Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program

University of Sydney

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney is a highly interdisciplinary five-year dual degree that combines scientific discovery with professional legal education, preparing students to address complex challenges across technology, healthcare, environmental policy, innovation, and scientific regulation. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Campus, Sydney, Australia — the program is ideal for students who enjoy analytical thinking, scientific inquiry, and legal reasoning while seeking careers that bridge science, law, policy, and emerging technologies.

This dual degree suits students interested in fields such as biotechnology, environmental science, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, data science, health sciences, or life sciences alongside legal studies. Students develop strong scientific research capability together with advanced legal analysis, communication, and ethical reasoning skills that are highly valued across scientific, corporate, regulatory, and legal professions.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

In the first year, students establish strong foundations in scientific thinking, quantitative analysis, and legal systems while developing research and communication skills. Courses such as Foundations of Law, Chemistry 1A, and Data Science and Decision Making or Biology and Life Sciences introduce students to laboratory science, scientific methodology, legal reasoning, and evidence-based problem-solving. Students also begin understanding how scientific developments interact with legal and ethical frameworks.

Second Year

Second-year study deepens students’ understanding of scientific disciplines while strengthening legal interpretation and analytical capability. Depending on the selected Science major, students may study subjects such as Genetics and Genomics, Linear Algebra and Statistics, or Environmental Systems alongside law courses including Contracts, Torts, and Criminal Law. The year focuses on applying scientific and legal reasoning to practical challenges involving research, regulation, and policy.

Third Year

By third year, students engage with more specialised scientific coursework and advanced legal studies connected to governance, ethics, and regulation. Science units such as Molecular Biology, Climate Change Science, or Applied Data Analytics strengthen technical and research skills, while law subjects including Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Equity deepen understanding of legal institutions and regulatory systems. Students also participate in collaborative research investigations and interdisciplinary analytical projects.

Fourth Year

Fourth year combines advanced legal education with higher-level scientific learning aligned with students’ professional interests. Students study law courses such as Corporations Law, Evidence, and Intellectual Property Law while continuing advanced Science electives in areas such as biotechnology, neuroscience, chemistry, environmental science, psychology, or data science. Coursework encourages students to analyse scientific evidence alongside legal, ethical, and policy considerations.

Fifth Year

In the final year, students tailor the degree through advanced electives, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary projects connected to science and law. Students may explore areas such as Environmental Law, Health Law, Technology Regulation, or advanced scientific research subjects while refining leadership, communication, and professional problem-solving skills. By graduation, students possess a highly adaptable combination of scientific expertise and legal capability suited to careers in innovation, research, regulation, healthcare, and legal practice.

Focus areas

Scientific research, biotechnology, environmental science, health sciences, chemistry, psychology, mathematics, data science, intellectual property law, environmental law, health law, scientific ethics, technology regulation, evidence-based analysis, and legal reasoning.

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop advanced scientific analysis, legal reasoning, research, communication, quantitative problem-solving, and interdisciplinary decision-making skills. Students learn to interpret scientific evidence, evaluate legal and ethical frameworks, conduct independent investigations, analyse regulatory systems, and apply scientific and legal knowledge to complex professional challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). Depending on the selected Science major, students may also gain preparation for professional pathways in scientific research, biotechnology, environmental management, healthcare, technology, sustainability, and regulatory industries.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Sydney is internationally recognised for excellence in science, research, and legal education, with strong employer reputation and graduate employability across scientific, healthcare, environmental, technology, and legal sectors. Sydney Law School and the Faculty of Science are highly regarded globally for research impact, innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and professional graduate outcomes connected to emerging global challenges.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney build practical expertise by combining hands-on scientific laboratory work with real-world legal training, giving them experience in both experimental research and professional legal practice environments. Throughout the degree, students learn to test scientific hypotheses, analyse data, interpret legislation, and apply legal reasoning to contemporary scientific, environmental, health, and technology-related challenges. This integrated learning approach ensures graduates are equally confident in laboratory settings and legal or policy-driven environments.

