Bachelor of Financial Services/Bachelor of Laws
Why study the Bachelor of Financial Services/Bachelor of Laws at UNE?
This combined degree requires the completion of units in both law and financial services. It provides the opportunity and flexibility to pursue either a legal or financial services career or use the legal knowledge gained in the financial or commercial sector.
The Bachelor of Laws requires the completion of 144 credit points. Students must complete 18 compulsory units (108 credit points) covering areas of study required for admission as a legal practitioner. Students must select a further 6 units (36 credit points) from a number of law electives.
The Law degree is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board of NSW for admission to practise in that State and mutual recognition legislation extends this recognition to other Australian jurisdictions.
The Bachelor of Financial Services is designed to provide knowledge and skills applicable to a career in the financial services industry or in law. In particular, the focus is on financial planning, tax and law. The course is intended to equip students with the skills required to operate in an increasingly competitive environment.
Students will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of areas such as managing wealth, estate planning, risk management, the stock market, investment and portfolio management, modern portfolio theory, financial analysis, taxation, superannuation, mutual funds, applied economics, social benefits, insurance, selling and sales techniques, and relevant private and corporate law.
The Financial Services degree has been approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and is listed on the ASIC Training Register. It has also been approved by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) as an "approved degree" and allows entry to the CFP® Certification Program.
Career Opportunities
This double degree provides the flexibility to pursue a purely legal career, build a successful career in a financial services field, or work in a legal capacity in the financial or commercial sector.
As a Lawyer working as a solicitor/barrister (with the required workplace training), in a legal practice, legal aid agency, advocacy organisation, government department, commerce or management.
As a Financial Services Advisor: Financial Planner, Para planner, Owner of licensed financial planning practise, Banking - Financial Planning, Life insurance - Financial Planning, Accounting or Law firm - Financial Planning, Stockbroking - Financial Planning, Funds manager, Credit Counselling.
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Degree Snapshot
DURATION
5 Years Full-timeUp to 12 years Part-time
FEES
CSPInternational
ATAR
New Course2013 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale
Trimester 1, Off CampusTrimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Off Campus
Trimester 2, On Campus
How to Apply
Domestic Students
All New domestic students to UNE apply to study on campus through UAC/QTAC.
For more information, click hereNew domestic students to UNE apply to study off campus direct to UNE
Former or current domestic UNE students apply to study on or off campus direct to UNE
For more information, click hereInternational Students
International students apply direct to UNE through International Marketing and PathwaysFor more information, click here
Contact Us
So we know where to direct your enquiry, please tell us if you are a current or future student:
| Official Abbreviation | BFinServ/LLB | |||||||||||||||
| Course Type | Undergraduate | |||||||||||||||
| Commencing |
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| Course Duration |
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| 2012 ATAR | New Course | |||||||||||||||
| Fees | CSP / International | |||||||||||||||
| Total Credit Points | 240 | |||||||||||||||
| Benefits | Law component: accredited with the Legal Profession Admission Board of NSW. Financial Services component: has been approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and is listed on the ASIC Training Register. The course has also been approved by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) as an "approved degree" and allows entry to the CFP® Certification Program. Financial Planning - Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and Financial Planning Association (FPA). |
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| How to apply |
All New domestic students to UNE apply to study on campus through UAC/QTAC. For more information, click here
New domestic students to UNE apply to study off campus direct to UNE Former or current domestic UNE students apply to study on or off campus direct to UNE For more information, click here
International students apply direct to UNE through International Marketing and Pathways For more information, click here |
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| Intensive Schools | Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in the Bachelor of Financial Services component of this course. There are no mandatory intensive schools in the Bachelor of Laws component of this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements. |
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| Entry Requirements | A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Rule Undergraduate Policy). Assumed knowledge is any two units of English. Recommended studies: Mathematics for some units in the economics, finance and quantitative areas. All students including international students must meet the University's English Language Requirements. |
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| Practical, Clinical or Work Experience | Financial Services component: Work related components will be included in the course, particularly related to simulated client interviews and writing reports based on the interviews; analysing simulated clients' financial needs, preparing risk profiles and writing Financial Plans. WORK300 can be included as a unit if the student is able to line up an appropriate workplace and a program that does not conflict with their studies. |
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| Advanced Standing | Financial Services component: Advanced Standing may be granted in accordance with the Advanced Standing Policy. Law component: Advanced standing may only be granted on the basis of law units that are part of a law degree at another university or a Diploma in Law offered through the Legal Profession Admission Board. If the law units have been completed as part of a non-Law degree, the law units must also be available to students as part of a law degree offered at that university. |
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| Honours | Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB Hons): Students who have achieved a grade point average of 5.5 or better in the preceding eight law units (P=4, C=5, D=6, HD=7) may be admitted to the Honours program in the final year of study. This program is based on a thesis of up to 10,000 words. The Honours result is based on the grade awarded for the honours unit plus grades for the best 15 units taken towards the degree. |
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| Academic Colours |
Spectrum orange (BCC 57) and Ultramarine (BCC 148) |
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| Further Information | 
You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE |
Admission to Candidature
A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Rule Undergraduate Policy).
