Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queensland University of Technology

Program Overview

Designed for students who already hold a completed degree in another discipline, QUT’s Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry) allows you to transition into the legal profession in an accelerated format while gaining advanced honours-level legal training. The program combines core legal knowledge with practical industry experience, emerging legal technologies, and professional skills development, preparing graduates for modern careers in legal practice, government, business, and policy. Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – Gardens Point Campus, Brisbane, Queensland

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Your first year establishes a strong foundation in legal principles, legal reasoning, and professional practice. You begin exploring fundamental areas of law through units such as Contract Law, Legal Research, and Torts, while developing legal writing, case analysis, and advocacy skills essential for professional legal work. The curriculum is designed to help graduate-entry students transition quickly into legal study while building confidence in legal research and interpretation.

Year 2

In the second year, you expand your understanding of public and private law while strengthening analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Core areas including Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Equity and Trusts introduce complex legal frameworks that govern government decision-making, rights, responsibilities, and legal remedies. Students also begin engaging more deeply with professional legal practice and contemporary legal issues affecting society and business.

Year 3

The final year focuses on advanced legal knowledge, professional ethics, and honours-level research. Students complete units such as Ethics and the Legal Profession, Corporate Law, and the Legal Research Capstone, while also undertaking advanced law electives that allow exploration of specialist areas. During this stage, students refine professional judgement, research expertise, and industry readiness while preparing for admission pathways into the Australian legal profession.

Focus Areas:

Contract Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Equity and Trusts, Corporate Law, Legal Research, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Commercial and Personal Property Law, Law and Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Legal Innovation, Advocacy, Legal Practice Skills.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal reasoning and research skills; interpret and apply Australian legal principles; analyse complex legal problems; communicate professional legal advice effectively; understand emerging legal technologies and innovation; demonstrate ethical and professional legal practice capabilities; undertake honours-level legal research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is an approved law degree recognised by the Legal Practitioners' Admissions Board (LPAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to the Australian legal profession, subject to completion of approved Practical Legal Training (PLT). QUT is also one of the few Australian law schools offering an approved pathway through its Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

QUT Law is recognised for its strong industry engagement and practical learning approach. The university is ranked No. 1 in Queensland for Industry Engagement and No. 1 in Queensland for Teaching Quality, with extensive experiential learning opportunities supported by more than 600 industry partners across legal, government, corporate, and community sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

QUT’s graduate-entry law program is designed to immerse students in practical legal training from the beginning of their studies. Rather than focusing solely on legal theory, students develop professional skills through authentic legal scenarios, advocacy exercises, research projects, and industry-connected learning experiences. The program is supported by QUT’s modern legal education facilities, digital research resources, and strong links with the legal profession, helping students build the confidence and practical expertise expected of future lawyers.

Students gain hands-on experience through real-world learning opportunities and professional engagement activities, including:

Moot Courts at QUT Law School where students practise advocacy, courtroom procedure, legal argumentation, and oral presentations in realistic court environments
Legal Clinic opportunities that allow eligible students to work on real legal matters under professional supervision while assisting clients and community organisations
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences through internships, industry projects, legal placements, and professional engagement activities
Industry engagement with law firms, barristers, courts, government agencies, community legal centres, and corporate legal departments
Advanced legal research training using professional legal databases including LexisNexis, Westlaw, and other specialist legal research platforms commonly used in legal practice
Collaborative case analysis and group-based legal problem-solving projects that replicate professional legal teamwork environments
Honours-level legal research project, allowing students to investigate complex legal issues and develop advanced analytical and research skills
QUT Library services and specialist law collections, providing access to extensive legal databases, legislation resources, law reports, journals, and digital research tools
Technology-enhanced learning through QUT digital platforms, enabling access to legal resources, virtual collaboration, online case materials, and interactive learning activities
Guest lectures, professional seminars, networking events, and practitioner-led workshops delivered by members of the legal profession and judiciary
Opportunities to participate in mooting, negotiation, client interviewing, and dispute resolution competitions, helping students build practical legal skills valued by employers
Access to QUT's Gardens Point precinct, located near Brisbane’s legal and government district, providing close connections to courts, legal institutions, and professional networking opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities

Designed for graduates who already hold a bachelor's degree, QUT’s Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry) provides an accelerated pathway into the legal profession while developing advanced legal research, advocacy, and analytical skills. The honours component adds depth to legal training and strengthens graduates’ competitiveness in both employment and postgraduate study. Graduates commonly pursue careers as solicitors, corporate legal advisers, government lawyers, policy advisers, and compliance and risk professionals: opening opportunities across legal practice, government, business, and regulatory sectors.

Future progression and career opportunities are supported through QUT’s strong industry engagement, practical learning focus, and graduate employability services:

QUT Careers and Employability provides personalised career consultations, job-search support, employer networking events, mentoring programs, interview preparation, and resume development services
QUT Law School’s practical learning approach develops workplace-ready skills in advocacy, legal research, negotiation, dispute resolution, and professional ethics
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities connect students with legal practice environments, industry projects, internships, and professional experiences
Industry connections with leading law firms, courts, government departments, community legal centres, and corporate legal teams provide valuable networking and career development opportunities
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT)
Honours-level qualification demonstrates advanced legal research and analytical capability, which is highly valued by employers and postgraduate institutions
Graduate-entry structure enables students to leverage their previous degree, creating specialised career opportunities in areas such as business law, health law, environmental law, technology law, public policy, and corporate governance
Strong graduate outcomes across private legal practice, government, corporate advisory services, compliance, and regulatory sectors
Transferable professional skills in communication, leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving support career mobility across industries

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Graduate Lawyer / Solicitor: approximately AUD $75,000 – $120,000+
Corporate Legal Adviser: approximately AUD $90,000 – $150,000+
Government Lawyer / Policy Adviser: approximately AUD $85,000 – $140,000+
Compliance, Risk, or Regulatory Specialist: approximately AUD $95,000 – $160,000+

Estimated Median Salary Range:
Graduates entering legal, corporate, government, and regulatory professions typically achieve a median salary of approximately AUD $85,000 – $120,000, with strong long-term earning potential through legal admission, specialisation, partnership pathways, executive leadership, and senior advisory roles.

Further Academic Progression:

After graduation, students can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a solicitor in Australia. Graduates may also pursue advanced study through a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Policy, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or specialist postgraduate qualifications in areas such as commercial law, intellectual property, dispute resolution, international law, technology law, and governance. These pathways can lead to senior legal practice, policy leadership, corporate executive roles, and academic research careers.