Bachelor of Laws with Honours (Automatic Honours)

The Bachelor of Laws with Honours is awarded as an unclassified degree.
The award abbreviation LLB (with Hons.) is used by candidates awarded the Bachelor of Laws with Honours.
Students should refer to the Specific Academic Program Rules in the University's Calendar for the full details relevant to the Bachelor of Laws with Honours.

• Students enrolled prior to 2003
• Students enrolled from 2003 onwards
• Applying for Automatic Honours
• Enquiries

Students enrolled prior to 2003 - graduating under the old curriculum

Students who qualify for the Bachelor of Laws may be awarded the Bachelor of Laws with Honours where they:

(i) have completed the courses required by the Law School with a final Honours course average of 71 or more (calculated according to Specific Academic Program Rule 5.4.2.1 (b)) and

(ii) have satisfactorily completed such substantial legal writing as determined and at a standard as approved for the purpose by the School. Approved subject lists are normally available prior to commencement of the relevant semester.

The method of calculation and a spreadsheet to assist with calculations for automatic honours is available here.

Approved subject lists

2000 - Semester 1 / Semester 2
2001 - Semester 1 / Semester 2
2002 - Semester 1 / Semester 2
2003 - Semester 1 / Semester 2
2004 - Semester 1 / Semester 2
2005 - Semester 1 / Semester 2
2006 - as per course description
2007 - as per course description
2008 - as per course description

Please note: students enrolled prior to 2003 may choose to use the rules above or the newer method outlined below.

Students enrolled from 2003 - 2008 and graduating under the old curriculum

Students who are completing their degree requirements in 2008 and were first enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws at the University of Adelaide from 2003 onwards will be governed by the following rules (these rules are applicable to 2008 only, and please note that the cut-off score may vary as the University is currently reviewing it's calculation of GPAs):

Qualification Requirements

Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 2008 a student must have:
· Completed the 15 compulsory Law subjects
· Completed Law elective subjects to the value of 32 units if you are either a graduate of a non-Law degree, or if you have completed at least 12 units of a non-Law degree.
· Completed Law elective subjects to the value of 44 units if you are a not a graduate of a non-Law degree, and have not completed any units of a non-Law degree (ie you are doing Law as a single degree).

In addition to the above all students are required to satisfy the following:
· Obtain a Grade Point Average of 5.00 or above.

In calculating an average for the Bachelor Degree with Honours the following procedure shall be used:
(i) a value is assigned for the grade achieved for each course undertaken in Law at the University of Adelaide as follows:

• High Distinction 7.0
• Distinction 6.0
• Credit 5.0
• Pass 4.0
• Conceded Pass 3.0
• Fail 1.5
• Withdraw Fail 0.0

(ii) this value is multiplied by the course's units value, added together, and their sum is divided by the aggregate units value of all courses completed.
(iii) Grades of 'withdraw not fail' are not included in the calculation
(iv) courses passed outside the University of Adelaide with the exception of those completed as part of a recognised University of Adelaide Exchange Program will not be included in the calculation.

A spreadsheet to assist with calculations for automatic honours is available to download.

The main changes from 2005 are that all law courses undertaken at The University of Adelaide are included in the calculation, the method of calculation (and cut-off score) is different, that credit transfer is not included in the calculation and the removal of the 5,000 word essay requirement. Most of these changes have been flagged since mid 2002 and therefore are applicable to all students enrolling for the first time after 2002.

Note students who were enrolled in law at the University of Adelaide prior to 2003 can ask that the old rules be applied but the rules will be applied in their entirety.

Applying for Automatic Honours (students enrolled pre-2003)

To apply for Automatic Honours please complete this application form.
Applications must be returned to the front counter of the Law School by 5 pm, 10th July 2009 for students completing their requirements in Semester 2. Application forms are also available at the Law School General Office.
Applications after this deadline will not be accepted.

Students who first enrolled from 2003 onwards or wishing to use the newer calculation method are not required to lodge an application form. Prior to graduation, the GPA of all graduating students will be assessed, and those who satisfy the Honours requierments under the newer calculation method will automatically be awarded the Ordinary Degree with Honours.

Enquiries should be directed to the Student Advisor

Ms Corinne Walding +61 8 8303 5062
Email: corinne.walding@adelaide.edu.au

The University of Adelaide
LAW SCHOOL
ADELAIDE SA 5005
AUSTRALIA
Fax: +61 8 8303 4344