All students including international students must meet the University's English language requirements.
Advanced Standing
Advanced standing may be granted in accordance with the Advanced Standing Policy.
Note that in the case of the Bachelor of Laws it is not possible to grant advanced standing on the basis of work experience due to professional accreditation rules or generally to studies not offered in a course leading to admission. The workload associated with previous study will be assessed and guide the advanced standing awarded
Period of Candidature
The period of candidature shall be:
(a) five years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to twelve years as a part-time candidate.
Course Requirements
To qualify for the two awards a candidate must pass units to the value of 240 credit points comprising:
Bachelor of Financial Services component: 96 credit points;
Bachelor of Laws component: 144 credit points.
Program of Study
Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:
| Course Structure | Credit Points | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Financial Services component: | 96 cps | |
| Core Units | 90 cps | |
| Listed Units | 6 cps | |
| Bachelor of Laws component: | 144 cps | |
| Core Units | 108 cps | |
| Listed Units | 36 cps | |
| Total | 240 cps | |
To view complete Program of Study click here
Award of Degree
Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Financial Services and the Bachelor of Laws.
Award of Honours
Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB Hons): Students who have achieved a grade point average of 5.5 or better in the preceding eight law units (P=4, C=5, D=6, HD=7) may be admitted to the Honours program in the final year of study.
This program is based on a thesis of up to 10,000 words. The Honours result is based on the grade awarded for the honours unit plus grades for the best 15 units taken towards the degree.
Exit Pathways
Candidates who discontinue their studies in the double degree program may be eligible to transfer from the double degree program to the three year Bachelor of Financial Services.
Improper Conduct
Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Rules.
| Course Aims |
The aim of this course is to: i) provide an understanding and knowledge of Australian law and to develop skills which will enable students to use their legal knowledge both within the legal profession or in other areas where legal skills can be employed; and ii) provide the knowledge and skills applicable to a career in the financial services industry; in particular, the focus is on financial planning tax and law.
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| Learning Outcomes |
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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| Graduate Attributes |
Knowledge of a Discipline
BLaws: Knowledge of the discipline is taught, practised and assessed in both core units and electives; in particular the Priestly Eleven discipline areas are covered in the core units. Students will demonstrate an understanding of these key areas to allow accreditation with the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB).
BFS: Students will develop an increased knowledge of the discipline through the learning and teaching activities associated within each unit and interaction with the unit coordinators, lecturers and tutors, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, online activities and discussion board. Students will also develop knowledge from the assessment tasks set, including: completing simulated client interviews; writing reports based on the interviews; analysing a simulated client's financial needs; preparing a risk profile; and writing a Financial Plan. Knowledge will be assessed in examinations in most units, and in the various assessment methods as outlined above.
