundations of Academic English | 10 |
| HUMN 1053 | Diversity, Language and Culture | 10 |
| LANG 1030 | Thinking Critically About Texts and Society | 10 |
Students must choose the Psychology testamur major (T133) and complete all subjects.
Students may exit with a Bachelor of Arts with a Psychology testamur major on completion of the four Core Arts subjects plus the Psychology testamur major and any six of the first eight LLB core subjects in the recommended sequence.
Recommended Sequence
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 420 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.
Full-time start-year intake
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| LAWS 1003 | Fundamentals of Australian Law | 10 |
| LAWS 2004 | Criminal Law | 10 |
| BEHV 1018 | Psychology: Human Behaviour | 10 |
| LANG 1029 | Foundations of Academic English | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| LAWS 1009 | Legal Analysis and Critique | 10 |
| LAWS 2013 | Torts Law | 10 |
| BEHV 1016 | Psychology: Behavioural Science | 10 |
| BEHV 1003 | Introduction to Research Methods | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| LAWS 2003 | Contracts | 10 |
| MATH 2006 | Experimental Design and Analysis | 10 |
| BEHV 2010 | Perception | 10 |
| BEHV 2018 | Personality | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| LAWS 2001 | Alternative Dispute Resolution | 10 |
| BEHV 2005 | Human Learning | 10 |
| BEHV 3007 | Cognitive Processes | 10 |
| Select one of the following Level 1 Art core subjects: | 10 | |
| Australian Politics and Active Citizenship | ||
| Diversity, Language and Culture | ||
| Thinking Critically About Texts and Society | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| LAWS 2015 | Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics | 10 |
| BEHV 2002 | Brain and Behaviour | 10 |
| BEHV 3009 | Developmental Psychology | 10 |
| Select one of the following Level 1 Art core subjects: | 10 | |
| Australian Politics and Active Citizenship | ||
| Diversity, Language and Culture | ||
| Thinking Critically About Texts and Society | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| LAWS 2008 | Government and Public Law | 10 |
| BEHV 3014 | Motivation and Emotion | 10 |
| BEHV 3023 | Social Psychology | 10 |
| Select one of the following Level 1 Art core subjects: | 10 | |
| Australian Politics and Active Citizenship | ||
| Diversity, Language and Culture | ||
| Thinking Critically About Texts and Society | ||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| LAWS 3018 | Equity & Trusts | 10 |
| LAWS 3082 | Property Law | 10 |
| BEHV 3004 | Advanced Research Methods | 10 |
| Select one LLB Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| LAWS 3081 | Administrative Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3045 | Law of Associations | 10 |
| BEHV 3002 | Abnormal Psychology | 10 |
| Select one LLB Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| LAWS 4015 | Constitutional Law | 10 |
| LAWS 4004 | Criminal Procedure and Evidence | 10 |
| LAWS 4016 | Legal Research and Methodology | 10 |
| Select one LLB Alternate subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| LAWS 4014 | Remedies | 10 |
| LAWS 4013 | Civil Procedure and Arbitration | 10 |
| LAWS 4011 | Law Honours Dissertation | 20 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 6 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select two LLB alternate subjects | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 20 | |
| Total Credit Points | 420 | |
LLB Alternate Subjects
Students must complete 50 credit points of subjects from the list of Bachelor of Laws alternate subjects below.
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 4017 | Access to Justice Clinic | 10 |
| LAWS 3001 | Advanced Family Law | 10 |
| LAWS 4003 | Advanced Taxation Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3002 | Advanced Torts and Civil Wrongs | 10 |
| LAWS 3003 | Advocacy | 10 |
| LAWS 3090 | Animal Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3004 | Anti-Discrimination Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3005 | Australian Competition Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3006 | Australian Consumer Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3007 | Banking and Securities Law | 10 |
| LAWS 2014 | Bioethics | 10 |
| LAWS 3089 | Children's Rights: Local and International | 10 |
| LAWS 3011 | Comparative Law: Legal Systems of the World | 10 |
| LAWS 3013 | Conflict of Laws | 10 |
| LAWS 3088 | Construction Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3014 | Corporate Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 3015 | Cyber Law and Justice | 10 |
| LAWS 4010 | Designing Law Apps for Access to Justice | 10 |
| LAWS 3096 | Drug Policy and Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3016 | Elder Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3022 | Family Dispute Resolution | 10 |
| LAWS 3023 | Family Law | 10 |
| LAWS 2005 | Financial Services Law | 10 |
| LAWS 2007 | First Peoples and the Australian Legal System | 10 |
| LAWS 4012 | First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic | 10 |
| LAWS 3024 | Foundations of Chinese Law | 10 |
| LAWS 2017 | Indonesia: Law, Governance and Culture | 10 |
| LAWS 3025 | Law, Culture and Entrepreneurial Innovation in India | 10 |
| LAWS 3083 | Gender and the Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3091 | Globalisation, Law, Governance and Culture | 10 |
| LAWS 3028 | Human Rights and the Asia Pacific | 10 |
| LAWS 3027 | Human Rights Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3029 | Immigration Law | 10 |
| JUST 3008 | Independent Study (Law) | 10 |
| LAWS 3030 | Information and Data Governance Law and Regulation | 10 |
| LAWS 3031 | Insolvency Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 3032 | Intellectual Property | 10 |
| LAWS 3033 | International Business Transactions Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3034 | International Criminal Law | 10 |
| LAWS 4007 | International Environmental Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3039 | Islam, International Law and Human Rights | 10 |
| JUST 3011 | Issues in the Criminal Justice System | 10 |
| LAWS 3074 | Judicial Internship | 10 |
| LAWS 3042 | Jurisprudence | 10 |
| LAWS 3079 | Law, Economics, Ethics and Change | 10 |
| LAWS 3084 | Law and Literature | 10 |
| LAWS 3044 | Law and Public Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 3046 | Law of Employment | 10 |
| LAWS 3047 | Law of International Organisations | 10 |
| LAWS 3048 | Law of the Sea | 10 |
| LAWS 3085 | Law of War | 10 |
| LAWS 3075 | Law's Self-Understanding | 10 |
| LAWS 3078 | Legal, Economic and Social Transformation in Taiwan | 10 |
| LAWS 3077 | Legal Internship | 10 |
| LAWS 4016 | Legal Research and Methodology | 10 |
| LAWS 3086 | Managing Legal Risk in Construction Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3049 | Media Law | 10 |
| JUST 2013 | Mediation | 10 |
| LAWS 3050 | Medical Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3052 | Mental Health Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3053 | Moot Court | 10 |
| LAWS 3055 | Planning and Environment Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3061 | Public Health Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3063 | Public International Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3097 | Refugee Law | 10 |
| LAWS 2012 | Regulatory Risk and Compliance | 10 |
| LAWS 4008 | Revenue Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3067 | Self-Managed Superannuation and Trusts | 10 |
| LAWS 3068 | Space Law - Commercial Aspects | 10 |
| LAWS 3087 | Sports Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3080 | Street Law Clinic | 10 |
| LAWS 3076 | Technology, Innovation and the Law | 10 |
| LAWS 3071 | Wills and Succession | 10 |
| LAWS 3072 | Work Health and Safety Law | 10 |
Please note that the availability of Bachelor of Laws Alternate Subjects may vary from year to year. New subjects may become available and some others discontinued. The School will publish information on which subjects are available in a session.
Equivalent Subjects
The subjects listed below count towards completion of the program for students who may have passed subjects in the list in 2022 or earlier.
JUST 4001 Clinical Legal Placement, replaced by LAWS 4017 Access to Justice Clinic