Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wollongong

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Laws at the University of Wollongong combines critical legal training with broad humanities knowledge, preparing students for careers in law, policy, government, media, and international relations. It is ideal for students who want to understand both how law shapes society and how human culture, politics, and communication influence legal systems. Campus: UOW Wollongong Campus, New South Wales, Australia — a coastal, modern university setting close to Sydney’s major legal and government hubs.

Curriculum structure

First Year

In the first year, students are introduced to foundational legal principles alongside core arts disciplines that build critical thinking and communication skills. Law subjects such as Foundations of Law, Contracts A, and Torts A develop an understanding of the Australian legal system, while Arts units like Academic Communication in the Social Sciences and Introduction to Politics and Society strengthen writing, research, and analytical skills.

Second Year

The second year deepens legal knowledge while allowing students to explore chosen Arts majors such as politics, international studies, or communication. Core law subjects like Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Contracts B are paired with Arts units such as Global Politics or Media, Culture and Society, helping students connect legal systems with broader social and political contexts.

Third Year

In the third year, students move into more advanced legal study while continuing specialised Arts learning. Subjects such as Property Law, Administrative Law, and Equity and Trusts develop strong legal reasoning skills, while Arts electives like International Relations Theory or Cultural Studies enhance global awareness and critical analysis.

Fourth Year

The fourth year focuses on professional legal training and higher-level Arts specialisation. Units such as Civil Procedure, Evidence, and Corporations Law prepare students for real legal practice, while advanced Arts subjects and research-based coursework strengthen independent thinking and analytical depth.

Fifth Year

The final year emphasises professional readiness and experiential learning. Students complete advanced law units such as Legal Practice and Ethics and undertake Arts capstone projects alongside opportunities in the UOW Law Clinic, mooting competitions, and internships, building real-world legal and interdisciplinary experience.

Focus areas

Legal practice, constitutional law, criminal law, commercial law, international relations, political science, media and communication, public policy, human rights law, cultural studies, and governance.

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop advanced legal reasoning, critical thinking, communication skills, policy analysis ability, ethical judgement, and interdisciplinary understanding of law and society. They are prepared to work in legal practice, government, media, policy development, and international organisations.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws component satisfies academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia when followed by Practical Legal Training (PLT). The Arts component enhances employability across government, policy, and global communication sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Wollongong is recognised internationally for strong graduate outcomes and practical, industry-connected learning. It is ranked in global university rankings such as the QS World University Rankings, reflecting strong academic reputation and employer recognition.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Laws at the University of Wollongong develop practical legal and interdisciplinary skills through a strong mix of classroom learning, real-world legal training, and arts-based critical thinking. The program is designed so students don’t just study law in theory—they actively apply it through legal practice simulations, research tasks, communication-focused projects, and industry-engaged learning experiences. With access to modern teaching spaces, legal research tools, and university support services, students gradually build the confidence and professional capability needed for both legal and arts-related careers. Campus location: University of Wollongong, Wollongong Campus, New South Wales, Australia—a coastal, research-active campus close to Sydney’s professional and legal networks.

Experiential learning is embedded throughout the degree, helping students transition from academic study to real professional practice through hands-on learning environments and industry-style training:

Moot Court activities (UOW Law School): Students participate in simulated court proceedings where they develop advocacy, legal argumentation, and public speaking skills in a realistic courtroom setting.
UOW Legal research and online databases: Students gain experience using professional legal research tools such as Westlaw AU and Lexis Advance to analyse case law, legislation, and legal commentary.
UOW Library (Wollongong Campus): Access to extensive law and arts collections, academic journals, legal texts, study zones, and dedicated research support services for assignments and legal writing.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Opportunities for practical learning through structured activities that connect academic knowledge with real legal and professional environments.
Internships and professional exposure opportunities: Students may engage with legal firms, government organisations, community services, and arts-related industries through placements and industry-linked experiences.
Group projects and interdisciplinary learning: Collaborative assignments across law and arts subjects build teamwork, communication, research, and problem-solving skills relevant to professional workplaces.
Arts-based creative and research learning: Depending on chosen Arts majors, students engage in research projects, communication tasks, cultural analysis, and critical thinking exercises that complement legal studies.
UOW Careers and Employability services: Support includes career planning, resume building, interview preparation, employer networking events, and graduate employment guidance.
Legal and professional skills workshops: Training in legal writing, negotiation, ethics, case analysis, and communication ensures students are workplace-ready upon graduation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Laws at the University of Wollongong prepares graduates for versatile careers across law, government, media, international relations, and policy, combining strong legal expertise with deep critical thinking and communication skills from the arts discipline. Graduates are well-positioned for roles that require both analytical legal knowledge and a strong understanding of society, culture, and human behaviour. Typical career pathways include Lawyer, Policy Advisor, Human Rights Officer, Legal Consultant, and Government Relations Specialist.

The University of Wollongong supports strong graduate outcomes through industry engagement, practical legal training, and dedicated career development services, including:

UOW Careers and Employability Services: Students receive personalised career guidance, resume and interview workshops, employer networking events, internship support, and graduate job search assistance to strengthen employability outcomes across legal and arts-related fields.
Interdisciplinary skill development (Arts + Law): Students build advanced capabilities in legal reasoning, writing, communication, cultural analysis, research, advocacy, and critical thinking, creating strong adaptability across multiple industries.
Legal and professional learning opportunities: UOW Law provides access to mooting competitions, legal research activities, advocacy training, and practical case-based learning to develop real-world legal skills.
Arts-based industry relevance and networks: The Arts component strengthens graduate pathways into policy, media, international relations, social research, and public service, supported by academic and industry-informed learning experiences.
Industry engagement and professional exposure: Students benefit from connections with legal practitioners, government organisations, community services, and industry professionals through events, guest lectures, and networking opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia when followed by Practical Legal Training (PLT), providing a direct pathway into the legal profession.
Graduate employment outcomes: Graduates pursue careers across legal practice, public policy, diplomacy, journalism, communications, advocacy organisations, international organisations, and government advisory roles.
Employment and salary outcomes: While official UOW-specific salary data is not published for this combined degree, the indicative median salary range for early-career law graduates in Australia is approximately AUD $65,000–$95,000 per year, with higher progression potential in corporate law, government advisory, and senior policy roles.
Strong career flexibility and global relevance: The combination of law and arts equips graduates with transferable skills suited for both domestic and international careers in law, governance, communication, and cultural policy.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Laws, graduates may pursue Practical Legal Training (PLT) such as the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice to qualify for admission as a lawyer in Australia. Students may also continue into postgraduate study including a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of International Relations, public policy or communication degrees, or honours and research pathways. This combined qualification also provides a strong foundation for doctoral study (PhD) in law, humanities, social sciences, or interdisciplinary policy and legal research fields.