Bachelors of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Business

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Business at University of Adelaide combines professional legal education with contemporary business knowledge, preparing students to navigate complex legal, commercial, and organisational challenges. Ideal for students interested in both law and business leadership, the program develops expertise in legal reasoning, corporate decision-making, management, analytics, and commercial strategy while providing a pathway to legal practice. Campus: Adelaide City Campus

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students establish foundational knowledge in both law and business. Legal studies begin with How Law Works, Torts, Business and the Law, and Contract, while business courses such as Accounting for Decision Makers and Management, Organisations and Leadership introduce financial literacy, organisational behaviour, and management principles. Students also explore the relationship between law, government, and society through Law, Government and Community and Ethics and the Future of Law.

Year 2

The second year focuses on the legal and commercial frameworks that underpin modern organisations. Students study core legal subjects including Property Law, Constitutional Law, Equity and Trusts, International Law, and Administrative Law, while business studies expand into Emerging Technologies, Data and Business Analytics and Marketing Principles, developing analytical and strategic decision-making skills.

Year 3

Students deepen their legal expertise through Criminal Law, Corporate Law, and Becoming a Lawyer, gaining insight into professional legal practice and corporate regulation. Alongside these studies, students begin tailoring their business knowledge through discipline courses and electives that may include entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, logistics, or supply chain management.

Year 4

Advanced legal training continues with Civil Dispute Resolution, where students examine litigation and alternative dispute resolution processes. Business electives and specialised discipline courses allow students to strengthen expertise in areas such as Innovation Strategy and Systems, Technology Entrepreneurship, or Organisational Leadership, while expanding their professional and commercial capabilities.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete capstone legal experiences including the Future Law Project and Evidence, integrating legal theory, research, and professional practice. Advanced electives across law and business enable students to specialise in areas such as Human Rights Law, Intellectual Property Law, AI for Business Transformation, or Sustainability and Social Enterprise, preparing them for leadership roles across legal and commercial sectors.

Focus Areas:

Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, Business Strategy, Marketing, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics, International Law, Legal Ethics, Corporate Regulation, Innovation and Technology, Dispute Resolution.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal reasoning and advocacy skills; analyse complex business and regulatory environments; apply ethical and strategic decision-making; evaluate legal and commercial risks; communicate effectively with professional stakeholders; and integrate legal and business knowledge to solve real-world organisational challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) provides the academic qualification required for admission to legal practice in Australia. Graduates can proceed to Practical Legal Training (PLT) and meet the requirements for admission as a legal practitioner, subject to relevant professional and regulatory 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 education and research. The combination of law and business equips graduates with highly sought-after skills across legal practice, consulting, corporate leadership, government, and entrepreneurship, enhancing employability in both Australian and global markets.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Business at University of Adelaide gain practical experience by combining legal theory with real-world business applications. Throughout the degree, students develop professional skills through case-based learning, legal problem-solving, business projects, and research activities supported by the University's modern teaching facilities and industry-connected learning environment. The program encourages students to apply legal and commercial concepts to contemporary challenges, preparing them for careers where law and business intersect:

Moot Court and advocacy experiences: Law students participate in simulated court proceedings, legal negotiations, and advocacy exercises that replicate professional legal practice.
Business case studies and consulting projects: Business courses incorporate real-world organisational challenges, strategic decision-making exercises, and collaborative projects that mirror industry environments.
Internship and work-integrated learning opportunities: Students can engage with industry placements, professional internships, and experiential learning opportunities through University and industry networks.
Legal research databases: Access to professional legal research platforms and digital resources used by practising lawyers for case law, legislation, and legal analysis.
Collaborative group projects: Students work in multidisciplinary teams to solve business and legal problems, strengthening communication, leadership, and project-management skills.
Barr Smith Library: One of Australia's largest academic libraries, providing extensive legal, business, and research collections, study spaces, and digital learning resources.
The Adelaide Law School facilities: Students benefit from dedicated law teaching spaces and learning environments designed to support legal education and practical skills development.
Research centres and institutes: Opportunities to engage with research activities connected to the University's law and business research communities, exposing students to contemporary legal and commercial issues.
Digital learning technologies: Access to online learning platforms, legal databases, business analytics tools, and collaborative digital environments that support modern professional practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Business at University of Adelaide gain a highly sought-after blend of legal expertise and commercial acumen, positioning them for success in corporate, legal, and regulatory environments. The honours component strengthens advanced research and analytical capabilities, while the business degree develops strategic, financial, and management skills. Graduates commonly pursue careers as corporate lawyer, compliance manager, business consultant, and commercial policy advisor.

This combination of legal and business knowledge creates strong employability outcomes across a wide range of industries and professional sectors:

University employability services: The University of Adelaide’s Career Services team supports students through career planning consultations, professional networking events, internship and work experience opportunities, employer presentations, mentoring programs, and graduate recruitment initiatives.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates entering legal, corporate, and business professions in Australia typically achieve starting salaries ranging from AUD $75,000 – $125,000, with median earnings commonly falling between AUD $95,000 – $115,000, depending on industry sector, role, and professional experience.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from strong connections with law firms, corporate organisations, government agencies, financial institutions, and industry partners through internships, practical projects, guest lectures, and professional engagement activities.
Long-term accreditation value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) fulfils the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, while the business qualification provides additional expertise valued in management, finance, entrepreneurship, and corporate governance roles.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced skills in legal analysis, commercial decision-making, negotiation, leadership, and strategic problem-solving, enabling them to thrive in both legal practice and business leadership positions.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this degree, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner or continue with postgraduate studies such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, Master of International Business, or research-focused MPhil and PhD programs in law, business, corporate governance, or commercial policy.