Bachelor of Creative Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queensland University of Technology

Program Overview

Campus Location: Kelvin Grove Campus and Gardens Point Campus, Brisbane, Queensland

This innovative double degree at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) combines professional legal education with intensive creative arts training, allowing students to develop expertise in both creative practice and the law. It is ideal for students who want to work in creative industries, media, entertainment, intellectual property, arts management, or legal practice while building strong creative, analytical, and communication skills.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build foundational skills across both creative arts and law. Creative Arts studies introduce professional creative practice, collaboration, communication, and industry awareness, while introductory law units develop an understanding of the Australian legal system and legal reasoning. Students also complete QUT You units designed to strengthen future-focused capabilities and employability.

Year 2

The second year expands students' legal knowledge through core areas such as Contract Law, Legal Research, and foundational legal principles. At the same time, students begin developing expertise within their chosen Creative Arts major, such as Animation, Creative Writing, Drama, Film and Screen, Music, or Visual Arts, while continuing to build practical creative skills through studio-based learning.

Year 3

Students deepen both their legal and creative capabilities through more advanced studies. Law units introduce areas such as Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Commercial and Personal Property Law, while Creative Arts studies focus on research, experimentation, and the development of an individual creative practice. Students increasingly engage with industry-relevant projects and professional creative workflows.

Year 4

By fourth year, students apply their knowledge in increasingly professional contexts. Creative Arts studies emphasise advanced project development, collaboration, and industry engagement, while law studies strengthen skills in critical analysis, negotiation, legal problem-solving, and professional communication. Students may also undertake work-integrated learning opportunities, internships, legal clinics, community justice projects, or study tours.

Year 5

The fifth year focuses predominantly on advanced law studies. Students complete higher-level legal subjects, explore specialised areas of interest through law electives, and further develop professional legal skills required for practice. Creative Arts students continue refining their professional portfolio and preparing for industry engagement.

Final Semester (0.5 Year)

In the final stage of the program, students complete their remaining Honours-level law requirements and advanced legal electives. Creative Arts students showcase their work to industry professionals through graduate exhibitions and presentations, while law students consolidate the knowledge and competencies required for admission pathways into the legal profession.

Focus Areas:

Creative practice, animation, creative writing, drama, film and screen, music, visual arts, intellectual property, media law, contract law, constitutional law, legal research, advocacy, creative entrepreneurship, entertainment law, professional communication, industry engagement.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced creative practice skills; understand the Australian legal system and core areas of law; build expertise in legal research, negotiation, advocacy, and problem-solving; create professional creative works; apply critical and creative thinking to real-world challenges; and graduate with the ability to operate across both legal and creative industries.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is approved by the Legal Practitioners' Admissions Board (LPAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to the Australian legal profession. Graduates can proceed to approved Practical Legal Training to qualify as a solicitor.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

QUT is widely recognised for its strong industry engagement, work-integrated learning opportunities, and focus on producing work-ready graduates. The law program is taught by award-winning academics and industry professionals, while the Creative Arts program provides direct engagement with industry experts and real-world creative practice.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This double degree gives students the opportunity to develop as both creative practitioners and legal professionals through hands-on studio work, industry projects, and authentic legal experiences. Throughout the course, students create original artistic work, collaborate with peers across creative disciplines, and engage with professional legal practice through practical learning activities. QUT's close connections with the creative industries and its emphasis on real-world learning ensure that students graduate with a portfolio of creative work alongside strong legal research, advocacy, and problem-solving skills:

Creative Industries Precinct (Kelvin Grove Campus) – a purpose-built creative hub featuring professional studios, performance spaces, rehearsal rooms, exhibition venues, and collaborative learning environments
Industry-standard creative studios and production facilities supporting visual arts, performance, digital media, music, and interdisciplinary creative projects
The Cube – one of the world's largest digital interactive learning and display spaces, providing opportunities for immersive creative experimentation and digital storytelling
Student-led and collaborative creative projects that mirror professional arts practice and encourage cross-disciplinary teamwork
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities through internships, industry placements, live projects, and partnerships with arts organisations and creative businesses
QUT Law School practical learning experiences, including mooting competitions, legal research projects, advocacy training, and client-focused legal problem-solving
Law internships and legal placement opportunities through QUT's professional networks and industry partnerships
Industry engagement with galleries, arts organisations, creative enterprises, festivals, and legal professionals, providing valuable networking and professional experience
Advanced digital technologies and specialist software relevant to students' chosen creative arts major, including creative production, design, editing, and digital content development tools
QUT Library collections and specialist creative resources, including extensive legal databases, creative research materials, archives, and digital collections
Creative Industries Faculty research centres and institutes, connecting students with contemporary creative practice, innovation, and industry-led research
Professional exhibitions, performances, showcases, and public presentations, enabling students to build portfolios and gain exposure to industry audiences

Progression & Future Opportunities

This double degree allows students to combine creative practice with professional legal training, developing both artistic expertise and advanced legal reasoning skills. Graduates are equipped to work across the creative, cultural, entertainment, and legal sectors, with career pathways including entertainment lawyer, arts manager, creative producer, intellectual property adviser, policy officer, and cultural sector consultant. The combination of creative innovation and legal knowledge gives graduates a unique competitive advantage in industries where creativity, regulation, and intellectual property intersect: opening opportunities across both professional and creative fields.

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

QUT Careers and Employability offers personalised career planning, resume reviews, interview coaching, employer networking events, mentoring programs, and graduate recruitment support
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities allow students to engage in internships, industry placements, professional projects, and real-world creative collaborations
QUT Creative Industries partnerships connect students with arts organisations, cultural institutions, festivals, production companies, galleries, and creative enterprises
Industry engagement through QUT Creative Industries Faculty provides access to professional practitioners, guest lectures, live industry briefs, and networking opportunities with employers
QUT Law School's practical and industry-focused curriculum develops advocacy, negotiation, legal research, and problem-solving skills highly valued by employers
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 legal qualification enhances research capability and strengthens applications for competitive graduate and postgraduate opportunities
Graduates develop transferable skills in communication, project management, creative problem-solving, legal analysis, and leadership
Career flexibility across creative industries, legal services, government agencies, cultural organisations, media companies, and arts management sectors

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Entertainment or Intellectual Property Lawyer: approximately AUD $85,000 – $160,000+
Arts Manager / Cultural Manager: approximately AUD $80,000 – $130,000+
Creative Producer / Project Manager: approximately AUD $75,000 – $125,000+
Policy Adviser / Cultural Sector Consultant: approximately AUD $85,000 – $140,000+

Estimated Median Salary Range:
Graduates from creative arts and law-related professions typically achieve a median salary of approximately AUD $85,000 – $120,000, with significant earning potential as they progress into senior legal, creative leadership, intellectual property, or executive management positions.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a solicitor in Australia. Students may also pursue postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Creative Industries, Master of Business Administration (MBA), or research higher degrees in creative practice, arts management, intellectual property law, cultural policy, or media studies. These pathways can lead to advanced professional roles, academic research, and leadership positions across the legal, creative, and cultural sectors.