Bachelors of Laws (Honours) / Commerce

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Griffith University Gold Coast Campus

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Commerce at Griffith University is designed for students who want to combine legal expertise with strong business, finance, and commercial decision-making skills. It suits ambitious students aiming for careers in corporate law, accounting, consulting, or business leadership roles where law and commerce intersect.

Campus: Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:
Students begin by building a strong foundation in both legal and business principles. In law, they study core subjects such as Legal Foundations and Methods and Torts, developing an understanding of how legal systems operate, while commerce units such as Principles of Economics and Business Data Analysis introduce them to financial thinking and business environments.

Year 2:
In the second year, students deepen their legal reasoning through subjects like Criminal Law and Procedure and Contract Law, while also expanding their commercial knowledge with units such as Accounting for Decision Making and Corporate Financial Management, allowing them to understand how legal and financial systems interact in real-world contexts.

Year 3:
Students progress into more advanced and specialised study, including Company Law and Equity and Trusts, alongside commerce subjects such as Strategic Management and Marketing Principles, gaining skills in corporate governance, organisational strategy, and market behaviour.

Year 4:
The honours-level law component develops advanced research and analytical skills through units like Advanced Legal Research and Writing, while commerce studies focus on applied business strategy and electives in areas such as finance, entrepreneurship, or international business, preparing students for leadership and advisory roles.

Year 5:
In the final year, students complete advanced law electives such as Administrative Law and Evidence, alongside capstone commerce projects or internships, where they apply both legal and business expertise to complex real-world problems in professional settings.

Focus Areas

"Corporate Law, Business Strategy, Financial Management, Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, Legal Research"

Learning Outcomes

"Advanced legal reasoning, commercial decision-making, corporate governance expertise, financial literacy, strategic analysis, professional communication"

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, supporting progression to Practical Legal Training (PLT) and eventual admission as a solicitor.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Griffith University is internationally recognised and consistently ranked in major global university rankings such as QS World University Rankings, reflecting strong graduate employability and teaching quality outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Commerce at Griffith University gain practical, career-ready experience by combining legal training with real-world business applications. Learning is designed to reflect professional environments, where students not only study legal principles and commercial strategy but also apply them through simulations, industry projects, and workplace-integrated activities. Through this approach, students develop confidence in legal reasoning, financial decision-making, and business analysis using tools and environments aligned with professional practice:

Moot court and advocacy training: Students develop courtroom-style skills through simulated hearings, building legal argumentation, public speaking, and litigation techniques.
Legal clinic and applied law experience: Opportunities to observe and engage in supervised legal service environments, supporting practical understanding of legal practice and client interaction.
Industry-linked business projects: Commerce courses incorporate real-world case studies and group projects focused on business strategy, finance, marketing, and organisational decision-making.
Work-integrated learning (WIL): Access to internships, placements, and industry projects with legal firms, corporations, and government organisations to build professional experience.
Financial and business analytics tools: Students use industry-standard business databases and analytical platforms to interpret financial data and support decision-making in commerce-focused subjects.
Collaborative team-based learning: Regular group assessments mirror workplace collaboration, developing leadership, negotiation, and project management skills.
Law and business library resources: Access to extensive legal collections, business research databases, and academic support services to strengthen research and analysis skills.

These practical experiences ensure graduates are confident and work-ready across both legal and commercial environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Commerce at Griffith University are highly sought after for their ability to combine legal expertise with strong commercial, financial, and strategic business skills. This dual qualification prepares students for careers in both legal and corporate environments, with opportunities such as corporate lawyer, commercial advisor, compliance manager, and business consultant across private firms, government, and financial institutions.

This integrated skill set creates strong career flexibility and long-term professional growth opportunities across law and business sectors:

University employability services: Griffith Careers and Employment Service provides personalised career consultations, employability workshops, mentoring programs, networking events, internship support, and access to graduate recruitment programs designed to enhance job readiness and industry connections.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates in law and commerce disciplines in Australia typically earn starting salaries ranging from AUD $75,000 – $120,000, with median earnings commonly around AUD $95,000 – $115,000, depending on industry, role, and professional progression.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from Griffith’s strong collaborations with law firms, accounting firms, financial institutions, corporate organisations, and government agencies through internships, industry placements, guest lectures, and professional engagement activities.
Long-term accreditation value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, while the Commerce component strengthens career pathways in accounting, finance, economics, and corporate governance.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced legal reasoning, financial literacy, analytical thinking, and strategic decision-making skills, enabling them to succeed in both legal practice and high-level business roles.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this degree, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner or continue their studies through postgraduate programs such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Commerce, Master of Finance, or research-focused MPhil and PhD programs in law, business, finance, or corporate governance.