For double degrees, please check the Inherent Academic Requirements for both single degrees
- Before you enrol
- Behavioural and social skills
- Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
- Communication skills
Committed to equity and diversity
At UniSC, we are committed to facilitating the integration of all students into the University Community.
Reasonable adjustments in teaching and/or assessment methods can be made for students provided those adjustments do not compromise the inherent academic requirements of the program.
The inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) and Bachelor of Laws double degrees are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the essential learning outcomes of a Bachelor of Laws degree.
This Statement provides realistic information about the inherent academic requirements that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for a Bachelor of Laws and related programs so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them.
Externally accredited
The University of the Sunshine Coast offers several Bachelor of Laws degrees which meet the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) accreditation requirements and provides graduates with the necessary qualification for admission to legal practice in Queensland and throughout Australia. Relevant information, laws, standards and codes — which inform the inherent academic requirements for these programs — are available through the Queensland Law Society and Legal Practitioners Admission Board
Importantly, key legal practice skills are embedded and assessed throughout the Bachelor of Laws degrees.
Skills you need
A Bachelor of Laws degree has inherent academic requirements in three categories:
- Behavioural and social skills
- Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
- Communication skills
Before you enrol
If you intend to enrol in a Laws degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, look carefully at the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them.
If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Ability Adviser or School staff member.
Reasonable adjustments
Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of a Bachelor of Laws degree if, considering and balancing all relevant factors, the adjustment:
- is logistically reasonable
- is likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner
- does not adversely affect the student or anyone else
Support and further information is available from UniSC
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Relevant academic contacts
Behavioural and social skills
To study a Bachelor of Laws, students need to demonstrate a range of behavioural and social skills. Broadly stated, these skills relate to ethical behaviour and other behavioural and social skills such as adapting to sensitive and complex situations in academic and professional settings.
Ethical behaviour
Students must have the capacity to demonstrate:
- knowledge of the ethical behaviour expected of a UniSC Student and legal professional
- compliance with student codes of conduct and professional standards
- accountability for behaviours and actions
Justification
Students undertaking a Bachelor of Laws are governed by codes of conduct and professional standards where students are accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts. A core requirement of these standards is ethical behaviour and integrity.
Adjustments
Adjustments must support ethical behaviour in academic and professional settings.
Exemplars
As a student, you must be able to:
- demonstrate an ethical approach to discussions
- reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues
- demonstrate an ability to reflect on beliefs and practices considerations and issues and take responsibility for ensuring own ethical behaviour
Other behavioural and social issues
In addition to ethical behaviour, students undertaking a Bachelor of Laws must have the capacity to demonstrate:
- stability and adaptability to dynamic academic and professional environments that may be challenging and unpredictable
- dealing with uncertainties in a constructive and professionally appropriate manner
- contributing to the learning of others in a collaborative learning environment, showing interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students
- capacity to self-evaluate and reflect upon own practice, feelings and beliefs
- working with others and sharing responsibility for outcomes in a range of roles and contexts
- cultural, environmental and social awareness and ethical and reflective practice – e.g. in tutorials, workshops, trips, work placements and assessments
Justification
These are inherent academic requirements of a Bachelor of Laws degree because students must be able to work constructively in socially and culturally diverse and dynamic academic and placement environments.
Adjustments
Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in academic and professional settings.
Exemplars
As a student, you must:
- engage with peers and staff appropriately and with sensitivity in discussion settings in the classroom and in team tasks and be receptive and professional in responding appropriately to constructive written and verbal feedback
- manage your own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with others both in University and placement settings
Intellectual – conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
Students must have the capacity to demonstrate knowledge and application of the theory and skills of cognition and comprehension.
This includes:
- literacy, knowledge, cognitive and metacognitive skills appropriate to the discipline
- independent critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, critical analysis, decision making, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
- ability to develop intellectual skills in a variety of academic and legal contexts and to apply acquired skills and knowledge in practice
Justification
These are inherent academic requirements of a Bachelor of Laws degree because conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities are necessary for the students to be able to fulfil the required range of academic and practice tasks.
Adjustments
Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded.
Exemplars
As a student, you must:
- read, comprehend and analyse legal concepts, doctrine and theories; conceptualise, formulate and problem solve legal problems
- conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge to fulfil academic assessment tasks
- build strong conceptual frameworks and apply knowledge of theories, models, concepts, policy, procedures and practice; in classroom discussions, groupwork, assessments and professional contexts
- be aware of your own thinking and demonstrate skills to reflect, evaluate, adapt, and implement cognitive strategies for improved learning
Communication skills
To study a Bachelor of Laws, students need to demonstrate effective communication in a variety of practice and academic contexts. These skills include:
- Verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Written communication skills
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills
Verbal and Non-verbal communication skills
Students must have the capacity to demonstrate:
- an ability to communicate, and to understand accurately verbal communication in English, and respond verbally, in English, to a standard that allows fluid, clear, timely, and comprehensible two-way discussions
- an ability to understand and to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation
- an ability to express ideas concisely and clearly with the capacity to develop skills in verbal reasoning
- listening comprehension skills that equip the student to deal with varied situations, from note-taking in lectures to work placement situations
- sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences in their communication and ability to interact appropriately in different situations
Justification
Effective communication is an essential requirement of legal practice. Effective communication displays understanding of, and respect and empathy for, others and, promotes the development of trusting purposeful relationships.
Adjustments
Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure appropriate support.
Exemplars
As a student, you must:
- Recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to verbal communication and non-verbal communication cues accurately and appropriately.
- Participate in classroom discussions; engage in role plays (e.g. mooting, negotiation); convey a spoken message accurately and effectively; respond appropriately to staff and students; make oral presentations and lead discussions; participate in legal placements and internships; conveying spoken and written messages, including complex academic perspectives, accurately and effectively.
- Demonstrate appropriate awareness of own behaviours and their impact on others and show sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences.
Effective written communication
Students must have the capacity to demonstrate:
- an ability to construct coherent, timely and professional written communication in English compliant with academic writing conventions and appropriate to the circumstance.
- reading and comprehending a range of literature and information in English.
Justification
These are inherent academic requirements of a Bachelor of Laws degree because:
- Construction of written text-based assessments that adhere to required academic standards is necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter.
- Effective written communication in English is a fundamental aspect of professional legal practice.
Adjustments
Adjustments must allow students to meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective acquisition, recording, comprehension and transmission of information in academic and work placement settings.
Exemplars
As a student, you must:
- Construct essays, reports, advice and other written work that meet academic and professional standards.
- Paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic, professional and/or organisational practice conventions.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills
The student must have the capacity to acquire and demonstrate:
- Sound working skills in applying information and communication technologies (ICT) to communicate via a range of ICT applications and systems in both academic and professional settings.
Justification
These are inherent requirements of a Laws degree because competent ICT skills are essential to:
- successfully accessing, applying and communicating information to meet learning outcomes
- preparing and completing assessment tasks and submitting assessment items online
Adjustments
Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively use a range of ICT to apply and communicate accurate information. UniSC has in place a range of strategies and technology to support students with disabilities. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the University’s AccessAbility Service.
Exemplars
As a student you must:
- employ a range of ICT skills to produce written and audio-visual learning and assessment activities
- use a range of software applications and devices for academic, research and placement purposes, in face-to-face and online synchronous and asynchronous communication environments