Bachelor of Communication and Media - Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wollongong

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Communication and Media - Bachelor of Laws at the University of Wollongong is a double degree designed for students who want to combine strong legal training with modern communication, media, and digital storytelling skills. It is delivered at the University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, and suits students interested in law, journalism, media industries, public communication, and advocacy.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in both law and communication. You are introduced to core legal principles through subjects such as Foundations of Law and Criminal Law, while also developing media skills through Introduction to Communication and Media Studies and Media, Culture and Society. This year focuses on building critical thinking, academic writing, and understanding how law and media shape society.

Year 2:

In Year 2, students deepen their legal understanding with subjects like Torts Law and Constitutional Law, while media studies expand into Digital Communication and Media Law and Ethics. This stage strengthens analytical skills and introduces the relationship between law, regulation, and media industries.

Year 3:

Year 3 becomes more advanced, with students studying areas such as Administrative Law and Contract Law, alongside communication-focused units like Public Relations and Strategic Communication and Media Production Practice. This year emphasizes applying legal reasoning and developing professional media production skills.

Year 4:

In the fourth year, students engage with higher-level law subjects such as Equity and Trusts and Evidence Law, while communication studies may include Journalism and Digital Media Practice and Communication Research Methods. This year focuses heavily on professional application, research, and industry-style projects.

Year 5:

The final year integrates both disciplines through advanced legal study such as Corporate Law and Legal Practice Electives, alongside communication subjects like Media Industries and Professional Practice. Students complete capstone-style learning experiences that combine legal analysis with real-world media and communication problem-solving.

Focus Areas:

Law, Media and Communication Practice, Media Regulation and Ethics, Digital Journalism, Public Communication, Corporate and Constitutional Law, Legal Research and Advocacy

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop strong legal reasoning, advanced communication and media production skills, critical analysis of law and society, and the ability to work across legal, media, and public communication environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws component is designed to meet academic requirements for progression toward legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training). The communication and media component aligns with industry expectations in journalism, public relations, media production, and corporate communication sectors.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

The University of Wollongong is internationally recognised and consistently ranked in global university rankings such as the QS World University Rankings, reflecting strong teaching quality, research output, and graduate employability outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Wollongong, the Bachelor of Communication and Media - Bachelor of Laws is built around hands-on, industry-aligned learning where students actively develop both legal and media production skills. You won’t just study communication theory or legal principles—you’ll apply them through real media production tasks, legal simulations, and professional-style projects. Students build confidence using industry-standard tools for digital content creation, legal research, storytelling, and advocacy, while also working in collaborative environments that reflect real newsroom, agency, and legal practice settings.

Experiential Learning includes direct exposure to professional tools, practical environments, and applied legal-media training:

Media Production Studios & Editing Suites : hands-on training in audio, video, and digital content production using industry-standard editing software and studio equipment
Moot Court & Legal Advocacy Training : simulated courtrooms where students practise legal argumentation, public speaking, and case preparation
Professional Legal Research Tools : access to databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis for case law research and legal writing assignments
Communication & Digital Media Projects : group-based production of news stories, campaigns, documentaries, and multimedia content
Work-Integrated Learning (Internships) : opportunities with media organisations, legal firms, government departments, and communication agencies
UOW Library & Digital Learning Resources : extensive legal collections, media archives, journals, and online research databases supporting coursework and projects
Collaborative Industry-Style Projects : teamwork-based assignments simulating newsroom environments, PR agencies, and legal communications teams
Ethics, Law & Media Practice Simulations : scenario-based learning focused on media law, defamation, regulation, and professional communication standards

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication and Media - Bachelor of Laws at the University of Wollongong develop a powerful mix of legal expertise and advanced communication skills, preparing them for careers where law, media, public messaging, and policy intersect. This combination is highly valued in industries that rely on clear communication, critical thinking, and legal understanding. Many graduates move into roles such as media lawyer, communications officer in government, policy advisor, or corporate communications specialist: working across legal, media, and public-facing sectors where both accuracy and storytelling matter.

Career pathways (typical roles): Media Lawyer, Corporate Communications Specialist, Policy Advisor, Public Relations Officer (with legal/regulatory focus)
University employability support: University of Wollongong Careers & Employability Service provides personalised career counselling, internship placement support, resume and interview training, and access to graduate employment networks and industry opportunities
Employment outcomes & salary figures: graduates in law and communication fields typically earn in the approximate range of AUD $65,000–$120,000+ per year, depending on whether they enter legal practice, media organisations, government, or corporate communications roles
University–industry partnerships: engagement with media organisations, government departments, legal professionals, and communications agencies supports internships, industry projects, and real-world learning experiences
Long-term accreditation value: the law component supports the academic pathway toward legal practice (subject to Practical Legal Training), while the communication and media component strengthens employability across media, public relations, and corporate sectors
Graduation outcomes: graduates are well-prepared for flexible careers across legal, media, and public policy environments, with strong demand for professionals who can navigate both legal frameworks and public communication

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this double degree, graduates can progress into the Juris Doctor (JD) or Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice to qualify for admission as a lawyer. Many also pursue postgraduate study in areas such as media law, international law, public relations, communication strategy, or public policy, enabling advancement into senior advisory, leadership, or specialist roles across legal, media, and government sectors.