Bachelor of Communication in Social and Political Sciences Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Technology Sydney

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) / Bachelor of Laws at University of Technology Sydney is perfect if you want to understand how society works—and have the legal skills to actually influence it. It’s a strong choice for students interested in politics, justice, or public policy who want to combine clear communication with a solid legal foundation. 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:
You’ll start by building your foundation in both areas. Subjects like Communication and Society and Communication and Technology introduce how media and society connect, while your law studies begin with core units that develop legal thinking and research skills. It’s a balanced introduction that helps you understand both people and systems.

Year 2:
This is where things start to connect. You’ll study subjects like Self and Society and Political Ideas and Change, alongside key law areas, giving you insight into how laws shape everyday life and social structures. Your ability to analyse, argue, and think critically will grow a lot here.

Year 3:
Now you’ll take a more global and analytical approach. With subjects like Global Economies and Histories of the Present, you’ll explore how major forces shape today’s political world, while continuing with more advanced law topics. You’ll begin applying what you’ve learned to real-world legal and social issues.

Year 4:
At this stage, your work becomes more independent and practical. Subjects like Investigating Urban Change and Comparing Indigenous Histories and Politics allow you to tackle complex social issues, while your law studies move into specialised and elective areas. You’ll also have options like Legal Futures and Technology to explore how law is evolving.

Year 5:
Your final year brings everything together. You’ll complete Policy and Advocacy and a Professional Placement, giving you hands-on experience in real organisations while finishing your law studies. By the end, you’ll graduate with both legal knowledge and real-world communication experience.

Focus areas

Law, communication, politics, public policy, social sciences, advocacy

Learning outcomes

Strong legal reasoning, policy analysis, research skills, critical thinking, professional communication, and the ability to connect law with real social issues

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The law component meets the academic requirements needed to pursue admission as a lawyer in NSW, with the option to complete Practical Legal Training after graduation

Reputation (employability rankings)

University of Technology Sydney is known for its strong industry connections and consistently high graduate employability, especially in communication and law-related fields

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

What really makes the Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) / Bachelor of Laws at University of Technology Sydney feel different is how practical it is from the start. You’re not just learning about law or social issues—you’re actively working on real cases, policy challenges, and communication projects that mirror what professionals actually do. With access to legal training spaces, media facilities, and strong industry connections, you’re constantly building skills you’ll use in your career.

Here’s how that hands-on experience comes together during your degree:

Professional Placement: You’ll complete a placement in your communication stream, working with real organisations on policy, advocacy, or communication projects—this is where things start to feel like a real job
Moot courts (legal training): You’ll practise arguing cases in simulated courtrooms, building confidence in public speaking, legal reasoning, and advocacy
Real-world projects & case studies: Many subjects are built around current social and political issues, so you’re always applying theory to real situations
Legal industry exposure: You’ll have opportunities to connect with legal professionals, firms, and community legal centres, and explore pathways like clerkships
Legal Futures & Technology option: You can explore how technology is changing the legal world, giving you an edge as the industry evolves
Collaborative group work: A big part of the course involves teamwork—developing legal arguments, policy ideas, and communication strategies together
Media & production facilities: Access to studios and digital labs where you can create content to support campaigns, research, or advocacy work
UTS Library & research spaces: Modern, well-equipped spaces that support both legal research and social science projects
Sydney location advantage: Being in Sydney means you’re close to courts, government organisations, NGOs, and media companies—making networking and experience much easier

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication in Social and Political Sciences / Bachelor of Laws at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) are well equipped to work at the intersection of law, politics, media, and public communication. This dual degree develops strong analytical, legal, and communication skills, enabling graduates to influence public policy, shape political discourse, and work in both legal and media-driven environments. Typical career pathways include policy adviser, political analyst, lawyer, communications specialist, and public affairs consultant:

UTS Careers Service & Employability Programs: Students access personalised career coaching, portfolio development, interview preparation, employer networking events, and targeted graduate recruitment support across law, media, and public sector industries.
Graduate Employment Outcomes: According to QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (Australia), graduates in law and communication/social sciences achieve strong full-time employment rates, particularly in government, media, and professional services sectors.
Indicative Salary Outcomes: In Australia, early-career graduates typically earn around AUD $70,000–$95,000, with experienced professionals in law, public policy, and communications progressing to AUD $110,000–$150,000+ depending on role and sector.
University–Industry Partnerships: UTS maintains strong relationships with government departments, media organisations, political offices, NGOs, law firms, and public policy institutes, supporting internships and graduate pathways.
Professional Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Laws 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 expertise in legal reasoning, political analysis, strategic communication, policy development, media production, and public affairs advocacy.
UTS Work Integrated Learning Opportunities: Students benefit from internships, policy labs, media projects, and industry-based learning embedded across 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 Communication, Master of International Relations, Master of Public Policy, Master of Political Science, Master of Journalism, or PhD research in law, communication, political science, or public affairs.