Why Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Economics (Honours)?
Shape policy, advocate for others, and lead with the law.
As a legal professional, you’ll advocate for change and shape public policy while guiding businesses and social enterprises to make informed decisions. Analyse and navigate the systems and structures that make modern Australia. How do these laws dictate what are acceptable behaviours and deal with injustices? Our economic markets are also powered by these systems. How does the law influence the behaviours of consumers and governments? Studying law and economics will challenge you to find solutions to big questions. You’ll tackle complex ideas, shape large-scale policies, and learn to think strategically.
Overview
Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Economics (Honours) enhances your employability by equipping you with two areas of expertise.
Our Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is your path to a career as a lawyer or legal professional. Explore how to analyse and interpret laws, regulations, and court rulings. Cultivate a distinct perspective on the legal systems and economic forces shaping Australian society.
Practice real-world skills such as drafting court documents. Explore how to advocate clearly and compassionately for clients. Conduct enquiries and learn how to meet complex and contemporary issues. Develop an appreciation for the importance of community-centred practice.
Our Bachelor of Economics (Honours) will advance your reasoning and research skills – enhancing your prospects for a research career. Consider economic issues impacting our society today - from government policy to individual households. Immerse yourself in the study of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics.
Develop your critical analysis and reasoning skills to influence policies and learn how to apply data-driven solutions. Both degrees include experiential learning – such as professional development in an industry-related environment or project. Become an informed adviser, policy maker, or advocate for organisations and individuals.
Key features
Cultivate professional skills and knowledge in two areas of expertise and graduate with two degrees in only six years. - Create innovative and ethical solutions to individual, community, national and global issues.
- Experience practical learning in our moot court room, legal clinics, and industry placement opportunities.
- Learn how to use industry-standard programming data and statistics modelling software.
- Develop your reasoning and argument expertise to become a persuasive communicator.
- Solve economic challenges using data and statistics to provide empirical evidence.
What you'll learn
The Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Economics (Honours) is a six-year, full-time double degree.
Commence your law studies with foundational concepts at the heart of the Australian legal system. Learn how legal institutions are set up, and the basic methods to interpret laws and legal documents. Get your first taste of how laws operate in different contexts, including business and economic environments.
Next, develop an understanding of legal areas across the Priestley 11 (the civil and criminal topics to become a solicitor or barrister in Australia). You might study topics such as:
- Administrative law
- Civil procedure
- Company law
- Contracts
- Criminal law and procedure
- Equity and trusts
- Evidence
- Federal and state constitutional law
- Professional conduct
- Property
- Torts.
You’ll practise technical drafting for court documents, client communication and advocacy skills. Be equipped for the legal world with an understanding of dispute resolution and evidence. Get real-world industry experience through community projects, clinical legal education, internships, study tours and mooting.
In your economics degree, you’ll study essential economic concepts and theories. Develop practical skills in applied data analysis. Build a foundational understanding of economics and its connection to data analytics and mathematics. Explore the nature of our local and global economy. How can big data be used to inform a response to social problems?
Next, you’ll study applied data analytics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Examine how economic policy is designed, implemented, and evaluated from a global perspective.
Tailor your studies with elective courses in labour and public economics, international trade and finance, environment or development economics.
Honours will advance your research skills and knowledge in economics. Complete a research thesis and apply advanced methods and theories in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Apply sophisticated mathematical models to analyse, interpret and forecast outcomes across complex social, behavioural, and economic issues.
Double degrees
The following double degrees are also available:
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Economics
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of International Relations
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Journalism
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Psychology
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Sustainability and Climate Change.
