Overview

The University of Tasmania is the fourth-oldest university in Australia. It is highly regarded internationally as a teaching and research institution. The Faculty of Law was founded in 1893 and is situated on the Hobart campus. Generations of dedicated staff have ensured that, over one hundred years later, the Law School has built an enviable reputation for academic achievement and excellence in legal teaching. The Faculty employs 48 both academic and general staff and has student population of approximately 700. A natural outcome of being a small faculty is that the students and staff form a supportive community with many lasting friendships. New students are welcomed into this network.

Staff

The Faculty of Law’s dynamic and highly qualified staff have reached the top academic ranks in Australia. Achievements include, international recognition for research, prestigious teaching excellence awards, high output of significant academic publications and substantial contributions to law reform and debate on important legal issues. The Dean, Professor Donald Chalmers (LLB, University of London, UK; LLM, University of Papua New Guinea) is an active member of the Faculty’s teaching community. The Dean’s research interests are Law and Medicine and Law and Biotechnology. He provides research supervision of PhD or research masters degrees in the areas of Law and Medical Ethics and Law reform.

Courses

The Faculty offers both a straight Law undergraduate degree and seven combined degrees. Students can choose to combine their Law studies with Arts, Business, Computing, Economics, Information Systems, Music and Science. The Faculty also offers opportunities for research and higher degrees. Postgraduate courses available are the Graduate Certificate in Parliamentary Law and Practice, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Master of Laws (LLM) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Further information research degrees at the Law School. 

Resources

Students of the Faculty have access to excellent facilities including an up-to-date library, with texts and journals on all aspects of local, national and international law, which makes research more straightforward. Comprehensive IT facilities include legal databases, fast WiFi and computer labs. In addition to these physical facilities, the Faculty of Law offers students high levels of personal contact with staff. This contact allows for one-on-one mentoring and support, which assists students to reach their full potential.

International Students

International students are warmly welcomed and the Law Faculty offers the unique and innovative International Student Support Program for international students studying law in Tasmania. Special tutors and a team of coordinators run the program, which provides mentoring and supervision, orientation program for new students, tutorial and workshop program and social events. The objectives of the program are to assist international students to achieve their full academic potential and ensure their time studying in Australia is memorable.

The Faculty offers a recognised twinning program with KDU College Malaysia. The program is an exclusive arrangement between KDU College and the University of Tasmania and mirrors the Bachelor of Laws program delivered at the Hobart campus. Students transfer to Hobart to complete their final year of law study.

Student Life

The Tasmania University Law Society (TULS) forms the key to student representation in the Faculty. TULS provides a range of services to the student body including those relating to careers, education and social activities.

Graduates

One of the hallmarks of the University of Tasmania Faculty of Law has been the achievement of its graduates. Many graduates have become significant figures not only in the legal profession but also at the highest levels in state and federal politics and in many other areas of public life. Alumni include: five Rhodes Scholars and eight University medallists in 10 years, eminent legal professionals, Australian state and federal politicians, international legal officers and Professors of Law.

A School for Learning, a Community for Life.