Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Politics & Journalism

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Notre Dame Fremantle

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Politics & Journalism at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle is a unique double degree that blends professional legal training with insights into politics and media. It’s perfect for students who want to build a career in law while also exploring how politics and journalism shape society and public opinion.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll get a solid foundation in both law and the political and media landscape. You’ll study units like Legal Research and Writing and Legal Process and Statutory Interpretation to develop your legal skills, while Introduction to World Politics and Introduction to Journalism give you a taste of global affairs and media practices.

Year 2:
Year two focuses on understanding how law, politics, and media intersect. You’ll take core law units such as Criminal Law and Contract Law, alongside political and journalism subjects like Setting the Agenda: The Media and Politics and Media and Society, helping you see how the legal system, government, and media influence each other.

Year 3:
In the third year, you’ll dive deeper into specialized areas. Law subjects like Property Law are paired with electives such as Australian Foreign Policy or Comparing Political Systems, giving you flexibility to focus on areas that match your interests and career goals.

Year 4:
This year is about putting your skills into practice. You’ll study advanced legal units such as Advocacy, Constitutional Law, and Evidence, preparing you for real-world legal challenges while refining your professional judgment.

Year 5:
In the final year, you’ll polish your expertise and prepare for professional life. Units like Civil Procedure, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Trial Advocacy focus on practical legal skills, while Legal Philosophy strengthens your understanding of ethics and law in society.

Focus areas:
Law, politics, journalism, media studies, public policy, legal practice

Learning outcomes:
Graduates gain strong legal knowledge, research and problem-solving skills, ethical decision-making, political and media literacy, critical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to work independently or in teams.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The law component is professionally accredited, enabling graduates to seek admission to practice law in Australia.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Notre Dame Fremantle graduates are well-prepared for careers as solicitors, barristers, policy advisers, journalists, and government professionals, thanks to practical training, internships, and real-world skill development.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Studying the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Politics & Journalism at Notre Dame Fremantle means you’re learning by doing from the very start. You’ll get hands-on experience in both law and media, from practising courtroom skills in a real historic moot court to creating journalism projects that could appear in real media outlets. The program also offers internships, mentoring, and community placements, so you can build practical skills while connecting with professionals and giving back to the community:

Here’s how practical learning is built into the program:

Historic Justice Owen Moot Court: Step into a fully restored courtroom on campus to practise advocacy, argumentation, and courtroom procedures — a rare and immersive experience that makes learning law tangible.
Personalised mentoring and workshops: Small class sizes let you work closely with experienced legal academics and media professionals through workshops, seminars, and guest speaker sessions.
Internships and professional placements: Complete placements in newsrooms, media organisations, or legal offices to gain real-world experience and build professional networks.
Capstone and portfolio projects: Develop a digital journalism portfolio or other media projects that showcase your skills in reporting, multimedia content, and communication.
Community engagement: Participate in legal clinics, pop-up advice services, and social justice initiatives to put your learning into practice while helping the community.
Libraries and collaborative spaces: Access the modern Student Hub and Michael J M Wright Library, which provide collaborative study spaces, specialised law and media resources, and technology tools for research and group projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Politics & Journalism leave Notre Dame Fremantle with a unique mix of legal, political, and media skills that are highly valued by employers. Many go on to work as solicitors, policy advisers, journalists, or media strategists, stepping into professional roles with confidence. The degree not only opens doors but also equips you with practical experience and professional credibility to thrive in your chosen field:

Here’s how the university helps you succeed after graduation:

Career support through CareerHub: From your first year and up to 18 months after graduating, you get one-on-one coaching, help with résumés and interviews, and workshops tailored to turning your skills into job opportunities.
Strong graduate outcomes: Notre Dame graduates enjoy high employment rates — over 90% find work or continue study soon after finishing — with starting salaries that often exceed the national average.
Professional accreditation: The law part of your degree is fully accredited, so you’re eligible for admission to legal practice in Australia and can pursue postgraduate legal training.
Industry connections and partnerships: The university works closely with legal firms, media organisations, government bodies, and policy institutions, offering internships, placements, and networking events to help you build real-world contacts.
Hands-on work experience: Internships and practical projects give you exposure to real professional environments, helping you build a strong CV while still studying.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can continue your studies in a number of directions. Many students choose a Master of Laws (LLM) or other postgraduate legal programs to deepen their legal expertise. Others may explore postgraduate studies in politics, public policy, international relations, or journalism, depending on the career path they want to follow.