Bachelor of Business/ Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Canberra

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws at the University of Canberra combines professional legal education with contemporary business knowledge, giving students a competitive advantage across legal, corporate, government, and entrepreneurial careers. Campus Location: Bruce Campus, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia. This double degree is ideal for students who want to understand both the legal framework and business environment that shape modern organisations, while developing practical skills highly valued by employers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin by building strong foundations in both law and business. Core subjects such as Foundations of Law and Justice, Introduction to Management, and Professional Orientation (Business) introduce key legal principles, business operations, and professional skills. Students then progress to foundational legal areas through Contract Law and Torts Law, while also developing commercial awareness through Introduction to Economics and Marketing Fundamentals.

Year 2

The second year focuses on developing analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills across both disciplines. Through units such as Dispute Management, Lawyers and Professional Responsibility, and Business Decision Making, students explore legal processes and ethical practice while strengthening decision-making capabilities. Additional subjects including Criminal Law and Procedure, Property Law, and Business Research Methods further expand legal and commercial knowledge.

Year 3

Students move into more advanced legal and business concepts, studying areas such as Constitutional Law, Corporations Law, and specialised business subjects depending on their chosen business major. This stage helps students understand the relationship between legal regulation and organisational strategy while developing leadership, management, and commercial skills relevant to today's workplace.

Year 4

The fourth year deepens professional expertise through advanced legal studies including Administrative Law and Legal Theory. Alongside these subjects, students complete major-specific business units and practical experiences such as Industry Project opportunities, allowing them to apply legal and business knowledge to real-world challenges and workplace settings.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete essential legal practice subjects including Civil Procedure, Equity and Trusts Law, and Evidence Law. The degree culminates with Capstone Law and Justice, integrating legal theory and professional practice while preparing graduates for careers in law, business, policy, consulting, and leadership.

Focus Areas:

Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, International Business, Marketing, Dispute Resolution, Legal Practice, Policy Development, Regulatory Compliance.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal reasoning, advocacy, negotiation, business analysis, strategic decision-making, ethical leadership, communication, research, and problem-solving skills applicable across legal and commercial environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws component is accredited by the relevant Australian legal admission authorities and satisfies the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT).

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

The University of Canberra is recognised for its strong focus on work-integrated learning, industry engagement, and graduate employability. Its Canberra location provides students with unique access to government departments, regulatory agencies, courts, multinational organisations, and private-sector employers, enhancing career readiness and professional networking opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws at the University of Canberra is designed to give students extensive hands-on experience in both legal and business environments. Throughout the degree, students move beyond classroom learning by applying legal theory and business knowledge to real-world challenges through internships, practical projects, advocacy exercises, and industry engagement activities. UC's location in Australia's capital city provides direct access to government departments, courts, law firms, businesses, and non-government organisations, creating valuable opportunities to build professional networks before graduation.

To ensure students graduate with practical experience and workplace-ready skills, the program incorporates a range of experiential learning opportunities and industry-focused facilities:

Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Students can complete industry-based internships through units such as Law and Justice Internship, Law and Justice Internship Extended, Business, Government and Law (BGL) Internships, and Research Internships, allowing them to gain professional experience while earning academic credit.
Legal Advice Clinic: Students can participate in the Legal Advice Clinic, where they develop practical legal skills by working on real legal matters under professional supervision.
Moot Court Experience: UC's on-campus Moot Court is one of Australia's first technology-oriented courtrooms, featuring advanced audio-visual and video conferencing technology. Students develop advocacy, litigation, and courtroom communication skills in a realistic legal environment.
Advocacy and Mooting Programs: The degree includes opportunities to undertake Advocacy and Communication and Advanced Advocacy and Communication (Mooting) units, where students practise oral argument, legal reasoning, and courtroom presentation skills.
Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Training: Students can complete dedicated Negotiation units that simulate real legal and business dispute scenarios, helping them build professional communication and conflict-resolution skills.
Industry Projects and Real-World Case Studies: Business and law students work on authentic industry challenges, research projects, and practical case studies that reflect contemporary issues faced by organisations and legal professionals.
International Study Tours: Eligible students may participate in International Business Study Tours, gaining exposure to global business practices and international professional environments.
Professional Industry Connections: The program benefits from UC's relationships with law firms, government agencies, public sector organisations, NGOs, and industry partners, providing access to internships, networking opportunities, and workplace learning experiences.
National Centre for Corporate Law: Students benefit from UC's strong connection to the National Centre for Corporate Law, supporting learning in corporate governance, commercial law, and business regulation.
National Institute of Governance: The university's links with the National Institute of Governance provide students with valuable insights into public administration, governance, leadership, and policy development.
Library and Research Resources: Students have access to UC Library's extensive legal and business databases, digital research platforms, journals, legislation resources, and professional publications that support both coursework and independent research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws at the University of Canberra combines legal expertise with commercial knowledge, giving graduates a competitive advantage in today’s increasingly complex business environment. By developing skills in both law and business strategy, students are prepared for leadership roles across legal, corporate, government, and consulting sectors. Graduates commonly pursue careers as Corporate Lawyer, Legal Advisor, Business Consultant, and Policy Officer, with opportunities to work across a wide range of industries in Australia and internationally.

This powerful combination of qualifications creates strong career prospects through:

Dedicated employability support: UC’s award-winning Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program provides students with internships, professional placements, industry projects, mentoring opportunities, and networking events. Students also have access to UC Careers and Employability services, which offer career coaching, resume development, interview preparation, and employer engagement programs.
Industry partnerships and practical experience: The University of Canberra maintains strong connections with organisations such as Legal Aid ACT, ACT Government Justice and Community Safety Directorate, Commonwealth Government agencies, community legal centres, private law firms, and a broad network of business and corporate partners. These relationships provide valuable opportunities for internships, workplace learning, and professional networking.
Employment outcomes and salary potential: Graduates are highly sought after because of their combined legal and commercial expertise. Career opportunities exist across corporate law, business management, government, banking, consulting, compliance, and policy development. Early-career salaries typically range from approximately AUD $70,000 to $95,000 per year, with a median salary of around AUD $82,000 annually, depending on the role, employer, and industry sector. Graduates entering corporate law and consulting pathways may experience strong salary growth as they gain experience.
Long-term accreditation value: The law component of the degree is accredited by the Legal Admissions Consultative Committee (LACC) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). The business component provides graduates with highly transferable commercial knowledge that is valued across industries worldwide.
Strong graduate outcomes: Graduates develop expertise in legal analysis, commercial decision-making, negotiation, leadership, strategic planning, communication, and problem-solving. These skills enable graduates to pursue diverse careers spanning legal practice, corporate management, entrepreneurship, government policy, regulatory compliance, and consulting.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws, graduates can continue their studies through a range of postgraduate pathways. Students seeking admission to legal practice can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) before qualifying as practising lawyers. Graduates may also pursue advanced qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Policy, Master of International Business, or specialised postgraduate programs in areas such as commercial law, corporate governance, taxation, finance, or dispute resolution. These qualifications can help graduates develop specialist expertise and progress into senior legal, executive, consulting, and leadership positions.