Communication Skills
BLaws: Communication skills will be practised and assessed in all assessment tasks. In particular, students will develop skills in legal writing and argument. These skills will benefit participants' ability to communicate with both clients and colleagues in both legal and non-legal contexts.
BFS: Communication skills may include written and oral assignments, essays, discussion board participation, simulated client interviews, and practical reports. In some units, students will also present oral reports and presentations on topics or projects and students will be given some advice on how to prepare these, and they will be assessed.
Global Perspectives
BLaws: The focus of an Australian law degree is Australian law but core units will often provide information about relevant law in other areas of the world in order to encourage a critical perspective. A compulsory Jurisprudence unit considers questions such as global justice and American constitutionalism. A number of elective units are focused on students achieving a global perspective: Human Rights; Public International Law; Conflict of Laws and Information Technology Law. Students are provided with references to comparative material, which may include social, political and economic perspectives, through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, online discussion and weekly set readings. Comparative jurisdictions include but are not limited to England and Wales, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and a number of European jurisdictions. The quality of legal argument, which includes the ability to cite relevant comparative material where relevant, is assessed through a number of forms of assessment including assignments and end of unit examinations.
BFS: Many characteristics of finance provide students with a global perspective of financial and economic considerations. Such aspects as international finance, foreign exchange, international markets, in conjunction with aspects of international economics will be covered. However, a specific regulatory requirement of this course is that it has an Australian focus.
Information Literacy
BLaws: Students will be required to use complex databases to obtain relevant information about previous legal cases which will require a high level of information literacy and students will be required to use this information in assessment tasks.
BFS: Practised through use of internet, assignment preparation, the use of the Learning Management System, etc. Students will use web-based tools, search for financial information online, and seek market and firm data online. Students are also taught how to use spreadsheets and industry applications. Students are assessed on their skills in obtaining appropriate information for the written assignments. Instructions and assistance will be provided with regard to referencing and citation using the appropriate system.
Life-Long Learning
BLaws: The dynamic nature of law is such that students must be aware of current cases and decisions. Law units teach this process by considering the development of legal doctrine through the case law and statutes that change that doctrine. This encourages the practice of lifelong learning as a means of professional development. The quality of legal argument, which may include the ability to explain the development of a legal rule, is assessed through a number of forms of assessment including assignments and end of unit examinations.
BFS: Lifelong learning academic skills are taught and practised through assignment and examination preparation. Furthermore, students learn life skills in the area of finance and finance planning such as; how to interpret communications, reports and media assertions with regard to the finance discipline. It will allow students to continue learning about the finance discipline from their own observations, reading and other media. Students will develop a range of life-long learning skills such as how to seek out new information and critically analysing such information. This course will stimulate students' intellectual curiosity and creativity.
Problem Solving
BLaws: This Graduate Attribute is taught, practised and assessed during the course through the use of problem-based learning (in tutorials and online discussion) and assessment (in assignments and examination).
BFS: Assessments are typically focused on problem solving skills. A large part of the course is devoted to instructing students on the obtaining of relevant skills in approaching problems, determining what information is necessary, seeking the required information, analysing it, and employing it properly. There is also often a focus on mathematical finance problem solving in finance units. Problem solving skills will be assessed in the written assignments and discussions.
Social Responsibility
BLaws: Students are encouraged to reflect critically on the content of the law in most law units. Units specifically dedicated to providing context are the compulsory units LS101 (Law in Context) and LS355 (Jurisprudence). Ethical issues are also addressed in the core unit LS320 (Professional Conduct). Assessment may include an essay question which requires the students to critically evaluate the current state of a particular area of law by reference to these perspectives.
BFS: Examples of good and bad social responsibility practices are provided in the course content. In particular, issues of corporate social responsibility and ethics are taught, practised and assessed.
Team Work
BLaws: Students are required to engage in group work during the moot component of the core unit LS480 (Advanced Research, Writing and Advocacy). Other units within the degree may use group assessment.
BFS: Students engage in teamwork, eg. in on-line discussions and class participation, particularly in answering tutorial questions.
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