School of Indigenous Studies
Further information
Course dates
The Pre-Law course runs from the second week of January to mid-February each year, and ends just before the start of the academic year and the beginning of formal Law studies.
The next Pre-Law Program commences on 12 January 2009.
Location
The course is based at the University of Western Australia.
Contact
Mel Thomas, Law Tutor
Telephone (+61 8) 6488 2973
Applications
Applications are now open.
- Danille Bracknell
- Judge's Associate for a District Court judge in WA (2007 Law graduate)
-
I had attended the [UWA Open Day in Albany] because I was interested in the Social Work course at UWA but upon being informed of the Pre-Law course at UWA I thought I would give it a go. Once I had completed Pre-Law I was sure that Law was what I wanted to study at UWA.
It is only in recent years that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have had access to Law studies and have gained professional qualifications as lawyers.
The Pre-Law Program - a five week intensive course designed to prepare Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students for first-year Law studies - was developed in response to the Aboriginal community's demand for universities to increase the number of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders gaining access to and succeeding in Law studies.
Forty Indigenous students have graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from UWA (at March 2008), most of whom gained entry by successfully completing the Aboriginal Pre-Law Program.
- Why study Law
- Who should do the course
- Teaching method and course content
- Assessment
- Accreditation
- Entry requirements
Why study Law?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Law graduates can work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, government departments or the private sector in a wide range of areas including:
- criminal and juvenile justice
- environmental and resources management
- land claim and native title
- international law and Indigenous peoples' rights
- social justic issues
- arts, law and copyright.
Who should do the course?
This program is designed to help students develop strategies and techniques to deal with the pressure of Law School. It will provide an intensive pre-Law education and an assessment of likelihood of your success in future studies.
You should apply for the course if:
- you are seeking to gain entry to a Law School in Western Australia
or - you have already been accepted for Law School. The course provides excellent preparation or a "flying start" to Law studies as it is based on first-year materials
or - you are already in study and would like to enter Law School but are unsure as to whether it is the right choice for you. Pre-Law gives you the chance to find out what is expected in Law School.
Teaching method and course content
The focus is on small-group casebook and problem teaching, with instruction in the skills of legal reasoning, analysis and communication. Legal research and writing skills will form an integral part of all units.
The units to be studied include:
- Contract (also includes an introduction to Torts)
- Criminal Law
- Australian Legal Systems and Aboriginal people
The program is taught by teachers from the Law School and Aboriginal Law graduates who understand the nature of legal education and its objectives at each law school. The law teachers will also provide support within the respective Law Schools for graduates of the program when they enter formal Law studies.
Aboriginal Law students will assist as tutors in the program. Aboriginal community members and the relevant Aboriginal organisations will also participate in appropriate areas.
Assessment
Assessment and review of progress in the program will be continuous and will include written exercises and assignments, class and tutorial preparations and presentations as well as examinations.
Accreditation
All students who meet the academic requirements of the program will qualify for a place in first-year Law.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements. However, to be able to complete the program successfully, it is recommended that an applicant:
- has undertaken some previous studies which can include bridging, orientation, or preparatory courses. Tertiary Entrance Exams (TES/TER) or equivalent, degree or diploma course
or - has relevant work experience, for example in Aboriginal organisations such as legal services and councils, or in the public service.
If you are not sure if you should undertake the Pre-Law Program, you can discuss it with staff at the School of Indigenous Studies.
