The Bachelor of Laws degree may be combined with a Bachelor of Economics specialising in Econometrics, Economics or Financial Economics.

Duration/Award:

The program is a five year full-time combined program leading to the award of the two degrees of Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws (BEc/LLB).

Distinction:

The BEc degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student has achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 75% in the UNSW courses completed as part of that degree.

Transferring Majors (Plans):

Students must nominate a major (plan code) at enrolment. Subsequent transfers to another major may be possible subject to the approval of both Faculties.

Graduation:

Candidates enrolled in the combined degree program BEc/LLB may be awarded the degree of BEc after the completion of specified requirements. Full details are given in the 'Rules Relating to the Award of Degrees'.

This program provides an opportunity to obtain two degrees of professional importance to business, administration and commercial law practice. At the completion of this program students will have obtained a sound knowledge base in the disciplines of both Economics and Law.

Approved Sequence of Study

Students must study economics courses in a sequence approved by the School of Economics and law courses in a sequence approved by the School of Law. Specifically, all or the majority of law core courses must be completed prior to enrolling in law electives. Approved sequences for each combined program are given below; other sequences may be approved under special circumstances.

Plan LAWSA14744 provides a standard outline of the sequence of law courses in Years 1-5 of the combined Economics/Law program.

Plan for Economics/Law 4744

Please refer to the relevant plan entry for Bachelor of Economics (BEc) major requirements:

ECONE14744 Econometrics
ECONA14744 Economics
ECONJ14744 Financial Economics

Students enrolled in combined law degrees (with exception to Jurisprudence/Law) are not required to complete general education courses. However, if a student wished to graduate with their BEc degree after 3 years, students are required to complete 12 UOC of General Education from Faculties other than Law and Business as well as the required law and commerce courses for years 1-3.

Honours in Economics
The BEc degree is available with Honours. This requires an extra year of study between Years 3 and 4. Students interested in studying at Honours Level should refer to the relevant Honours plan record for entry requirements.

Students undertaking the combined Bachelor of Economics at Honours level may be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Economics at Honours level once they have completed the Honours year and the requirements of the first three years of the combined Bachelor of Economics at Honours Level.

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) will be awarded with the following levels of Honours:

Honours Class 1
Honours Class 2, Division 1
Honours Class 2, Division 2

The award of Honours in the LLB program is based on two requirements:

1) the Weighted Average Mark (WAM); and
2) satisfactory performance in written research.

1) Weighted average mark

In general terms, students who score a Law WAM in the top 10% of the graduating cohort in each semester will be eligible for the award of Honours Class 1; students with a WAM in the next 10% will be eligible for the award of Honours Class 2, Division 1; and students with a WAM in the next 10% will be eligible for the award of Honours Class 2, Division 2.
All courses taken towards the Law degree will be taken into account for written research requirements, but only those taken at UNSW Law School will count towards the WAM.

2) Satisfactory performance in written research

To demonstrate “satisfactory performance in written research” a student must complete one long substantial piece or three shorter substantial pieces of research writing in their program. In particular, a student must attain at least a credit grade either in LAWS2423 Research Thesis (8 uoc) or (16 uoc); or LAWS3423 Research Thesis (6 uoc) or (12 uoc); or in each of three (3) research papers of at least 3000 words each, taken in any three (3) courses in the LLB program.
At the time of enrolment in courses in their final semester, students who have demonstrated satisfactory performance in written research must submit an approved Honours Nomination Form to the Honours Committee detailing the basis upon which the research requirement has been met, and the course or courses in which the requisite grades were attained. If a student has not met the Honours research requirement before the end of their penultimate semester, he or she must notify the Honours committee of the LLB courses in which they propose to meet the requirement before the census date in their last semester.

Failures and Academic Misconduct

In no circumstances will a student be eligible for the award of Honours if he or she has

(a) failed more than one course in the LLB program;
(b) been found guilty of plagiarism or serious misconduct on more than one occasion.

For Academic Rules relating to the Bachelor of Laws component of this combined degree program, please refer to progam 4790. Although 4790 program is no longer on offer, all combined law students enrolled in the LLB will need to comply with the rules stated here. A direct link is given below:

Bachelor of Laws 4790

Rules Relating To The Bachelor of Economics

Please refer to the Program Structure for the academic requirements relating to this program. Rules relating to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Economics shall apply wherever relevant. Students are advised to consult the Academic Rules for further information.

Candidates for the combined Economics/Law degree program may be awarded the degree of BEc when they have completed the requirements for the award of the first three years of the combined Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Laws program - as set out in the program outline - and subject to satisfactory completion of 12UOC of General Education requirements for the single pass degree.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html