Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Griffith University Gold Coast Campus

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Griffith University is designed for students who want to develop advanced legal knowledge, practical legal skills, and a strong understanding of law as a tool for social justice and change. Campus: Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The program combines core legal studies with honours-level research, preparing graduates for professional legal practice, policy development, and leadership roles within the legal sector.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students establish a strong foundation in legal systems, legal reasoning, and professional legal skills. Core subjects such as Foundations of Law, Global Law, and Contracts 1 introduce the Australian legal system, legal institutions, and the role of law in a global context. Students also begin developing legal research, writing, and analytical skills that are essential throughout the degree.

Year 2

During the second year, students build their understanding of private and public law while strengthening their legal analysis and advocacy abilities. Subjects including Contracts 2, Torts, and Crime explore legal obligations, civil liability, and criminal responsibility. Students learn to interpret legislation, analyse case law, and apply legal principles to complex legal scenarios.

Year 3

The final year focuses on advanced legal practice, professional responsibility, and honours-level scholarship. Students undertake subjects such as Property Law, Corporate Law, and Theories of Law, while also selecting electives from areas including global law and governance, law and commerce, environment and social justice, and clinical legal practice. The honours component develops advanced research capabilities and critical evaluation skills, preparing students for both professional practice and postgraduate study.

Focus Areas:

Legal Practice, Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Global Law and Governance, Legal Research, Advocacy, Social Justice, Property Law, Professional Legal Practice, Legal Theory.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal research and analytical skills; interpret and apply legal principles to real-world problems; communicate legal arguments effectively through written and oral advocacy; evaluate legal, ethical, Indigenous, and international perspectives; demonstrate professional judgment and honours-level research capability.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is an accredited Australian law degree that satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT).

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Griffith Law School is recognised for its strong focus on practical legal education, social justice, and industry engagement. Students gain practical experience through moots, court visits, industry networking, and opportunities within the Griffith Legal Clinic, helping to enhance graduate employability and professional readiness.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential Learning: Students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Griffith University gain practical legal experience through a curriculum that combines rigorous academic study with real-world application. The program emphasises advocacy, legal research, client interviewing, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, supported by modern learning environments and industry engagement opportunities. Throughout the degree, students work on authentic legal scenarios, collaborate with peers, and develop professional competencies expected by the legal profession:

Griffith Law Clinic: Students have opportunities to engage with real legal matters under professional supervision, developing practical client-focused legal skills and ethical awareness.
Moot Court Program: Participate in simulated court proceedings that build advocacy, legal argumentation, litigation, and public speaking skills.
Legal Professional Placement: Selected students can undertake workplace-based legal experience with law firms, courts, community legal centres, government agencies, and other legal organisations.
Client Interviewing and Negotiation Exercises: Practical workshops allow students to develop communication and dispute-resolution skills commonly used in legal practice.
Industry-Led Learning: Legal professionals, judges, practitioners, and guest speakers regularly contribute to teaching and professional development activities.
Legal Research Databases: Access to professional legal research platforms including LexisNexis, Westlaw, and other specialised legal resources used throughout the legal profession.
Group-Based Legal Problem Solving: Students collaborate on case studies, legal research projects, and advocacy exercises that reflect real workplace environments.
Griffith University Library: Extensive law collections, legal journals, databases, research support services, and dedicated study spaces support advanced legal scholarship.
Law School Research Environment: Students benefit from exposure to legal research undertaken through Griffith's law and justice research community, covering contemporary legal and policy issues.
Digital Learning Platforms: Access to online learning technologies, legal research tools, and collaborative digital platforms that support flexible and interactive learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities: Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Griffith University are equipped with advanced legal knowledge, practical problem-solving abilities, and strong research skills that are highly valued across the legal profession and broader business and government sectors. The honours component enhances critical thinking and legal research capabilities, preparing graduates for careers such as solicitor, barrister, legal advisor, and policy analyst. With a qualification recognised by the legal profession, graduates are well positioned to pursue both traditional legal careers and emerging opportunities in governance, compliance, and public policy.

Griffith's strong industry engagement and professional development opportunities help students build successful and rewarding careers:

University employability services: Griffith Careers and Employment Service provides personalised career consultations, employability workshops, mentoring programs, networking events, internship support, and graduate recruitment opportunities to help students transition confidently into professional roles.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Law graduates in Australia typically secure starting salaries ranging from AUD $75,000 – $120,000, with median earnings commonly between AUD $95,000 – $115,000, depending on practice area, employer, and experience level.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from Griffith's strong connections with law firms, courts, community legal centres, government departments, and industry partners through professional placements, legal clinics, guest lectures, and networking opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia and provides a recognised pathway toward becoming a solicitor or barrister following completion of Practical Legal Training.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced competencies in legal analysis, advocacy, negotiation, research, and professional communication, enabling them to work across legal, corporate, government, and non-profit sectors.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this degree, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner. They may also continue their studies through postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of International Law, Master of Public Policy, Master of Business Administration (MBA), or research-focused Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and PhD programs in specialised areas of law and legal research.