Bachelor of Laws
at James Cook University, Queensland.
A three-year full-time law degree at Townsville (ranks shown), Cairns (75.20 in 2026) and online, accredited by the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board. The prerequisite is English, Literature, English and Literature Extension or EAL (Units 3 and 4, C).
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the JCU Bachelor of Laws for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 74.10 | qtac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 78.70 | qtac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through QTAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First year builds foundation skills and knowledge for the study of law, and the degree covers the academic requirements for admission to practise as a lawyer. In the final year, students choose electives that develop specialist knowledge of legal issues affecting society. Law can also be combined with Arts and other JCU degrees.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as solicitors and barristers after completing practical legal training and admission to the relevant state Supreme Court.
- Common destinations include top-tier and mid-tier law firms, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and state legal aid commissions.
- Many alumni move into in-house counsel roles, policy work in government or the judiciary as associates and tipstaves.
Professional accreditation
- Legal Practitioners Admissions Board (Queensland)
Typical first jobs
- Graduate solicitor at regional and mid-tier Queensland law firms
- Associate to a Supreme, District or Federal Court judge
- Government lawyer at the Queensland Crown Law office
- Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions or Legal Aid lawyer
- In-house counsel at a corporate, council or resource company
- Native title, environmental or community legal centre lawyer
- Policy lawyer in state or Commonwealth government
Graduate starting salary
$60,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: qilt.edu.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
To practise, graduates complete practical legal training and apply for admission as a lawyer. The degree also suits careers in government, policy and business that use legal skills.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Strong readers comfortable with 100-plus pages of case law a week
- Precise writers who can build a tight legal argument
- Patient students who can hold detail in their head
- Confident speakers willing to moot and present
- People drawn to regional, environmental or Indigenous-justice law
It is probably not for you if
- Students who dislike heavy reading and writing
- Those who hate final-exam pressure
- People wanting a science or maths-heavy course
- Students who avoid public speaking and oral assessment
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the James Cook University website and on QTAC before applying.