Welcome to your first year in the School of Law
- Study sequences
- PODS
- Autumn Seminar Enrolment
- Key contacts
- Prescribed textbook list
- First year law subject coordinators
Study sequences for students commencing in Autumn 2026
UOW Law’s first-year curriculum and support program experience is designed to give you the best chance at success.
From your very first session studying Law in Autumn, the School of Law introduces a unique learning structure called PODS. Each POD consists of about 25 students, allowing you to attend all your Autumn session classes with the same group. Our research indicates that this system greatly aids in the transition to tertiary law studies. It promotes the development of friendships and study groups, and establishes a supportive network. Please be aware that this applies only to seminar enrolments for the Autumn session. In the Spring session, students will have the flexibility to enrol in any available seminar class options.
Campuses POD timetables
Timetables will be released closer to the start of the Autumn session 2026.
"In the first year of law we're assigned into POD groups and it's really beneficial because you get to know everybody in your class. It's a really supportive network."
UOW Law student
Students can view the subject timetables before seminar enrolment open date to help plan their studies. See timetable website
Further details about seminar enrolments will be provided to students before the seminar open date.
AskUOW is able to assist with all student enquiries
The Law School Admin team is also able to assist and support first year student enquiries.
Autumn Session 2026
A prescribed textbook listing for your first year subjects in Autumn 2026 is available on this website. In some subjects, there are also suggestions about purchasing additional books that will support your studies. Those suggestions are recommendations, not required purchases. It is also recommended that you buy a law dictionary, such as the Concise Australian Legal Dictionary (LexisNexis, 6th ed, 2020) or the Australian Law Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 3rd ed, 2017).
You will be able to access a full Subject Outline for each subject on the relevant subject Moodle site. Each Subject Outline will contain a list of other recommended readings and resources. Details of the readings you are required to complete for your classes in Week 1 (and following weeks) will also be made available on the Moodle sites. Moodle sites can be accessed via SOLS from the Monday of Orientation week.
Important notes:
- In each case, the prescribed texts will be the most recent editions. We strongly suggest that you obtain the edition we recommend. This is because there are often important differences between older and newer editions that can be confusing and difficult to follow.
- There are on-campus invigilated exams for all Autumn session subjects; LLB1100 Foundations of Law, LLB1115 Legal Skills, LLB1120 Law of Contracts A and LLB1130 Criminal Law and Procedure A. Students are permitted to bring printed notes and hardcopy textbooks into the exam, but not electronic devices. Please consider this when deciding whether to purchase a hardcopy or electronic text (eBook) for these subjects.
Legend
Prescribed textbook: mandatory for the subject
Recommended support: optional subject resources
Readings: weekly subject reading lists (and additional resources) are available via Moodle subject sites (accessible via SOLS from Orientation Week)
Before you buy:
WHAT? Buy the listed edition (content and page references differ across editions).
WHY? Invigilated on-campus exams (LLB1100, LLB1120, LLB1130) are open-book: printed notes and hardcopy textbooks are permitted; electronic devices are not. Consider this when choosing hardcopy vs eBook.
WHEN? By week 1: You need to complete readings before each seminar.
HOW? Through the UOW UniShop online or on campus.
|
Subject |
Prescribed Textbook |
Format Guidance |
Important Note |
|
LLB1100: Foundations of Law |
Jennifer Greaney, Principles and Practice of Australian Law (Thomson Reuters, 4th ed, 2020). |
Hardcopy recommended (invigilated, on-campus exam) |
Optional: the Australian Constitution (also available online; also included in most legal dictionaries). |
|
LLB1115: Legal Skills |
Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association, 4th ed, 2018). |
Hardcopy recommended (PDF is difficult to use) |
Used for every assessment throughout the degree. |
|
LLB1120: Law of Contract A |
Dilan Thampapillai and Alex Bruce, Contract Law: Text and Cases (LexisNexis, 3rd ed, 2021). |
Hardcopy recommended (invigilated, on-campus exam) |
Also prescribed for LLB1170 Law of Contract B (Spring). |
|
LLB1130: Criminal Law and Procedure A |
David Brown et al, Criminal Laws: Materials and Commentary on Criminal Law and Process of New South Wales (Federation Press, 8th ed, 2025). |
Hardcopy recommended (invigilated exam) |
Also prescribed for LLB1180 Criminal Law and Procedure B (Spring). |
Recommended support
Ryan Kernaghan, Quick Reference Card: Legal Referencing (LexisNexis, 2nd ed, 2021).
A law dictionary: eg Concise Australian Legal Dictionary (LexisNexis, 6th ed, 2020) or Australian Law Dictionary (OUP, 3rd ed, 2017).
Useful links
Autumn Session 2026
LLB1100 Foundations of Law
Coordinator: Dr Margherita Feleppa
Email: margherita_feleppa@uow.edu.au
LLB1115 Legal Skills
Coordinator: Yvonne Apolo
Email: yvonne_apolo@uow.edu.au
LLB1120 Law of Contract A
Coordinator: Dr David Newlyn
Email: david_newlyn@uow.edu.au
LLB1130 Criminal Law and Procedure A
Coordinator: Melissa Porter
Email: melissa_porter@uow.edu.au
