Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queensland University of Technology

Program Overview

professional legal training, creating a strong pathway into areas where science, technology, policy, and law intersect. Students develop advanced analytical, research, and problem-solving skills while studying both scientific disciplines and core areas of Australian law, making the program ideal for those interested in careers involving environmental regulation, intellectual property, biotechnology, climate policy, health law, or scientific research. Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove Campuses, Brisbane, Queensland

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In the first year, students build foundations in both science and law while developing university-level research and analytical skills. Science studies begin with core scientific concepts and quantitative methods, while law introduces students to legal reasoning, legal institutions, and foundational legal principles through areas such as Legal Research, Contract Law, and introductory science core units linked to the chosen major. This year helps students understand how scientific evidence and legal systems interact in real-world decision-making.

Year 2:
The second year expands both scientific knowledge and legal understanding. Students continue developing expertise within their selected science major—such as Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Climate Science, Earth Science, or Physics—while progressing through key legal subjects including Torts, Constitutional Law, and Administrative Law. Greater emphasis is placed on scientific investigation, evidence evaluation, and legal analysis.

Year 3:
By the third year, students begin applying science and law to increasingly complex issues. Science studies involve advanced laboratory, fieldwork, or research-based learning depending on the chosen major, while legal studies move into areas such as Commercial and Personal Property Law, Equity and Trusts, and deeper legal research. Students start examining how legal frameworks influence scientific innovation, environmental management, and technological development.

Year 4:
The fourth year focuses on advanced disciplinary knowledge and professional application. Students strengthen their scientific expertise through specialised major units while exploring contemporary legal issues such as Law, Technology and Innovation, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Issues, and policy-related legal challenges. The integration of science and law becomes increasingly important as students analyse real-world regulatory and technological problems.

Year 5:
In the fifth year, students undertake advanced law studies and honours-level learning. Subjects such as Legal Research, Corporate Law, and Ethics and the Legal Profession develop sophisticated legal reasoning, professional responsibility, and research capability. Students also begin advanced law electives, allowing them to explore specialised areas aligned with their scientific interests and career goals.

Year 5.5:
The final semister is focused on professional readiness, advanced legal scholarship, and specialised expertise. Students complete honours-level components including the Legal Research Capstone, advanced law electives, and specialised law studies. By graduation, students have developed the ability to analyse complex scientific and legal challenges while preparing for careers in law, science, policy, research, regulation, and innovation-focused industries.

Focus Areas:

Scientific research, environmental law, intellectual property law, biotechnology regulation, climate science, technology and innovation law, legal research, policy development, scientific data analysis, regulatory governance, evidence-based decision-making, sustainability and environmental management.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced scientific knowledge within a chosen major; apply legal reasoning to complex scientific and technological issues; analyse quantitative and scientific evidence; conduct professional legal and scientific research; communicate complex findings effectively; evaluate regulatory and policy frameworks; solve interdisciplinary legal and scientific 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, 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 is recognised for its strong industry engagement, practical learning approach, and graduate employability. The university is widely known for producing work-ready graduates, while the law program emphasises emerging fields such as intellectual property, technology, environmental regulation, and innovation-focused legal practice. Students also benefit from access to QUT’s $230 million Science and Engineering Precinct, supporting advanced scientific education and research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This double degree allows students to develop practical scientific expertise alongside professional legal skills, creating graduates who can navigate complex scientific, technological, environmental, and regulatory challenges. Learning extends well beyond lectures, with students gaining hands-on experience through laboratory work, scientific investigations, research projects, legal problem-solving exercises, and industry-engaged learning. QUT's advanced research facilities, specialist laboratories, and practical legal training environments ensure students graduate with both technical and professional capabilities highly valued by employers.

Students build real-world experience through scientific experimentation, research activities, collaborative projects, and authentic legal practice opportunities, supported by industry-standard facilities and technologies:

State-of-the-art science laboratories supporting practical learning across biological sciences, environmental science, chemistry, physics, and related scientific disciplines
Hands-on laboratory classes and experimental research projects that develop technical, analytical, and scientific investigation skills
QUT Law School's practical legal education model, including legal research, advocacy, negotiation, dispute resolution, and case analysis activities
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities that may include internships, industry placements, research collaborations, and professional projects depending on the chosen science major
Industry-standard scientific equipment and technologies used for data collection, laboratory analysis, scientific modelling, and research applications
Research-focused learning environments connected to QUT's internationally recognised science and technology research institutes
Collaborative group projects where students work in multidisciplinary teams to solve scientific and legal challenges
Access to QUT Library's extensive scientific and legal databases, including scholarly journals, legislation resources, case law databases, and specialised research collections
Scientific fieldwork opportunities available within selected science majors, enabling students to apply scientific methods in real-world environments
QUT's digital learning platforms and research software tools that support scientific data analysis, collaboration, research communication, and project management
Industry engagement through QUT's science and law networks, providing exposure to professional practitioners, researchers, government agencies, and industry partners
Honours-level legal research training that develops advanced analytical, research, and evidence-based problem-solving skills

Progression & Future Opportunities

This double degree equips graduates with a rare combination of scientific expertise and legal knowledge, enabling them to navigate complex issues involving technology, regulation, innovation, health, and environmental policy. Graduates develop strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued across legal, scientific, regulatory, and commercial sectors. Career opportunities include lawyer, patent attorney trainee, regulatory affairs specialist, environmental consultant, science policy adviser, and compliance manager: creating pathways into industries where scientific understanding and legal expertise are equally important.

Future progression and career opportunities are strengthened through QUT’s industry-connected education, practical learning experiences, and professional recognition:

QUT Careers and Employability provides career coaching, job-search assistance, employer networking events, resume reviews, interview preparation, mentoring programs, and graduate recruitment support
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities allow students to participate in internships, industry placements, professional projects, laboratory-based experiences, and real-world problem-solving activities
QUT's strong partnerships with industry, government agencies, research organisations, health sectors, environmental organisations, and technology companies help students build professional networks and industry experience
Access to QUT’s research-intensive science environment gives students exposure to contemporary scientific research, innovation projects, and industry collaborations
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 develops advanced research and analytical capabilities that are highly valued by employers and postgraduate programs
Science and law expertise creates opportunities in intellectual property, biotechnology regulation, environmental law, health law, scientific policy, and technology governance
Graduates possess transferable skills in critical thinking, legal analysis, scientific investigation, data interpretation, and evidence-based decision-making
Strong graduate outcomes across legal practice, government, scientific organisations, regulatory agencies, research institutions, and private industry

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Graduate Lawyer / Solicitor: approximately AUD $75,000 – $120,000+
Regulatory Affairs or Compliance Specialist: approximately AUD $90,000 – $140,000+
Science Policy Adviser / Government Scientist: approximately AUD $85,000 – $130,000+
Patent and Intellectual Property Professional: approximately AUD $100,000 – $160,000+

Estimated Median Salary Range:
Graduates working across science, law, policy, intellectual property, and regulatory sectors typically achieve a median salary of approximately AUD $90,000 – $125,000, with substantial long-term earning potential in specialised legal practice, scientific consulting, patent law, regulatory leadership, and executive management.

Further Academic Progression:

After graduation, students can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a solicitor in Australia. Depending on their science specialisation, graduates may continue with postgraduate study through a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Science, Master of Biotechnology, Master of Environmental Management, or doctoral research programs. These pathways can lead to advanced careers in scientific research, intellectual property law, environmental regulation, health policy, innovation management, and academic research.