Bachelor of Arts(Politics/Philosophy)/Laws Australian National University
- ErinAustralia
- Australian National University, Australia
- Bachelor of Arts(Politics/Philosophy)/Laws
- Undergraduate Degree
- 2011
The ANU always provides a challenge. It's much more focused towards the academic rather than vocational experience. There are lots of opportunities for interacting with some of the country's best researchers. Professor Ross Garnaut has an office here as well as noted feminist legal and constitutional scholar Hillary Charlesworth. Despite the campus being huge - of a comparable size to Monash Caulfield - there's a definite sense of community with over half the students from out of town staying in halls of residence on campus or in share houses. There's also a merit focus with the ANU not taking any full-fee domestic undergraduate students and offering mainly HECs places. The ANU is continuing to fund the student's association post-VSU. This means lots of student organised social events markets barbecues as well as essential services like free legal advice assistance with centrelink and student advocacy. Acccommodation can be an issue with there often being more people looking for places than there are vacancies. The Law school has a deserved excellent repuation and the Social Sciences particularly in the fields of domestic and international politics are pre-eminent in the country. Being so close to the seat of government opportunities for guest lectures and access to politicians is unparalleled.
Applied via the UAC system from Victoria - transferring from another university- and received a place in one of the later rounds of offers based on my ENTER score and grade point average at university. Enrollment was in person which was a little chaotic since I'm from Victoria and wasn't expecting a late-round offer but I guess for students expecting the offer things like flights/buses can be organised in advance. This part of admissions was relatively simple. Being from out of town as lots of ANU students are accomodation was much more difficult. I was fortunate to have some family friends I could stay with in the interim- the publicised first year accommodation guarantee extends only to early round offers. I contacted the university accommodation services in order to find out what to do when I realised that I hadn't been granted a place on campus and was told to look on the private rental market and use the backpacker hostel in the meantime. Accommodation Services advised that it often takes students between 4 and 6 weeks to find somewhere to live.
Domestic students have access to government-subsidised education through the HECS-scheme. Bursaries may be offered to assist with rent for students who can prove financial hardship. The different faculties of the university occasionally advertise scholarship programs or heavily subsidised exchange programs. ANUSA - The ANU Students Association - can advise and assist students with access to Youth Allowance. Most students have some form of employment as well. Canberra seems to have no shortage of retail hospitality and secretarial part time work in part due to the presence of the public service.
I've enjoyed the challenge both sides of my degree have offered. The lecturers (and sometimes the tutors as well) are experts in their fields which can sometimes be intimidating but which provides an excellent and exciting environment for academic acheivement and growth. Particularly for law the ANU's refusal to take on full-fee domestic students means places are awarded on merit. Although like almost everyone else I'll come away from this course with a HECs debt I'm confident that the skills and knowledge it provides will assist me not only in finding a job but throughout my future career. Realistically a law degree is a lot of work and is highly competitive. To do well requires a commitment to both attending class and engaging in self-directed learning - ie spending a few hours per subject per week with the textbooks. It's hard work but rewarding if you're interested in the study. I wouldn't advise this degree for anyone who is interested in it solely for the prestige or because of a belief that as lawyers they will one day be rolling in money. All the people I've known who've dropped out or transferred to other degrees started law with this motivation. The combined degree is five long years and without a genuine interest in the subject you will not be able to cope with the workload and you'll have a miserable time of it.
Canberra's a small town with maybe only a dozen bars in the town centre a walk from Civic. The University grounds are pretty lots of trees grassy areas picnic tables a river running through and in the evenings it's not uncommon to see possums and kangaroos. Parking is moderately expensive (around $5.50 per day casually or you can buy yearly permits) but bike paths and buses service the campus well. Accommodation is expensive due to demand and the rental crisis. The self-catered on campus places (Burton & Garran Hall Fenner Lodge Toad Hall) are the best value if you don't mind doing your own cooking. UniLodge is for students with a bit more cash to spare. It's apartment style lodgings the product of a private-public partnership with a hotel chain. You can opt to share facilities with fewer people but it can be more expensive than entering the private rental market and for example the electricity stipend exceeds what I pay as a share of the electricity bill in private domestic accomodation. Part-time work is abundant. Lots of students find work in areas of the public service which relate to their degree. There are also numerous large businesses with departments in Canberra for government proximity who're happy to hire students for data-entry filing and secretarial work. On top of this there's an abundance of unskilled retail and hospitality jobs available. Students coming from overseas need to be aware that it can be difficult to find work if your visa does not permit it.
An ANU Arts/Law degree provides opportunities for employment in government or private law. The University Law Faculty and Students Association also publish career and internship opportunities as well as programs which enhance your experience and give graduates an edge over other job applicants. I am confident that with this degree I will find fulfilling employment.
Located in Australian Capital Territory.
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Ranking for this institution
- SHJT: 70
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