Frequently Asked Questions

How many Courses do you offer each year?
The Course is offered twice each year, with the first Course commencing in January and the second in June each year. Full-time and part-time students may commence in either Course. Applicants need to submit their applications by mid-December and mid-May for the ensuing Course.

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?
Provided your Course load is not too heavy and depending on the subjects 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 to make sure that you will not be overburdened.

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?
Before you commence the GDLP, you need to complete all of the 'Priestley' core LLB subjects and the Skills Program subjects (the Skills Program requirement varies depending on whether you complete the Course part-time or full-time). Apart from that, your ability to commence the GDLP 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 practise 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 further study: law subjects and practical legal training, you need to complete before you can apply to be admitted as a legal practitioner 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 deliver your Course online?
The GDLP is delivered using a high quality online learning program allowing you access to resources and support as you complete your coursework and submit your assignments online. The online Course component is complemented by   face-to-face on-campus learning and individual performance assessment sessions. 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(currently Saturdays only) for discussions, lectures, consultations with staff and workshops and towards the end of the Course for 3 assessment weekends(again, currently Saturdays only). Attendance at all on-campus 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 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. While you are not precluded from continuing with your full-time work during the Course, you may find it difficult to balance your commitments and take full advantage of the learning opportunities in the program. In your circumstances, you will probably get more out of the Course if you enroll part-time. You should also try to negotiate reducing 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.

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 at least some of 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 practical experience component of the program?
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.