Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions / Law

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions / Law at University of New South Wales is an innovative five-year double degree that combines advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, and decision science with professional legal education. Campus: Kensington Campus, Sydney, Australia — the program is designed for students who want to understand how technology, data, and law intersect while developing highly sought-after skills in analytics, legal reasoning, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making.

This degree is ideal for students interested in data-driven industries, technology regulation, cybersecurity, digital governance, artificial intelligence, finance, consulting, or legal innovation. Students study programming, machine learning, statistics, and decision science alongside core legal subjects, preparing graduates for careers across law, technology, analytics, government, and corporate sectors.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

In the first year, students build strong foundations in data science, quantitative reasoning, computing, and legal studies while learning how data and law interact in modern society. Courses such as Foundations of Law, Introduction to Data Science, and Data, Decisions and Society introduce students to legal systems, programming concepts, statistical thinking, and evidence-based decision-making. Students also begin developing communication and analytical problem-solving skills through collaborative learning activities.

Second Year

Second-year study expands students’ technical and legal knowledge through core data analytics and law subjects. Students may study courses such as Programming for Data Science, Probability and Statistics, and Data Visualisation and Communication alongside legal subjects including Contracts, Torts, and Criminal Law. The year focuses on interpreting complex datasets, understanding legal frameworks, and developing logical reasoning capabilities relevant to digital industries and regulatory environments.

Third Year

By third year, students engage with advanced analytical methods and more specialised legal concepts connected to governance, regulation, and technology. Subjects such as Machine Learning, Database Systems, and Decision Analytics strengthen students’ technical expertise, while law courses including Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Equity and Trusts deepen understanding of legal institutions and policy frameworks. Students also undertake interdisciplinary projects involving real-world data and ethical decision-making challenges.

Fourth Year

Fourth year combines applied data science learning with advanced legal education and professional problem-solving experiences. Students study areas such as Predictive Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, or Business Decision Models while completing law subjects including Corporations Law, Evidence, and Private International Law. Practical coursework and collaborative projects help students examine how emerging technologies are regulated and applied across industries.

Fifth Year

The final year allows students to tailor the degree through advanced electives and interdisciplinary specialisations aligned with career interests. Students may explore subjects such as Cyber Law, Intellectual Property Law, Data Governance, or Ethics and AI while completing major analytical projects, legal research tasks, and professional development activities. By graduation, students possess a rare combination of technical data expertise and legal capability suited to leadership roles in technology-driven sectors.

Focus areas

Data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, programming, legal technology, cybersecurity law, digital governance, business analytics, statistics, intellectual property law, technology regulation, predictive modelling, ethical decision-making, data visualisation, and legal research.

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop advanced analytical thinking, programming, legal reasoning, quantitative analysis, communication, and decision-making skills. Students learn to interpret and manage complex data, evaluate legal and ethical implications of technology, conduct evidence-based analysis, and apply legal frameworks within data-driven industries and policy environments.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Law component of the degree is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). The data science component aligns with industry demand for professionals skilled in analytics, artificial intelligence, digital governance, and technology-driven decision-making.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UNSW is internationally recognised for excellence in law, technology, engineering, and data science education, with strong graduate employability and employer reputation across digital and professional sectors. UNSW Law & Justice and UNSW’s data and computing disciplines are highly regarded for innovation, industry engagement, research strength, and future-focused education connected to emerging technologies and global workforce needs.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions / Law at the University of New South Wales develop practical skills through hands-on analytics projects, programming laboratories, legal clinics, interdisciplinary teamwork, and industry-connected learning experiences. The program combines technical data science training with professional legal education, allowing students to work with real datasets, predictive models, machine learning systems, and legal research tools while exploring how technology, regulation, and decision-making intersect in modern industries.

UNSW’s experiential learning environment gives students access to advanced computing facilities, legal practice opportunities, innovation hubs, and research-driven learning spaces that prepare graduates for careers across technology, analytics, consulting, and law:

