Why Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Journalism?
Craft narratives, shape policy and lead with the law.
Navigate and analyse the systems and structures that define modern Australia. Explore the laws that govern society – those shaping acceptable behaviours, resolving conflicts, and addressing injustices.
Provide expert legal advice, advocate for meaningful change, and influence public policy. Empower businesses and social enterprises to make informed and ethical decisions.
Master the art of storytelling and crafting news reports. Create compelling narratives to complement your legal studies. Use your legal studies to inform and enrich your journalism. Develop critical thinking skills to connect theory with practice and craft journalism that informs, challenges, and inspires action.
This double degree equips you to successfully navigate real-world challenges, empowering you to make a difference in your meaningful career.
Overview
Adelaide University’s 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 an understanding of the legal systems and economic forces shaping Australian society.
Practise 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 Journalism equips you with the expertise to tell important and impactful stories across multiple media platforms. Develop news gathering, researching, interviewing, analytical, writing and multimedia production skills. Learn how to record and edit audio and video stories. Write for online audiences and create immersive journalism using the latest technologies. Sharpen your critical analysis skills and develop your own long-form journalism project.
Both degrees include hands-on learning experiences, allowing you to undertake a real-world project or professional development in an industry setting.
Key features
Cultivate professional skills and knowledge in two areas of expertise and graduate with two degrees in only five 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.
- Understand the evolving landscape of journalism and its role in influencing public discussions, community involvement and positive social change.
- Develop reasoning skills and presenting arguments to become a persuasive communicator.
- Master essential journalism skills across mediums and platforms, preparing you for multiple career paths.
What you'll learn
The Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Journalism is a five-year, full-time double degree.
Begin your law studies with the fundamental 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. Discover how laws operate in different contexts, including business and economic environments.
Develop an understanding of legal areas across the Priestley 11 (the civil and criminal topics to become a solicitor or barrister in Australia). Topics you cover include:
- Administrative law
- Civil procedure
- Company law
- Contracts
- Criminal law and procedure
- Equity and trusts
- Evidence
- Federal and state constitutional law
- Professional conduct
- Property
- Torts.
Practice technical drafting for court documents, client communication and advocacy skills. Enhance your knowledge of 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 Journalism studies, develop disciplinary knowledge and practical news storytelling skills in areas including:
- Journalism foundations
- News writing
- Broadcast writing and production
- Data and visual journalism
- Multimedia and immersive journalism
- Journalism law and ethics
- Feature writing
- Investigative and constructive journalism.
Discover opportunities to create your own long-form journalism projects. Apply critical thinking and research skills in real-world scenarios using industry-standard studios and equipment. Build a portfolio of work and networks to deepen your employability and effectiveness as a journalist.
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 Economics (Honours)
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of International Relations
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 240 units comprising:
- 198 units for Core courses, and
- 6 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 36 units for Electives
Complete 198 units comprising:
- 18 units for all Common core, and
- 180 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
How Law Works
|
Course code
LAWS1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Law, Government and Community
|
Course code
LAWS1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ethics and the Future of Law
|
Course code
LAWS1013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Torts
|
Course code
LAWS1014
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Contract
|
Course code
LAWS1010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Business and the Law
|
Course code
LAWS1019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Constitutional Law
|
Course code
LAWS2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
International Law
|
Course code
LAWS2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Property Law
|
Course code
LAWS2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Equity and Trusts
|
Course code
LAWS2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Administrative Law
|
Course code
LAWS2005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law
|
Course code
LAWS3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Corporate Law
|
Course code
LAWS3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Becoming a Lawyer
|
Course code
LAWS3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Future Law Project
|
Course code
LAWS4800
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Evidence
|
Course code
LAWS4900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Civil Dispute Resolution
|
Course code
LAWS4901
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
How Law Works
|
Course code
LAWS1011
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Torts
|
Course code
LAWS1014
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Law, Government and Community
|
Course code
LAWS1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Ethics and the Future of Law
|
Course code
LAWS1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business and the Law
|
Course code
LAWS1019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Constitutional Law
|
Course code
LAWS2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contract
|
Course code