The University of Sydney supports this experiential learning through advanced science laboratories, clinical-style legal education opportunities, industry-connected projects, research institutes, and digital tools used in both scientific and legal professions:

Science Laboratory Training (Faculty of Science) : Students complete structured laboratory sessions in chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, data science, and environmental science depending on their chosen major, developing technical skills in experimentation, measurement, data analysis, and scientific reporting.
Sydney Law School Legal Clinics : Students may engage in clinical legal education where they work on real legal matters under supervision, developing client interaction skills, legal drafting ability, ethical judgement, and practical legal problem-solving in real-world contexts.
Moot Court & Legal Advocacy Programs : Law students participate in mooting competitions, mock trials, negotiation exercises, and dispute resolution simulations that build courtroom advocacy, persuasion, and analytical reasoning skills.
Research Institutes & Scientific Centres : Students gain exposure to leading research environments in areas such as environmental science, biotechnology, health sciences, psychology, and data science, participating in projects that address real scientific and societal challenges.
Scientific & Analytical Software Tools : Depending on their Science major, students use professional tools such as statistical modelling software, laboratory data analysis platforms, programming environments, and scientific visualisation tools used in modern research and industry.
Legal Research Databases & Digital Platforms : Students access professional legal databases including Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other legal information systems used in courts, law firms, and government legal departments for case research and statutory analysis.
Interdisciplinary Research Projects : Many units require students to combine scientific evidence with legal reasoning in structured research projects focused on issues such as environmental regulation, health policy, biotechnology ethics, and technology governance.
Group-Based Scientific and Legal Problem Solving : Students regularly work in teams to complete scientific investigations, policy analysis tasks, legal case studies, and interdisciplinary presentations that mirror professional workplace collaboration.
Fieldwork & Applied Science Learning : Depending on the chosen Science major, students may undertake field studies, environmental sampling, laboratory-based investigations, and observational research in real-world settings outside the classroom.
Libraries & Research Facilities : Students have access to specialised science libraries, law libraries, digital research hubs, and collaborative learning spaces designed to support advanced academic study and interdisciplinary research.
Career Development & Industry Engagement Activities : The university provides networking events, employer presentations, internship pathways, and professional workshops that connect students with scientific organisations, law firms, government agencies, and research institutions.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney are highly sought after for their rare combination of scientific expertise and legal capability, allowing them to work across complex, regulated, and innovation-driven industries. The degree prepares students for careers at the intersection of science, law, and policy, where they can interpret technical evidence, shape regulation, and solve global challenges in areas like health, environment, technology, and research governance. Typical career pathways include scientific consultant, environmental lawyer, intellectual property lawyer, regulatory affairs specialist, policy adviser, data governance analyst, and biotechnology or healthcare compliance professional.

The University of Sydney supports strong graduate outcomes through structured employability services, industry engagement, and internationally recognised academic and research reputation across both science and law disciplines:

Sydney Careers & Employability Services : Students receive tailored support including internship programs, career planning workshops, résumé and interview preparation, networking events, employer panels, and mentoring programs designed to connect science and law students with professional pathways in government, industry, and research sectors.
Professional Legal Qualification Pathway : The Law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT), providing a clear pathway into the legal profession and long-term career flexibility across regulatory and corporate environments.
Strong Industry & Government Connections : Students benefit from links with leading law firms, government departments, research organisations, healthcare institutions, environmental agencies, and multinational corporations that offer internships, clerkships, research placements, and graduate employment opportunities.
Science-to-Industry Pipeline : Depending on the chosen Science major, graduates can transition into biotechnology, environmental science, health research, pharmaceuticals, data science, and technology industries, supported by the university’s research partnerships and innovation networks.
Graduate Employment Outcomes : University of Sydney graduates are consistently among the most employable in Australia, with strong full-time employment outcomes across science, law, and professional services disciplines, reflecting high demand for interdisciplinary expertise in regulated and innovation sectors.
Median Graduate Salary : Based on Australian graduate outcomes data across science, law, and professional disciplines, typical median full-time salaries range approximately between AUD $80,000–$105,000 depending on career path, industry sector, and scientific specialisation.
Research & Innovation Partnerships : The university maintains strong collaborations with hospitals, scientific research institutes, government agencies, environmental organisations, and global industry partners, providing students with exposure to real-world scientific and legal challenges.
Interdisciplinary Career Advantage : Graduates are uniquely positioned to work in roles requiring both technical scientific understanding and legal/regulatory expertise, particularly in emerging areas such as climate policy, health regulation, intellectual property, AI governance, and biotechnology law.
Global Career Mobility : The combination of science and law opens international opportunities in multinational corporations, global NGOs, research institutions, regulatory bodies, and international legal and scientific organisations.
Long-Term Professional Flexibility : Graduates develop adaptable skills in scientific analysis, legal reasoning, communication, and policy evaluation, enabling movement across sectors such as research, law, government, consulting, and corporate leadership throughout their careers.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this dual degree, graduates may pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Science, Master of Environmental Science, Master of Biotechnology, Master of Public Health, Master of Data Science, or Master of Environmental Law. High-achieving graduates may also continue into Honours or PhD research programs in Science, Law, Environmental Studies, Biotechnology, Health Sciences, or Policy Studies, leading to careers in academia, advanced research, government advisory roles, or international regulatory organisations.