Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queensland University of Technology

Program Overview

If you are fascinated by both human behaviour and the legal system, this double degree offers a powerful combination of psychology and law. You will learn how psychological principles influence legal decision-making, mental health policy, criminal justice, and legal practice, while gaining the academic qualifications required for admission to the Australian legal profession and the first step toward becoming a registered psychologist. Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – Gardens Point Campus, Brisbane, Queensland

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building Foundations in Psychology and Law

Your first year introduces the core concepts of both disciplines. In psychology, you develop an understanding of human behaviour through studies in Introduction to Psychology, Interpersonal Processes and Skills, and foundational behavioural science concepts. Alongside this, you begin your legal studies by exploring the Australian legal system, legal institutions, and fundamental legal reasoning and research skills.

Year 2 – Understanding Human Behaviour and Legal Principles

In second year, your knowledge expands into more specialised psychological and legal topics. You study areas such as Social and Organisational Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Research Analysis, while progressing through core law subjects including Contract Law, Legal Research, and other foundational areas required for legal practice. This year develops both analytical and evidence-based decision-making skills.

Year 3 – Applying Psychology to Legal and Social Contexts

The third year focuses on the interaction between psychology and law. You undertake advanced psychology studies and begin applying behavioural science principles to legal and forensic settings. Legal studies continue through subjects such as Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and broader legal analysis, helping you understand how law operates within society and government.

Year 4 – Advanced Professional Development

As you move into senior studies, you engage with more specialised areas of psychology including Forensic Psychology, Counselling, Psychopathology, and advanced research methods. At the same time, you continue your law studies through areas such as Equity and Trusts, Commercial and Personal Property Law, and advanced legal electives. Your skills in legal argument, behavioural analysis, and professional communication become increasingly refined.

Year 5 – Honours-Level Legal Study and Specialisation

The final stage of the degree focuses on advanced legal studies and honours-level learning. You complete Advanced Law Electives, a Law Minor, and specialised areas aligned with your career interests. Students may also explore emerging legal fields such as Law, Technology and Innovation and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) issues while consolidating their expertise in both behavioural science and law.

Focus Areas:

Human behaviour, cognitive and social psychology, mental health, forensic psychology, legal research, advocacy, constitutional law, administrative law, health law, legal policy, ethics, dispute resolution, and evidence-based decision-making.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop the ability to analyse legal and psychological issues, conduct professional research, evaluate evidence, understand human behaviour in legal contexts, communicate effectively, negotiate solutions, and apply both psychological and legal principles to complex real-world challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and forms part of the pathway toward registration as a psychologist.
The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is approved by the Legal Practitioners' Admissions Board (LPAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to the Australian legal profession (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training).

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

QUT Psychology is ranked Top 16 in Australia and Top 200 globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
QUT is widely recognised for its strong industry engagement, practical learning model, and graduate employability outcomes.
Students benefit from connections with high-profile employers, internationally recognised researchers, and industry experts throughout the program.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) combines hands-on psychological research training with practical legal education. Students learn how human behaviour influences legal systems, decision-making, criminal justice, and policy, while developing professional skills through real-world legal and behavioural science experiences. Throughout the degree, students work with specialised psychology research facilities, professional legal training environments, digital research tools, and industry-engaged learning opportunities that prepare them for careers across law, psychology, justice, and public policy. This practical focus is supported by QUT’s research-intensive environment and industry-connected approach:

QUT Law School's real-world learning model develops practical skills in legal research, advocacy, negotiation, dispute resolution, client interviewing, and case analysis
Legal professional practice experiences and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities expose students to authentic legal and justice sector environments
Psychology research laboratories provide experience in behavioural research, cognitive psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and psychological assessment
Behavioural science research projects allow students to design studies, analyse data, interpret findings, and apply evidence-based approaches to real-world issues
Industry-standard statistical software, including SPSS, is used for psychological data analysis, research methods, and quantitative investigations
QUT's specialised research facilities support experimentation, behavioural observation, and psychological research training
Collaborative group projects are integrated throughout both psychology and law studies, helping students develop teamwork, communication, and professional problem-solving skills
Access to QUT's extensive library collections and legal databases, including legal case resources, journals, legislation databases, and behavioural science research publications
Engagement with active researchers and research institutes across psychology, health, justice, and social sciences
Mooting, legal problem-solving exercises, and case simulations help students apply legal principles in realistic professional contexts
Research-informed teaching exposes students to contemporary developments in psychology, mental health, justice policy, criminal behaviour, and legal practice
Industry guest lectures, professional seminars, and networking opportunities connect students with psychologists, lawyers, judges, policymakers, and justice-sector professionals

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this double degree are uniquely positioned to understand both human behaviour and the legal system, allowing them to work in careers where psychology, justice, and law intersect. This combination develops strong analytical, communication, research, and ethical decision-making skills, making graduates highly valuable across legal services, government, mental health support, policy, and corporate sectors. Typical career paths include lawyer, policy adviser, human services case manager, behavioural analyst, court support officer, and compliance specialist: offering a strong blend of legal and psychological career opportunities.

Future progression and career opportunities are strongly supported through QUT’s practical learning environment, industry engagement, and employability-focused services:

QUT Careers and Employability provides personalised career counselling, resume and interview preparation, networking events, employer connections, and graduate job support services
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities enable students to gain real-world experience through internships, placements, professional projects, and industry-based learning
QUT Psychology and Justice learning environments support applied learning in behavioural analysis, research methods, legal reasoning, and ethical practice
Industry partnerships with legal services, government departments, community organisations, health and mental health services, and justice agencies provide exposure to real professional environments
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT)
Psychology component is aligned with Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) standards, supporting further study pathways in psychology and behavioural science
Graduates develop strong transferable skills in critical thinking, human behaviour analysis, communication, negotiation, legal reasoning, and research design
Strong employment outcomes across justice, law, human services, policy, corrections, and behavioural support sectors
Interdisciplinary expertise gives graduates an advantage in emerging fields such as forensic psychology, family law, youth justice, rehabilitation services, and behavioural policy development

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Graduate Lawyer / Solicitor: approximately AUD $75,000 – $120,000+
Policy Adviser / Behavioural Policy Officer: approximately AUD $85,000 – $130,000+
Human Services / Case Manager / Community Officer: approximately AUD $75,000 – $115,000+
Compliance, Justice, or Court Support Officer: approximately AUD $80,000 – $125,000+

Estimated Median Salary Range:
Graduates in law, psychology-related, and justice-focused careers typically achieve a median salary of approximately AUD $85,000 – $115,000, with strong long-term growth potential in legal practice, postgraduate psychology pathways, government leadership, and specialist behavioural or forensic roles.

Further Academic Progression:

After graduation, students can complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a solicitor in Australia. For psychology-focused careers, graduates may progress into an APAC-accredited Honours year followed by postgraduate training such as a Master of Psychology or doctoral study (PhD) depending on registration goals. Additional pathways include a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Criminology, Master of Public Policy, or research degrees in psychology, law, criminology, or behavioural science, leading to advanced clinical, legal, academic, and policy leadership careers.