Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Notre Dame Sydney

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Notre Dame Australia combines professional legal education with practical business knowledge, preparing students to navigate complex legal and commercial environments with confidence. Delivered at the Sydney Campus, Broadway, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, this five-year double degree is ideal for students who want to build careers in law, business, corporate governance, finance, or entrepreneurship while gaining expertise in both disciplines.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students establish a strong foundation in legal reasoning and business principles. Law studies begin with Legal Research & Writing, Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation, and Legal History, while commerce studies introduce core business concepts and management knowledge that underpin future commercial decision-making.

Year 2

The second year focuses on core areas of private and criminal law through units such as Criminal Law A & B, Contract Law A & B, and Torts A & B. Alongside these legal studies, students continue developing expertise within their chosen commerce major, building analytical and professional business skills.

Year 3

Students explore property rights, government decision-making, and practical business applications through Property Law A & B, Administrative Law, and the compulsory Business Internship (BUSN3900). The internship provides valuable industry experience, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in a professional workplace environment.

Year 4

Advanced legal studies develop advocacy and corporate expertise through Advocacy, Constitutional Law, Corporations & Partnerships, and Evidence. Students also undertake law electives while continuing commerce specialisations, enabling them to tailor the degree to their career interests.

Year 5

The final year focuses on professional legal practice and dispute resolution through Remedies, Civil Procedure, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Commercial Practice & Ethics, and Legal Philosophy. Students complete additional law electives, preparing them for professional practice, commercial advisory work, or further postgraduate study.

Focus Areas

Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, Business Strategy, Contract Law, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Dispute Resolution, Legal Research, Entrepreneurship, Regulatory Compliance, Professional Ethics.

Learning Outcomes

Develop professional legal communication skills; analyse and solve complex legal problems; apply legal principles in national and international contexts; conduct independent legal research; demonstrate ethical decision-making; deliver professional business advice; apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis; and work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws component is accredited according to the requirements of the Legal Profession Admission Board (NSW) and the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia, providing the academic qualification required for legal practice pathways. Commerce accreditation depends on the selected major, with Accounting accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, CPA Australia, and the Institute of Public Accountants, while Human Resource Management is accredited by the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI).

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Notre Dame Australia is recognised for its strong emphasis on employability, industry engagement, mentoring opportunities, and practical learning experiences. The program includes a 150-hour Business Internship and access to the University's Law Mentorship Program, connecting students with experienced legal practitioners and enhancing graduate readiness for professional careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Notre Dame Australia is designed with a strong emphasis on practical, real-world learning. Students develop professional skills through case-based learning, industry engagement, mentorship opportunities, and workplace experience, ensuring they graduate with both legal and commercial expertise. Small class sizes encourage active participation, legal debate, collaborative problem-solving, and direct interaction with academics who bring extensive industry experience into the classroom. As students progress through the program, they gain hands-on exposure to professional practice environments and build valuable industry connections:

Business Internship (150 Hours): The Commerce component includes the compulsory BUSN3900 Business Internship, where students complete a minimum of 150 hours of practicum experience with an industry organisation, applying classroom knowledge in a professional workplace setting.
Case-Based Learning: The program was developed with input from prominent legal professionals and incorporates experiential and case-based learning, allowing students to work through realistic legal and business scenarios.
Law Mentorship Program: Students can participate in Notre Dame's Mentorship Program, which connects penultimate and final-year law students with experienced legal practitioners who provide career guidance, professional advice, and clerkship preparation support.
Industry Placements and Professional Exposure: Through internship and practicum opportunities, students gain direct exposure to legal and commercial workplaces while building networks with potential employers.
Collaborative Projects and Discussions: Small-class teaching enables extensive group discussions, collaborative learning activities, legal argument development, and business problem-solving exercises.
Future Business Leaders Network: Commerce students can engage with the Future Business Leaders Network, providing mentoring, networking opportunities, and access to leading Australian business professionals.
Guest Speakers and Industry Experts: Business courses feature engagement with industry practitioners and guest speakers who share current professional insights and real-world business challenges.
Legal Research Training: Students develop advanced legal research capabilities through dedicated law subjects such as Legal Research & Writing, using professional legal research methodologies and legal information resources.
Libraries and Academic Resources: Students have access to the University's library collections, legal research resources, study spaces, academic support services, and digital learning platforms that support both law and commerce studies.
Global Learning Opportunities: Students may participate in international study tours, exchange programs, global experiences, and professional placements that broaden their understanding of international legal and business environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Notre Dame Australia graduate with a powerful combination of legal expertise and commercial knowledge, making them highly attractive to employers across legal, corporate, financial, and government sectors. The program develops skills in legal analysis, business strategy, governance, and decision-making, enabling graduates to operate confidently in complex commercial environments. Typical career paths include: Commercial Lawyer, Corporate Legal Advisor, Compliance Manager, and Business Consultant.

Career Opportunities: This dual degree provides graduates with the flexibility to pursue careers in both law and commerce, creating opportunities in corporate law firms, financial institutions, multinational corporations, government agencies, and regulatory organisations.

University Services: Notre Dame’s Career and Employability team assists students through career planning consultations, networking events, employer engagement programs, resume and interview preparation, and professional development workshops designed to improve graduate employment outcomes.
Employment Stats & Salary Figures: Graduates working in legal, corporate, and commercial sectors in Australia typically earn median salary ranges of approximately AUD $80,000 – $150,000, with strong earning potential in commercial law, corporate advisory, finance, and executive leadership roles.
University–Industry Partnerships: Students benefit from industry engagement with law firms, accounting firms, financial institutions, government departments, and business organisations, providing valuable professional exposure and networking opportunities.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The law component provides the accredited academic qualification required for progression toward legal admission in Australia, while the commerce qualification strengthens expertise in business, finance, management, and corporate governance.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates leave with a unique blend of legal and commercial skills, including legal research, business analysis, negotiation, risk management, strategic planning, and professional communication, allowing them to thrive in diverse professional settings.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the degree, graduates may undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, or higher research degrees including a PhD, enabling specialisation in commercial law, corporate governance, international business, taxation, finance, or legal research.