Bachelor of Laws / Arts

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of the Sunshine Coast

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Arts at University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC Sunshine Coast Campus, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia) is a flexible double degree designed for students who want to combine a strong legal foundation with a broad understanding of the humanities, society, and human behaviour. It suits students interested in law, policy, media, international relations, or social sciences, especially those who want versatile career pathways beyond traditional legal practice.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In the first year, students build core legal and arts foundations through introductory subjects such as Legal Foundations, Torts Law, and Introduction to Sociology. Alongside this, Arts units like Academic and Professional Communication and Australian Politics help students develop strong writing, research, and analytical skills essential for both disciplines.

Year 2:
In year two, students begin deeper legal study with subjects such as Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Contract Law, while also expanding their Arts specialisation through units like Media, Culture and Society or International Relations. This year strengthens critical thinking and introduces students to real-world legal systems and global social issues.

Year 3:
The third year focuses on advanced legal reasoning and interdisciplinary learning, including Property Law, Administrative Law, and Equity and Trusts, paired with Arts electives such as Political Theory or Criminology. Students begin to integrate legal analysis with broader social, cultural, and political perspectives.

Year 4:
In the fourth year, students engage with more specialised legal areas such as Evidence Law, Corporations Law, and Ethics and Professional Responsibility, while continuing advanced Arts studies in areas like Public Policy or Communication and Media Studies. This year prepares students for complex legal reasoning and applied professional contexts.

Year 5:
The final year focuses on capstone and advanced elective law subjects such as Advanced Legal Research, Law Reform and Policy, and Legal Practice Skills, alongside a final Arts major project or thesis-style unit. Students graduate with strong analytical, research, and communication capabilities ready for professional environments.

Focus Areas:

Legal Studies, Arts and Humanities, Public Policy, Communication and Media, Political and Social Sciences, Ethical and Critical Thinking

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates gain strong legal reasoning, research and writing skills, interdisciplinary analysis, and the ability to apply law within social, political, and cultural contexts for diverse professional pathways.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws component is designed to support the academic pathway toward legal practice admission in Australia, while the Arts component builds transferable skills valued across government, media, education, and corporate sectors.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

University of the Sunshine Coast is recognised for strong graduate outcomes and teaching quality in Australian university rankings, with a focus on employability, practical learning, and industry engagement.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Laws / Arts at University of the Sunshine Coast build practical legal and communication skills through a strong focus on hands-on learning, industry exposure, and real-world application of theory. Throughout the degree, students engage in interactive learning environments where legal reasoning, research, writing, and critical analysis are developed through applied tasks. The program is designed to connect academic study with professional practice through simulated legal environments, collaborative projects, and exposure to workplace-style learning:

Moot court & simulated legal training: Students participate in moot court exercises and simulated legal proceedings to develop advocacy, courtroom reasoning, and legal argumentation skills.
Work-integrated learning (WIL): Opportunities to undertake professional placements or industry-based learning experiences in legal, arts, media, or community organisations.
Legal research tools & databases: Access to university library legal research resources and databases commonly used in legal studies such as case law and legislation repositories.
Group-based learning projects: Collaborative assignments in law and arts units that develop teamwork, negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
On-campus learning facilities: Use of modern lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and student learning spaces designed to support interactive legal and humanities education.
Arts and communication learning environments: Access to creative and academic resources supporting studies in humanities, communication, and social sciences.
Library & academic support services: Comprehensive library services, academic skills workshops, and research support tailored to law and arts students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws / Arts at University of the Sunshine Coast develop a strong blend of legal expertise and broad humanities knowledge, equipping them to think critically, communicate effectively, and analyse complex social and legal issues. This combination prepares graduates for versatile careers across law, government, media, and community-focused organisations. Typical career paths include: Solicitor, Policy Advisor, Legal Researcher, and Communications Officer.

Career Opportunities: This dual degree gives graduates the flexibility to work across legal practice, public policy, advocacy, education, journalism, and corporate sectors where strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

University Services: UniSC’s Career Development and Employability Service supports students with career planning, job application assistance, resume and interview preparation, networking events, and access to industry engagement opportunities.
Employment Stats & Salary Figures: Graduates entering law and arts-related professions in Australia typically earn median salary ranges of approximately AUD $70,000 – $130,000, with higher earning potential as legal professionals gain experience and specialisation.
University–Industry Partnerships: Students benefit from connections with legal firms, government agencies, community organisations, media outlets, and public sector employers, supporting real-world learning and professional networking.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The law component provides the accredited pathway required for admission to legal practice in Australia, while the arts component strengthens transferable skills in analysis, communication, and critical thinking.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced legal reasoning, research capability, written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to interpret and respond to complex legal and social challenges.

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 study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Arts, Master of Public Policy, or higher research degrees including a PhD, enabling further specialisation in law, humanities, public affairs, media, and academic research.