Programming & Data Analytics Laboratories : Students work in specialised computing labs where they develop practical skills in programming, statistical modelling, machine learning, data visualisation, and predictive analytics using real-world datasets and problem-solving exercises.
Industry-Standard Software & Digital Tools : Students gain experience with professional tools and platforms commonly used across data science and analytics industries, including Python, R, SQL, Tableau, machine learning frameworks, cloud computing environments, and advanced statistical software.
Interdisciplinary Group Projects : Many courses involve collaborative projects where students analyse complex datasets, design evidence-based solutions, and evaluate legal or ethical implications connected to artificial intelligence, governance, cybersecurity, or digital policy.
Artificial Intelligence & Data Research Exposure : Students benefit from UNSW’s research strengths in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and digital innovation through engagement with research institutes, seminars, innovation initiatives, and emerging technology projects.
UNSW AI Institute & Research Centres : The program is supported by access to research environments connected to the UNSW AI Institute, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, and technology-focused innovation centres that expose students to cutting-edge developments in analytics and digital transformation.
Kingsford Legal Centre : Law students gain practical legal experience through the Kingsford Legal Centre, where they work with real clients under professional supervision. Students develop advocacy, legal communication, and case analysis skills while assisting with legal research and community legal matters.
Legal Technology & Research Databases : Students access professional legal databases and research systems including LexisNexis, Westlaw, HeinOnline, and digital legal research tools used in legal practice, policy analysis, and regulatory environments.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Opportunities : Students may participate in hackathons, innovation challenges, startup initiatives, and interdisciplinary technology competitions connected to UNSW’s entrepreneurial and digital innovation ecosystem.
Industry Engagement & Networking : UNSW’s strong connections with technology companies, consulting firms, financial organisations, and legal employers provide opportunities for internships, networking events, mentoring, and industry collaboration projects.
Advanced Computing Facilities : Students have access to high-performance computing resources, collaborative digital workspaces, analytics laboratories, and technology-enabled learning environments that support data-intensive research and technical experimentation.
Libraries & Collaborative Learning Spaces : Students use specialised law libraries, computing resources, research collections, digital study environments, and collaborative learning hubs designed to support interdisciplinary legal and analytical education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions / Law at the University of New South Wales are uniquely positioned for careers at the intersection of technology, analytics, regulation, and legal practice. The degree equips students with advanced technical, analytical, and legal problem-solving skills that are increasingly in demand across data-driven industries, allowing graduates to work in both emerging technology sectors and professional legal environments. Typical career pathways include data analyst, technology lawyer, cybersecurity consultant, legal technology adviser, business intelligence analyst, compliance manager, AI policy specialist, and digital governance consultant.

UNSW enhances graduate employability through industry engagement, technical training, professional legal education, and strong employer networks across both technology and law sectors:

Dedicated Employability & Career Services : UNSW provides specialised career support including internship guidance, employer networking events, résumé workshops, interview coaching, mentoring programs, and graduate recruitment preparation tailored to data science, technology, consulting, and law students.
Industry Connections & Partnerships : Students benefit from UNSW’s partnerships with organisations including Google, Microsoft, IBM, Atlassian, Deloitte, Commonwealth Bank, Accenture, and leading law firms involved in technology, cybersecurity, analytics, and digital governance projects. These relationships support internships, innovation programs, and graduate employment opportunities.
High Graduate Employability Reputation : UNSW is consistently recognised as one of Australia’s leading universities for graduate employability and employer reputation, particularly across technology, engineering, computing, analytics, and law disciplines.
Professional Legal Qualification : The Law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). This gives graduates long-term professional flexibility across legal, regulatory, consulting, and technology-focused careers.
Technology & Analytics Career Demand : The growing demand for professionals with expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data governance, cybersecurity, and legal technology significantly strengthens employment opportunities for graduates of this interdisciplinary program.
Median Graduate Salary : Based on recent Australian graduate outcomes data for computing, analytics, and law-related disciplines, graduates commonly achieve median full-time salaries ranging between approximately AUD $85,000–$100,000 depending on industry sector, technical specialisation, and professional role.
Research & Innovation Exposure : Students graduate with exposure to cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence, big data, digital governance, cybersecurity, and predictive analytics through UNSW’s technology and research ecosystem. This strengthens graduates’ adaptability within rapidly evolving industries.
Practical & Technical Graduation Outcomes : Graduates leave the program with advanced programming capability, statistical analysis expertise, legal research skills, policy understanding, communication abilities, and interdisciplinary problem-solving experience developed through collaborative projects, analytics coursework, legal clinics, and industry-connected learning.
Global Career Opportunities : The combination of data science and law opens opportunities in multinational technology companies, consulting firms, government agencies, fintech organisations, cybersecurity firms, legal technology startups, and international regulatory bodies.
Long-Term Career Flexibility : Graduates can transition across multiple professional pathways throughout their careers, including legal practice, technology consulting, AI governance, compliance, digital policy, analytics leadership, business intelligence, and corporate strategy roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, graduates may continue into postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Data Science, Master of Information Technology, Master of Cyber Security, Master of Artificial Intelligence, or specialised postgraduate studies in digital governance, intellectual property law, fintech regulation, technology policy, or business analytics. High-achieving graduates may also pursue research-focused programs including Honours or PhD studies in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Law, Cybersecurity, Digital Policy, or Technology Ethics, leading to careers in academia, advanced research, innovation leadership, or government advisory roles.