Bachelor of Communication (Screen Industries)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queensland University of Technology

Program Overview

This course equips you with the critical thinking skills and professional know-how to successfully navigate the dynamic creative practices, industrial structures and legal mechanisms in such global industries as film, television, music, games and sports, among others. By graduation, you will learn how to research, implement and critically assess a range of strategic activities, from identifying talent, developing pitches and negotiating contracts to engaging culturally diverse audiences and evaluating the impact of new technologies. The defining nature of our law degree is the unique balance between theory and practice. During your degree, you'll complete the academic law units required for admission to legal practice, as well as elective units that align with your career interests. Through your study you'll develop necessary legal skills such as legal research, problem solving, dispute resolution, and oral and written communication.

Campus Location: Brisbane – Kelvin Grove Campus (Communication – Screen Industries) and Gardens Point Campus (Law)

This dual degree combines creative screen industry expertise with a professionally accredited law qualification, preparing students to work across media, entertainment, digital content, policy, and legal sectors. It is ideal for students who are passionate about film, television, streaming platforms, media industries, and storytelling while also wanting the analytical, advocacy, and professional skills of a law degree.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students establish foundations in both communication and law while developing critical thinking, legal reasoning, and media literacy skills. Early studies introduce the screen industries landscape alongside core legal concepts through units such as Introduction to Law, Legal Research and Writing, and communication foundation subjects that explore media, audiences, and contemporary screen industries.

Year 2

The second year expands students’ understanding of legal systems while introducing the structures and operations of the screen sector. Students typically engage with areas such as Contract Law, Torts, and screen industry studies focused on audience engagement, media production environments, and industry practices. They begin examining how legal frameworks shape creative industries and media organisations.

Year 3

Students develop more advanced legal knowledge while strengthening their understanding of screen business, project development, and industry strategy. Studies commonly include Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and screen industry subjects covering production processes, distribution, project management, and emerging digital platforms. Interdisciplinary learning helps students connect legal principles with media and entertainment contexts.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on advanced communication and law studies, encouraging students to analyse complex legal and industry challenges. Students undertake subjects such as Equity and Trusts, Commercial and Personal Property Law, and advanced screen industry units that explore policy, leadership, innovation, audience trends, and commercial screen environments.

Year 5

Students transition toward specialised legal studies and professional preparation. Advanced law electives allow exploration of areas such as Privacy Law, Freedom of Speech, Criminal Law, or litigation-related topics while consolidating expertise developed across both disciplines. Honours-level law studies further strengthen research, analytical, and professional capabilities.

Final Semester (Year 5.5)

The final stage of the program is heavily focused on completing remaining advanced law requirements and honours-level academic work. Students refine professional legal skills, complete advanced electives, and graduate with a qualification that combines creative industry knowledge with legal expertise applicable across media, entertainment, technology, and legal sectors.

Focus Areas:

Screen industries, media production ecosystems, audience engagement, media distribution, entertainment business, project management, legal research, contract law, constitutional law, commercial law, freedom of speech, privacy law, litigation, digital media regulation, law and technology.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal reasoning and advocacy skills; understand screen industry structures and emerging media platforms; analyse complex legal and ethical issues affecting communication industries; conduct professional legal research; evaluate audience and market trends; communicate effectively across creative and legal environments; apply legal expertise to media, entertainment, and digital sectors.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is approved by the Legal Practitioners' Admissions Board (LPAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to the Australian legal profession. Graduates can progress to approved Practical Legal Training before seeking admission as a solicitor. QUT also offers an approved Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice pathway.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

QUT is widely recognised for its strong industry engagement and career-focused learning approach. The program provides direct exposure to industry experts, guest lecturers, and professional practitioners, while graduates develop highly transferable skills in legal research, negotiation, communication, problem-solving, critical analysis, and creative thinking that are valued across both legal and communication industries

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Communication (Screen Industries) / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) gives students the opportunity to develop practical skills across both the screen media and legal sectors. Rather than learning only through lectures, students engage in industry-style projects, screen industry case studies, legal problem-solving exercises, and professional practice experiences that reflect real workplace environments. QUT's strong industry connections, specialist production facilities, and practice-focused law curriculum help students graduate with both creative and professional capabilities.

