Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

1 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Curtin University Perth

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Curtin University is an advanced one-year honours program designed for high-achieving law graduates who want to deepen their legal expertise through specialised coursework and independent research. Campus location: Curtin Perth campus and Curtin Law School, located within Perth’s major legal and business precinct in Western Australia, Australia. The program is ideal for students interested in legal research, policy analysis, academia, or advanced professional legal practice, while also strengthening analytical, research, and professional communication skills.

Curriculum structure

Honours Year

During the honours year, students undertake advanced legal research training while exploring contemporary legal issues and specialist areas of law in greater depth. Units such as Research Methods for Lawyers, Legal Research Dissertation, and selected advanced law electives help students develop high-level research, legal writing, policy evaluation, and critical analysis skills through independent academic investigation supervised by experienced legal academics.

Students also gain experience in constructing complex legal arguments, evaluating legislation and case law, and applying advanced legal theory to practical legal and policy challenges. The honours dissertation allows students to specialise in an area of interest such as commercial law, human rights law, criminal justice, environmental law, or international law while producing substantial independent legal research.

Focus areas

Advanced legal research, legal policy analysis, commercial law, criminal justice, human rights law, international law, constitutional law, environmental law, dispute resolution, legal theory and reform.

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop advanced legal research capabilities, high-level analytical and critical thinking skills, professional legal writing expertise, and the ability to independently investigate and evaluate complex legal issues. Students also strengthen their capacity for policy analysis, evidence-based legal reasoning, and academic or professional legal communication.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) builds upon an accredited Australian law qualification and provides advanced academic preparation for legal practice, postgraduate legal education, policy development, and research careers. The honours qualification is also highly valued for entry into higher research degrees such as a Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Reputation (employability rankings)

Curtin University is recognised for its practical and industry-connected approach to legal education, with Curtin Law School maintaining strong engagement with Western Australia’s legal profession and public sector organisations. The honours qualification strengthens graduate competitiveness for legal employment, research pathways, government advisory roles, and postgraduate study opportunities by demonstrating advanced academic achievement and specialised legal expertise.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Curtin University’s Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is designed to strengthen advanced legal research, independent analysis, and professional legal practice skills through intensive honours-level study and applied learning experiences. Students work closely with academic supervisors and legal professionals while engaging in research-focused projects, practical advocacy activities, and professional legal environments that prepare them for both high-level legal careers and postgraduate study opportunities. The honours program also benefits from Curtin Law School’s strong industry engagement and its location within Perth’s legal precinct, providing students with direct exposure to Australia’s legal sector.

Students gain access to a range of specialised experiential learning opportunities and professional legal facilities throughout the honours year, including:

Advanced legal research project and honours dissertation: Students complete a substantial supervised research thesis in a specialised area of law, developing high-level legal research, academic writing, critical analysis, and independent investigation skills.
John Curtin Law Clinic: Students may engage with real legal matters under professional supervision, strengthening practical client communication, legal drafting, case preparation, and ethical decision-making skills.
Jeanette Hacket Moot Court: A dedicated moot court facility where students participate in advanced advocacy exercises, legal argument presentations, appellate simulations, and mooting competitions that replicate courtroom environments.
Industry-linked learning and professional mentoring: Curtin Law School regularly connects honours students with practicing lawyers, judges, legal researchers, and industry experts through seminars, workshops, networking events, and guest lectures.
Collaborative legal research and group-based case analysis: Students participate in advanced legal discussions, collaborative research activities, and analytical case studies that reflect professional legal and policy environments.
Professional legal research databases and digital legal tools: Students develop expertise using legal research platforms, online case law databases, legislation repositories, and academic legal resources widely used across the legal profession.
Curtin University Library and specialised law collections: Honours students have access to extensive law journals, legal research databases, academic publications, quiet research spaces, and specialist librarian support for advanced legal investigation.
Research-focused academic environment: Students work closely with Curtin Law School academics and researchers in specialised areas including commercial law, human rights law, environmental law, criminal justice, and public policy.
Practical legal skills development: The program continues to strengthen negotiation, advocacy, professional writing, legal ethics, analytical reasoning, and presentation skills required for senior legal and policy roles.

Progression & Future Opportunities

he Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Curtin University prepares graduates for advanced legal careers by combining high-level legal research, analytical training, and professional legal practice skills. The honours qualification strengthens employability by demonstrating academic excellence, independent research capability, and specialised legal expertise, making graduates highly competitive for both legal practice and leadership-oriented professional roles. Typical career pathways include Lawyer, Legal Researcher, Corporate Legal Advisor, Policy Analyst, Judicial Associate, and Government Legal Officer.

Curtin University supports students’ professional growth and graduate success through a range of career-focused initiatives and industry connections, including:

Curtin Careers and Employability services: Students receive personalised career guidance, employability workshops, networking opportunities, CV and interview preparation support, and graduate recruitment assistance tailored to professional industries including law.
Advanced legal research and honours supervision: Honours students complete an independent legal research project under academic supervision, helping them develop specialist research, legal writing, and analytical skills valued by employers and postgraduate institutions.
Industry engagement within Perth’s legal precinct: Curtin Law School’s close proximity to courts, legal chambers, and government legal institutions allows students to interact with practicing lawyers, judges, and legal professionals through seminars, mentoring, and industry events.
Professional legal placements and networking opportunities: Students may engage with internships, legal clinics, moot court activities, and professional legal competitions that strengthen workplace readiness and professional confidence.
Accreditation and long-term professional value: The degree satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Western Australia when combined with Practical Legal Training (PLT), while the honours qualification also enhances eligibility for research-based and senior professional pathways.
Strong graduate outcomes: Graduates pursue opportunities across commercial law firms, government departments, courts, policy organisations, corporate legal teams, academia, and international legal environments.
Employment and salary outcomes: Law graduates in Australia commonly enter graduate legal and professional roles with starting salaries ranging from approximately AUD $65,000–$90,000 annually, with honours graduates often benefiting from stronger progression opportunities into competitive legal, research, and corporate positions.
Research and academic preparation: The honours component develops advanced independent research and critical thinking capabilities, preparing students for leadership-focused legal careers and higher-level academic study.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), graduates may continue toward admission as a practicing lawyer through Practical Legal Training programs such as the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. The honours qualification also provides a strong pathway into postgraduate study including a Master of Laws (LLM), specialised legal master’s degrees, public policy qualifications, or higher research programs such as a PhD in Law. Students interested in academic research, international law, legal policy, or specialised professional practice areas can use the honours degree as a foundation for advanced legal scholarship and leadership opportunities.