Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Edith Cowan University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) at Edith Cowan University is an accelerated law degree designed for students who already hold a recognised bachelor’s degree and want to qualify for a career in law in just three years of full-time study. Campus Location: ECU City Campus, Perth, Western Australia (with online study options available). The program is ideal for career changers and graduates seeking professional legal qualifications while developing the practical skills needed for legal, corporate, commercial, and social justice careers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a strong foundation in legal principles, legal research, and analytical thinking. Core units such as Legal Reasoning, Legal Writing and Research, Contract Law I, and Torts I introduce students to legal problem-solving, case analysis, and the Australian legal system. Students then progress to Contract Law II, Torts II, and Jurisprudence, developing a deeper understanding of legal theory and the application of legal rules in real-world situations.

Year 2

The second year focuses on key areas of substantive law and public legal systems. Through units including Criminal Law I, Property Law I, and Administrative Law, students examine criminal responsibility, property rights, and government decision-making. Further study in Criminal Law II, Property Law II, Evidence, and Law of Trusts strengthens students’ understanding of legal procedures, courtroom evidence, and the management of legal interests and assets.

Year 3

In the final year, students develop advanced professional knowledge and prepare for legal practice. Units such as Constitutional Law, Corporations Law, and Human Rights Law explore the relationship between law, government, business, and society. The program concludes with Civil Procedure and Practice, Statutory Interpretation, Family Law, and Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, ensuring graduates are equipped with the practical and ethical competencies expected of modern legal professionals.

Focus Areas

Legal reasoning and analysis, contract and tort law, criminal law, property law, constitutional law, corporate law, human rights law, civil procedure, legal ethics, advocacy, legal research, and professional legal practice.

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced legal knowledge; apply legal reasoning to complex problems; conduct professional legal research; communicate legal arguments effectively; analyse legislation and case law; demonstrate ethical and professional responsibility; and prepare for legal practice across diverse professional settings.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course is accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) and satisfies the academic requirements necessary to pursue admission as a legal practitioner in Western Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training and admission requirements.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Edith Cowan University is recognised for its strong focus on industry engagement, practical learning, and graduate employability. ECU consistently performs strongly in national student experience and teaching quality measures and provides law students with opportunities such as the Law Society Peer Mentoring Program, The Innocence Project, The Law Access Program, and international mooting competitions, helping graduates build valuable professional networks and career-ready skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) at Edith Cowan University is designed for graduates who want to fast-track their legal education while gaining practical, career-focused experience. Throughout the degree, students develop essential legal skills in advocacy, legal research, problem-solving, negotiation, and professional communication. Learning extends beyond traditional lectures through real-world legal projects, practical legal experiences, industry engagement, and opportunities to work on authentic legal issues. Students also benefit from modern learning facilities, extensive digital resources, and professional practice opportunities that help bridge the gap between study and employment.

To ensure graduates are workplace-ready, the program incorporates a range of practical learning experiences and professional development opportunities:

Professional Practice: Students complete a minimum of 80 hours of professional practice, allowing them to engage with industry and community partners through internships, client-based projects, consultancy work, service learning, simulated practice, or professional competitions. Support is provided by ECU's School of Business and Law Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) team.
Community Legal Practice: Students can participate in the Community Legal Practice unit, where they apply legal knowledge to real-world legal matters and gain practical exposure to community legal services.
Criminal Justice Review Project (Innocence Project): Students have opportunities to contribute to the Criminal Justice Review Project, examining potential miscarriages of justice and developing practical investigative and legal research skills.
Law Access Program: Students may become involved in the Law Access Program, gaining valuable experience working on matters that improve access to justice for the community.
Mooting and Trial Advocacy: Students can develop courtroom advocacy, legal argument, and public speaking skills through Mooting and Trial Advocacy activities and national and international mooting competitions that simulate real court proceedings.
Group-Based Learning: The course learning outcomes include collaboration in team environments, and students work with peers to analyse legal issues, develop arguments, and produce professional outcomes.
Legal Research Skills: Dedicated units in Legal Writing and Research help students master professional legal research methods, legal databases, case analysis, and legal writing techniques used in legal practice.
Digital Learning Technologies: Students use contemporary legal research tools, digital learning platforms, and relevant legal technologies to communicate legal advice and conduct legal analysis effectively.
Law Society Peer Mentoring Program: Students can participate in the Law Society Peer Mentoring Program, building professional networks, receiving guidance from experienced students, and strengthening career readiness.
ECU Library Resources: Students have access to ECU's extensive library collections, legal databases, journals, case law resources, legislation databases, study spaces, and online research materials that support legal scholarship and professional research.
City Campus Learning Environment: Law students study at ECU's modern City Campus, providing access to contemporary teaching spaces and facilities designed to support professional legal education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) at Edith Cowan University is designed for graduates from other disciplines who want to transition into a rewarding legal career in just three years. Graduates develop strong legal knowledge, advocacy skills, and critical thinking abilities that are highly valued across the legal, corporate, government, and social justice sectors. Typical career opportunities include Lawyer, Legal Advisor, Policy Officer, and Corporate Compliance Manager. This accelerated pathway enables students to build on their previous qualifications while gaining the professional credentials needed for a wide range of legal and leadership roles.

This strong career foundation is supported by:

Dedicated employability support: ECU’s School of Business and Law Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) team supports students in securing internships, industry projects, consultancy experiences, service-learning opportunities, and professional placements. Students complete a minimum of 80 hours of professional practice, helping them build practical skills, industry connections, and workplace confidence before graduation.
Industry partnerships and real-world experience: Students can engage with initiatives such as the Law Access Program, The Innocence Project, Community Legal Practice, national and international mooting competitions, and the Law Society Peer Mentoring Program. These experiences provide valuable exposure to real legal issues and professional networks.
Employment outcomes and salary potential: ECU law graduates pursue careers in private legal practice, government departments, corporate organisations, public policy, and social justice fields. Based on graduate outcomes for law-related graduates, early-career salaries typically range from approximately AUD $65,000 to AUD $80,000 per year, with a median salary of around AUD $72,000 annually, depending on the employer, location, and area of practice.
Long-term accreditation value: The degree is professionally accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) and satisfies the academic requirements necessary to progress towards admission as a legal practitioner in Western Australia after completing the required practical legal training. This accreditation ensures that graduates earn a qualification recognised by the legal profession.
Strong graduate outcomes: Graduates leave ECU with highly transferable skills in legal research, advocacy, negotiation, communication, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making. These capabilities create opportunities not only in legal practice but also in government policy, politics, journalism, corporate management, consulting, and leadership roles.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry), graduates can continue their studies through a variety of postgraduate pathways. Students seeking admission to legal practice can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) before applying for admission as a lawyer. Graduates may also pursue a Bachelor of Laws Honours degree or specialised postgraduate qualifications in areas such as Commercial Law, International Law, Human Rights Law, Public Policy, Criminology, Mediation and Dispute Resolution, or Business Administration. These advanced qualifications can enhance professional expertise, support career advancement, and open opportunities in senior legal, policy, academic, and leadership positions.