Bachelors of Arts / Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Queensland

Program Overview

The Bachelors of Arts / Laws (Honours) at The University of Queensland is a five-year dual degree that blends legal training with broad humanities education, allowing students to explore how law interacts with society, politics, culture, and global issues. It suits students who are interested in critical thinking, communication, justice, and interdisciplinary study while preparing for careers in law, government, international relations, media, and public policy. Campuses: St Lucia (Brisbane), Gatton, Herston, and Dutton Park – Queensland, Australia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a strong foundation in both arts and law by developing core academic and analytical skills. Law subjects such as Law, Society and Justice and Legal Research and Writing are combined with Arts units like Introduction to Political Science and Sociological Thinking, helping students understand legal systems alongside social and cultural frameworks.

Year 2

The second year deepens both legal reasoning and humanities specialisation. Students study core law units including Contract Law and Constitutional Law, while selecting Arts courses such as History of Ideas, Media and Society, or Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality, allowing them to analyse how law operates within broader intellectual and societal contexts.

Year 3

In the third year, students engage with more advanced legal subjects and begin specialising in Arts majors. Law studies include Criminal Law, Torts, and Property Law, while Arts electives may focus on areas such as International Relations, Anthropology, or Political Theory, strengthening their ability to interpret legal issues through global and cultural perspectives.

Year 4

The fourth year emphasises advanced legal study and deeper Arts specialisation. Students undertake subjects such as Administrative Law and Corporate Law while continuing advanced Arts coursework in areas like Global Politics, Ethics, or Cultural Studies, building strong interdisciplinary insight into governance, society, and legal systems.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete honours-level legal training alongside advanced Arts research projects. Law electives such as Equity and Trusts, International Law, and Dispute Resolution are paired with an Arts honours thesis or capstone project, developing independent research capability and professional-level analytical expertise.

Focus Areas

Legal Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Philosophy, Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Human Rights, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Public Policy, Ethics

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced legal reasoning and critical thinking, understand social and political systems, apply interdisciplinary analysis to legal issues, communicate complex ideas effectively, conduct independent research, and prepare for professional careers in law, government, policy, and global organisations.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The law component meets the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia through the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board. Graduates may progress to Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a solicitor or barrister.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Queensland is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities for Law and Arts & Humanities in the QS World University Rankings. UQ Law is recognised nationally for excellence in legal education and strong graduate outcomes across legal, public, and international sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelors of Arts / Laws (Honours) at The University of Queensland develop practical legal and interdisciplinary skills through a mix of courtroom-style simulations, research-based learning, and real-world engagement with social, political, and legal issues. The program is designed to move beyond theory by immersing students in legal reasoning, advocacy, and humanities-based analysis using UQ’s professional learning environments, legal databases, libraries, and research centres. This combination helps students understand how law operates in society while building strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities:

Moot Courts & Advocacy Training: Students participate in simulated court proceedings where they practise legal argumentation, oral advocacy, and case presentation in structured moot court environments.
UQ Law Library & Research Resources: Access to extensive legal collections, journals, case law databases, and interdisciplinary humanities resources supports advanced legal and Arts research work.
Legal Databases (LexisNexis & Westlaw): Students develop professional legal research skills using industry-standard platforms for case analysis, statutory interpretation, and academic legal writing.
Arts Research Centres & Institutes: Students engage with UQ research centres focused on politics, society, culture, and global studies, supporting interdisciplinary learning between law and humanities.
Group-Based Research Projects: Collaborative assignments in both Arts and Law encourage students to develop teamwork, negotiation, and critical analysis skills across complex topics.
Case-Based Legal Learning: Law courses integrate real-world case studies, enabling students to apply legal principles to criminal, constitutional, and corporate law scenarios.
Public Policy & Social Research Activities: Arts subjects involve fieldwork, policy analysis, and research projects exploring real-world social, political, and cultural issues.
Guest Lectures & Industry Seminars: Students engage with legal professionals, policymakers, academics, and Arts practitioners through seminars and networking sessions.
UQ Pro Bono Centre Opportunities: Students may participate in community legal engagement programs that support social justice and real client-based legal work.
Digital Learning Platforms: UQ provides online learning systems and collaborative tools to support research, group work, and legal studies across both disciplines.
Honours-Level Research Training: Final-year students complete independent research projects combining legal analysis with Arts-based inquiry, strengthening academic and professional expertise.
Field-Based Learning (Arts Component): Depending on subject selection, students may engage in fieldwork, cultural studies activities, or policy observation exercises relevant to Arts disciplines.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelors of Arts / Laws (Honours) at The University of Queensland are well prepared for careers that combine legal expertise with strong communication, research, and critical thinking skills developed through the Arts. Many graduates progress into roles across law, government, policy, media, international organisations, and advocacy, with typical pathways including solicitors, policy advisers, legal researchers, and public sector consultants. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree also opens doors to careers in journalism, diplomacy, corporate advisory, and social research:

UQ Careers & Employability Services: Students receive support through one-on-one career consultations, resume and cover letter workshops, interview preparation, networking events, and access to law-specific recruitment programs and graduate pathways.
Graduate Employment Outcomes: According to Australian graduate employment trends (QILT – Graduate Outcomes Survey), law graduates are highly employable, with strong full-time employment outcomes and competitive starting salaries across legal and public sector roles (often ranging from approximately AUD $70,000–$100,000+ depending on role and experience).
University–Industry Connections: UQ Law maintains strong links with law firms, government departments, courts, community legal centres, and policy organisations, providing pathways to clerkships, internships, and graduate employment opportunities.
Professional Accreditation Value: The law component meets the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia through the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board, providing a direct pathway into Practical Legal Training (PLT).
Arts + Law Graduate Outcomes: Graduates develop versatile skills in legal reasoning, writing, research, communication, and cultural analysis, enabling employment across both legal practice and broader humanities-based industries.
Industry Engagement Opportunities: Students benefit from networking events, guest lectures, mentoring programs, and professional engagement activities with legal professionals, policymakers, and Arts industry practitioners through UQ’s academic networks.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Bachelor of Arts / Laws (Honours), graduates can progress into Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify as a solicitor or barrister in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of International Relations, Master of Public Policy, Master of Communication, or research degrees (PhD) in law, humanities, social sciences, or interdisciplinary global studies, depending on their chosen career direction.