Bachelor of Communication in Journalism Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Technology Sydney

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Communication in Journalism / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is a five-year dual degree that combines professional journalism training with comprehensive legal education. It is designed for students who want to work at the intersection of media, law, politics, and public affairs, developing strong skills in investigative reporting, legal reasoning, and ethical communication. Campuses: City Campus (Ultimo, Sydney), Moore Park Campus (Sydney), Botany Campus (Sydney), and Kuring-gai Campus (Sydney) – New South Wales, Australia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build foundational skills in journalism practice and legal reasoning. Journalism subjects such as News Reporting, Media and Society, and Introduction to Journalism Practice are combined with law foundations like Foundations of Law and Legal Method and Research, developing core communication, writing, and analytical skills.

Year 2

The second year focuses on developing core reporting skills and essential legal knowledge. Students study Broadcast Journalism, Investigative Journalism Fundamentals, and Media Ethics, alongside Contract Law and Torts, learning how journalism operates within legal and ethical boundaries.

Year 3

In the third year, students progress into advanced journalism production and deeper legal studies. Journalism subjects such as Digital Journalism, Feature Writing, and Multimedia Storytelling are paired with Criminal Law and Constitutional Law, strengthening both investigative and legal analytical abilities.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on professional-level journalism practice and advanced legal frameworks. Students undertake Investigative Journalism Projects, Public Affairs Reporting, and Media Production, alongside Administrative Law and Property Law, preparing for complex reporting in legal, political, and corporate environments.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete honours-level legal studies alongside advanced journalism projects. Law electives such as International Law, Equity, and Dispute Resolution are combined with a journalism capstone or major investigative portfolio, developing high-level research, storytelling, and legal expertise.

Focus Areas

Investigative Journalism, Media Law, Broadcast Journalism, Digital Media, Public Affairs Reporting, Legal Ethics, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Political Communication, Multimedia Storytelling, International Law, Media Regulation

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced journalism and legal reasoning skills, produce ethical and accurate media content, understand media regulation and legal systems, conduct investigative reporting, communicate complex issues effectively, and prepare for careers in journalism, media law, public policy, and legal practice.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) component is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board (NSW), meeting academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. The journalism component is aligned with industry standards in Australian media practice, focusing on investigative reporting, media ethics, and professional communication.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

UTS is ranked among the top young universities globally in the QS World University Rankings and is recognised in Australia for strong graduate employability in both law and communication fields. UTS Journalism and Law programs are known for their strong industry integration and practice-oriented learning.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Communication in Journalism / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) gain hands-on experience through newsroom-style production, legal simulation, and industry-connected learning that mirrors professional practice in both journalism and law. The program is designed to develop real investigative reporting skills alongside formal legal reasoning by immersing students in UTS’s media studios, law facilities, and Sydney’s active media and legal environment. Students regularly produce news content, analyse legal cases, and work on interdisciplinary projects that combine law, ethics, and public communication:

UTS Journalism Studios (Broadcast & Digital Production): Students create news packages, video reports, podcasts, and multimedia journalism using professional-grade production equipment and editing software.
Legal Research Platforms (LexisNexis, Westlaw, AustLII): Students conduct professional legal research, case analysis, and statutory interpretation using industry-standard legal databases.
UTS Moot Courts & Legal Simulation Spaces: Students develop advocacy, courtroom argumentation, and legal reasoning skills through simulated trials and dispute resolution exercises.
Investigative Journalism Projects: Students complete real-world reporting assignments involving interviews, data journalism, fact-checking, and long-form investigative storytelling.
Media Law & Ethics Training: Students analyse defamation, privacy, contempt, and media regulation issues through applied case studies connected to real journalism practice.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Structured learning experiences connect classroom theory with professional journalism and legal environments through applied projects and case-based assessments.
Group-Based Newsroom Projects: Students collaborate in newsroom-style teams to plan, research, and produce professional-quality journalism under deadlines.
UTS Law Clinics: Students may engage in supervised legal clinics, gaining experience working on real client matters and community legal issues.
Internships & Industry Placements: Opportunities exist with media organisations, courts, government agencies, law firms, and communications organisations through UTS industry networks.
Guest Lectures & Industry Engagement: Journalists, editors, lawyers, and policymakers regularly contribute through seminars, workshops, and mentoring sessions.
UTS Library & Digital Legal/Media Resources: Students access extensive journalism archives, legal databases, and interdisciplinary research collections supporting both disciplines.
City Campus Media & Legal Exposure: Located in Sydney’s CBD, students are surrounded by major media outlets, courts, law firms, and government departments.
Digital Learning Platforms: UTS provides advanced online systems for collaborative journalism production, legal research, and multimedia content submission.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication in Journalism / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) are well prepared for careers that combine investigative journalism, legal expertise, and public communication. This dual qualification is highly valued in media organisations, government, legal sectors, and public policy environments, where professionals are required to interpret complex legal issues and communicate them clearly to the public. Common career pathways include journalist, media lawyer, policy adviser, communications specialist, and legal correspondent:

UTS Careers Service & Employability Programs: Students access personalised career coaching, CV and portfolio development, interview preparation, employer networking events, and journalism/legal graduate recruitment support.
Graduate Employment Outcomes: According to QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (Australia), graduates in journalism, communication, and law disciplines achieve strong full-time employment outcomes, particularly in media, government, and professional services.
Indicative Salary Outcomes: In Australia, early-career graduates typically earn around AUD $70,000–$95,000, with experienced professionals in media law, journalism, and public affairs progressing to AUD $110,000–$150,000+ depending on role and sector.
University–Industry Partnerships: UTS maintains strong connections with major media organisations, courts, law firms, government departments, and public policy institutions, supporting internships and graduate pathways.
Professional Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) component is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board (NSW), meeting academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop advanced skills in investigative reporting, legal reasoning, media ethics, public communication, policy analysis, and professional legal practice.
UTS Work Integrated Learning Opportunities: Students benefit from internships, newsroom collaborations, legal clinics, and industry-based learning experiences embedded throughout the program.

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 Journalism, Master of Communication, Master of Media Practice, Master of International Relations, Master of Public Policy, or PhD research in law, journalism, communication, or media studies.