Please note: to work as a law professional like a solicitor or barrister, you’ll need to complete a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
What courses you'll study
Complete 288 units comprising:
- 210 units for Core courses, and
- 6 units from Work integrated learning, and
- 72 units for Electives
Complete 210 units comprising:
- 12 units from Common core, and
- 198 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
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Course code
COREX001
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Units
6
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Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
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Course code
COREX002
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Units
6
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Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
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Course code
COREX003
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Units
6
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Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
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Course code
COREX004
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Units
6
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Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
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Course code
COREX005
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Units
6
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Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
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Course code
COREX006
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Units
6
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| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Course name
Principles of Economics
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Course code
ECON1000
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Units
6
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Course name
Mathematical Economics
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Course code
ECON1003
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Units
6
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Course name
Contract
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Course code
LAWS1010
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Units
6
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Course name
How Law Works
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Course code
LAWS1011
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Units
6
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Course name
Law, Government and Community
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Course code
LAWS1012
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Units
6
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Course name
Ethics and the Future of Law
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Course code
LAWS1013
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Units
6
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Course name
Torts
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Course code
LAWS1014
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Units
6
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Course name
Business and the Law
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Course code
LAWS1019
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Units
6
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Course name
Data Analytics
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Course code
ECON1012
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Units
6
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Course name
Global Economic History
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Course code
ECON2001
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Units
6
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Course name
Intermediate Microeconomics
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Course code
ECON2005
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Units
6
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Course name
Property Law
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Course code
LAWS2001
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Units
6
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Course name
Constitutional Law
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Course code
LAWS2002
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Units
6
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Course name
Equity and Trusts
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Course code
LAWS2003
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Units
6
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Course name
International Law
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Course code
LAWS2004
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Units
6
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Course name
Intermediate Macroeconomics
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Course code
ECON2000
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Units
6
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Course name
Intermediate Econometrics
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Course code
ECON2006
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Units
6
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Course name
Econometrics
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Course code
ECON3006
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Units
6
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Course name
Economic Analysis
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Course code
ECON3801
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Units
6
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Course name
Administrative Law
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Course code
LAWS2005
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Units
6
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Course name
Criminal Law
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Course code
LAWS3001
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Units
6
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Course name
Corporate Law
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Course code
LAWS3002
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Units
6
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|
Course name
Becoming a Lawyer
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Course code
LAWS3005
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Units
6
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Course name
Econometric Theory
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Course code
ECONX401
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Units
6
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Course name
Microeconomic Theory
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Course code
ECONX403
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Units
6
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Course name
Macroeconomic Theory
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Course code
ECONX402
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Units
6
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|
Course name
Economics Research Thesis
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Course code
ECON4800
|
Units
18
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|
|
Course name
Future Law Project
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Course code
LAWS4800
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Units
12
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Course name
Evidence
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Course code
LAWS4900
|
Units
6
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|
Course name
Civil Dispute Resolution
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Course code
LAWS4901
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Units
6
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| Course name | Units |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | |
| Semester 1 | |
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6
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6
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| Semester 2 | |
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6
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| Semester 2 | |
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| Year 3 | |
| Semester 1 | |
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6
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6
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6
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| Year 4 | |
| Semester 1 | |
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6
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6
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6
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6
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| Semester 2 | |
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6
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6
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| Year 5 | |
| Semester 1 | |
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6
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6
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6
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6
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| Semester 2 | |
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18
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Units
6
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| Year 6 | |
| Semester 1 | |
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Units
6
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Units
6
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| Semester 2 | |
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6
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Units
6
|
Complete exactly 6 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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Course name
Professional Career Development
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Course code
ECON3802
|
Units
6
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| Course name | Units |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | |
| Semester 1 | |
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Units
6
