Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Music

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Monash University

Program Overview

The Monash University Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Music is a five-year double degree offered on-campus at the Clayton campus, designed for students who want to combine professional legal training with advanced studies in music performance, composition, creative practice, or music industry knowledge. This program suits students who are passionate about both the arts and law, allowing them to develop expertise in legal systems while building strong creative, analytical, and communication skills through music studies.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students establish strong foundations in both law and music. Law units such as Foundations of Law and Criminal Law introduce students to legal reasoning, judicial systems, and case analysis, while music studies develop creative and technical abilities through units like Music Theory and Analysis, Performance Studies, and introductory ensemble practice. Students begin building confidence in both academic legal research and artistic expression.

Year 2

Second year expands students’ understanding of legal frameworks and musical development. Core law units including Torts, Constitutional Law, and Administrative Law strengthen knowledge of public and private law, while music units focus on advanced musicianship, composition, music technology, and collaborative performance. Students continue refining critical thinking and performance skills across both disciplines.

Year 3

During third year, students move into more advanced legal and creative studies. Law units such as Contracts, Property Law, and Equity and Trusts develop deeper legal analysis and problem-solving abilities, while music studies may include specialised units in performance practice, music industry studies, composition, or improvisation. Collaborative projects and performance activities encourage students to apply creative and professional skills in real-world contexts.

Year 4

Fourth year introduces greater specialisation and professional preparation. Students can select law electives in areas such as entertainment law, intellectual property law, media law, and commercial law while continuing advanced music training through recitals, ensemble work, composition projects, or contemporary music studies. Students also gain opportunities to participate in performances, industry engagement, and interdisciplinary creative projects.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete honours-level law studies alongside advanced music specialisations and major creative or research projects. Legal studies focus on professional judgement, advocacy, and research capabilities, while music units allow students to showcase their artistic development through high-level performances, composition portfolios, or music research. Graduates complete the degree with both professional legal qualifications and substantial creative expertise.

Focus Areas

Entertainment law, intellectual property law, music performance, composition, music industry studies, legal advocacy, media law, creative practice, music technology, commercial law, ensemble performance, legal research

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced legal reasoning and advocacy skills, apply legal knowledge within creative industries, demonstrate professional music performance or composition abilities, analyse legal and artistic issues critically, conduct independent research, communicate effectively across legal and creative environments, and integrate creative practice with professional ethics.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria through the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). Graduates pursuing legal careers must complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) or supervised workplace training before admission as practising lawyers.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Monash University is internationally recognised for excellence in both law and performing arts education, with strong graduate employability outcomes and extensive industry engagement opportunities. Monash consistently ranks among the world’s leading universities across major global ranking systems including QS World University Rankings for Law and Performing Arts-related disciplines.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Monash University Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Music develop professional skills through a combination of legal practice training, live performances, creative collaborations, studio-based learning, and industry engagement opportunities. The program gives students access to specialised legal and music facilities where they can strengthen advocacy, performance, composition, production, research, and communication skills in professional-standard environments.

Throughout the degree, students participate in practical law experiences alongside rehearsals, ensemble projects, recitals, recording activities, and interdisciplinary collaborations that mirror real industry settings. Monash University’s Clayton campus and Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music provide advanced performance venues, digital production tools, legal research facilities, and collaborative creative spaces that support hands-on learning experiences:

Monash Law Clinics : Students can gain practical legal experience by working on real legal matters under professional supervision, helping develop client communication, legal drafting, advocacy, and case analysis skills.
Moot Court Facilities : Dedicated moot courtrooms allow students to practise courtroom advocacy, negotiation, legal argument presentation, and dispute resolution in simulated professional legal settings.
Performance Opportunities : Music students regularly participate in solo recitals, ensemble performances, concerts, and collaborative productions that strengthen stage confidence and professional performance experience.
Recording Studios and Music Technology Facilities : Students have access to professional music technology laboratories, digital audio workstations, and recording studios used for composition, sound production, editing, and music creation projects.
Music Software and Digital Tools : The program incorporates industry-standard software and digital music tools used in composition, audio production, music notation, and recording environments.
Ensemble and Group Projects : Collaborative music ensembles, creative workshops, and interdisciplinary performance projects encourage teamwork, artistic leadership, and professional creative development.
Monash Law Library : Students benefit from extensive legal databases, journals, international law resources, archives, and digital research systems including professional legal research platforms.
Music Practice and Rehearsal Spaces : Dedicated rehearsal rooms and performance preparation spaces support individual practice, ensemble training, and composition development.
Industry Engagement and Internships : Students may access professional networking opportunities, internships, and industry engagement activities connected to legal practice, arts organisations, media sectors, and entertainment industries.
Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music : Students study within one of Australia’s respected music schools, featuring specialised teaching spaces, performance venues, and research-focused music facilities.
Creative and Research Projects : Advanced students complete major legal research work, music recitals, composition portfolios, and interdisciplinary projects that combine creative and analytical expertise.
Libraries and Research Facilities : Students can access Monash’s extensive academic libraries, research collections, and specialist resources supporting both legal and music scholarship.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Monash University Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Music graduate with a unique combination of professional legal expertise and creative industry knowledge, making them highly versatile across both legal and arts sectors. The program develops strong advocacy, communication, analytical, leadership, and creative practice skills that are valued in law firms, entertainment industries, media organisations, cultural institutions, and government agencies. Graduates commonly pursue careers such as Lawyer, Entertainment Lawyer, Music Industry Manager, Arts Policy Advisor, Music Producer, and Media and Intellectual Property Consultant.

The combination of accredited legal education and advanced music training provides graduates with broad professional flexibility and strong long-term career opportunities:

Monash Talent Career Service : Students receive professional career support including resume preparation, networking events, employability workshops, interview coaching, and access to graduate recruitment programs.
Entertainment and Creative Industry Pathways : The music component prepares students for careers across performance, composition, arts management, media production, and the broader creative industries.
Legal Practice Qualification : The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria through the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB), providing recognised professional legal accreditation.
Industry Partnerships and Engagement : Monash maintains strong industry relationships with law firms, arts organisations, cultural institutions, community legal centres, and media sectors that support internships, networking, and professional learning opportunities.
Clinical Legal Education : Students gain real-world practical experience through legal clinics and advocacy programs that strengthen graduate employability and professional readiness.
Performance and Creative Portfolio Development : Music students graduate with professional performance experience, creative project work, ensemble participation, and portfolio development that support careers in music and entertainment industries.
Graduate Employability Reputation : Monash University is internationally recognised for strong graduate employability outcomes and industry-focused education across both law and performing arts disciplines.
Median Salary Potential : Graduates entering legal careers in Australia commonly report median starting salaries above AUD $75,000 annually depending on practice area and experience, while graduates working within entertainment law, media, and creative industries may access broader career pathways with long-term earning growth.
Global Career Opportunities : The transferable communication, negotiation, research, and creative skills developed throughout the program support international career opportunities across legal, cultural, and entertainment sectors.
Research and Policy Opportunities : Graduates may also pursue careers in arts policy, copyright and intellectual property law, cultural governance, legal consultancy, and academic research.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, graduates can continue into Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as practising lawyers in Australia. Students may also pursue postgraduate studies such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Music, Master of Arts and Cultural Management, Master of Media and Communication, or research-based postgraduate programs including PhD studies in law, music, media, or creative arts disciplines. Monash also offers advanced research pathways for students interested in legal scholarship, music research, creative practice, and interdisciplinary arts studies.