Bachelors of Economics / Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Queensland

Program Overview

This unique dual degree blends the analytical power of economics with the practical reasoning of law, giving you a deeper understanding of how decisions are made in markets, governments, and society. It’s perfect for curious, driven students who want to shape policy, solve complex problems, and open doors to careers in law, economics, consulting, and beyond.

Curriculum Structure:
In Year 1, you’ll lay a solid foundation in both disciplines — diving into Introductory Microeconomics, Tools of Economic Analysis, Foundations of Law, and Law of Contract. This year is all about discovering how economic forces shape choices and how law frames those choices, with interactive lectures and real‑world case studies building your confidence.

Year 2 sees your skills deepen as you tackle Intermediate Microeconomics, Introductory Econometrics, Cost‑Benefit Analysis, and core law units like Law of Torts and Criminal Law. You start thinking like both an economist and a future lawyer, connecting economic data to legal outcomes and gaining sharper, evidence‑based insight.

In Year 3 and beyond, you begin specialising and exploring electives that reflect your passions. Whether it’s Public International Law, Economics of Strategy and Behaviour, or Quantitative Analysis electives, you’ll be combining theory with applied projects, preparing for honours‑level thinking and professional life.

Focus Areas: Economics & Public Policy; Economics of Strategy and Behaviour; International and Financial Economics; Quantitative Analysis

Learning Outcomes: You will learn to analyse economic systems, interpret data with confidence, think critically about law and policy, and communicate complex ideas clearly — ready to influence decision‑making in business, government, or legal practice.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): This program not only gives you a respected academic qualification but also fulfils key academic requirements for legal practice in Australia, so you graduate with recognised credentials and the practical skills employers value.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Studying economics and law at UQ means you’re learning from one of Australia’s top economics departments and a highly respected law school — both consistently ranked among the best by global university rankings like QS and Times Higher Education — setting you up for success in competitive job markets.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This unique dual honours program at UQ blends deep analytical thinking from economics with real‑world legal understanding, and it’s structured so you’re not just memorising concepts, you’re actively sharpening the skills employers value. Throughout your studies you’ll engage with a mix of lectures, tutorials and workshops that challenge you to apply what you’re learning, while research experience built into the program gives you a real taste of investigation, problem‑solving and independent thinking. Law and economics both reward those who can connect theory with practice — and this degree is designed to build that capability step by step in settings that reflect the kinds of tasks you’ll take on in your career. You walk away not just with knowledge, but with experience in thinking, researching and communicating like a professional in both fields.

To make that tangible, here are the real experiential learning opportunities you’ll encounter in this program:

Key hands‑on and practical learning elements in this program:

Tutorials where you actively apply economic models and legal reasoning to real case scenarios and problems.
Workshops that develop your practical skills through interactive, problem‑based activities aligned with course outcomes.
Research experience embedded in your study, giving you structured opportunities to investigate complex topics, gather evidence and present findings — a great preparation for honours‑level work and analytical careers.
Online study components that let you engage with materials and simulations at your own pace, building digital fluency alongside core skills.
Lectures that go beyond theory, featuring examples and discussions that tie academic concepts to real policy, business and legal contexts.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Step into a world of opportunity with the Bachelor of Economics and Laws (Honours) at the University of Queensland. Graduates from this program leave with a unique combination of economic insight and legal knowledge that employers really value. Whether you’re interested in law, government, consulting, finance, or other sectors, you’ll be ready to make a meaningful impact from Day 1. Typical roles alumni move into include economic consultant, investment analyst, policy adviser, solicitor, company secretary, and other specialised analyst positions — careers where your skills are put to work straight away.

Here’s how UQ supports your journey:

From the moment you start, UQ’s BEL (Business, Economics and Law) Careers and Employability team is there to guide you. They offer personalised career advice, help with applications and interviews, tools to sharpen your resume (like VMock), and even direct connections to employers through events and workshops.

Throughout your degree, there are plenty of chances to get hands-on experience — internships, research projects, global exchanges, and enrichment activities — all designed to stretch your skills beyond the classroom and strengthen your professional profile. This is all part of UQ’s “Get the Edge” employability framework, giving you a real advantage in the job market.

The value of your degree:

UQ’s strong reputation in economics and law gives you extra leverage when employers review applications. Plus, the law component is academically recognised for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia, meaning you’ll have met core requirements toward practising law. Beyond that, you’ll graduate with highly transferable skills — analytical reasoning, research, communication, and problem-solving — that serve you well across industries, from private business to public service to international organisations.

Looking further ahead:

If you decide to continue your studies, your honours-level dual degree sets a strong foundation. Many graduates pursue postgraduate research (like a Master by Research or PhD) in economics, law, or interdisciplinary areas, building on the research focus of the honours year. UQ also offers coursework master’s programs in law, economics, public policy, international business, and more — perfect if you want to specialise further in areas such as economic policy, international law, or advanced econometrics. These pathways can open doors to careers in academia, high-level consulting, government research, or global organisations, giving you flexible, tailored options for your future.