Structuring your Degree Building a smart study plan
Building a study plan means choosing the topics that you will study each year. When it comes time to graduate you must ensure that you have completed all of the requisite topics units, otherwise you may not be awarded your bachelor degree. While you are largely responsible for constructing your own study plan, there are resources on the Flinders Law School website to assist you. Your plan will depend on what type of degree you are studying; the standard being a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice (referred to as ‘straight law’). Upon graduation students who have completed the requisite 144 units (comprised of 90 units of core topics, 31.5 units of elective topics, and 22.5 units of Practical Legal Training topics) will be eligible for admission to the Supreme Court of South Australia. Some students choose to graduate with only a Bachelor of Laws, thus removing the Practical Legal Training (PLT) requirements from their study plan. Students who do this may later undertake the PLT component through a separate provider such as The Law Society of South Australia, ANU Legal Workshop or College of Law. For more information on PLT, see page 33. A smaller number of students undertake the Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice (Honours), which will extend the duration of your studies. For more information on Honours, see page 30.
Full time or Part Time
Generally a full time study load is made up of four 4.5 unit topics per semester (18 units per semester, 36 units per year). You must seek special approval if you wish to overload topics, that is, study more than 21 units per semester. The degree is very flexible in allowing for part time study loads. It is very common for students to drop to a part time study load during certain semesters. While this will extending the length of your degree overall, it can be advantageous for your academic results and wellbeing.
Be aware to receiving Commonwealth assistance payments (e.g. Youth Allowance) you are required to be studying at least 75% of the equivalent full time study load.
Course Rule
The best way to build a study plan is to follow the Course Rule for your degree. The Course Rule sets out the core topics and elective options for each semester, and can be found on the Flinders University website. It explains exactly which topics you must complete in which semesters, and when you have openings for electives (generally from third year onwards). If you are studying a straight law degree, planning your study plan is a simple matter of following the Course Rule.
Combined degrees
Undertaking a second degree can broaden your career options and employability, and incase the diversity of your university experience. At Flinders, you can combine your law degree with any of the following: • Bachelor of Arts • Bachelor of Behavioural Science • Bachelor of Business • Bachelor of Commerce • Bachelor of International Studies • Bachelor of Languages • Bachelor of Letters • Bachelor of Justice and Society • Bachelor of Science You can apply to add a second degree onto your law degree after you have begun studying. For information on how to transfer into a combined degree visit Ask Flinders.
Diploma of Languages
If you are interested in learning French, Indonesian, Italian, Modern Greek or Spanish, consider a Diploma of Languages. The Diploma runs over six consecutive semesters alongside your law degree, adding one extra year to your overall study program.
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Juris Doctor (JD)
If you have completed an undergraduate degree in a different discipline, but wish to complete postgraduate law, from Semester 2, 2016 Flinders University are offering a JD qualification. Delivered primarily online with some oncampus workshops, this course enables you to gain industry experience and solve real word problems, along with the opportunity to network with other professionals.
Electives
The electives offered by the Flinders Law School differ each year, and usually run on a two-year cycle. If you have an idea of the career path you want to take, you can tailor your electives to your chosen field. If not, electives are a great opportunity to explore some different areas of law. Electives run in Semester 1 and 2, and during the mid year and summer breaks in the form of intensives. Study Exchanges Flinders offers a number of exchange programs giving students the opportunity to study abroad for varying lengths of time. For more information on Exchanges, see page 28.
Help: Ask Flinders
Ask Flinders is the Flinders online support portal; make it your first point for any enquiries. The portal offers an extensive information about topics relating to every aspect of your time at university, including: enrolment, class registration, flinders learning online, IT support, fees, scholarships, student records, student information system, courses, careers, on-campus facilities, library, examinations, gradation. You can submit online support requests through the portal that directs your request to the appropriate person for a response.
Planning Ahead