LAWS1010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
International Law
|
Course code
LAWS2004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Property Law
|
Course code
LAWS2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law
|
Course code
LAWS3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Equity and Trusts
|
Course code
LAWS2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Administrative Law
|
Course code
LAWS2005
|
Units
6
|
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Corporate Law
|
Course code
LAWS3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Becoming a Lawyer
|
Course code
LAWS3005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
| Year 5 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Civil Dispute Resolution
|
Course code
LAWS4901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Future Law Project
|
Course code
LAWS4800
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Evidence
|
Course code
LAWS4900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
How Law Works
|
Course code
LAWS1011
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Torts
|
Course code
LAWS1014
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Law, Government and Community
|
Course code
LAWS1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Ethics and the Future of Law
|
Course code
LAWS1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business and the Law
|
Course code
LAWS1019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Constitutional Law
|
Course code
LAWS2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contract
|
Course code
LAWS1010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
International Law
|
Course code
LAWS2004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Property Law
|
Course code
LAWS2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law
|
Course code
LAWS3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Equity and Trusts
|
Course code
LAWS2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Administrative Law
|
Course code
LAWS2005
|
Units
6
|
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Corporate Law
|
Course code
LAWS3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Becoming a Lawyer
|
Course code
LAWS3005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
| Year 5 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Civil Dispute Resolution
|
Course code
LAWS4901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Future Law Project
|
Course code
LAWS4800
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Evidence
|
Course code
LAWS4900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
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
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
How Law Works
|
Course code
LAWS1011
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Torts
|
Course code
LAWS1014
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Law, Government and Community
|
Course code
LAWS1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Ethics and the Future of Law
|
Course code
LAWS1013
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Business and the Law
|
Course code
LAWS1019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Constitutional Law
|
Course code
LAWS2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contract
|
Course code
LAWS1010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
International Law
|
Course code
LAWS2004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Property Law
|
Course code
LAWS2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law
|
Course code
LAWS3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Equity and Trusts
|
Course code
LAWS2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Administrative Law
|
Course code
LAWS2005
|
Units
6
|
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Corporate Law
|
Course code
LAWS3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Becoming a Lawyer
|
Course code
LAWS3005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
| Year 5 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Civil Dispute Resolution
|
Course code
LAWS4901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Future Law Project
|
Course code
LAWS4800
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Evidence
|
Course code
LAWS4900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Australia's complex legal and economic environment seeks 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.
With a law degree, you could coordinate policies for government bodies or find yourself advising private companies on smart investments. Perhaps you’ll work in family law and trusts, resolving disputes and ensuring a fair distribution of assets. Or, with a double degree in law and journalism, you could build a career in journalism storytelling, specialising in areas such as investigative journalism, constructive journalism or in communications and policy.
Your future career might be:
- Arbitrator/mediator
- Human rights advocate
- Law clerk
- Journalist
- Media adviser
- Policy adviser
- Counsellor/solicitor
- Political adviser
- Legal officer/legal aid
- News editor/presenter
- TV journalist.
Your studies could lead you to a wide range of opportunities across government, private sector, and not-for-profits.
This double degree equips graduates to meet real-world challenges – empowering your success for your future career.
Industry Trends
Law graduates in Australia can expect strong employment prospects. The 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey indicates that 84.5% of law graduates secured full-time employment within four to six months of graduation. This surpasses the national average of 79% across all study areas (QILT, 2023).
As digital media continues to evolve, journalism roles have become more specialised. In-demand careers include digital content creation, data journalism and multimedia production (LinkedIn, 2023).
Professionals with transferrable skills are in high demand across Australia, with strong employment growth predicted up to 2033 (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2023).
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
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Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
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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.
