Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce combines professional legal training with advanced knowledge of accounting, finance, and business strategy, preparing students for careers at the intersection of law and commerce. Ideal for students interested in corporate law, commercial practice, financial regulation, and business leadership, this five-year double degree develops both legal expertise and commercial acumen. Campus: Adelaide City Campus, Adelaide, South Australia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin by building a foundation in both law and business. Core legal subjects such as How Law Works, Torts, Contract, and Law, Government and Community introduce the Australian legal system, legal reasoning, and fundamental principles of private and public law. Alongside these, students study Principles of Economics and Management, Organisations and Leadership, gaining an understanding of economic systems and organisational behaviour.

Year 2

The second year focuses on commercial and constitutional frameworks. Through Accounting for Decision Makers, Business Finance, and Financial Accounting 1, students develop financial literacy and learn how accounting information supports strategic business decisions. Legal studies advance with Property Law and Constitutional Law, exploring property rights, government powers, and the legal foundations of Australian society.

Year 3

Students deepen their understanding of complex legal and commercial issues. Subjects such as Accounting Systems and Analytics, Management Accounting, and Financial Accounting 2 strengthen expertise in financial reporting and business analytics. In law, students engage with Equity and Trusts, International Law, and Administrative Law, examining legal relationships, global legal systems, and government decision-making processes.

Year 4

The fourth year emphasises professional practice and corporate regulation. Students undertake advanced law courses including Corporate Law, Criminal Law, and Becoming a Lawyer, while commerce studies explore Contemporary Issues in Accounting and data-driven business analysis. Practical legal skills, professional ethics, and commercial problem-solving become central themes throughout the year.

Year 5

In the final year, students integrate their learning through capstone experiences and practical engagement. Courses such as Future Law Project, Evidence, and Civil Dispute Resolution develop advanced advocacy, research, and dispute-resolution capabilities. Work-integrated learning, electives, and professional projects allow students to tailor their studies toward areas such as corporate law, taxation, accounting, compliance, or commercial advisory practice.

Focus Areas:

Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Business Finance, Taxation, Legal Research, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Dispute Resolution.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal reasoning and advocacy skills; interpret and apply Australian law; analyse financial and accounting information; evaluate business risks and opportunities; communicate complex legal and commercial advice effectively; and integrate legal compliance with strategic business decision-making.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training). The Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting provides knowledge aligned with professional accounting pathways and commercial practice requirements.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

The University of Adelaide is a member of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities and is internationally recognised for excellence in legal and business education. The combination of law and commerce provides graduates with highly sought-after skills across legal, corporate, financial, consulting, and government sectors. Group of Eight

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential Learning: Students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce at University of Adelaide gain practical experience through a combination of legal training, commercial problem-solving, research projects, and industry engagement opportunities. The program is designed to connect legal theory with real-world business practice, allowing students to develop professional skills in negotiation, advocacy, financial analysis, and strategic decision-making. Throughout their studies, students have access to modern learning spaces, specialised legal resources, and industry-focused commerce facilities that mirror professional environments:

Adelaide Law School Moot Court: Students develop advocacy, negotiation, and courtroom skills through simulated legal proceedings and mooting activities in dedicated moot court facilities.
Internships and Work-Integrated Learning: Opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, clerkships, and industry projects with legal firms, government agencies, and commercial organisations.
Business consulting and industry projects: Commerce students work on real-world business challenges, analysing commercial issues and presenting solutions for industry-focused case studies and group projects.
Legal research databases: Access to professional legal research platforms including LexisNexis, Westlaw, and other specialised legal information services used by practicing lawyers.
Financial and business analytics tools: Students utilise industry-standard software and digital resources for accounting, economics, finance, and business analysis as part of their commerce studies.
Barr Smith Library: One of Australia's largest academic libraries, providing extensive collections of legal, business, and commercial resources, research support services, study spaces, and digital databases.
Research centres and institutes: Opportunities to engage with legal and commercial research through the University's law and business research communities, exposing students to contemporary issues in corporate governance, commercial law, and public policy.
Collaborative learning environments: Modern teaching spaces support teamwork, case-based learning, presentations, negotiations, and commercial problem-solving exercises that reflect professional workplace practices.
Guest lectures and industry engagement: Regular interaction with judges, legal practitioners, business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts provides valuable professional insights and networking opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities: Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce at University of Adelaide develop a powerful combination of legal expertise and commercial knowledge, making them highly attractive to employers across corporate, financial, and legal sectors. The honours component enhances advanced research and analytical capabilities, while commerce studies provide a strong understanding of business operations, economics, and financial decision-making. Graduates commonly pursue careers as commercial lawyer, corporate governance advisor, compliance manager, and financial or regulatory consultant.

With expertise spanning both legal and commercial disciplines, graduates are well equipped to navigate complex business environments and take on leadership-oriented roles:

University employability services: The University of Adelaide offers comprehensive career support through Career Services, including personalised career consultations, employability workshops, networking events, internship assistance, employer engagement programs, and graduate recruitment opportunities.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates entering law, commerce, and corporate professions in Australia typically secure starting salaries ranging from AUD $75,000 – $125,000, with median earnings commonly between AUD $95,000 – $120,000, depending on their specialisation, industry, and experience level.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from the University's strong connections with leading law firms, accounting firms, financial institutions, government agencies, and corporate partners through internships, industry projects, guest lectures, and professional networking opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) fulfils the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, while the commerce qualification provides valuable expertise applicable to accounting, finance, business strategy, and corporate governance careers.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced capabilities in legal analysis, commercial strategy, financial literacy, negotiation, and decision-making, enabling them to thrive in both legal practice and business-focused professions.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this degree, graduates may undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner or continue with postgraduate study through a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Commerce, Master of Finance, Master of Business Administration (MBA), or research-focused MPhil and PhD programs in law, commerce, finance, or corporate governance.