Bachelor of Communication in Creative Writing Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Technology Sydney

Program Overview

The UTS Bachelor of Communication in Creative Writing combined with the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is a five-year double degree for students who want to build strong creative writing skills while also gaining a professional legal qualification. It suits students who are passionate about storytelling but also want the option to work in law, media, publishing, or related fields. Campuses: City Campus (Ultimo, Sydney), Moore Park Campus (Sydney), Botany Campus (Sydney), and Kuring-gai Campus (Sydney) – New South Wales, Australia.

You will develop the ability to think critically, write creatively, and analyse complex legal and communication issues across two complementary disciplines.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you build core foundations in both communication and law through subjects such as Communication and Society, Communication and Technology, and Narrative in Theory and Practice. Alongside this, you begin developing essential creative writing skills while being introduced to fundamental legal concepts and academic thinking.

Year 2

In year two, you deepen your creative writing practice through subjects like Imagining the Real and Writing Through Form and Genre, where you explore different styles, genres, and narrative techniques. At the same time, you progress into core law subjects that introduce you to legal principles and structured legal reasoning.

Year 3

In the third year, your creative writing becomes more advanced through units such as Experiments in Creative Writing, Adaptations, and Publishing Industry Practices, where you refine your voice and understand how writing connects to real publishing environments. You also continue developing your legal knowledge through more structured law studies.

Year 4

In year four, you focus on higher-level learning with a Major Writing Project alongside advanced law subjects, including research-focused legal studies. This year strengthens your ability to produce original creative work while also building strong analytical and legal research skills.

Year 5

In your final year, you complete the honours-level law component through Research Methodology and a Research Thesis, while also finalising your communication studies. This year prepares you for professional legal practice or further academic study, combining advanced writing, research, and legal expertise.

Focus Areas

Creative writing, storytelling, publishing, communication theory, legal studies, legal research, critical thinking, media and law integration

Learning Outcomes

Graduates gain advanced skills in creative writing, legal reasoning, communication analysis, and independent research. You will leave the program with strong professional writing abilities and a unique combination of creative and legal expertise.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree meets the academic requirements for entry into legal practice in New South Wales, subject to completing practical legal training. It is designed to prepare students for careers in law, publishing, media, and communication industries.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

UTS is well recognised for its strong reputation in both law and communication, with a focus on practical, industry-connected learning. It consistently performs well in graduate employability outcomes across professional and creative sectors in Australia.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Communication in Creative Writing / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) gain practical, industry-aligned experience by combining creative writing workshops with real legal training in a professional, practice-focused learning environment. The program develops both storytelling and legal expertise through studio-based writing practice, legal simulation, and industry engagement across Sydney’s media and legal precinct. Students regularly work on publishing-style writing tasks alongside legal case analysis using professional research tools and collaborative project work:

UTS Creative Writing Studios: Students develop fiction, non-fiction, and professional writing skills through workshop-based classes that simulate real publishing environments.
Legal Research Platforms (LexisNexis, Westlaw, AustLII): Students use professional legal databases for case law research, statutory interpretation, and legal analysis.
UTS Law Moot Courts & Simulation Spaces: Students practise advocacy, argument structure, and legal reasoning through simulated hearings and dispute resolution exercises.
Writing Workshops & Peer Critique Labs: Collaborative creative writing sessions help students refine narrative structure, editing skills, and publication-ready writing.
Industry Publishing Engagement: Students gain exposure to publishing workflows through writing assessments designed to mirror real editorial and media industry processes.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Applied learning experiences connect creative communication and legal studies through practical assignments, case studies, and industry-based tasks.
UTS Law Clinics & Community Engagement: Students may participate in supervised legal clinics, gaining real-world exposure to legal practice and client interaction.
Group-Based Creative & Legal Projects: Students collaborate on storytelling projects, legal problem-solving tasks, and interdisciplinary research assignments.
Guest Lectures & Industry Writers: Authors, editors, lawyers, and communication professionals contribute through workshops, seminars, and mentoring sessions.
UTS Library & Digital Resources: Access to extensive legal texts, writing resources, journals, and interdisciplinary research databases supports both disciplines.
Creative Practice & Research Centres: Students may engage with UTS research hubs focused on communication, culture, storytelling, and law.
City Campus Industry Access: Located in Sydney’s CBD, students benefit from proximity to publishing houses, courts, law firms, and media organisations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication in Creative Writing / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) are prepared for careers that combine legal expertise with advanced storytelling, publishing, and communication skills. This unique combination opens pathways in media law, publishing, policy communication, intellectual property, and creative industries, as well as traditional legal practice. Typical roles include lawyer, legal editor, communications specialist, policy adviser, and content strategist:

UTS Careers Service & Employability Programs: Students access personalised career coaching, writing portfolio development, CV and interview workshops, employer networking events, and targeted graduate recruitment support across law and creative industries.
Graduate Employment Outcomes: According to QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (Australia), graduates in law and communication fields achieve strong full-time employment outcomes, particularly in professional services, media, and government sectors.
Indicative Salary Outcomes: In Australia, early-career graduates typically earn around AUD $70,000–$95,000, with experienced professionals in law, publishing, and communications progressing to AUD $110,000–$150,000+ depending on sector and role.
University–Industry Partnerships: UTS maintains strong connections with publishing houses, media organisations, law firms, government departments, creative agencies, and cultural institutions, supporting internships and graduate employment pathways.
Professional Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) component is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board (NSW), meeting the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop advanced capabilities in legal reasoning, creative writing, editorial communication, critical analysis, storytelling, and professional legal practice.
UTS Work Integrated Learning Opportunities: Students benefit from internships, writing industry projects, legal clinics, and real-world communication and legal practice experiences embedded throughout the degree.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this dual degree, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify as a solicitor or barrister in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Creative Writing, Master of Communication, Master of Publishing, Master of Media Practice, Master of International Relations, or PhD research in law, creative writing, communication, or cultural studies.