Frequently Asked Questions

How many courses do you offer each year?

The PLT Course is offered twice each year, with the first course commencing in January and the second in June of each year. Full-time and part-time students may commence in either course.

Is there a quota?

Normally, there is a quota of 40 students per Course, inclusive of full-time, part-time and external students. Applications in excess of the quota can still be approved but may be placed in a ‘stand-by’ list. If you are included in the ‘stand-by’ list we will inform you.

I am in my final year in my Law degree (or LPAB program). Can I start the Course now or must I wait until I finish all of my subjects?

Before commencing the GDLP you must complete all the Priestley core LLB subjects and the LLB Skills Program. Provided your course load is not too heavy and depending on the subjects that you have still to complete, it is possible to commence and complete the GDLP during your final year. However, you should contact the Director about workloads and pre-requisites before you apply.

By the time the course starts, I will be nearly finished the last of my law subjects. Can I start the full-time program while I still have examinations pending?

It depends on how many subjects you are completing, when you will undertake the exams and how much work is involved in preparing for the exams. If you are in this situation, please contact the Director, before applying for a place in the Course, to discuss your options.

I completed my law degree overseas but want to practice in New South Wales. Can I do the Course?

Before you apply for a place in the course, you will need to have your qualifications assessed by the LPAB. The LPAB will advise you of the law subjects and practical legal training, you need to complete before you can apply to be admitted as a lawyer in NSW. Once you know what you are required to do, the Director can help you to arrange the appropriate training.

I live and work a long way from the University but want to do the Course. Do you offer a distance option?

The UOW PLT Course is a not a distance program but it offers a very substantial online component combined with face-to-face learning opportunities which are a vital part of training for the legal profession.  Accordingly, students enrolled in our Course come to the University for a week-long series of orientation activities at the beginning of the Course, 3 weekends(Saturdays only) for discussions, lectures, workshops & consultations with staff  and, towards the end of the Course, for a further 3 assessment weekends(again, Saturdays only). Attendance during the orientation week and the 'weekend' sessions is compulsory, so you would need to travel to Wollongong for these sessions.

I completed my law degree at another university that did not have a skills program. I have never worked in a legal environment. Can I still do the Course?

Yes. We will work out what extra readings and assignments you need to do with a program to cover the skills that are necessary. The extra professional experience that you will need to complete may be done at any time up until six months after the conclusion of the PLT Course. You can also apply for approval to undertake and gain credit for professional experience before you start the PLT Course.

I have a full-time job in a law firm and need to work throughout the course for financial reasons. Can I keep working full-time during the course?

We understand that it may be difficult for some students to reduce their workloads for a variety of reasons. If you can reduce your hours of work while the course is at its heaviest, you will find that you get a lot more out of the learning experience. You also have the option of choosing to complete the Course part-time.

Although I have completed my law studies, due to other commitments, I am unsure whether I would be able to do the course on a full-time basis. Can I complete the course on a part-time basis?

Yes. You may choose to complete the course on either a part-time or a full-time basis.

I have commitments that prevent me from working while I do the program. Can I do the coursework first and the placement afterwards?

While the course is designed for students who are completing the professional experience during the Course, we understand that some students may not be able to do this due to family commitments, health concerns and so on. The Course is flexible in this regard but the placement must be completed within six months of the end of the coursework.

Do I have to arrange my own placement for the professional  experience component of the Course?

Yes. While we can offer you guidance in how to obtain your practical experience placement, you will need to arrange the placement yourself.

Can I still apply for a place in the course after the closing date for applications?

If you wish to apply for a place after the closing date, you should first check with us to see if there are places left in the Course. If so, we will be pleased to accept your application. No extra fees apply to a late application.