Bachelor of Science in Psychology/ Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Canberra

Program Overview

If you’re curious about people and passionate about justice, the Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Bachelor of Laws at the University of Canberra is your chance to explore both worlds in one exciting degree. Over five years, you’ll gain deep insight into human behaviour while earning a fully accredited law qualification — preparing you to tackle challenges in community, clinical, and professional legal settings with confidence.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1 is all about laying the groundwork. You’ll start with courses like Foundations of Law and Justice, Foundations of Psychology, and Understanding People and Behaviour. These classes introduce you to thinking like both a psychologist and a lawyer — understanding what shapes human behaviour while getting a feel for how legal systems work. You’ll also start building essential research skills from the get-go.

Year 2 takes things deeper. Through subjects such as Dispute Management, Criminal Law and Procedure, and Experimental Psychology, you’ll see how human behaviour and legal systems intersect in real-life scenarios. This is where you start building confidence both in scientific thinking and in advocacy.

Year 3 is where the big-picture perspective kicks in. You’ll study Constitutional Law, Corporations Law, and Psychopathology, giving you insight into how governments, corporations, and human behaviour all operate. By understanding complex mental health and social systems, you’ll gain a richer lens on justice, policy, and advocacy.

Year 4 is when your studies start to feel professional. Courses like Administrative Law and Survey Research and Design in Psychology, along with electives in areas like Industry and Community Engagement (Health), let you carve out your own niche. You’ll be combining hands-on psychology skills with advanced legal knowledge, sharpening your perspective on social issues and real-world problem-solving.

Year 5 brings it all together. Advanced law units such as Equity Law and Capstone Law and Justice, alongside psychology’s Professional Evidence, help you synthesise everything you’ve learned. By the end, you’ll be ready to step into research, client interaction, and ethical decision-making as a confident graduate.

Focus Areas:
Human behaviour, legal reasoning, research skills, ethical practice, advocacy

Learning Outcomes:
You’ll graduate able to analyse behaviour and legal problems, design and conduct research, communicate confidently across contexts, and make thoughtful, ethical decisions — whether in psychology, law, or a role that blends both.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
This program gives you a psychology major accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and a law degree recognised by the Supreme Court of the ACT and New South Wales. That means you’ll graduate with qualifications employers trust.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
The University of Canberra is known for real-world learning and strong graduate outcomes. Its law and psychology programs regularly feature in national and international rankings, meaning this degree doesn’t just feed your curiosity — it opens doors to meaningful career opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Here’s a friendly, down‑to‑earth look at how the Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Bachelor of Laws at the University of Canberra builds real skills through real experience — not just theory. This double degree doesn’t just teach you ideas; it gives you structured chances to practice psychology and law in settings that mirror the real world. From putting yourself in others’ shoes through communication and advocacy exercises to stepping into legal and community roles via internships and clinics, you’ll graduate with confidence and practical experience that employers genuinely value. The focus on professional practice, research, and work‑integrated learning means you’re not just learning about the professions — you’re already beginning to act in them.

Here are the hands‑on, experiential learning opportunities this program actually offers:

Work Integrated Learning options, where you earn credit while undertaking placements in real legal or justice environments as part of your law electives.
Law and Justice Internship units (including extended internship options), giving you structured time in professional settings to build your legal skills.
Advanced Advocacy and Communication (Mooting) to practice real‑world legal argumentation and courtroom‑style advocacy.
Legal Advice Clinic where you can engage in supervised, practical legal work and client interaction.
Negotiation units that immerse you in practical dispute resolution skill‑building.
Professional Practice (Health) and Industry and Community Engagement (Health) in psychology, where you connect what you’ve learned with community settings and professional contexts.
Professional Evidence (Psychology) that equips you to critically assess and apply psychological research in real situations.
Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences to get hands‑on with designing and interpreting empirical research.

Each of these is designed so you do psychology and law — you don’t just read about them — making this a truly experiential, career‑ready degree.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Here’s a snapshot of what your future could look like if you choose the Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Bachelor of Laws at the University of Canberra: graduates with this combined degree leave ready to make an impact across both human behaviour and the legal system. You’ll develop versatile skills that employers value, whether you’re working directly with people, shaping policy, or interpreting and applying the law. Typical roles our grads take on include psychology practitioner or counsellor, lawyer (barrister or solicitor), policy adviser, and advocate or consultant in public or community sectors.

Here’s what this means for you:

Practical career support: UC focuses on employability — you’ll benefit from dedicated careers services that help with resume building, interview prep, industry networking and placement opportunities as you progress through your degree.
Strong graduate outcomes: UC is recognised for high full‑time employment rates for graduates and strong skill development in areas employers seek, reflecting a curriculum that’s linked closely to real workplace expectations.
Industry and professional links: This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and recognised by legal authorities in multiple Australian states, giving your qualification long‑term value and opening doors in law firms, courts, government and the community sector. You’ll also find opportunities to undertake internships and practical placements that connect you directly with professionals in law and psychology.
Long‑term academic value: Because your law degree is recognised for admission to legal practice across Australia (with practical legal training to follow), and your psychology studies are accredited, you have a qualification that holds credibility and respect countrywide — a solid foundation whether you pursue clinical practice, legal practice, or roles in policy and advocacy.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this combined degree, there are clear pathways if you want to keep studying. Many students go on to graduate diplomas or postgraduate coursework in specialised areas like forensic psychology, public policy, or advanced law subjects. You could also consider honours or research programs that deepen your expertise or prepare you for a master’s or even a PhD in psychology, law, or interdisciplinary fields such as human rights or organisational behaviour. These further studies can sharpen your research skills and open doors to careers in academia, high‑level consultancy, or specialist practice areas.