Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Psychology

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Adelaide is a five-year double degree that blends the logic of law with a deep understanding of human behaviour. It’s ideal for students who want to make a difference — helping people, shaping policy, and standing up for justice with insight and empathy. You’ll explore how laws shape society while uncovering what drives human thoughts, feelings, and actions, giving you a unique perspective for meaningful careers.

Campus: North Terrace Campus, Adelaide (primary campus) and Waite/Magill Campus, Adelaide, South Australia.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1

You’ll start by laying the groundwork in both law and psychology. In law, courses like How Law Works and Torts will introduce you to legal systems and responsibilities. In psychology, Introductory Psychology Research Methods helps you start thinking like a scientist about human behaviour. This is your chance to discover the building blocks of each field and notice the ways they naturally connect.

Year 2

Your law studies take a deeper dive with units like Contracts and Criminal Law and Procedure, giving you hands-on practice in analysing real-world scenarios and sharpening your argument skills. Psychology courses explore human development across the lifespan, and how culture and social context shape behaviour — helping you see the bigger picture. By now, you’ll be connecting complex ideas across both disciplines and applying them to real-life situations.

Years 3 & 4

This is where your studies really start to come together. You’ll tackle advanced law units like Equity and Trusts and Evidence, honing advocacy and ethical reasoning skills. In psychology, you’ll explore cognition, wellbeing, and conduct research that strengthens your analytical thinking. Placements, clinics, and hands-on projects let you put your learning into practice — whether supporting clients, joining community initiatives, or conducting meaningful research.

Year 5

Your final year is all about refinement and professional readiness. You’ll complete high-level law studies and capstone tasks that integrate your legal knowledge with psychological insight. Psychology projects or research experiences let you solidify your skills and professional identity. By the end, you’ll be prepared to take the next step — whether that’s professional training in law or psychology, or stepping straight into impactful work.

Focus Area

Law and legal systems; human behaviour and cognition; ethical practice and research; advocacy and communication.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates leave able to think critically across disciplines, communicate with clarity and empathy, analyse complex situations from multiple angles, and apply knowledge to support individuals and communities.

Professional Alignment

Completing this double degree gives you Honours in law and extensive psychology training. To practice professionally, lawyers usually complete the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, while psychologists undertake further accredited study. Either way, this degree provides a highly respected and career-ready foundation.

Reputation & Employability

The University of Adelaide is consistently ranked among the world’s top institutions, within the QS World Top 100, with a strong research reputation and global outlook. That recognition carries real weight with employers and opens doors far beyond the classroom.

If you want a degree that goes beyond facts and exams — one that helps you understand people, systems, and society — this combination gives you the tools, insight, and confidence to make a difference.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Psychology at University of Adelaide is designed to connect legal theory and psychological science with real-world practice from the beginning of the degree. Students develop practical skills through clinical legal education, community-based projects, research training, industry engagement, and applied psychology experiences. The program combines professional legal training opportunities with psychology research and industry-based learning, giving graduates hands-on exposure to both disciplines throughout their studies.

This practical focus is supported by a range of professional learning opportunities and facilities:

Moot Court Training: Students practise legal advocacy, negotiation, and courtroom procedures in dedicated moot court environments that simulate real legal settings.
Clinical Legal Education: The law component includes clinical legal education experiences, allowing students to engage with real legal issues and community-focused legal services under supervision.
Legal Clinics and Placements: Students can participate in legal clinics and placement opportunities to gain practical exposure to professional legal practice and client-focused work.
Community Projects: The program incorporates community-based legal projects that help students apply legal knowledge to real social and public-interest issues.
Psychology Industry Placement or Applied Project: Psychology students complete an industry placement or a project with real-world application, helping them develop professional and research skills in authentic settings.
Research Methods Training: Dedicated psychology subjects such as Introductory Psychology Research Methods, Insights into Data and Research in Psychology, and Advanced Research Methods in Psychology provide experience in data analysis, research design, and evidence-based practice.
Study Tours and Global Learning Opportunities: The law program includes opportunities for study tours and broader experiential learning activities that expose students to legal systems and professional contexts beyond the classroom.
Group Projects and Case-Based Learning: Assessment includes group projects, presentations, research projects, case studies, and practical activities that mirror professional legal and psychology work.
Libraries and Research Resources: Students have access to extensive university library collections, legal research resources, academic databases, and digital learning technologies supporting both legal and psychological research.
Laboratories and Modern Learning Facilities: Students study in purpose-built facilities including laboratories, contemporary teaching spaces, technology-enabled learning environments, and a 24/7 online learning platform.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities: Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Psychology at University of Adelaide develop a unique combination of legal expertise and psychological insight, making them highly valuable in fields that require an understanding of both human behaviour and legal systems. This interdisciplinary degree prepares graduates for diverse careers such as lawyer, forensic consultant, policy advisor, and human resources or workplace relations specialist, with opportunities across government, legal practice, healthcare, and corporate sectors.

By combining analytical legal training with evidence-based psychological knowledge, graduates gain a distinctive professional profile that supports strong employment outcomes:

University employability services: The University of Adelaide offers extensive career support through Career Services, including career planning consultations, employability workshops, networking events, internship assistance, employer engagement programs, and graduate recruitment opportunities.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates entering law, psychology-related, and policy professions in Australia commonly achieve starting salaries ranging from AUD $75,000 – $120,000, with median earnings typically around AUD $95,000 – $110,000, depending on career pathway, sector, and professional accreditation.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from the University's strong connections with legal practitioners, courts, government agencies, research institutes, and community organisations, providing opportunities for practical learning and professional engagement.
Long-term accreditation value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, while the psychology component provides foundational knowledge that can support further accredited psychology training pathways.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced skills in legal reasoning, research, communication, critical analysis, and understanding human behaviour, positioning them for success across legal, policy, regulatory, and people-focused professions.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this degree, students may undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to pursue admission as a legal practitioner, or continue with postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology (subject to entry requirements), Master of Public Policy, or research-based Honours and PhD programs in law, psychology, criminology, or behavioural sciences.