The Law Honours program is designed for high-achieving law students to further develop high level research, writing and critical thinking skills, and deep knowledge of a selected area of law. Law Honours can be taken in all LLB programs, including double degrees and graduate entry, and successful completion of the program results in the award of an Honours degree in law.

An Honours degree in law provides a step to further academic study, including credit towards or a direct entry pathway into PhD and law masters programs at most Australian universities. An Honours degree can also improve your career prospects, particularly for certain highly sought-after jobs, including judges associateships, legal traineeships and admission to some graduate programs.

The Law Honours program

The Law Honours program is integrated (or ‘embedded’) within your existing LLB structure, based upon completion of 8 high-level courses, comprising:

• 4 required courses for the LLB: LAW401 Administrative Law, LAW402 Professional Conduct, LAW403 Evidence and LAW404 Regulation;
• 2 400-coded LAW elective courses; and
• 2 Honours research courses (open only to Law Honours students): LAW440 Honours Research Methods, Design and Confirmation and LAW441 Law Honours Thesis.

As part of these courses, and with the support of an academic supervisor, you will undertake an Honours research project, culminating in the completion of a 10,000-word thesis (over two semesters).

As the Law Honours program is embedded within your existing LLB structure, completing it will not extend the original end date for your studies.

How to apply

Entry to the Law Honours pathway is competitive and occurs by application. Applications are made towards the end of your penultimate year. With a timely application, you will be able to complete the Honours program without extending the original end date for your LLB studies.

For admission to Law Honours, you will normally have a GPA of 6 in your LAW-coded courses, but you can apply if you have a GPA of at least 5.5. Students with a GPA less than 6 may be required to provide evidence explaining how they will be able to complete an honours research project, based upon demonstrated ability in academic writing (or other evidence of high level research and writing).

Your thesis topic must be one for which the School can provide academic supervision.Information surrounding potential Honours topics is advertised during the application process.

More information

An information session will be held towards the end of Semester 2 each year for students who are interested in the Law Honours program.

For more information contact the Law School Honours Coordinator, Dale Mitchell (dmitchell@usc.edu.au), or email law@usc.edu.au.