Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

RMIT University

Program Overview

The RMIT University Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication is a dynamic double degree designed for students who want to combine legal knowledge with strong communication and media expertise. It’s an excellent choice for students who see themselves working in law, public affairs, media, corporate communication, or policy, and want the ability to influence conversations while understanding the legal systems that shape society. Campus: Melbourne City Campus (Melbourne, Australia)

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation across both disciplines. You’ll study core subjects such as Becoming a Lawyer in a Globalised World, Contract Law, and introductory communication studies that help you understand how legal thinking and strategic communication work together in professional settings.

Year 2
As you move into second year, your studies become more specialised. You’ll deepen your understanding of legal principles while beginning to focus on your chosen communication major through subjects in areas like digital communication, public relations, or advertising, alongside communication electives.

Year 3
By third year, you’ll start applying your knowledge in practical and industry-focused environments. Through subjects like Justice Innovation, you’ll work on real-world challenges, collaborate with industry partners, and continue building expertise in your communication discipline.

Year 4
Fourth year brings more advanced and professionally focused learning. You’ll explore subjects such as Technology, Ethics and the Law while refining your communication skills through advanced major subjects and elective options that align with your career interests.

Year 5
In your final year, you’ll complete capstone experiences that bring together everything you’ve learned. Subjects such as Enterprise Law: Designing Legal Solutions, Constitutional Law, and Law of Evidence prepare you for professional legal practice and leadership roles in communication-driven industries.

Focus Areas

Legal studies, media strategy, public relations, digital communication, advertising, justice innovation, ethics, policy, strategic communication, leadership.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop strong legal reasoning, critical thinking, persuasive communication, research capability, ethical decision-making, strategic planning, teamwork, leadership, and industry-ready problem-solving skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree meets the academic requirements for legal practice in Australia, subject to completing Practical Legal Training. Students specialising in public relations may also be eligible for professional recognition through industry bodies in communication and public relations.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

RMIT is internationally recognised for excellence in media, communication, and industry-connected education. Its strong employer reputation and practical learning approach help graduates stand out in competitive global job markets.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication at RMIT University combines practical legal education with hands-on communication training, giving students direct experience in advocacy, media production, strategic communication, and industry collaboration. Students develop workplace-ready skills through legal simulations, communication campaigns, multimedia storytelling, client-focused projects, and collaborative assessments that reflect real professional environments.

Throughout the program, students work with industry-standard communication technologies, digital production tools, legal research platforms, and creative media facilities located at RMIT’s Melbourne City campus. The degree strongly emphasises industry engagement, helping students build practical expertise in public relations, media communication, legal analysis, digital storytelling, negotiation, and strategic messaging. Industry-focused practical learning is embedded across both law and professional communication studies, giving students opportunities to apply their knowledge through authentic projects and professional experiences:

Moot Court and legal advocacy activities allow students to practise legal argument, case preparation, negotiation, and courtroom communication in simulated legal environments.
Communication project work and campaign development give students experience creating strategic communication plans, media content, public relations campaigns, and audience engagement strategies for real or simulated industry clients.
Industry placements and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities help students gain practical experience with media organisations, communication agencies, legal environments, government sectors, and corporate organisations.
Media production studios and digital communication facilities at RMIT provide access to professional creative environments for video production, podcasting, broadcasting, editing, and multimedia storytelling projects.
Adobe Creative Cloud software including Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is commonly used within communication studies for digital content creation, media production, branding, and campaign development.
Professional legal research databases such as LexisNexis and online legal information systems support case analysis, statutory interpretation, legal writing, and research training throughout the law component of the degree.
Collaborative group projects and presentations are integrated across communication and law subjects, helping students build teamwork, leadership, client communication, and professional problem-solving skills.
RMIT Swanston Library provides extensive access to law journals, media archives, communication research databases, collaborative learning spaces, digital resources, and academic support services.
The Centre for Innovative Justice exposes students to contemporary legal, policy, and social justice issues while connecting legal education with real-world community impact and reform discussions.
Industry guest speakers and networking events regularly connect students with legal professionals, journalists, media producers, communication specialists, public relations practitioners, and alumni working across the industry.
Creative and communication-focused learning spaces support practical workshops, collaborative brainstorming, strategic planning exercises, media analysis, and communication campaign presentations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication at RMIT University develop a unique combination of legal expertise, strategic communication skills, media literacy, and professional advocacy capabilities. This interdisciplinary qualification prepares students for careers across law, corporate communication, public relations, media strategy, policy, government, and consultancy sectors where strong communication and legal understanding are highly valued. Graduates commonly pursue roles such as corporate lawyer, media and communications advisor, public relations consultant, policy officer, legal communications specialist, or corporate affairs manager.

RMIT’s strong industry focus and practical learning environment help students build professional confidence, industry networks, and career-ready skills before graduation through internships, collaborative projects, and employer engagement opportunities:

RMIT Careers and Employability services provide students with personalised career counselling, interview preparation workshops, resume and LinkedIn support, employer networking events, graduate recruitment guidance, and industry mentoring programs designed to improve employability outcomes.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities and internships connect students with media organisations, communication agencies, law firms, government departments, community organisations, and corporate employers for hands-on professional experience.
Industry partnerships and guest industry engagement regularly connect students with professionals from legal practice, journalism, public relations, digital media, strategic communication, and corporate affairs sectors through workshops, live projects, and networking events.
Professional communication training combined with legal expertise gives graduates a strong competitive advantage in industries requiring persuasive communication, regulatory understanding, negotiation, crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, and media strategy.
The law qualification component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia through recognition by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB), providing long-term professional accreditation value for students pursuing legal careers.
Creative and strategic communication capabilities developed throughout the degree prepare graduates for employment across digital media, corporate communications, advocacy organisations, public affairs, marketing communication, and policy sectors.
Graduation outcomes include employment opportunities within law firms, government agencies, media companies, public relations consultancies, multinational corporations, non-profit organisations, communication agencies, and regulatory bodies.
Median graduate salary outcomes for graduates entering professional communication, legal support, corporate affairs, and business-related sectors in Australia commonly range from approximately AUD $65,000–$90,000 annually in early career stages, with higher earning potential available in corporate law, strategic communications, consulting, and executive leadership pathways after professional experience and accreditation.
Global employability skills such as advocacy, legal reasoning, media communication, strategic planning, negotiation, leadership, and digital communication are highly transferable across international industries and professional environments.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this double degree, graduates may continue their studies through postgraduate legal, communication, media, or business qualifications depending on their career goals. Students pursuing legal practice can complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as an Australian lawyer, while others may continue into advanced programs such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Communication, Master of Media, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Marketing, or research-focused higher degrees. Graduates may also pursue specialised professional development in areas such as public policy, digital communication, dispute resolution, corporate governance, journalism, public relations, or international communication strategy.