Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Sydney

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney is a highly respected five-year double degree that combines a broad humanities education with professional legal training, preparing students to think critically about society, culture, politics, and justice while developing strong legal expertise. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Campus, Sydney, Australia — the program suits students who are curious about human behaviour, global issues, communication, and governance, and who want to build a career where legal knowledge and social insight work together.

This degree is ideal for students interested in politics, international relations, history, philosophy, languages, media, sociology, and cultural studies alongside law. Graduates develop strong analytical thinking, communication, research, and advocacy skills, making them highly versatile professionals across law, government, media, policy, education, and international organisations.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in legal systems and humanities disciplines while developing critical thinking and communication skills. Courses such as Foundations of Law, Contracts, and introductory Arts units like Politics and International Relations or Philosophy and Critical Thinking help students understand legal reasoning alongside cultural, political, and social analysis.

Second Year

Second-year study deepens both legal and Arts disciplines, with students exploring core law subjects such as Torts and Criminal Law alongside Arts units in areas like history, sociology, media studies, or languages. This year focuses on strengthening analytical writing, argument construction, and understanding how law interacts with society and global issues.

Third Year

By third year, students begin more advanced legal studies including Constitutional Law and Administrative Law, while specialising in Arts majors such as international relations, political science, philosophy, or communication. Students engage in research projects, case analysis, and interdisciplinary assignments that connect law with societal structures and cultural systems.

Fourth Year

Fourth year combines advanced legal education with higher-level Arts electives aligned with student interests. Law subjects such as Equity, Evidence, and Property Law are studied alongside specialised Arts coursework in areas like global politics, ethics, media theory, or cultural studies. Students also participate in mooting, research projects, and analytical seminars.

Fifth Year

In the final year, students complete advanced law electives such as Corporations Law and International Law while finishing Arts specialisations and interdisciplinary research projects. The final year emphasises independent thinking, legal problem-solving, and the ability to apply social and cultural understanding to complex legal issues.

Focus areas

Legal studies, constitutional law, criminal law, international relations, politics, philosophy, sociology, history, media studies, communication, ethics, cultural studies, human rights, governance, policy analysis, and critical thinking.

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop advanced legal reasoning, critical analysis, communication, research, writing, and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills. Students learn to interpret legal systems, analyse social and political issues, construct persuasive arguments, evaluate policy frameworks, and apply humanities-based insight to legal practice.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). The Arts component strengthens pathways into public policy, media, international relations, education, and cultural industries, complementing legal professional training.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Sydney is internationally recognised for excellence in law and humanities education, with strong global employer reputation and graduate employability across legal, government, policy, media, and international sectors. Sydney Law School and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are highly regarded for research impact, academic excellence, and producing graduates with strong analytical and communication skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney develop practical legal and analytical skills through a combination of courtroom-style learning, real legal case analysis, humanities-based research projects, and communication-focused assessments. The program is designed to help students understand how law operates in society while building strong skills in writing, argumentation, critical thinking, and cultural analysis through hands-on, practice-oriented learning experiences.

The University of Sydney supports this experiential learning through legal clinics, mooting competitions, research-led humanities study, industry engagement opportunities, and access to professional legal and academic tools that prepare students for careers in law, government, media, policy, and international organisations:

Sydney Law School Legal Clinics : Students may participate in supervised legal clinic programs where they work on real legal matters, gaining experience in client interaction, legal research, drafting documents, ethical decision-making, and professional legal practice.
Moot Court & Advocacy Training : Law students develop courtroom skills through mooting competitions, mock trials, negotiation exercises, and dispute resolution simulations that strengthen legal reasoning, public speaking, and persuasive argumentation.
Arts Research Projects & Independent Study : Students complete research-based assignments and projects in humanities disciplines such as politics, philosophy, history, sociology, and international relations, building advanced analytical and academic writing skills.
Legal Research Databases & Digital Tools : Students use professional legal platforms including Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other legal research systems used in law firms and courts for case law analysis and statutory interpretation.
Interdisciplinary Policy & Social Analysis Projects : Coursework often includes group projects that examine real-world issues such as human rights, governance, media ethics, international relations, and social justice, combining legal reasoning with humanities perspectives.
Internship & Industry Placement Opportunities : The University of Sydney offers pathways to internships and professional experiences with government departments, NGOs, media organisations, legal firms, and policy institutions, helping students apply their knowledge in real professional settings.
Libraries & Humanities Learning Resources : Students access specialised law libraries, humanities research collections, archives, digital databases, and collaborative study spaces that support advanced legal and arts research.
Career Development & Employability Programs : Students benefit from workshops, networking events, mentoring programs, employer presentations, and career planning services that connect them with opportunities in law, government, media, education, and international organisations.
Global Exchange & Study Opportunities : Students may participate in international exchange programs, gaining exposure to global legal systems, cultures, and academic environments that strengthen cross-cultural understanding and professional adaptability.
Community Engagement & Social Justice Learning : Many students engage in activities focused on social justice, public policy, and community impact, developing a deeper understanding of how law and society interact in real-world contexts.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney are well-positioned for careers that require strong legal expertise combined with advanced communication, research, and critical thinking skills. This double degree opens doors to influential roles in law, government, media, international organisations, policy development, and corporate sectors, where understanding both legal frameworks and social contexts is highly valuable. Typical career pathways include solicitor, barrister, policy adviser, human rights lawyer, corporate lawyer, journalist, government analyst, and international relations officer.

The University of Sydney enhances graduate outcomes through strong professional development services, industry engagement, and globally recognised academic excellence in both law and the humanities:

Sydney Careers & Employability Services : Students receive tailored career support including internship programs, clerkship preparation, résumé development, interview coaching, employer networking events, mentoring programs, and structured pathways into legal, government, media, and policy careers.
Legal Practice Qualification Pathway : The Bachelor of Laws meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT), enabling graduates to pursue professional qualification as solicitors or barristers.
Strong Industry & Government Connections : Students benefit from relationships with leading law firms, government departments, international organisations, NGOs, media outlets, and policy institutes that support internships, graduate programs, and real-world legal and policy experience.
High Graduate Employability Outcomes : University of Sydney graduates are consistently recognised for strong employment outcomes across law, public policy, humanities, media, and international relations sectors, reflecting strong employer demand for analytical and communication skills.
Median Graduate Salary : Based on Australian graduate outcomes data across law and humanities-related fields, graduates typically earn median full-time salaries ranging from approximately AUD $75,000–$110,000, depending on career path, sector, and professional progression.
Global Career Pathways : The combination of Arts and Law prepares graduates for international careers in diplomacy, global governance, human rights advocacy, multinational corporations, and international legal practice.
Policy, Media & Advocacy Roles : Graduates are highly competitive in journalism, public affairs, advocacy organisations, and research institutes where legal understanding and communication skills are essential.
Long-Term Professional Flexibility : The degree develops adaptable skills in legal reasoning, writing, analysis, and cultural understanding, enabling careers across law, government, media, education, consulting, and international organisations.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates may pursue postgraduate study such as the Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Public Policy, Master of International Relations, Master of Journalism, Master of Human Rights Law, or Master of Business Administration (MBA). High-achieving graduates may also continue into Honours or PhD research programs in Law, Arts, Politics, or International Studies, leading to careers in academia, advanced legal practice, policy leadership, or global organisations such as the United Nations or international NGOs.