Bachelors of Laws (Honours) / Environmental Science

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Griffith University Gold Coast Campus

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Environmental Science at Griffith University combines rigorous legal education with environmental and sustainability science, equipping students to tackle pressing global issues such as climate change regulation, environmental protection, and resource management. Studying across the Griffith University Gold Coast Campus and Brisbane South (Nathan) Campus gives students access to diverse learning environments, from coastal ecosystems to urban policy and legal institutions.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In the first year, students establish a strong foundation in both law and environmental science. Core subjects typically include Foundations of Law, Legal Systems and Methods, Introduction to Environmental Science, and Earth Systems and Ecology. This year builds essential skills in legal reasoning, scientific thinking, and understanding environmental processes.

Year 2:
The second year develops core disciplinary knowledge and begins connecting law with environmental application. Students study areas such as Contract Law, Torts, Environmental Chemistry, and Sustainability and Resource Management. This stage introduces real-world environmental challenges and the legal frameworks used to address them.

Year 3:
Students progress into more advanced and specialised study, focusing on regulatory systems and environmental governance. Typical units include Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Climate Change Policy, and Environmental Impact Assessment. This year strengthens analytical and problem-solving skills in both legal and scientific contexts.

Year 4:
In Year 4, learning becomes more applied, with a focus on complex legal-environmental integration. Students may study Corporate and Environmental Regulation, Natural Resource Law, Applied Ecology, and Environmental Risk Management. Practical case studies and research projects become a key part of learning.

Year 5:
The final year focuses on advanced legal expertise and environmental leadership. Students typically undertake subjects such as Advanced Environmental Law, International Environmental Governance, and a Capstone Research Project that integrates law and environmental science. This year prepares students for professional practice or postgraduate study.

Focus Areas:

Environmental law, climate change governance, sustainability science, ecological systems, natural resource management, environmental policy, regulatory compliance, and scientific research methods.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates gain the ability to interpret legal frameworks, analyse environmental systems, develop policy solutions, and apply scientific evidence to complex environmental and legal challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The law component aligns with Australian legal education requirements supporting pathways to legal practice, while the environmental science component reflects industry standards in sustainability, conservation, and environmental management across government and private sectors.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Griffith University is widely recognised for strong graduate employability and industry engagement, with QS World University Rankings and national performance indicators highlighting its strengths in law, environmental science, and sustainability-focused programs.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Griffith University, students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Environmental Science develop hands-on expertise by combining legal training with environmental field science and policy practice. Learning is highly applied, with students engaging in real-world environmental problem solving, legal simulations, and scientific investigation across diverse ecosystems in South East Queensland. You’ll also build skills using industry-relevant tools, working on interdisciplinary projects that connect environmental data with legal and regulatory decision-making:

Law Moot Court & Legal Practice Training: Students participate in simulated courtrooms, advocacy exercises, and legal reasoning workshops designed to mirror real legal environments.
Environmental Fieldwork: Practical learning includes field studies across coastal, forest, and urban ecosystems in South East Queensland, supporting ecological monitoring and environmental assessment skills.
Science Laboratories: Access to modern environmental science labs for ecology, environmental chemistry, and sustainability-focused experimentation and analysis.
Research Excellence Centres: Engagement with Griffith’s research strengths, including the Griffith Sciences and environmental research initiatives that focus on climate, conservation, and sustainability challenges.
Work-Integrated Learning: Opportunities to engage with external organisations such as environmental agencies, local councils, and legal institutions through internships, placements, and industry-linked projects.
Digital & Analytical Tools: Training in industry-standard environmental analysis and mapping software used for spatial data, environmental modelling, and policy evaluation.
Interdisciplinary Capstone Projects: Final-year projects integrating environmental science and law, focusing on real-world issues such as climate regulation, conservation policy, and environmental compliance.
University Library & Learning Resources: Access to Griffith University’s extensive library network, legal databases, and scientific research collections supporting both law and environmental studies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Environmental Science at Griffith University step into a powerful cross-disciplinary career path where environmental decision-making meets legal expertise. This combination prepares you to work on climate regulation, environmental protection law, sustainability policy, and compliance across government and private sectors. Typical roles include: Environmental Lawyer, Sustainability Policy Advisor, Environmental Consultant, and Regulatory Compliance Officer.

This qualification is especially valuable as environmental regulation becomes a global priority, creating strong demand for professionals who understand both science and law:

University employability support services: Griffith’s Careers and Employment Service provides tailored career coaching, internship placements, employer networking events, and access to industry-led mentoring programs that help students transition into environmental, legal, and policy careers.
Employment outcomes & salary insights: Graduates entering environmental law and sustainability-related roles in Australia typically earn median salary ranges of approximately AUD $75,000 – $120,000, with higher earning potential in senior advisory, legal practice, or government regulatory positions.
University–industry partnerships: Strong links with environmental agencies, sustainability organisations, and legal institutions across Queensland support practical learning experiences, placements, and real-world environmental problem-solving projects.
Long-term accreditation value: The law component aligns with Australian legal education standards, supporting progression toward legal practice, while the environmental science stream strengthens credibility in global sustainability, climate policy, and environmental management sectors.
Graduation outcomes: Students graduate with advanced legal reasoning, environmental analysis skills, policy development capability, and the ability to interpret and apply environmental legislation in real-world contexts.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) to qualify for legal admission, or pursue advanced study such as a Master of Environmental Law, Master of Environmental Science, Master of Laws (LLM) with a sustainability focus, or research pathways including Honours extension and PhD programs. These pathways open doors to senior legal advisory roles, international environmental policy positions, and leadership in sustainability governance.