What's law at Newcastle like? (1 Viewer)

[cannibal.horse]

Can anyone actually give me information on what law at Newcastle’s like? This forum (as expected) is dominated by Sydney people who couldn’t even tell you the general direction of Newcastle and Newcastle’s uni site seems to think Newcastle uni is the most awesome thing since Andrew WK so if any law students could give me some info it would be appreciated.

Course/Facility itself
- What is the course like?
- Intense? Competitive?
- What are the lecturers like?
- Is there more of a practical approach? Do you find this beneficial?
- What is competition for external moots like?
- How does the school REALLY go at external moots? (Newcastle seems to be doing a big song and dance over a single Family victory)
- When I went to the open day the lady talked out about how they ‘stress the importance of working for the community’ - I hate touchy feely crap, do they ACTUALLY point that out and teach with that in mind?

People
- How many people are in the course? (I’ve heard it’s very small in comparison to other unis)
- What is the nature of the general student body? Are they hard working? Laid back? the stuff that didn’t get into Sydney?

That’s pretty much it, I’m not going to go into the whole ‘university reputation’ thing, that just opens a can of worms. Of late I’ve been considering UTS for the sake of living in the city but cost of living is going to be horrendous and Newcastle is far more financially viable. I’ve also been given a couple of work experience/part time job offers for some Newcastle firms which seem worthwhile.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

[blue_chameleon]

Re: What's law at Jewcastle like?

Hey man, sorry I haven't got back to your email, i've been flat out between work and uni, and everytime I see it there, it's put of until "tomorrow".

Whats the course like?
In short, this course focuses on problem-based learning. I don't know much about programs at other uni's so I can't compare. But you can add on a Dipl. Legal Practice, which gives you hands on real life experience with clients at both the uni's Legal Centre, and through "Law on the beach". The Dipl. is what you'd get into if you actually want a career in practicing law.

Intense? Competitive?
Yes and no. Obviously, there's not the same competition into Law at newie as there would be law at Usyd. Obviously, Newcastle's population isn't that of Sydney, and the program is fairly new. In saying that, it's a damn good course if you want a combination of theory/hands-on, as opposed to Usyd which is more theoretical.

What are the lecturers like?
Pretty good. Obviously, there are the exceptions but you'll be disappointed if you're looking for a uni that doesn't have a few bad apples when it comes to lecturing. On the most though, they suit the course, and know what they are on about.

Is there more of a practical approach?
As above, yes. That's pretty much the case across most programs at UNCLE though, it's used problem-based learning for quite a while. "Law on the beach" is an realtime example of this.

External moots?
Not too sure, to be honest.

Touchy feely?
Hahahaha, no.
But realistically, you’ll be getting experience through talking face to face with real people, and listening to their problems, so the skills needed for this will obviously be touched on in certain courses, beit in a lecture, or through a group assignment. Don’t get too worried here, the lecturers just want you to gain an understanding of the people side to law.

How many people are in the course?
Probably around 200 maximum. More good than bad. LOL. “The stuff that didn’t get into Sydney.” Haha, well there are people I know that have moved from Sydney up here, after transferring from uni’s there. All for various reasons, some because they like the sound of the course more than how their uni teaches it, others because they like the laid-back environment of UNCLE. Each to their own, but you’ll realise after talking to people, Newcastle isn’t seen by everyone as “the last resort.”

Obviously, to study law through a combined degree, you have to be fairly switched on. Just getting into the program is a hurdle, and it doesn’t get any easier once you’re in. People here are far less likely to waste the opportunity they have. That being said, there are the obvious exceptions, who usually drop back due to workload/uninterested.


Reputation?
Ok, in a nutshell, my opinion is Newcastle does basically excels in three areas because of their whole problem-based learning focus, (sometimes it’s recognised, sometimes not):
- Law
- Medicine
- Engineering

EDIT: The Law/Dipl. Pub Practice program is relatively new, being around in its current form for only a couple of years. In the short time its been around, I haven’t heard anybody say they hated it/would change to a different uni. In my opinion, if the choice is between UNCLE and UTS, then there's not much difference. They're both on par with each other. Although if worse comes to worse, you can always transfer to/from different unis.


End essay.

 

[em_516]

Re: What's law at Jewcastle like?

I think by "Intense? Competitive?" he meant more the degree itself, rather than how difficult it is to get into. And while I haven't done the course myself, I get the impression from two of my mates that it is competitive, though one of those mates is super competitive anyway so maybe she has a warped view.

When did you do law Chris?

 

[blue_chameleon]

Re: What's law at Jewcastle like?

I think by "Intense? Competitive?" he meant more the degree itself, rather than how difficult it is to get into. And while I haven't done the course myself, I get the impression from two of my mates that it is competitive, though one of those mates is super competitive anyway so maybe she has a warped view.

When did you do law Chris?

First year. Wasn't my cup of tea.

I much prefer Dilmah. Do try.

 

[em_516]

Re: What's law at Jewcastle like?

Actually I prefer Bushells: Blue Label, but thank you.

 

[cannibal.horse]

Re: What's law at Jewcastle like?