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6
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6
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6
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| Semester 2 | |
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Units
6
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Units
6
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6
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Units
6
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| Year 2 | |
| Semester 1 | |
|
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Units
6
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Units
6
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6
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6
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| Semester 2 | |
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6
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6
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6
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Units
6
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| Year 3 | |
| Semester 1 | |
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Units
6
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Units
6
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6
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Units
6
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| Semester 2 | |
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Units
6
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Units
6
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Units
6
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Units
6
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| Year 4 | |
| Semester 1 | |
|
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Units
6
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Units
6
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|
Units
6
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Units
6
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| Semester 2 | |
|
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Units
6
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|
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|
Units
6
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|
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|
Units
6
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|
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|
Units
6
|
| Year 5 | |
| Semester 1 | |
|
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|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
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|
Units
18
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
| Year 6 | |
| Semester 1 | |
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
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|
Units
6
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|
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|
Units
6
|
Complete 72 units comprising:
- 30 units from Program electives - Economics, and
- 42 units from Program electives - Law
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Public Economics
|
Course code
ECON1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Resource and Environmental Economics
|
Course code
ECON3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Labour Economics
|
Course code
ECON3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Impact Evaluation Methods for Economic Policy
|
Course code
ECON3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Rethinking Capitalism
|
Course code
ECON3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Economic Growth and Development
|
Course code
ECON3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Monetary Economics
|
Course code
ECON3011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
International Money and Finance
|
Course code
ECON3010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Game Theory
|
Course code
ECON3009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Public Economic Theory
|
Course code
ECONX404
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Time Series Econometrics
|
Course code
ECONX407
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Development Economics
|
Course code
ECONX400
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
International Trade
|
Course code
IBUSX400
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Behavioural Game Theory and Experiments
|
Course code
PSYCX400
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Economics of International Trade
|
Course code
ECON3012
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Family Law
|
Course code
LAWS1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Human Rights Law
|
Course code
LAWS1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Income Tax Law
|
Course code
LAWS1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Intellectual Property Law
|
Course code
LAWS1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Health Law
|
Course code
LAWS1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Law of Work
|
Course code
LAWS1006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Law
|
Course code
LAWS1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
The Law of Succession
|
Course code
LAWS1008
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Climate Change Law
|
Course code
LAWS1009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ageing and the Law: Elder Law and Policy
|
Course code
LAWS2009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Media Law
|
Course code
LAWS3006
|
Units
6
|
Notes
Program electives - Economics - Students should also enrol in Introduction to Mathematical Economics if high school mathematics did not meet the prerequisite for Mathematical Economics
| Course name | Units |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | |
| Semester 1 | |
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Units
6
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Units
6
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6
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Units
6
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| Semester 2 | |
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6
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6
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Units
6
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Units
6
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| Year 2 | |
| Semester 1 | |
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6
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6
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6
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6
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| Semester 2 | |
|
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6
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|
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6
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6
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|
Units
6
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| Year 3 | |
| Semester 1 | |
|
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Units
6
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Units
6
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Units
6
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Units
6
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| Semester 2 | |
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Units
6
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Units
6
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|
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6
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|
Units
6
|
| Year 4 | |
| Semester 1 | |
|
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|
Units
6
|
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|
Units
6
|
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|
Units
6
|
|
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Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
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|
Units
6
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|
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|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
| Year 5 | |
| Semester 1 | |
|
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|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Course name
|
Units
18
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
| Year 6 | |
| Semester 1 | |
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
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|
Units
6
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|
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|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Australia's complex legal and economic environment demands skilled, forward-thinking graduates. With this double degree, you’ll be equipped to shape policies, advise clients, and conduct in-depth research to drive positive change.
In your future career, you could coordinate financial policies for government bodies, advise private companies on smart investments, or work in family law and trusts – resolving disputes and ensuring a fair distribution of assets.
You might also work in the following roles:
- Arbitrator/mediator
- Corporate policy adviser
- Data analyst
- Economist
- Government policy adviser
- Human rights advocate
- Information analyst
- International trade or business analyst
- Law clerk
- Parliamentary draftsperson
- Policy/ministerial adviser
- Political analyst.
Please note: to be admitted to legal practice, you will also need to fulfil the practical requirements for admission, which includes the completion of the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
Industry Trends
Job growth for solicitors in Australia has remained strong. It’s one of the top 20 occupations in demand by shortage, with above average employment rates (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2023).
Professionals with transferrable skills are in high demand across Australia, with strong growth predicted up to 2033 (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2023). Employers are increasingly seeking employees with flexible skill sets, especially graduates with analytical and creative thinking experience. This double degree is designed for you to meet real-world challenges, empowering you to succeed in your future career.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council (LPEAC). To be admitted to legal practice, graduates are required to fulfil the practical requirements for admission, which includes the completion of the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
