Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Law

6 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Law at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a 6.7-year double degree that combines professional legal education with accredited social work training. It is ideal for students who are passionate about social justice and want to build the knowledge and skills to advocate for individuals, influence policy, and create positive change in communities through both legal and social work practice.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students establish a foundation in both law and social work through subjects such as Introducing Law and Justice, Introduction to Social Work, and Rethinking the Social. These courses introduce key legal principles, social systems, and the role of social workers in supporting individuals and communities.

Year 2

The second year develops a deeper understanding of people, society, and the legal system. Through subjects including Torts, Principles of Private Law, and Lifespan, Health and Resilience, students learn how legal frameworks and social factors shape individual experiences and community wellbeing.

Year 3

Students begin exploring more specialised areas of study through courses such as Crime and the Criminal Process, Criminal Laws, Culture, Identity and Diversity, and Policy and Society. These subjects strengthen critical thinking skills and help students understand the relationship between law, policy, and social justice.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on professional development and community engagement. Students study subjects such as Lawyers, Ethics and Justice, Principles of Public Law, and Social Work Practice – Community Work, gaining valuable insights into ethical practice, legal responsibility, and social advocacy.

Year 5

In the fifth year, students build advanced knowledge in both disciplines while preparing for professional practice. Coursework explores areas such as social policy, community development, mental health, and legal advocacy, while practical learning experiences help students apply their skills in real-world settings.

Year 6 and Final Study Period

The final stage of the program focuses on advanced legal studies, professional placements, and independent research. Students complete an Honours Thesis or research project and may participate in clinical legal education opportunities, allowing them to integrate their legal and social work expertise to address complex social and justice issues.

Focus Areas

Social Work Practice, Social Justice, Human Rights, Community Development, Social Policy, Mental Health, Indigenous Services, Legal Advocacy, Criminal Law, Public Law, Research Methods, Ethics and Professional Practice, Policy Reform, Community Engagement

Learning Outcomes

Develop professional legal and social work skills, analyse complex social and legal issues, conduct research and policy evaluation, advocate effectively for individuals and communities, apply ethical decision-making, communicate professionally, understand human behaviour and social systems, and contribute to positive social and legal change

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board (NSW) and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Graduates meet the academic requirements for both legal practice and professional social work, providing pathways into a wide range of legal, government, policy, and community-based careers.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

UNSW Law & Justice is ranked #1 in Sydney and among the world's leading law schools in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Students benefit from a strong reputation for academic excellence, industry engagement, practical learning opportunities, and graduate employability across both the legal and social services sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Law at UNSW is designed to give students extensive practical experience alongside their academic studies. Students develop professional skills through supervised social work placements, clinical legal education, community engagement activities, research projects, and industry-focused learning opportunities. By combining hands-on training in both social work and law, the program helps students build the confidence and experience needed to work effectively with clients, communities, and legal professionals:

Complete two supervised Social Work field placements in Years 3 and 4, gaining experience in settings such as hospitals, government agencies, schools, and community organisations.
Undertake approximately 980 hours of professional social work placement, meeting the requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
Apply counselling, casework, community development, policy, and advocacy skills during professional field education placements.
Gain practical legal experience through the Kingsford Legal Centre, UNSW’s community legal centre.
Work with real clients and practising legal professionals while developing interviewing, communication, and legal problem-solving skills.
Build practical legal capabilities through clinical legal education, including client interviewing, legal research, drafting legal documents, and observing court processes.
Participate in specialised legal clinics such as Community Law, Employment Law, and Family Law Community Education clinics.
Take part in collaborative group projects, interactive workshops, and problem-based learning activities that reflect real professional practice.
Access internship opportunities, legal clinics, competitions, and experiential learning electives that enhance employability.
Explore international learning opportunities and overseas legal study programs in a range of global locations.
Study within dedicated Law & Justice facilities, including the Kensington Law Library and specialised legal learning spaces.
Learn from research-active academics involved in social justice, human rights, public policy, and legal reform research.
Access dedicated career development services, including employability workshops, networking events, professional mentoring, and job opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Law at UNSW are well prepared for careers that combine legal expertise with a commitment to social justice and community impact. The double degree creates opportunities across the legal, government, community, policy, and human services sectors, with graduates commonly pursuing roles such as Human Rights Lawyer, Child and Family Lawyer, Government Policy Adviser, and Social Work Practitioner. By graduating with qualifications in both law and social work, students gain a unique professional advantage and broad career flexibility:

UNSW Law & Justice offers a dedicated careers service that provides job opportunities, career workshops, networking events, employer presentations, and professional development resources tailored to Law & Justice students.
Students enhance their employability through internships, legal clinics, competitions, international learning opportunities, and experiential learning programs integrated into the degree.
Extensive social work field placements and practical legal training through the Kingsford Legal Centre allow students to gain valuable industry experience before graduation.
Social work is a growing profession in Australia, with strong employment demand across healthcare, government, community services, and non-profit organisations.
Social workers in Australia earn an average salary of approximately AUD $98,000 per year, with opportunities for career progression into leadership, policy, and specialist practice roles.
UNSW Law & Justice is ranked #1 in Sydney and among the world's leading institutions for Law and Legal Studies, giving graduates a qualification that is highly regarded by employers.
The program develops transferable skills in legal analysis, advocacy, communication, critical thinking, research, negotiation, and problem-solving that are valued across many industries.
The degree is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board and the Australian Association of Social Workers, providing recognised professional qualifications in both fields.
Graduates meet the academic requirements for careers in legal practice and professional social work, opening pathways into law firms, courts, government departments, healthcare services, community organisations, and policy agencies.
UNSW's strong industry connections and practical learning opportunities help students build professional networks and graduate with real-world experience.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this double degree, graduates can continue their studies through a range of postgraduate and research pathways. Law graduates may undertake the Graduate Diploma in Legal Professional Practice (GDLPP) to complete Practical Legal Training requirements and progress towards admission as a legal practitioner. Graduates can also pursue advanced qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Public Policy, Master of Social Policy, Master of Human Rights, or research degrees including a Master by Research or PhD in Law, Social Work, Social Policy, and related disciplines. The Honours component also provides a strong foundation for research careers and doctoral study.