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#Getting into a Law Degree - Law Institute of Victoria

Steps to professional legal qualification begin with tertiary study. This can be completed at an undergraduate level (i.e. Bachelor of Laws (LLB)) or at a postgraduate level (i.e. LLB Graduate Entry or Master of Laws Juris Doctor). 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. Prospective law students are encouraged to contact individual universities to find out more information about the degrees offered.

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

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.

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

University Career Guides

Victorian university law schools publish careers guides containing profiles of various law firms and organisations, career guidance information and testimonials from members of the legal profession. Hardcopies are usually available through the corresponding law students societies (LSS). Softcopies may also be available on their websites.