COURSE CURRICULUM

The Diploma of Legal Studies provides students with a supportive and structured introduction to the study of law, combining academic foundations with the development of essential professional skills. Students attend lectures alongside undergraduate students, allowing them to engage with university-level content, while benefiting from tutorials designed specifically for diploma students to provide targeted support and guidance. In Semester 1, students begin their studies by completing the first of Bond’s core subjects, which are designed to develop leadership capabilities and essential skills in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and integrity. Alongside this, students study business law and contemporary issues in law and society, building an early understanding of how legal principles operate within modern social and commercial contexts. A key component of the first semester is the Personal Development Portfolio, which equips students with fundamental academic skills required for tertiary study. Through a series of structured workshops and focused activities, students develop competencies in areas such as research, writing, time management, and reflective learning, while progressively building a portfolio that supports their academic growth. In Semester 2, students complete the remaining Bond core subjects and undertake two legal foundation subjects that provide a comprehensive overview of the legal system. These subjects explore the roles and functions of courts, legislatures, and legislation, as well as legal practice, procedure, and systems of government. Throughout the semester, students strengthen practical legal skills including legal research and reasoning, legal writing, oral communication and advocacy, dispute resolution, and problem solving. By the end of the diploma, students will have developed a solid foundation in legal knowledge, academic capability, and professional skills, preparing them for further undergraduate study in law or related disciplines and enabling a confident transition into higher education.