Bachelor of Science / Law

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science / Law at University of New South Wales is a dynamic five-year double degree that combines scientific inquiry with professional legal education, preparing students to solve complex legal, technological, environmental, and scientific challenges in a rapidly evolving world. Campus: Kensington Campus, Sydney, Australia — the program is ideal for students who enjoy analytical thinking, scientific discovery, and legal reasoning while wanting the flexibility to pursue careers across science, law, policy, research, technology, health, and innovation sectors.

This degree suits students interested in fields such as biotechnology, environmental science, psychology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, data science, or life sciences alongside legal studies. Students develop scientific research capability together with advanced legal analysis, graduating with strong problem-solving, communication, ethical reasoning, and interdisciplinary thinking skills valued across scientific, regulatory, corporate, and legal professions.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

In the first year, students build strong foundations in scientific thinking, quantitative analysis, and legal systems while developing research and communication skills. Courses such as Foundations of Law, Higher Chemistry, and Physics 1A or Biology 1A introduce students to legal reasoning, laboratory science, scientific methodology, and evidence-based analysis. Students also begin learning how science and law interact in areas such as regulation, ethics, and public policy.

Second Year

Second-year study deepens students’ understanding of scientific concepts while strengthening legal analysis and interpretation skills. Depending on their chosen Science major, students may study subjects such as Genetics, Calculus and Statistics, or Environmental Systems alongside law courses including Contracts, Torts, and Criminal Law. The year focuses on applying scientific reasoning to practical challenges while understanding the legal frameworks that govern research, industry, and public systems.

Third Year

By third year, students engage with more specialised scientific coursework and advanced legal subjects connected to governance, regulation, and ethics. Science subjects may include Molecular Biology, Climate Change Science, or Applied Mathematics, while law courses such as Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Equity and Trusts deepen understanding of legal institutions and regulatory systems. Students also participate in scientific research tasks, collaborative investigations, and analytical problem-solving activities.

Fourth Year

Fourth year combines advanced legal education with applied scientific learning and interdisciplinary analysis. Students study law courses such as Corporations Law, Evidence, and Private International Law while continuing higher-level Science electives aligned with areas such as biotechnology, neuroscience, environmental science, chemistry, or data analytics. Coursework encourages students to apply scientific evidence and legal reasoning to contemporary global, technological, and ethical issues.

Fifth Year

In the final year, students tailor the degree toward their professional interests through advanced law and science electives, research opportunities, and specialised projects. Students may explore areas such as Environmental Law, Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, or advanced scientific research subjects while refining leadership, communication, and analytical skills. By graduation, students possess a highly adaptable combination of scientific expertise and legal capability suited to careers in research, regulation, policy, innovation, and professional legal practice.

Focus areas

Scientific research, biotechnology, environmental science, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology, data science, health sciences, scientific ethics, intellectual property law, environmental law, regulatory policy, evidence-based analysis, and legal reasoning.

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop advanced scientific analysis, legal reasoning, research, communication, quantitative problem-solving, and interdisciplinary decision-making skills. Students learn to interpret scientific evidence, evaluate legal and ethical frameworks, conduct independent research, analyse regulatory systems, and apply scientific and legal knowledge to complex professional challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Law component 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). Depending on the chosen Science major, students may also gain preparation for professional pathways in scientific research, environmental management, biotechnology, health sciences, data analysis, and regulatory industries.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UNSW is internationally recognised for excellence in science, technology, and legal education, with strong employer reputation and graduate employability across research, healthcare, environmental, technology, and legal sectors. UNSW Science and UNSW Law & Justice are highly regarded for innovation, interdisciplinary education, industry engagement, and research impact connected to global scientific and societal challenges.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Science / Law at the University of New South Wales gain practical experience through laboratory research, scientific investigations, legal clinics, interdisciplinary projects, and evidence-based analytical learning. The program combines hands-on scientific training with professional legal education, allowing students to apply scientific methods, data analysis, and legal reasoning to real-world challenges connected to technology, health, environment, innovation, and regulation.

UNSW’s experiential learning environment gives students access to advanced laboratories, specialised scientific equipment, legal practice opportunities, research institutes, and collaborative learning spaces that prepare graduates for careers across science, research, technology, environmental policy, healthcare, and legal sectors:

Advanced Science Laboratories : Students undertake practical laboratory classes and scientific investigations in modern facilities equipped for chemistry, biology, physics, environmental science, psychology, and biomedical research depending on their chosen Science major. Laboratory learning strengthens experimental design, data interpretation, and technical research skills.
Research Projects & Scientific Investigations : Many Science subjects involve independent and collaborative research projects where students analyse scientific evidence, conduct experiments, interpret data, and present findings connected to real-world scientific challenges.
Industry-Standard Scientific Software & Digital Tools : Students gain experience using scientific and analytical software including statistical analysis platforms, laboratory simulation tools, modelling systems, data visualisation technologies, and discipline-specific research applications commonly used in scientific industries and research environments.
Kingsford Legal Centre : Law students gain practical legal experience through the Kingsford Legal Centre, where they assist real clients under professional supervision. Students develop advocacy, legal writing, research, and client communication skills while working on community legal matters.
Moot Courts & Legal Simulations : Students strengthen legal reasoning, negotiation, public speaking, and analytical thinking through mooting competitions, courtroom simulations, legal debates, and case-based exercises hosted by UNSW Law & Justice.
Interdisciplinary Science & Law Learning : Coursework frequently explores intersections between science and law in areas such as environmental regulation, biotechnology ethics, intellectual property, health policy, scientific evidence, and technological governance. Students develop the ability to analyse scientific and legal issues from multiple perspectives.
Research Institutes & Scientific Centres : Students benefit from access to UNSW’s internationally recognised research ecosystem including institutes focused on climate science, biotechnology, health research, materials science, neuroscience, data science, and environmental sustainability. These facilities expose students to cutting-edge scientific innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Fieldwork & Environmental Research Opportunities : Depending on the chosen Science major, students may participate in field studies, environmental sampling activities, ecological investigations, geological excursions, or research-based observational work connected to scientific coursework.
Legal & Scientific Research Databases : Students access professional legal databases including LexisNexis, Westlaw, and HeinOnline alongside scientific journals, laboratory research collections, technical databases, and digital research platforms used in scientific and legal professions.
Collaborative Group Projects : Many subjects involve interdisciplinary teamwork, research presentations, scientific reporting, policy analysis, and problem-solving activities that replicate professional scientific, regulatory, and legal environments.
Libraries & Technology-Enabled Learning Spaces : Students have access to specialised science libraries, law libraries, collaborative research spaces, digital laboratories, and technology-enabled study environments supporting both scientific research and legal education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science / Law at the University of New South Wales are highly valued for their ability to combine scientific expertise with legal reasoning, analytical problem-solving, and evidence-based decision-making. The degree prepares students for careers across legal practice, scientific research, environmental regulation, healthcare policy, biotechnology, intellectual property, technology governance, and innovation sectors by equipping them with both professional legal qualifications and advanced scientific capability. Typical career pathways include lawyer, scientific adviser, intellectual property consultant, environmental policy analyst, biotechnology specialist, regulatory affairs consultant, health policy adviser, and research analyst.

UNSW strengthens graduate employability through interdisciplinary learning, industry engagement opportunities, professional legal education, and strong research and innovation networks across science and law sectors:

Dedicated Career & Employability Services : UNSW Science and UNSW Law & Justice provide tailored employability support including internship guidance, clerkship preparation, networking events, scientific career workshops, résumé support, interview coaching, mentoring programs, and leadership development activities connected to legal, scientific, and technology industries.
Strong Industry & Research Partnerships : Students benefit from UNSW’s partnerships with research institutes, government agencies, healthcare organisations, biotechnology companies, environmental agencies, technology firms, and commercial law practices that support internships, collaborative projects, industry engagement, and graduate recruitment pathways.
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 provides graduates with long-term professional flexibility across legal practice, scientific regulation, intellectual property, and policy sectors.
Scientific & Technical Career Preparation : Depending on the selected Science major, graduates may pursue opportunities in scientific research, biotechnology, environmental science, health sciences, data analytics, technology development, sustainability, and regulatory compliance industries.
Strong Graduate Employability Reputation : UNSW is internationally recognised for excellence in science, technology, and legal education, with strong employer reputation and graduate employability across research, healthcare, environmental, engineering, and legal sectors. Employers value UNSW graduates for their interdisciplinary expertise, analytical capability, and innovation-focused mindset.
Median Graduate Salary : Based on Australian graduate outcomes data across law, science, technology, and regulatory sectors, graduates commonly achieve median full-time salaries ranging between approximately AUD $80,000–$100,000 depending on scientific specialisation, industry sector, and professional pathway.
Innovation & Technology Career Opportunities : The interdisciplinary nature of the degree creates pathways into emerging areas including intellectual property law, biotechnology regulation, environmental governance, health policy, data ethics, scientific consulting, and technology compliance.
Practical Graduation Outcomes : Graduates leave the program with advanced scientific research skills, legal analysis capability, quantitative reasoning, laboratory experience, communication expertise, and interdisciplinary problem-solving abilities developed through scientific investigations, legal clinics, research projects, and collaborative coursework.
Research & Policy Engagement : Students graduate with experience analysing contemporary scientific and legal challenges involving sustainability, health, ethics, innovation, environmental protection, and technological advancement through research activities and evidence-based learning experiences.
Long-Term Career Flexibility : Graduates are equipped to transition across legal practice, scientific research, public policy, environmental regulation, healthcare administration, consulting, innovation management, and executive leadership roles throughout their careers.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, graduates may continue into postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Science, Master of Public Health, Master of Biotechnology, Master of Environmental Management, Master of Data Science, or specialised postgraduate studies in intellectual property law, environmental law, health law, biotechnology regulation, sustainability, or scientific research. High-achieving graduates may also pursue research-focused programs including Honours or PhD studies in Law, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, Physics, Chemistry, Health Sciences, Data Science, or related interdisciplinary research fields leading to careers in academia, advanced scientific research, innovation leadership, public policy, or regulatory governance.