Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Arts

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Arts at University of Adelaide combines professional legal education with the flexibility to explore humanities and social sciences, allowing students to develop both specialist legal expertise and broad analytical perspectives. Designed for students who are interested in law, public policy, culture, history, society, and global issues, this five-year double degree equips graduates with advanced research, communication, and critical-thinking skills. Campus: Adelaide City Campus and Magill Campus.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin by building a strong foundation in legal systems and societal structures. Core law courses such as How Law Works, Torts, Law, Government and Community, and Ethics and the Future of Law introduce legal reasoning, the role of law in society, and ethical decision-making, while Arts electives allow students to start exploring their chosen discipline.

Year 2

In the second year, students deepen their understanding of legal frameworks through subjects including Business and the Law, Contract, Constitutional Law, and International Law. Alongside these studies, Arts electives provide opportunities to develop expertise in areas such as history, politics, languages, culture, or other humanities and social science disciplines.

Year 3

Students advance into more specialised legal studies through Property Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts, and Administrative Law. The inclusion of Professional Pathways and Destinations 2 helps students connect academic learning with future career planning while continuing their Arts specialisation.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on professional development and advanced legal knowledge. Students study Corporate Law and Becoming a Lawyer, undertake the Internship: Society and Culture course, and continue Arts electives that strengthen their disciplinary expertise and workplace readiness.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete capstone legal studies including Evidence, Civil Dispute Resolution, and the Future Law Project, an honours-level research experience that develops advanced legal research and writing capabilities. Students can also choose law electives such as Human Rights Law, Environmental Law, Climate Change Law, or Media Law to align their studies with specific career interests.

Focus Areas:

Legal reasoning, advocacy, public policy, ethics, governance, humanities, social sciences, international perspectives, legal research, communication, critical analysis, cultural understanding, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced knowledge of Australian and international legal systems; analyse and interpret legislation and case law; conduct independent legal research; communicate persuasive legal arguments; apply critical and ethical reasoning to complex issues; and integrate legal expertise with insights from arts disciplines to address contemporary social challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is designed to satisfy the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia. Graduates can progress to Practical Legal Training (PLT) and subsequently apply for admission as a legal practitioner, subject to regulatory requirements.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

The University of Adelaide is a member of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight and is internationally recognised for excellence in teaching and research. Its law graduates benefit from strong industry connections, research-led teaching, and a globally respected qualification that supports careers in legal practice, government, business, and international organisations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential Learning: Students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Arts at University of Adelaide develop practical legal, research, communication, and analytical skills through a combination of classroom learning, legal simulations, research projects, and community engagement opportunities. The program encourages students to apply legal principles to real-world issues while exploring social, political, historical, and cultural perspectives through their Arts studies. Access to leading legal resources, specialist research centres, and collaborative learning environments ensures students graduate with both professional and transferable skills:

Moot Court Program: Students participate in simulated court proceedings and advocacy exercises, developing courtroom presentation, legal reasoning, and negotiation skills.
Legal Research Training: Access to professional legal databases including LexisNexis, Westlaw, and other specialised legal research platforms widely used within the legal profession.
Internships and Placements: Opportunities to undertake internships, clerkships, and work-integrated learning experiences with legal organisations, government agencies, and community-based institutions.
Group-based Legal and Arts Projects: Students collaborate on case studies, policy analyses, presentations, and research projects that reflect real workplace and public policy challenges.
Law Library and Barr Smith Library: Access to extensive legal collections, academic journals, archives, special collections, digital resources, and dedicated study spaces that support both Law and Arts disciplines.
Research Centres and Institutes: Opportunities to engage with research initiatives and public policy discussions through the University's law-related research centres and humanities research institutes.
Community Engagement Activities: Students may participate in legal outreach initiatives, public policy projects, and community-focused programs that strengthen practical problem-solving and professional communication skills.
Digital Learning Platforms: Use of contemporary online learning systems, legal research technologies, and collaborative digital tools that mirror modern professional practice.
Study Abroad and Global Experiences: Eligible students may enhance their Arts and Law education through international exchange opportunities and global learning experiences.

These practical experiences help students build a strong professional portfolio while developing the critical thinking, research, advocacy, and communication skills sought by employers across legal, government, and international sectors.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities: Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Arts at University of Adelaide combine advanced legal expertise with broad knowledge from the humanities and social sciences, creating a highly versatile professional profile. The degree develops exceptional communication, research, critical thinking, and analytical skills, preparing graduates for careers such as lawyer, policy advisor, government officer, and public affairs or communications consultant.

This combination of legal training and interdisciplinary knowledge allows graduates to pursue diverse career pathways across legal, public, corporate, and international sectors:

University employability services: The University of Adelaide's Career Services provides personalised career consultations, resume and interview support, networking events, mentoring programs, internship assistance, and employer engagement initiatives to help students build professional connections and employment readiness.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates entering law, government, and policy-related professions in Australia typically secure starting salaries ranging from AUD $70,000 – $120,000, with median earnings commonly between AUD $90,000 – $110,000, depending on the industry and level of professional experience.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from the University's strong relationships with law firms, courts, government agencies, community organisations, and industry partners through internships, practical projects, guest lectures, and professional networking opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, while the Arts component provides valuable expertise that supports careers in public policy, international affairs, media, advocacy, and community leadership.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with highly transferable skills in legal analysis, advocacy, research, communication, and strategic thinking, making them attractive candidates across a wide range of professions and leadership roles.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this degree, graduates may undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner or continue their studies through postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Public Policy, Master of International Relations, Master of Arts, or research-focused MPhil and PhD programs in law, humanities, social sciences, or public policy.