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Qualifications & Leading Universities

In order to practice as a solicitor you will need to firstly obtain a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). Although entrance requirements vary from university to university, gaining entry into law school is tough and usually requires entrance scores in the high 90’s. An LLB is a 5 year (full time) course, which may be taken on its own or combined with another degree such as commerce, business or arts.

A law degree may also be useful for gaining entrance into either a second undergraduate degree or into another industry such as accounting, finance or the public service.

The most difficult universities to gain entry to include: University of Sydney, University of New South Wales and Macquarie University in NSW; Monash University and the University of Melbourne in Victoria; Griffith University and Queensland University in Queensland and the University of Adelaide in South Australia.

When you obtain your LLB, you must undertake practical legal training before you are qualified to practise as a lawyer. In Victoria, this practical training can take the form of a traineeship during which you work under the supervision of a fully qualified solicitor for twelve months. 

You may also choose to complete a practical legal training (PLT) course offered either as an on-campus course or online. PLT courses are offered through the Leo Cussen Institute, and the College of Law in a joint partnership with the Law Institute of Victoria and the College of Law in NSW. Such courses are offered at other institutions including Australian National University.  PLT courses are fee-paying (i.e. government assistance is not available to students doing the course). Online courses generally involve a work placement component and have the advantage of flexible starting dates.

The entry criteria for tertiary institiutions differs from year to year. The above comments are a guide only. To gain specific entry criteria either contact the relevant university or use Hobson's The Good University Guide.

Relevant Universities Colleges & TAFE

Promoting Tertiary Institutions

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