Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Economics

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Economics at University of Adelaide is a five-year double degree that combines professional legal education with rigorous economic analysis, preparing students to understand and influence the legal, business, and policy systems that shape society. Ideal for students interested in law, government, public policy, finance, or economic regulation, the program develops strong analytical, research, advocacy, and data-driven decision-making skills. Campus: Adelaide, South Australia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students build foundations in both disciplines by studying core legal and economic principles. Courses such as How Law Works, Torts, Contract, and Law, Government and Community introduce the Australian legal system, while Principles of Economics and Introduction to Mathematical Economics develop economic reasoning and quantitative analysis skills.

Year 2:
The focus shifts to deeper legal and economic analysis. Students explore Property Law, Constitutional Law, and Equity and Trusts, while economics studies advance through Data Analytics, Global Economic History, and Intermediate Applied Microeconomics, providing insight into economic policy and market behaviour.

Year 3:
Students continue through the core areas of legal practice while expanding their economic expertise. Legal studies typically cover areas required for professional legal qualification, while economics subjects strengthen skills in applied economic analysis, policy evaluation, and data interpretation. Practical problem-solving and policy-focused learning become increasingly important.

Year 4:
Advanced legal topics such as administrative law, company law, evidence, and civil procedure are combined with specialised economics electives. Students may explore areas including Public Economics, International Money and Finance, Labour Economics, or Economic Growth and Development, allowing them to tailor the degree to their career interests.

Year 5:
The final year integrates advanced legal reasoning with economic policy analysis through honours-level study. Students refine their research capabilities, undertake substantial analytical work, and gain practical experience through work-integrated learning opportunities, preparing them for careers in law, economics, policy, and governance.

Focus Areas: Legal systems and regulation, microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, public policy, economic analysis, corporate and commercial law, governance, advocacy, and data-driven decision-making.

Learning Outcomes: Develop expertise in legal research and advocacy, analyse economic and policy issues using quantitative methods, interpret complex legislation and regulations, evaluate economic impacts on society and business, communicate evidence-based recommendations, and apply ethical and professional judgment in legal and economic contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The Laws (Honours) component covers the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, including the Priestley 11 areas of legal knowledge. Graduates can proceed to Practical Legal Training (PLT) before seeking admission as a legal practitioner.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Adelaide is consistently recognised among Australia's leading universities and is a member of the prestigious Group of Eight. Its law and economics graduates benefit from strong employer recognition, industry engagement opportunities, and a reputation for research excellence and graduate employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential Learning: Students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Economics at University of Adelaide gain practical experience by combining legal analysis with economic modelling and policy evaluation. Throughout the degree, students work on real-world legal and economic issues, developing skills in advocacy, negotiation, quantitative analysis, and evidence-based decision-making. Learning is enhanced through access to specialist law facilities, research-focused economics teaching, digital databases, and industry-engaged opportunities that mirror professional practice in legal, government, and financial sectors:

Moot Court facilities: Students participate in simulated court proceedings and advocacy exercises in dedicated Moot Court environments, building practical legal communication and courtroom skills.
Legal research databases: Access to professional legal research platforms such as LexisNexis, Westlaw, and other specialised legal databases used by practising lawyers and legal researchers.
Quantitative and economic analysis tools: Economics students develop applied analytical skills using statistical and econometric software commonly used in economic research and policy analysis.
Research-led learning: Students engage with contemporary legal and economic issues through case studies, policy analysis projects, and honours-level research activities.
Group-based problem-solving projects: Collaborative projects allow students to evaluate complex legal, regulatory, and economic challenges while developing teamwork and professional communication skills.
Industry engagement opportunities: Guest lectures, networking events, and engagement with legal practitioners, economists, policymakers, and industry experts provide valuable professional insights.
Internship and experiential opportunities: Eligible students may pursue internship, placement, or experiential learning opportunities through university and industry partnerships.
The University of Adelaide Law School: One of Australia's oldest law schools, providing students with access to experienced academics, legal practitioners, and a strong professional network.
Barr Smith Library: Home to extensive collections of legal, business, economics, and public policy resources, supporting both coursework and advanced research.
Research institutes and centres: Students benefit from exposure to the University's research strengths in law, economics, public policy, and governance through various research centres and institutes.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Economics at University of Adelaide graduate with an exceptional combination of legal expertise and economic analysis skills, enabling them to understand complex regulatory, financial, and policy environments. The honours component strengthens advanced research and critical thinking capabilities, while economics provides a strong foundation in market behaviour, public policy, and quantitative analysis. Graduates commonly pursue careers as commercial lawyer, economic policy advisor, regulatory analyst, and government economist.

This highly sought-after blend of legal and economic knowledge prepares graduates to influence decision-making across business, government, and international organisations:

University employability services: The University of Adelaide’s Career Services team offers personalised career consultations, employability workshops, networking events, employer presentations, mentoring opportunities, internship support, and graduate recruitment programs to help students build successful careers.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates entering legal, economic, and policy-related professions in Australia typically achieve starting salaries ranging from AUD $75,000 – $125,000, with median earnings commonly between AUD $95,000 – $120,000, depending on their sector, specialisation, and professional experience.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from strong industry connections with law firms, government agencies, financial institutions, economic research organisations, and corporate partners through internships, industry projects, guest lectures, and networking opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) fulfils the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, while the economics qualification provides analytical and quantitative expertise highly valued in finance, consulting, policy development, and regulatory fields.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced skills in legal reasoning, economic analysis, policy evaluation, research, and strategic decision-making, making them highly competitive across both legal and commercial sectors.

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 Economics, Master of Applied Finance, Master of Public Policy, or research-focused MPhil and PhD programs in law, economics, finance, public policy, or related disciplines.