Students build these skills through a range of hands-on learning opportunities and facilities:

Industry-standard screen production facilities at QUT Kelvin Grove, including professional television studios, editing suites, production spaces, and digital media facilities for content creation and screen projects
Access to professional audiovisual equipment and media production technology, supporting film, television, digital video, and multimedia projects
24-hour student computer laboratories equipped with specialist media software and digital production tools used throughout communication studies
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities with production companies, media organisations, creative studios, and cultural institutions, allowing students to gain professional industry experience before graduation
Internships and placements with organisations such as Network Ten, Brisbane Festival, and Hyperplex Cinemas, providing direct exposure to the screen and media industries
Industry pitching projects and collaborative group work, where students develop proposals, present ideas, and solve real-world screen industry challenges in team environments
Screen business, audience research, production management, and project management projects that simulate professional screen industry practice
Study tours and industry intensives, with previous opportunities taking students to regions including Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States to explore international media markets and emerging trends
Hands-on legal education through QUT Law, focusing on practical legal research, problem-solving, negotiation, advocacy, and legal analysis alongside core areas of Australian law
Exposure to industry experts, guest lecturers, and experienced practitioners from both the communication and legal sectors, helping students build professional networks while studying
QUT Library services across Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses, providing extensive legal databases, media resources, research collections, digital archives, and specialist study spaces
Cross-disciplinary learning projects that combine communication, media regulation, freedom of speech, privacy law, digital media policy, and entertainment law, preparing students for careers that bridge both industries

Progression & Future Opportunities

This distinctive double degree combines creative screen production expertise with advanced legal training, preparing graduates for careers across the film, television, digital media, entertainment, and legal sectors. Students graduate with both industry-ready production skills and a strong understanding of media, intellectual property, contract, and entertainment law. Career opportunities include entertainment lawyer, media and communications adviser, screen producer, content development manager, intellectual property consultant, and legal adviser for creative industries: creating a unique advantage in Australia's rapidly evolving media and creative economy.

Future progression and career opportunities are strengthened through QUT's industry-connected approach, practical learning experiences, and professional accreditation:

QUT Careers and Employability provides career planning consultations, employability workshops, resume and interview support, networking opportunities, and access to graduate recruitment programs
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities allow students to gain practical experience through industry projects, internships, placements, and professional engagement activities
QUT's strong partnerships with the screen and creative industries provide opportunities to work with production companies, broadcasters, media organisations, and creative enterprises on real-world projects
Industry engagement through QUT Creative Industries connects students with industry professionals, guest speakers, festivals, production networks, and creative sector employers
QUT Law School's practical legal education focus develops advocacy, legal research, negotiation, and professional practice skills valued by employers
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training)
Honours-level legal training strengthens research, analytical, and critical thinking capabilities that are highly regarded by employers and postgraduate programs
Graduates benefit from QUT's reputation for producing work-ready graduates, particularly in creative industries, media, law, and professional services sectors
Cross-disciplinary expertise in media, law, intellectual property, digital content, and screen production creates career flexibility across multiple industries

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Entertainment Lawyer / Media Lawyer: approximately AUD $85,000 – $150,000+
Screen Producer / Production Manager: approximately AUD $75,000 – $130,000+
Media and Communications Adviser: approximately AUD $80,000 – $125,000+
Intellectual Property or Commercial Legal Adviser: approximately AUD $90,000 – $160,000+

Estimated Median Salary Range:
Graduates working across law, media, communications, and screen industries typically achieve a median salary of approximately AUD $85,000 – $120,000, with substantial growth potential in legal practice, entertainment law, media management, content production, and executive leadership roles.

Further Academic Progression:

After graduation, students can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a solicitor in Australia. Graduates may also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Digital Communication, Master of Creative Industries, or research higher degrees specialising in media law, intellectual property law, screen studies, digital media, or creative industries policy. These pathways can lead to senior leadership positions in law firms, media organisations, entertainment companies, government agencies, and international creative enterprises.