Law is a fundamental business discipline. Its study allows you to develop a wider perspective on both the business and regulatory landscape and specialised expertise that will not only enrich your business career but can also lay the foundations for successful postgraduate studies in law.
Introduction
A major in Business Law will provide you with a solid understanding of the Australian legal system and how it impacts on business and commercial transactions. The units studied give detailed consideration to the law relating to contract, torts, corporations, agency, partnership, fiduciary obligations, taxation, banking, finance, intellectual property, competition, consumer protection and international trade.
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Course description, features and facilities
The Business Law major focuses on the fundamental relationship between law and business and is ideal for those planning careers in a wide range of business areas including professional accounting, business management, international trade and industrial relations.
It will equip you with important skills in teamwork and in written and oral communication as well as high-level analytical, problem solving and research skills. You will learn how to recognise, analyse and, where possible, avoid many of the legal problems that can arise in the course of common business transactions. Further, and perhaps more importantly, where such avoidance is not possible, you will acquire knowledge and skills that will empower you to intelligently request, understand and act on legal services and advice. These are vital business skills that are relevant not just to business in the context of the Australian legal system but also in the context of the legal systems of the many other 'common law' countries around the world. Thus, as the accountability and personal liability of professionals, business managers and public servants continues to grow, a strong grounding in business law is increasingly being seen as an attractive attribute for potential employers both nationally and internationally.
All units in this major are taught by the full time academic staff of Western Australia's leading Law School so students will not only obtain exposure to some of this state's leading academic lawyers they will also have the opportunity to make use of the UWA Law Schools' state-of-the-art libraries and research facilities.The fields of study covered in this major can also be taken as option units in first or second year outside of this major.
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Student profile
Student profile – Caroline Pyrchia
From the first unit I took in the subject, I found Business Law really interesting in that it gave me a chance to look at businesses and commercial transactions from a different perspective. My studies have covered a wide range of topics including company law and finance law, e-commerce and marketing law. They’re always applicable both to the work you do in your degree as well as normal life. Assignments in Commerce usually involve the use of numbers to solve a problem, so the Business Law classes are a good change of pace where we look at a problem, pick out the relevant facts and interpret them to find a solution. The lecturers and tutors are all very knowledgeable and understand that you don’t have a legal background, so the classes are really enjoyable and you learn a lot. I’m really happy I chose to study Business Law—I’d recommend it to anyone!
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Structure
UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.
As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.
You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.
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Career opportunities
Business Law graduates are well qualified for a variety of roles in the private and government sectors. These include careers in accountancy, business management, marketing, international trade, banking and finance, public service, industrial relations, human resource management and related professions and endeavours that draw on an appropriate level of knowledge of business law, such as those undertaken by government organisations and Non Government Organisations (NGOs) involved in areas such as consumer protection, competition policy, financial regulation, trade policy and legal assistance.
I want to be a…
This course could lead to becoming a:
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Further study opportunities
Students can choose to take additional postgraduate studies including the Juris Doctor, Graduate Diploma in Law, Graduate Diploma in Commercial and Resources Law, Master of Law or Master of Commercial and Resources Law.
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Check the Entrance requirements
This course is available to Australian and International students.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- Additional information
- Recommended subjects
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
- A scaled score of 50 or above in at least WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
| 80 |
International Baccalaureate
- A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)
| 29 |
Additional information
If you have a pass in Mathematics 2C/2D only, you will need to do a mathematics subject during your first year.
Prerequisites and recommended courses may not apply to students completing this major in a degree other than the Bachelor of Commerce, however students without Mathematics may have a restricted choice of units in the Finance and Economics majors.
Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).
Recommended subjects
| Qualification and recommended subjects |
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
- A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Mathematics 3A/3B
|
International Baccalaureate
- A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Methods)
|
English competency
University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.
The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.
Advanced standing
If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).
Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
French Baccalaureat Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 12 |
International Baccalaureate A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies) | 29 |
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP) Mathematics units as specified in UWAFP prospectus | 66 |
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in GCE AS-level Mathematics. | 8 |
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP) A scaled mark of 50 or more in at least Mathematics 2C/2D | 63 |
Trinity College Foundation Program Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 85 |
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 270 |
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec) Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 60 |
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC) A grade of B6 or above in Mathematics; if you do not have Advanced Mathematics (I) or (II), you will be required to complete a mathematics unit in your first year. | 12 |
Chinese Gao Kao A score of 80 (out of 150) or above in Mathematics | 525 |
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE) Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 12 |
Indian School Certificate (CISCE) Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 60 |
Norwegian Vitnemål Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 4.14 |
Swedish Slutbetyg Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 15.70 |
German Abitur Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 3.17 |
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in H1-level Mathematics. | 8 |
South African National Senior Certificate A grade of 3 (40%) or above in Mathematics | 4.60 |
These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.
If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications
you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.
English competency
To be eligible for admission to a program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.
Advanced standing
Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).
How to apply
This course is available to Australian and International students.
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- Additional requirements
- Fees
- Information for…
- Contact details - admission information
We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.
First semester entry
Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre. Applications open Monday 13 August 2012.
Closing dates:
- On-time closing date - Friday 28 September 2012
- The deadline for adding preferences for Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry is Friday 28 September 2012, and late applications will not be accepted.
- Late applications for other courses will be accepted, with a late fee, until Friday 4 January 2013.
- Students completing Year 12 in Australia in 2011 can add preferences (except for Medicine and Dentistry Assured Entry Pathways) until Friday 4 January 2013.
Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
Second semester entry
Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.
Closing date:
After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
Additional requirements
How to apply domestic
Fees
$, per year.
This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student contribution will depend on the mix of units you choose. See the unit costs website for details of individual unit costs.
Information for
UWA Admissions Centre (M353)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Location
- UWA Map
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
- 1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
- Fax
- (+61 8) 6488 1226
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Opening hours
- Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- Information for…
- Contact details - admission information
First semester entry
International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
Closing dates:
- Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry - 30 June 2011
- All other courses - 1 December 2011
You must also:
If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.
Second semester entry
International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
Closing date:
You must also:
If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.
Information for
UWA International Centre (M352)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 3939
- Fax
- (+61 8) 9382 4071
- Contacts
- International Centre
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Location
- UWA Map
- Opening hours
- Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
- About UWA

- Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
- Foundation and preparatory courses

- There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
- Social life on campus

- There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.