FAQs
FAQ's for Combined Law
What was the 2007 and 2008 UAI?
How many places are available for 2009?
How much does it cost?
How do I apply?
Which school subjects should I study for Law?
Which other degree course should I do in Combined Law?
Can I enter Combined Law in the July Semester?
What if I don't get into Combined Law?
How can I transfer?
If I transfer into Law, will I get credit for previous study?
What are the career opportunities after studying law?
What Scholarships are available?
What was the 2007 and 2008 UAI?
99.55
How many places are available for 2009?
About 250, including transfer and special admission places.
How much does it cost?
Students in a commonwealth-supported place are required to pay a contribution or student learning entitlement (SLE) for each unit of study they complete. Units of study are divided into three bands. An SLE is calculated each semester and the amount you are required to pay depends on the 'discipline group' to which the individual units are assigned i.e. law, arts, science, engineering or commerce.
A full-time, full-year contribution for law is $8,499 for 2008. You have the option to pay up-front and receive a 20 per cent discount, or defer and pay the full amount through the tax system. You will be required to select a payment option at enrolment. It is possible to change your payment option throughout your degree program. More information may be found here
How do I apply?
The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) processes applications. UAC Guides are normally distributed to all Year 12 students at their school. UAC Guides containing application forms may also be purchased from newsagents from August. The closing date for 2009 is the end of September 2008 with late applications being received up until February 2009. Most prospective students will be notified during the main round of offers during January 2009, and some late and last round of offers may be made up until February 2009. More information may be found at the UAC website.
Which school subjects should I study for Law?
The HSC Subject Legal Studies is not a prerequisite - there are no prerequisite subjects for entry to Law. However, it is recommended that you take the best level HSC English course you feel you can manage. There may be prerequisite requirements for our partner degrees in Combined Law. Please check with the relevant Faculty to confirm.
Which other degree course should I do in Combined Law?
From the point of view of the Sydney Law School, there is no particular preference. You should enrol in the area that suits your interests and career aspirations. Students are required to undertake another degree because this contributes to general intellectual training, not because of the specific vocational significance of the other degree course.
Can I enter Combined Law in the July Semester?
No
What if I don't get into Combined Law?
If you don't obtain a sufficiently high enough UAI (or equivalent) to enter Combined Law as a school leaver, but want a career in law, you can:
1. Perform very well in your first year of full-time university studies in another degree course and apply for the transfer option into Combined Law (see below)
2. Perform very well overall in another degree and apply for Graduate Law – this will take a minimum of six years for the two degrees (whereas all but one of the degree in the Combined Law program takes five years ).
How can I transfer?
You can apply for a transfer after one year of full-time (or equivalent) tertiary study. Students with more than one full-time year of tertiary study are not eligible to apply. Entry will be based on 50 per cent UAI and 50 per cent tertiary grade point average in your first year of study. Experience suggests you require at least a Distinction average in your first year and a UAI or equivalent over 97 in order for your application to be competitive. Applicants who have completed less than one year of tertiary study will be assessed on their UAI only.
It is possible to transfer from a Combined Law program at another institution and complete the program at Sydney Law School in five years. Please note, however, that the requirements of the degree with which you are combining your Law studies may mean that in some circumstances completion exceeds five years. You must apply through UAC.
If I transfer into Law, will I get credit for previous study?
You may receive credit for study elsewhere. All credit is determined at enrolment.
What are the career opportunities after studying law?
Although many graduates obtain employment as legal practitioners, an increasing number choose employment in commerce and management, banking and finance, accounting, communications and media, government administration and education, where a law degree is acknowledged as a desirable qualification.
What Scholarships are available?
The Sydney Law School does not offer faculty-specific scholarships for commencing students. However, there are a number of University scholarships open to applicants to Law, including scholarships offered by our partner faculties. More information on these scholarships may be found here
The Law School does offer scholarships to students already enrolled in undergraduate degrees. There are also a large number of prizes awarded to students each year. Information may be found in the web entry on Scholarships & Prizes, located here
FAQ's for Graduate Law
How many places are there for 2009?
How much does it cost?
How do I apply?
How is my qualification assessed?
What kind of admission requirements do I need?
What if I don't have a UAI or equivalent secondary qualification?
