Legal Research Methods | Federation University

BULAW1506 Legal Research Methods

This is a foundation course for students completing the law major within the Bachelor of Commerce and involves three related areas ¿ understanding legal discourse and its ethical context, application of legal research skills and developing legal literacy. Each focus area is delivered and assessed by a different strategy. Like any discipline, law uses its own language and media forms and the course is designed to enable students to master these. Legal authorities must be recorded in a specific official format and discussion about these rules systems involves following conventional modes of expression. Law is fundamentally concerned with written text and this course introduces a variety of genres within legal texts and encourages students to develop critical legal reading and comprehension strategies. Particular attention is given to the primary sources of law, legislation and case law, and to their interaction.

Commonwealth supported place (CSP)

A CSP is subsidised by the Australian Government and students pay a contribution amount. Each unit is classified into a band, depending on the study area of the unit (this discipline may be different from the study area of your course).

2026 contribution amount* $2,175
2026 grandfathered contribution amount^ $1,703

^ If you are a continuing student who commenced your course before 1 January 2021, you will continue paying the same amount as you would have, had legislative reforms not been implemented, for any units that would otherwise have an increased student contribution amount.

* For Psychology and Social Work bands the unit fee amount is determined by accredited courses. Students in Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, Professional Pathway Psychology or Professional Pathway Social Work accredited courses should refer to the information below.

Domestic full fee–paying places

A domestic full fee–paying place is one that isn’t subsidised by the Australian Government. These places are offered to postgraduate students or those who are ineligible for a CSP. Domestic postgraduate tuition fees are course-based annual fees, which means individual unit fees vary according to the degree. To find out more about domestic tuition fees and view the relevant fee schedule visit our fees website.

International full fee–paying places

International tuition fees are course-based annual fees and the unit fee you pay will vary according to the degree you are studying. To find out more about international tuition fees and view the relevant fee schedule visit our fees website.

Course or unit outline