Bachelor of Media and Communication / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program

University of Newcastle

Program Overview

This five-year combined Honours degree allows students to study media, communication, and law together, creating a strong foundation for careers where legal knowledge and communication expertise intersect. The program is well suited for students interested in journalism, digital media, public affairs, corporate communication, and legal systems, while developing strong analytical, research, and professional communication skills.

Curriculum structure:

In the first year, students develop core knowledge in both communication and law. Subjects such as Screen Media and Digital and Social Media introduce storytelling, media industries, and online communication practices, while Foundations of Law and Criminal Law help students build legal reasoning and understanding of the Australian legal system. This stage gives students a strong understanding of how communication operates within legal and ethical boundaries.

In the second and third years, students move into more specialised study across both disciplines. Units like News and Journalism strengthen reporting, writing, and digital communication skills, while law subjects including Contract Law and Constitutional Law develop deeper legal analysis and interpretation abilities. Students also begin exploring media ethics, regulation, and policy issues that shape the communication industry.

In the fourth year, learning becomes more professionally focused through advanced law and communication studies. Students examine complex legal and media challenges while further developing advocacy, research, and critical thinking skills that can be applied in professional environments.

In the final year, students complete honours-level study and an independent research project that combines advanced legal and communication analysis. This stage strengthens research capability, professional communication, and high-level legal reasoning, preparing graduates for industry careers or further academic study.

Focus areas: Media law, journalism, digital communication, public relations, communication theory, legal systems, ethics, policy, research methods

Learning outcomes: Advanced communication and legal knowledge, strong analytical and research skills, professional writing and media production ability, understanding of media regulation and legal frameworks, independent research capability

Professional alignment (accreditation): The law component meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to further practical legal training), while the communication component supports careers across media, journalism, corporate communication, public affairs, and digital media industries.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Newcastle is internationally recognised and consistently ranked among leading global universities, with strong graduate outcomes and industry-focused learning across both law and communication fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in this program is designed to closely connect classroom study with real legal and media practice, helping students develop strong professional skills in both fields. Students actively engage in practical legal work, media production, and industry-based learning experiences that prepare them for real-world careers. The program also gives access to legal clinics, simulated court environments, and professional media tools, ensuring students learn in settings that reflect actual industry practice:

Students gain hands-on legal experience through supervised clinical legal education, including working on real community legal matters through university legal clinics and outreach programs such as Law on the Beach
Practical legal training is embedded into the degree, where students work under supervision of qualified legal professionals in legal centres and approved external environments
Use of courtroom-style simulations to develop advocacy, legal reasoning, and professional communication skills in a realistic setting
Practical media learning using industry-standard tools for journalism, digital communication, and media production projects
Work-integrated learning through industry-linked projects that combine law, communication, and media practice
Group assignments that replicate real professional environments, encouraging collaboration in legal analysis and media communication strategies
Exposure to real-world legal and media settings through structured placements and professional experience opportunities
Access to university resources such as law libraries, digital legal databases, and media production facilities that support both academic research and practical skill development

More information on facilities and learning support is available on the official University of Newcastle program page.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this program are well prepared for careers that combine law, media, and communication expertise. The degree builds strong legal reasoning, critical thinking, and communication skills, allowing students to work across legal, media, policy, and corporate environments. Typical roles include media lawyer, journalist, policy advisor, communications officer, and corporate or public affairs specialist.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

The University of Newcastle provides dedicated Careers and Employability support, including career planning, resume development, interview preparation, and networking opportunities with industry professionals. Graduates could expect to earn between AUD 65,000 and 75,000 per annum.
Graduates from communication and law-related programs at the university demonstrate strong employment outcomes, with a high proportion securing roles within months of completing their studies, reflecting strong industry demand.
Students gain practical career experience through structured legal training placements and media-related work-integrated learning during their studies.
The program is supported by connections with legal practice environments and media and communication industries, giving students exposure to real professional settings.
The honours-level law qualification adds long-term value by strengthening advanced analytical, research, and problem-solving skills needed for senior professional roles.
Graduates can work across a wide range of fields including legal practice (with further training), journalism, government departments, corporate communications, and policy or advocacy organisations.
The combined degree provides strong career flexibility, allowing graduates to move between law and media-related career paths based on their interests.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this program, students can continue their studies through postgraduate options such as a Master of Laws, Master of Communication, Master of Media, or research degrees like a Master by Research or PhD. The honours qualification also supports entry into advanced academic and legal research pathways.