Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Western Sydney University Penrith

Program Overview

This double degree gives you the best of both worlds — a strong foundation in science and a comprehensive legal education. You’ll learn to think critically, conduct experiments, and explore the natural world, while also mastering the principles and practice of law. It’s perfect if you’re fascinated by how science and law intersect — in areas like forensic science, environmental regulation, or intellectual property — and want a career that draws on both disciplines.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year introduces you to the essentials of both science and law. You’ll take core legal units such as Fundamentals of Australian Law and Legal Analysis and Critique, alongside foundation science subjects like Introductory Chemistry or Cell Biology. You’ll also complete a quantitative subject, such as Quantitative Thinking, to strengthen your analytical skills. These units build your understanding of both scientific investigation and legal reasoning, setting a strong base for the years ahead.

Year 2:
In your second year, you’ll deepen your knowledge across both streams. Law units such as Contracts and Alternative Dispute Resolution sharpen your ability to reason, argue, and negotiate, while science subjects like Analytical Chemistry, Forensic and Environmental Analysis, or Science Research Methods build your technical and research expertise. You’ll also continue developing your major in one of the scientific disciplines, combining scientific method with legal logic.

Year 3:
By your third year, you’ll explore more complex areas of law through subjects such as Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics and Government and Public Law. On the science side, you’ll move into advanced coursework or practical experiences like a research practicum, where theory meets real-world application. This is the year you begin to truly integrate scientific expertise with legal frameworks.

Year 4:
Your fourth year focuses on specialist topics and deepening your professional scope. Law units include Equity and Trusts, Property Law, and Administrative Law, alongside your choice of electives. In science, you’ll continue progressing in your chosen major, gaining a deeper understanding of your field and its connection to regulation, policy, and advocacy.

Year 5:
The final year brings everything together. You’ll take advanced law units such as Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure and Evidence, and complete your remaining science major subjects. This year is about consolidation and professional readiness — preparing you to graduate with two full degrees: Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

Focus Areas

Scientific investigation and analytical reasoning
Legal advocacy and policy interpretation
Interdisciplinary problem-solving
Forensic and environmental science
Regulation, ethics, and public policy

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Analyse and interpret scientific data with precision
Apply legal principles to real-world cases
Model complex systems and construct logical arguments
Communicate effectively across disciplines
Demonstrate ethical and professional judgement in both legal and scientific contexts

Professional Accreditation

Graduates from the Bachelor of Laws component are eligible to apply for admission to the legal profession in New South Wales after completing prescribed practical legal training.
If you major in Chemistry, your Bachelor of Science degree is also accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) — qualifying you for entry to Chartered Chemist status.

Reputation and Employability

Western Sydney University is ranked among the top 400 universities globally (QS subject rankings) for this program. The degree’s design emphasises multi-skilling and diverse career pathways, making graduates highly marketable in both the scientific and legal sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From your very first day, you’ll dive straight into hands-on learning that connects both science and law — this isn’t just theory, it’s about applying knowledge in real settings. In your science studies, you’ll spend time in cutting-edge labs, get out into the field for real research, and explore experiments that bring ideas to life. On the law side, you’ll sharpen your advocacy and reasoning skills through case-based learning, mooting in modern courtrooms, and working with advanced legal research tools.

Here are some of the key experiential opportunities you’ll enjoy:

Professional legal environments: Practise legal research, advocacy, and drafting in computer-based law labs and state-of-the-art moot courts at the Campbelltown and Parramatta campuses.
Authentic, real-world assessments: Develop practical legal skills through collaborative problem-solving, case-based learning, and real legal scenarios built into your Bachelor of Laws (LLB) subjects.
Hands-on science experiences: Take part in laboratory work, field studies, experiments, and research projects that put theory into action.
Work-integrated learning (WIL): Gain valuable industry experience through subjects like Work Internship for Science Professionals and Legal Internship.
Specialised science facilities: Depending on your major, you’ll access unique spaces such as animal facilities (housing reptiles, native mammals, sheep, cattle, and deer) and off-campus research sites like farms and wildlife parks.
Field-based learning: Explore environmental and sustainability disciplines through fieldwork supported by world-class ecological facilities.
Integrated legal and scientific learning: Combine the resources of the Law Library and cutting-edge legal technologies with scientific inquiry to develop both your analytical and technical skills.

What this means for you:

Graduating with both science and law degrees sets you apart. You’ll gain a solid foundation in scientific investigation and a deep understanding of the legal, ethical, and social frameworks that shape it. Whether you’re in a lab, out in the field, or in a courtroom, you’ll be confident applying your knowledge in both worlds — an exceptional advantage for careers in environmental law, intellectual property, forensic science, and regulation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

If you complete the Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Laws at Western Sydney University, you’ll be exceptionally well-prepared for careers that bridge the worlds of science and law. Think of roles like a legal adviser in a biotech company, a forensic scientist with legal expertise, an intellectual property lawyer specialising in technology, or a regulatory scientist shaping government policy — the opportunities are diverse and exciting.

Future Progression & Opportunities

University services:
Western Sydney University provides strong career and employability support throughout your studies. Through its Careers and Employment Service, you’ll have access to employer networks, internship and graduate opportunities, and tailored career workshops — all designed to help you gain a competitive edge in your chosen field.

Employment stats & salary:
Graduates from Western Sydney are entering the workforce with confidence. Around 70% of undergraduates secure full-time employment within four months of completing their degree, with a median starting salary of approximately AUD 47,600. These figures highlight the university’s strong focus on graduate readiness and employability.

University–industry partnerships:
The program blends academic study with real-world experience. The Law component offers opportunities for clinical placements, moot courts, and professional practice, while the Science component includes hands-on lab and field work. This combination helps you graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills valued by employers.

Long-term accreditation value:
The Law component of the degree is accredited and allows graduates to apply for admission to legal practice in New South Wales through the Legal Profession Admission Board. For Science students, certain majors such as Chemistry are accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) — adding extra credibility to your qualification.

Graduation outcomes:
By completing this double degree, you’ll graduate with two full qualifications — a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Laws. This dual expertise opens doors to a wide range of careers across legal, scientific, and regulatory sectors, giving you the flexibility to shape a career that truly fits your interests.

Further academic progression:
After finishing this program, you can continue your studies with a Master of Laws (LLM) or a specialised postgraduate science degree, such as a Master of Science or a research-based Honours year leading to a PhD. These options allow you to deepen your expertise, advance into leadership positions, or pursue cutting-edge research in your chosen field.