Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Communications & Media

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Notre Dame Sydney

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Communications & Media at The University of Notre Dame Australia combines professional legal education with contemporary media and communication studies, preparing graduates to navigate the legal, ethical, and commercial challenges of today's media landscape. Campus Location: Sydney Campus, Broadway, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. This degree is ideal for students interested in law, journalism, media production, advertising, public relations, and digital communications, while developing expertise in both legal practice and media industries.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you will build a foundation in both legal studies and media communications. You will explore subjects such as Legal Research & Writing, Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation, and Media Ethics and Law, while also examining the relationship between media and society through Media and Society and introductory communications units.

Year 2

The second year focuses on core legal principles that underpin professional legal practice. Through units such as Criminal Law A & B, Contract Law A & B, and Torts A & B, alongside additional communications and media subjects, you will develop analytical, legal reasoning, and professional communication skills.

Year 3

During the third year, you will deepen your understanding of legal rights and property relationships through Property Law A and Property Law B. At the same time, advanced communications and media courses allow you to further develop expertise in areas such as journalism, advertising, film and screen production, and digital media.

Year 4

The fourth year introduces advanced legal studies and advocacy. Subjects including Advocacy, Constitutional Law, Evidence, and Administrative Law help you understand how legal systems operate while strengthening courtroom, analytical, and professional practice skills.

Year 5

In your final year, you will refine your professional expertise through subjects such as Remedies, Civil Procedure, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Commercial Practice & Ethics. Elective law units enable further specialisation in areas including Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property Law, Human Rights Law, and Media-related legal fields, helping you tailor the degree to your career goals.

Focus Areas

Legal Research and Writing, Media Ethics and Law, Journalism, Advertising, Film and Screen Production, Advocacy, Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property Law, Media Regulation, Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Learning Outcomes

Develop professional legal communication skills; analyse and resolve legal problems; apply legal principles across national and international contexts; understand media production within cultural, political, ethical, and legal frameworks; integrate theory and practice in media projects; create innovative communication solutions; conduct independent legal research; and demonstrate ethical and socially responsible decision-making.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws component is designed to satisfy the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of the required practical legal training. The program also provides specialised knowledge of media law, ethics, communications, and journalism relevant to professional media industries.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Notre Dame Australia's School of Law emphasises a highly practical curriculum developed with legal academics, legal professionals, and members of the judiciary. The university highlights very high graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for its law programs, while communications students benefit from internship and work-integrated learning opportunities with organisations such as ABC, SBS, and commercial media networks.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Communications & Media at The University of Notre Dame Australia is designed to give students practical experience in both legal practice and professional media production. Throughout the degree, students develop advocacy, negotiation, legal research, journalism, digital media, and communication skills through hands-on learning, industry engagement, and real-world projects. Small seminar-style law classes, media production coursework, and workplace learning opportunities ensure that students graduate with both professional knowledge and applied experience.

This practical focus is supported by a range of industry-relevant experiences and facilities:

Mooting and Advocacy Training: Law students develop courtroom advocacy, negotiation, and dispute resolution skills through mooting activities and advocacy-focused coursework.
Legal Clinic and Practical Law Experiences: The law program incorporates opportunities through legal clinics, mentoring programs, courtroom visits, and internship experiences that expose students to legal practice environments.
Eminent Speakers Series: Students regularly engage with leading judges, barristers, solicitors, and legal professionals through Notre Dame's renowned speaker events, providing valuable professional insights and networking opportunities.
Work-Integrated Learning and Internships: The Communications & Media component offers internship and work-integrated learning opportunities with media and communications organisations. Students may undertake industry placements, including opportunities with organisations such as ABC, SBS, commercial television networks, and arts and cultural organisations.
Professional Media Production Projects: Students complete practical media projects in areas such as journalism, digital media production, screen production, radio, documentary production, online newsroom work, photojournalism, digital photography, and interactive media.
Digital Media and Journalism Tools: Coursework includes digital journalism portfolios, online newsroom activities, digital media production, interactive media, photography, video production, and multimedia storytelling techniques used across contemporary media industries.
Collaborative Group Projects: Media students work collaboratively on screen production, documentary production, journalism production, and communication projects that replicate professional media workflows.
Industry Internship Capstones: Journalism and media students can undertake internship or professional project capstone experiences, including approximately 90 hours of workplace-based learning in relevant industry settings.
Specialised Media Study Areas: Students can specialise in Journalism, Advertising, or Film & Screen Production, allowing them to build practical expertise aligned with their career goals.
Library and Research Resources: Students have access to extensive academic library collections, legal research materials, case law databases, and communications research resources to support both legal and media studies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Communications & Media at The University of Notre Dame Australia gain a powerful combination of legal expertise and communication skills, enabling them to navigate complex legal, media, and public affairs environments. The degree develops strengths in legal analysis, strategic communication, advocacy, and media literacy, preparing graduates for leadership roles across a range of industries. Typical career paths include: Solicitor, Media and Communications Advisor, Corporate Affairs Manager, and Public Policy Officer.

Career Opportunities: This interdisciplinary qualification provides graduates with the versatility to work across legal practice, media organisations, corporate communications, government agencies, public relations firms, and advocacy groups, where clear communication and legal understanding are highly valued.

University Services: Notre Dame’s Career and Employability team assists students through career planning, networking opportunities, professional development workshops, employer engagement initiatives, internship support, and graduate recruitment preparation.
Employment Stats & Salary Figures: Graduates working across legal, communications, media, and corporate sectors in Australia typically earn median salary ranges of approximately AUD $75,000 – $145,000, with strong earning potential in senior legal, communications, and public affairs positions.
University–Industry Partnerships: Students benefit from connections with law firms, media organisations, communications agencies, government departments, and industry professionals, providing valuable opportunities for practical experience and professional networking.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The law component provides the accredited academic qualification required for progression toward legal admission in Australia, while the communications and media studies develop highly transferable skills relevant to modern professional environments.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates leave with expertise in legal research, advocacy, strategic communication, media production, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and critical analysis, making them competitive candidates across multiple sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates may undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. They can also pursue postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Communication, Master of Public Relations, Master of Public Policy, or higher research degrees including a PhD, enabling advanced specialisation in legal practice, media, corporate communications, public affairs, and academic research.