Thanks em and Chameleon for the responses, it's great to hear something!

I'm really keen on the practical nature of the course and the combined PLT element really makes USyd & UNSW (at least for me) not even worth considering.

Chameleon whilst I know that pretty much for reputation UTS and UNCLE are on par (though the reputation of communications is something I will also consider) from what I've heard the UTS staff are fantastic, most being barristers/senior lawyers plus the place has a lot of links to major firms. Does Newcastle have that as well?

Without being offensive reports of a laidback student body is discouraging. I aim high and want to be in an environment which does the same. UTS seems to have that with amazing results in mooting competitions.

If these arn't going to be major hurdles then there shouldn't be any troubles. With a course no better then UTS I really can't justify living as a dirt poor student in Sydney and then getting the same job offers/kudos I'd be able to get in Newcastle.

Also anyone know anything about communications in comparison to UTS?

 

[The_highwayman]

Re: What's law at Jewcastle like?

has Chapple planted this idea into you cannibal.horse?

 

[cannibal.horse]

Re: What's law at Jewcastle like?

has Chapple planted this idea into you cannibal.horse?

Bhahahaha!

I <3 Mrs Chapple! she's up there with Moondog and the Rathanator!

Nah she isn't into different unis, she thinks I'm a snob

 

[vickystar]

i'm a newcastle law student who wants to eventually change over to UTS. i think the communications program at UNCLE isn't as good as UTS but i'm not a communications students so i don't really know that much.
i think we go alright with moots and we just had some first years who won the kirby law reform cup and it is pretty competitive up the top.
but the culture at UNCLE is pretty laid back but most of the kids who got in to law went to local schools around here and are only in cos they got the marks.
at the start of the year there was 180 of us but there have been a fair few that have dropped off since.
if you want the practising certificate then law @ UNCLE is definately the go!

 

[cannibal.horse]

Chameleon,

Sorry to hastle you mate but I don't suppose you'd know anything about the competition for law scholarships at Newcastle? (as in what sort of UAI I'd need and whether its compeditive). I'm particually interested in these:

Faculty of Business and Law Undergraduate Scholarship for Commencing Students 2008
http://webapps.newcastle.edu.au/sch...cess&career=UGRD&teaching_period=2008&level=C

University of Newcastle Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme 2008
http://webapps.newcastle.edu.au/sch...cess&career=UGRD&teaching_period=2008&level=C

 

[em_516]

*competitive
And without knowing a thing about it, I would guess 'yes, very much so'.
Also, you're not eligible for a commencing student scholarship as you're not..a..commencing..student..

 

[The_highwayman]

*competitive
And without knowing a thing about it, I would guess 'yes, very much so'.
Also, you're not eligible for a commencing student scholarship as you're not..a..commencing..student..

he will be next year.

 

[em_516]

Haha fuck. Wasn't thinking straight. I was thinking 'continuing', my bad

 

[cannibal.horse]

And without knowing a thing about it, I would guess 'yes, very much so'.

Hmm, I guess I'll have to compete. I want money, and this time not through giving handjobs.

 

[cannibal.horse]

Sorry to hijack the post, but concerning UNCLEs strong points, I've heard we have the best construction management course in the country, this true?

You should be sorry MFer.

I don't wish bad things on anyone but thread hijackers like you? I hope you get cancer.

 

[mc88]

Course/Facility itself
- What is the course like?
They're quite good. I've only done first year so far, but the Legal System and Method course is a little...dry, but necessary. I don't think many other uni's offer the same type of course (or so they tell us). It's all about the practical side of being a lawyer.

- Intense? Competitive?
Crim Law is kind of intense, I guess. I don't think it's very competitive, to be honest. Of course, there are competitive people but for the most part, it's laid back.

- What are the lecturers like?
I've had three lecturers so far. One was bad, two were pretty good. Willing to go the extra mile for you. It's good because the size of the classes/cohort is so small, you actually get to know them.

- Is there more of a practical approach? Do you find this beneficial?
I don't know about other universities, but there is a lot of emphasis on the practical side.

- What is competition for external moots like?
No idea.

- How does the school REALLY go at external moots? (Newcastle seems to be doing a big song and dance over a single Family victory)
Well you have to do internal mooting as part of an assessment, they like to encourage it. I do think it has a good representation, but again this is all coming from the uni.

- When I went to the open day the lady talked out about how they ‘stress the importance of working for the community’ - I hate touchy feely crap, do they ACTUALLY point that out and teach with that in mind?
I've never heard that phrase in my life. I think they're just pulling the "we're country" one there.

People
- How many people are in the course? (I’ve heard it’s very small in comparison to other unis)
Less than 200 in mine.

- What is the nature of the general student body? Are they hard working? Laid back? the stuff that didn’t get into Sydney?
Most of them are local, a lot seem to be a bit older. It's very friendly, much like school. Since it's such a small group, you tend to get to know a lot of people. There's a great social side via the UNLSA who organise functions and activities for the law students. The uni also promotes group work in a lot of cases and we've even had to work with students in other year groups. I guess they're hard working, but it is laid back. It's very much a relaxed attitude.