The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is an internationally recognised, world-class undergraduate law degree that provides students with an in-depth understanding of how law influences and impacts almost every aspect of our world.
Program description
The ANU Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program is acknowledged as a world-class undergraduate degree.
With Honours ‘built in’ from the beginning, the program places an emphasis on developing a versatile skillset in independent research, analysis and critical thinking. The ANU LLB Hons program will provide you with a competitive edge after graduation, and a solid foundation for postgraduate study.
Throughout your degree, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge about the role and function of law, and you’ll develop an advanced understanding of how law influences and impacts almost every aspect of our world.
As an ANU LLB Hons student, you’ll study a range of compulsory courses in foundational areas such as public law, criminal law, contracts, evidence and litigation. You’ll have the opportunity to choose from a range of electives across a wide variety of topics, such as international law, environmental law, and human rights.
In addition to learning the fundamental concepts of law and legal systems, the program will encourage you to consider how the law does and doesn’t work, and what can be done to improve and enhance it.
During your degree, you’ll be presented with numerous opportunities to put your legal knowledge into action. You’ll gain practical experience through a range of internships, clinical placements, student competitions and exchanges in Australia, Asia, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.
Flexible double degrees at ANU
The ANU LLB Hons program can be taken as a single degree, or as a flexible double degree, combined with one of over 35 other subjects. In turn, you’ll be able to tailor your studies to suit your specific interests in law, and your career goals.
Studying a flexible double degree doesn’t mean double the workload of a single degree. Instead, a double degree brings together courses from two degrees to create a single program of study, and only adds one extra year to the time you spend at university.
Key facts
One of the world's top 20 law schools Times Higher Education Rankings (2024)
Five-star maximum rating for student demand, teaching quality, student–teacher ratio and staff qualifications Good Universities Guide 2022
Within four months of completing their courses, 89% of ANU Law graduates are employed full-time Good Universities Guide 2022
Single degree
Four years full-time Up to 10 years part-time
Five years full-time Up to 11 years part-time
Next intake
February, July 2023
Make an enquiry
Call and chat to a member of our Future Student Experience team.
Future student enquiryEntry requirements
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree are not eligible to apply for a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). Entry is reserved for undergraduate applicants only. Graduate applicants are advised to apply for the Juris Doctor program.
Domestic applications
In response to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, we have changed our admissions process for Year 12 students who are applying directly to ANU for undergraduate study in 2022. Please visit the Domestic applications - ANU Undergraduate page for more information.
Domestic Applicants will be directed to apply through the relevant application process via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or Direct Application portal.
You are a domestic applicant if you are:
- An Australian Citizen
- A New Zealand Citizen
- An Australian permanent resident
- An Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder
International applications
International students should visit the International applications - ANU Undergraduate webpage to check the admission dates.
International applicants will be directed to apply through the relevant application process via the Direct Application Portals or Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
You are an international applicant if you are:
- Not an Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Not holding an Australian permanent resident or permanent humanitarian visa
- You apply via Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) International if you are an International student who is undertaking:
- Australian Year 12 inside or outside of Australia
- An International Baccalaureate Diploma OR
- A New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)
Student experience
As an ANU law student, you’ll benefit from studying in a supportive, student-focused environment, where the teaching allows you to see law in action.
Our location in Canberra puts you in close proximity to the Federal Parliament, the High Court of Australia and key government agencies, such as the Attorney-General’s Department, Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Treasury.
In the later years of your degree, you’ll also have various opportunities to gain real-world experience through field trips, internships, mooting competitions, or by spending a semester overseas studying in the USA, Europe, or over 130 other locations.
Careers
An ANU Law degree opens doors to career opportunities across Australia and around the world.
As a graduate, you’ll find the skills you gain in research, analysis, collaboration and communication are in strong demand from employers, and are especially valuable in many different professions.
Previous graduates from our Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program have went on to work in legal practice roles as lawyers and solicitiors in both the public and private sectors. While around half of ANU Law graduates choose to practise law, many others use their LLB Hons degree as a foundation for careers in other areas. Many graduates of this program now work in politics, journalism, public policy, global diplomacy, government, the arts, finance and business.
When you graduate with an ANU Law degree, you become part of a prestigious and highly recognised global alumni network.
Academic experts
With expertise in constitutional and administrative law, international law, environmental law, migration law, governance and national security, our academic staff are frequently called on to provide advice and analysis. They work closely with parliamentary committees, peak bodies, professional associations and the media, providing guidance on the law, and what might be done to improve it.
Many of our expert research staff are also award-winning teachers who make themselves fully accessible to students to ensure you successfully complete your studies. At the ANU College of Law, we have created a supportive and nurturing environment in which you can thrive.
Admission to practice
Completing an ANU Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and the requisite practical legal training (PLT) qualifies you to practise law anywhere in Australia and in some other jurisdictions, including New Zealand, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
PLT provides the practical skills and knowledge you’ll need as a legal professional, and allows you to be admitted as a lawyer.
Apply
Domestic applicants should apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). International applicants should apply online. Please choose the ‘apply’ button on the LLB Hons webpage on the ANU Programs and Courses website.
CROSS-INSTITUTIONAL STUDY
If you’re currently enrolled at another university and wish to complete an individual course at ANU to count towards your degree, you can apply to study at ANU as a cross-institutional student.
Fees
View the current student contribution for the LLB Hons on our Programs and Courses website.
Our programs and coursesPrograms and courses
For information on admission requirements, fees, courses, electives, suggested study patterns and more see Programs and Courses.
Programs and courses