What if I have a UAI or TER that is very low, have done a Special Admissions course and then achieved an outstanding tertiary average?
How do I apply for special consideration?
Overseas qualifications?
Deferment?
Can I transfer into Graduate Law?
What are the career opportunities after studying law?
What Scholarships are available?
How many places are there for 2009?
80, including transfer and special admission places
How much does it cost?
Students in a commonwealth-supported place are required to pay a contribution or student learning entitlement (SLE) for each unit of study they complete. Units of study are divided into three bands. An SLE is calculated each semester and the amount you are required to pay depends on the 'discipline group' to which the individual units are assigned. A full-time, full-year contribution for law units is $8,499 for 2008.
You have the option to pay up-front and receive a 20 per cent discount, or defer and pay the full amount through the tax system. You will be required to select a payment option at enrolment. It is possible to change your payment option throughout your degree program. More information may be found here.
How do I apply?
The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) processes applications. UAC Guides are normally distributed to all Year 12 students at their school. UAC Guides containing application forms may also be purchased from newsagents from August. The closing date for 2009 is the end of September 2008 with late applications being received up until February 2008. Most prospective students will be notified during the main round of offers during January 2009, and some late and last round of offers may be made up until February 2009. More information may be found at the UAC website.
How is my qualification assessed?
25 per cent UAI / 75 per cent tertiary grade point average. The tertiary average is based on the grade achieved in each subject of your completed degree. If you have more than one degree, the tertiary record will be based on the best degree. If you have completed one full-time year or equivalent of graduate law degree you will be assessed for entry on 50 per cent tertiary grade point average for the completed degree and 50 per cent grade point average for completed law studies to date.
What kind of admission requirements do I need?
Experience suggests that you require a UAI of 90 or above and a high credit to distinction grade point average in a completed degree to be competitive. Where applicants have completed more than one degree, the tertiary record will be based on the better degree. Applicants who have completed a research degree, master’s by coursework degree or an Honours degree may improve their chances of receiving an offer.
What if I don't have a UAI or equivalent secondary qualification?
Entry will be based on tertiary average only.
What if I have a UAI or TER that is very low, have done a Special Admissions course and then achieved an outstanding tertiary average?
You should apply for special consideration.
How do I apply for special consideration?
Special consideration is for applicants who want to explain a record of exclusion or failure or for those who feel their results do not reflect their abilities due to circumstances beyond their control, for example, prolonged illness. Special consideration will only be given in compelling circumstances.
Special consideration can also be sought by applicants for Graduate Law who gained entry to their first degree via Special Admission, or who feel they will be disadvantaged by the inclusion in their ranking of a very old, irrelevant UAI or equivalent.
You must submit your explanation in writing with any supporting documentary evidence to the:
Group Co-ordinator
Student Administration & Liaision
Sydney Law School
173-175 Phillip Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Applications must be submitted by 24th December 2008.
Overseas qualifications?
Overseas qualifications are normally converted to the equivalent of an Australian GPA (Grade Point Average). Any queries should be referred to the Law School.
Any prospective students who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents need to contact the International Office. More information may be found at the International Office website.
Deferment?
Successful applicants for Graduate Law are not permitted to defer their offer of a place. They must reapply through UAC for the following year.
Can I transfer into Graduate Law?
If you are a commonwealth-supported student, you can only transfer if you have completed no more than one year full-time (or equivalent) of a graduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
Students who have completed three years of a five-year combined law degree and have graduated from their first degree maybe eligible to apply to the graduate program. Entry is based on 25 per cent UAI and 75 per cent Grade Point Average for the completed degree.
What are the career opportunities after studying law?
Although many graduates obtain employment as legal practitioners, an increasing number choose employment in commerce and management, banking and finance, accounting, communications and media, government administration and education, where a law degree is acknowledged as a desirable qualification.
What Scholarships are available?
The University of Sydney offers scholarships for all Graduate-entry programs including Graduate Law. They are valued at $5,000 per year for one or three years respectively. Please consult the University’s Scholarships unit for details.
The Law School does offer scholarships to students already enrolled in undergraduate degrees. There are also a large number of prizes awarded to students each year. Information may be found in the web entry on Scholarships & Prizes, located here
