For more than 40 years, UNSW Law School, in partnership with Nura Gili Centre for Indigenous Programs, has been offering an alternative entry program into Law and a range of outreach and support initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. 

UNSW Law is proud to have graduated more than 100 Indigenous students and remains committed to increasing the number of law graduates in Australia. The Indigenous Entry into Law Scheme at UNSW aims to play a significant part in this.

Indigenous Legal Education pathway

 

Winter School program

Winter School is a program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 10, 11 and 12 who are considering studying beyond high school. The renowned Winter School program has been running since 2002 and has provided more than 1000 Indigenous Australian high school students with an opportunity to experience university. 

The week-long residential program enables students to participate in academic lectures and tutorials, presentations, study sessions, team-building activities and cultural activities, to interact with University staff, current students and fellow applicants, and more. Accommodation is provided in colleges on campus and the whole program is at no cost to the student. 

Participants are mentored by current UNSW Indigenous students, along with graduates, academics and experts from industry. The program is a great opportunity for students to meet staff from the University who can help identify their areas of interest, clarify their subject choices and provide further information about gaining entry into their degree.  

  • A one-week program run by Nura Gili  
  • Runs in July each year 
  • Gives upper year high school students from across Australia a taste of University study in an area of their choice including Law 
  • The whole program is at no cost to the student 

Find out more about Winter School. 

Pre-Law Program

Developed in partnership with Nura Gili, the Pre-Law Program provides students with a stepping stone to their dream career and an introduction to University life within an environment that provides culturally appropriate support.  

The Pre-Law Program is an intensive residential preparatory course designed to assist Indigenous students to develop the skills necessary to successfully complete studies in law. The program includes a simulation of the Law School experience, an introduction to University life and to the study of law. The program aims to prepare participants for a mainstream education in law and boost their access into legal higher education. Program content includes an introduction to legal process, Aboriginal Legal Issues, Criminal Law, Legal Writing and Academic Skills. 

  • A four-week residential, intensive program to help Indigenous students develop the skills and knowledge they’ll need to study law at University 
  • Gives Indigenous students a realistic experience of studying Law at University, from attending lectures and tutorials, to doing readings and assessment 
  • Covers most of the material taught in the Foundations of Law course – this is the Law course that first year LLB students take in Term 1 of their degree 
  • Takes Indigenous students to visit the NSW Bar Association, where they see barristers at work in court and in their chambers; and where they can talk to a judge after court 
  • Takes Indigenous students to visit the Justice & Police Museum, where they can learn about crime and punishment and law and order in NSW over the years 
  • Introduces students to the life of the UNSW Law School by allowing them to: 
    • Meet current staff members 
    • Work and socialise with current students 
    • Attend any special lectures or events that are taking place 
    • Discover the Law Centres Precinct, including the Indigenous Law Centre 
    • Learn about legal practice at Kingsford Legal Centre (KLC), the Law School’s on-site community legal centre 
    • Develop mooting (legal debating) skills 

Read more about the Pre-Law Program.

Enabling Programs – Diploma in Humanities (Law Stream)

Enabling programs are designed for Indigenous people who have the potential but are not yet prepared for first-year undergraduate study. Enabling programs generally run for one year and are offered at UNSW’s Kensington campus in Sydney. At the end of the program, students who have demonstrated an ability to perform at a tertiary level can apply to transfer into a degree program at UNSW. 

  • A one-year full-time program 
  • Offered in conjunction with Nura Gili and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences 
  • Creates an extra, different pathway for Indigenous students to get into the Bachelor of Laws course 
  • Is especially well suited to Indigenous students who might still have some gaps in their educational preparation for University, meaning that they’re not yet fully ready to start the Bachelor of Laws course 
  • Students spend time building on what they’ve learned in the Pre-Program in Law and complete courses run by the UNSW Law School, Nura Gili and the UNSW Learning Centre 

Learn more about UNSW Enabling Programs.

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

When you study a Law double degree at UNSW, what support can you expect, as an Indigenous student? 

  • People on the ground to assist you with: 
    • Administration – Law Student Services Officer 
    • Academic Support – Co-ordinator & Teacher, LLB Indigenous Support Programs 
  • Textbooks on a long-loan basis 
  • Course readers free of charge 
  • Specialised support tutorials during first year 
  • Assistance with applications for scholarships  
  • Information about finding law-related employment during your studies 
  • Information about applying for Indigenous clerkships and cadetships 

To find out more, contact UNSW Law’s Director of Indigenous Legal Education: 

Jeni Engel 
E: j.engel@unsw.edu.au
P: 02 9385 9650 

“

The Pre-Law Program gave me a deeper insight and clearer understanding of the opportunities available to students who study at UNSW Law. The Pre-Law Program is the reason I am studying Law at UNSW today.   

The program helped to make the transition from high school to Law School incredibly smooth. Being surrounded by exceptional people throughout, both staff and peers, I gained valuable insight into the expectations and requirements of being a UNSW Law student. With this knowledge and experience, I was able to successfully transition into the Pre-Law Program, and then into a Law dual degree with ease.  

Having now made it through my first full year as a UNSW Law student, I can confidently say that this year would not have been the same if not for the staff at the Law School, Nura Gili and all my peers who completed the program with me. With their support, I am continually motivated to do my best in all aspects of Law School life.

”
Stephanie Gray, Criminology & Criminal Justice/Law student
UNSW Indigenous Strategy

The UNSW Indigenous Strategy represents a powerful vision for the future of UNSW: as a place committed to educating the next generation of First Nations leaders, celebrating the cultural heritage of our campus and country and, more broadly, advancing the rights and progress of Australia’s First Peoples.

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