Bachelor of Justice/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

6 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queensland University of Technology

Program Overview

This double degree combines legal expertise with a deep understanding of justice systems, policy, governance, and social reform, preparing graduates to address complex legal and societal challenges. It is ideal for students interested in law, criminal justice, public policy, investigations, and social justice who want to build a career influencing legal and justice outcomes across government, community, and private sectors. Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – Gardens Point Campus (Law) and Kelvin Grove Campus (Justice), Brisbane, Queensland

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students build foundational knowledge of both justice and law while developing critical thinking and legal reasoning skills. Early studies typically introduce justice concepts, legal institutions, and the Australian legal system through units such as Introduction to Justice Research, Foundations of Law, and Legal Research and Writing, helping students understand how law and justice interact in society.

Year 2:
The second year expands students’ understanding of legal principles and justice systems. Students explore areas such as Contract Law, Torts, and justice-focused studies related to crime, policy, governance, and social issues, developing stronger analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Year 3:
Students continue studying both disciplines while beginning to specialise within their Justice major. Depending on their chosen pathway—Criminology and Violence Prevention, Investigations and Intelligence, or Policy, Politics and Social Reform—they combine specialised justice studies with core law units such as Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Commercial and Personal Property Law.

Year 4:
The program becomes increasingly law-focused, with students developing expertise in advanced legal areas. Subjects such as Equity and Trusts, Evidence, and advanced law electives strengthen professional legal knowledge while encouraging deeper engagement with contemporary legal and regulatory issues.

Year 5:
Students undertake higher-level legal studies, law electives, and Honours-level learning experiences. They explore specialised legal topics, develop advanced legal research capabilities, and apply legal knowledge to complex professional scenarios while refining advocacy and legal problem-solving skills.

Year 5.5:
In the final stage of the degree, students complete remaining Honours requirements, advanced electives, and practical learning experiences. Justice students may undertake a Professional Justice Placement, Professional Placement in First Nations Justice Sectors, or a Justice Industry Project, enabling them to gain real-world industry experience before graduation.

Focus Areas:

Criminology and Violence Prevention, Investigations and Intelligence, Policy Politics and Social Reform, Legal Research, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Commercial and Property Law, Social Justice, Governance, Advocacy, Law Reform, Public Policy.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal knowledge, understand justice systems and public policy, analyse complex legal and social issues, conduct legal and justice research, evaluate governance and regulatory frameworks, communicate effectively in professional contexts, and design solutions to legal and justice challenges.

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 (PLT) to qualify as solicitors.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

QUT is recognised for producing highly employable graduates and maintains strong industry connections across law, justice, government, and policy sectors. The program incorporates industry projects, professional placements, and engagement with leading legal and justice experts, helping graduates develop practical skills valued by employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Justice/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is designed around real-world learning from the beginning of the degree. Students develop practical legal and justice-sector skills through industry placements, professional projects, mock trials, policy analysis, and exposure to real legal and justice environments. QUT's strong connections with law firms, government departments, legal services, justice agencies, and community organisations ensure students graduate with hands-on experience and professional networks that are highly valued by employers.

Students gain practical experience through industry engagement, specialised facilities, and applied learning opportunities throughout the program:

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) electives that include legal internships, professional placements, and industry projects with law firms, government departments, in-house legal teams, and non-profit organisations
Justice Capstone Project with options including a professional justice placement, First Nations justice placement, or a justice industry project, allowing students to apply their learning in real workplace settings
Moot courts and mock trials where students develop advocacy, litigation, legal research, and courtroom presentation skills in simulated legal proceedings
Industry projects and analysis of real cases and legislation, helping students solve contemporary legal and justice challenges using authentic scenarios
Role-play dispute resolution exercises, legal drafting activities, client advisory letters, and public policy reports integrated into law assessments
QUT Law Library at Gardens Point, providing access to specialist legal databases, case law resources, legislation collections, and research support
Courtroom and legal training facilities that support advocacy training, mooting competitions, and professional legal skills development
Industry-designed curriculum developed in consultation with legal and justice-sector partners to ensure graduates develop relevant and current professional skills
Placement partnerships across legal services, government agencies, community organisations, and justice-related sectors, helping students build professional experience before graduation
Law, Technology and Innovation study options, exploring emerging technologies and their impact on legal practice and justice systems
International study and placement opportunities that allow students to broaden their understanding of justice systems and legal practice in global contexts
Professional networking initiatives, including engagement with judges, legal practitioners, policy experts, and justice-sector leaders through QUT Law programs and events

Progression & Future Opportunities

This double degree combines professional legal education with a comprehensive understanding of the justice system, crime prevention, policy development, and social justice issues. Graduates develop expertise in both legal practice and justice-related fields, making them highly sought after across government, law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and legal services. Career opportunities include lawyer, policy adviser, criminal justice officer, government investigator, compliance officer, and regulatory affairs specialist: providing a strong foundation for careers focused on law, justice, public policy, and community outcomes.

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

QUT Careers and Employability provides personalised career consultations, resume and interview support, networking events, mentoring opportunities, and access to graduate recruitment programs
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities allow students to gain real-world experience through internships, placements, legal clinics, industry projects, and professional practice experiences
QUT Law School's practical legal education model develops advocacy, legal research, negotiation, dispute resolution, and professional practice skills highly valued by employers
Industry engagement with government departments, justice agencies, community legal centres, regulatory bodies, and non-government organisations helps students build professional networks before graduation
QUT's Justice program incorporates contemporary justice issues, preparing graduates for careers in criminal justice, policy, corrections, regulation, and public administration
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 strengthens research capabilities and provides a competitive advantage for graduate employment and postgraduate study
Graduates possess interdisciplinary expertise in law, justice, policy, ethics, governance, and social impact assessment
Strong graduate outcomes across legal services, government agencies, courts, regulatory authorities, and justice-related organisations

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Graduate Lawyer / Solicitor: approximately AUD $75,000 – $120,000+
Policy Adviser / Government Officer: approximately AUD $85,000 – $130,000+
Compliance or Regulatory Officer: approximately AUD $85,000 – $140,000+
Justice, Investigations, or Corrections Professional: approximately AUD $80,000 – $125,000+

Estimated Median Salary Range:
Graduates working across law, justice, policy, and regulatory sectors typically achieve a median salary of approximately AUD $85,000 – $120,000, with significant growth potential through legal admission, leadership roles, specialised investigations, public sector advancement, and regulatory expertise.

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 postgraduate study through a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Master of Public Policy, Master of Business Administration (MBA), or research higher degrees in law, justice studies, criminology, governance, or public administration. These pathways can lead to senior positions in legal practice, government leadership, criminal justice reform, policy development, and academic research.