Bachelor of Psychological Science / Law

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

This double degree combines psychological science with a comprehensive legal education, equipping students with a deep understanding of human behaviour alongside strong legal reasoning and analytical skills. It is ideal for students interested in careers in law, criminal justice, policy, mental health advocacy, human rights, or roles where psychology and law intersect.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in both psychology and law. Psychology study typically includes Foundations of Psychology and Research Methods in Psychology, while law begins with Foundations of Law and Legal Research & Writing. This year develops critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and an understanding of legal systems and human behaviour.

Second Year

The second year strengthens core psychological theory and legal principles. Psychology units include Cognitive Processes and Social Psychology, while law studies include Contracts and Criminal Law. Students begin to understand how human behaviour interacts with legal decision-making and justice systems.

Third Year

In the third year, students move into more advanced psychology and intermediate law subjects. Psychology includes Developmental Psychology and Abnormal Psychology, while law units typically include Torts and Constitutional Law. This year builds analytical depth in both behavioural science and legal reasoning.

Fourth Year

The fourth year focuses on advanced psychology training and deeper legal theory. Psychology study includes Advanced Psychological Research Methods and Applied Psychology, while law includes Administrative Law and Equity & Trusts. Students begin integrating psychological insights into legal and policy contexts.

Fifth Year

In the final year, students complete advanced electives and capstone-style learning in both disciplines. Law study includes Corporate Law and specialised electives, while psychology includes advanced applied or research-focused units. Graduates leave with strong expertise in both human behaviour and legal systems.

Focus Areas:

Psychology, human behaviour, cognitive science, social psychology, mental health, legal reasoning, criminal law, constitutional law, ethics, research methods, and justice systems.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop strong analytical skills in both psychological science and law, enabling them to understand human behaviour, apply legal reasoning, and address complex issues in justice, policy, and social systems.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Law component is accredited through UNSW Law & Justice professional legal education standards, supporting pathways toward legal practice in Australia. The Psychology component aligns with Australian psychology education standards, supporting further study and professional pathways in psychological practice.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

University of New South Wales is globally recognised for excellence in law and psychology, consistently ranking highly in the QS World University Rankings for graduate employability, law, and psychology-related disciplines.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UNSW, this double degree is taught through a highly applied learning approach where students actively practice psychological research methods and legal reasoning in real-world contexts. You’ll gain hands-on experience through psychology laboratories, legal simulations, and structured research training, while also developing professional communication and analytical skills across both disciplines. The program is designed to mirror real careers in psychology and law, ensuring students graduate with both scientific and professional legal experience:

UNSW Law moot courts and legal simulation exercises: practice courtroom advocacy, legal argumentation, and case-based reasoning
Psychology research laboratories: hands-on training in experimental design, data collection, behavioural analysis, and psychological testing
Psychological research methods training tools: use of statistical and research software for analysing human behaviour data
Legal research databases and tools: access to professional case law, legislation, and academic legal resources
Group-based interdisciplinary projects: combining behavioural science insights with legal problem-solving and policy analysis
UNSW Law Clinics: real or simulated legal work experience involving client-focused legal problem solving under supervision
Psychology research participation programs: involvement in behavioural studies and experimental psychology projects
Internship and industry experience opportunities: placements in legal organisations, courts, government departments, mental health services, and NGOs
Capstone research and applied law projects: final-year work integrating psychological research with legal frameworks
UNSW Library (Psychology & Law collections): access to extensive academic journals, legal databases, and psychological research resources
Guest lectures and professional engagement: exposure to psychologists, legal practitioners, and policy experts

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this double degree are well-prepared for careers that bridge human behaviour, justice systems, and legal practice, where understanding people is just as important as understanding the law. You can move into roles such as Lawyer (after admission), Policy Advisor, Criminal Justice Analyst, Human Rights Advocate, or Organisational Consultant, working across courts, government, private firms, and social organisations:

UNSW Employability and Careers Hub: personalised career coaching, CV and interview preparation, employer networking events, and access to leading graduate recruitment pathways
Practical Legal Training (PLT) pathway support: structured guidance toward admission as a legal practitioner in Australia after completing required training
Graduate employment outcomes & salary range: law graduates in Australia typically achieve strong outcomes, with starting salaries often around AUD 75,000–110,000+, depending on pathway and sector
Industry partnerships: UNSW collaborates with courts, legal firms, government departments, mental health organisations, and NGOs for placements and experiential learning
Professional accreditation value: the Law component is accredited toward eligibility for admission to legal practice in Australia, ensuring long-term professional recognition
Strong psychology-law advantage: graduates are highly valued for combining behavioural insight with legal reasoning in areas like criminal justice, policy, and mental health law

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this program, graduates can pursue Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for legal practice in Australia or continue into a Juris Doctor (JD) as an alternative pathway to becoming a lawyer. They may also undertake Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Psychology (where eligible for professional pathways), Master of Criminology or Public Policy, or research degrees such as Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or PhD, focusing on psychology, law, justice systems, or behavioural policy research.