Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Journalism)

The University of Notre Dame Australia

CRICOS Institution Code 01032F

Duration

286 weeks

Delivery

On campus

Study Load

Full-time / Part-time

Intakes

—

Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Journalism)

Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Politics & Journalism at The University of Notre Dame Australia (the current name for what was previously marketed as Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Journalism)) is a double degree covering the legal knowledge needed to practise as a lawyer alongside an introduction to current affairs, world politics and journalism. It suits students aiming for careers in law, politics or journalism, including as policy advisers in state or federal government.

The accredited Laws component focuses on the foundational "Priestley" subjects and on practical skills such as public speaking, advocacy, alternative dispute resolution and commercial practice, taught in small classes (recent average class size of 31 students) by academics with substantial legal practice experience. The Politics & Journalism component covers world politics, governance, media ethics and law, and the media's role in political agenda-setting, with electives in journalism and politics/international relations and a capstone in either a Digital Journalism Portfolio or an internship/professional project.

Completed over 5.25 years of full-time study on the Fremantle or Sydney campus, graduates can pursue careers including solicitor, barrister, judge's associate and research assistant, with an Honours award available.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Perth

88 Guy St, Broome, WA 6725

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Provider's Published Fee

Commonwealth Supported Place: $17,400/year (2026, Law/Humanities Band 4); indicative total approx. $91,350 for 5.25 years

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students

Fremantle (WA) campus

Applicants with recent Secondary Education: Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank of 80, OR International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 29
Applicants with Higher Education: successful completion of at least 4 subjects at undergraduate level or higher, with GPA greater than 5.5 (Tertiary Preparation Programs not accepted for entry)
Applicants with VET study: AQF Diploma or higher in a relevant discipline from an accredited provider (TAFE/RTO)
Applicants with Work and Life Experience (20+ years of age): significant relevant work experience (STAT may be required), OR STAT scores of at least 150 (Multiple Choice) and 150 (Written English), OR two Year 12 WACE/HSC exams equivalent to the ATAR above

Sydney (NSW) campus

Applicants with recent Secondary Education: Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank, OR equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score
Applicants with Higher Education: successful completion of at least 4 subjects at undergraduate level or higher, with GPA greater than 5.5
Applicants with VET study: AQF Diploma or higher in a relevant discipline from an accredited provider (TAFE/RTO)
Applicants with Work and Life Experience (20+ years of age): significant relevant work experience (STAT may be required), OR STAT scores of at least 160 (Multiple Choice) and 160 (Written English), OR two Year 12 WACE/HSC exams equivalent to the Prescribed ATAR

International Students

Same academic entry requirements as domestic students (see above)
English language proficiency (Undergraduate coursework): IELTS Academic 6.0 overall (no band <6.0) | PTE Academic 50 | TOEFL iBT 73 (pre-2026) / 4 overall (2026+, no skill <3.5-4) | CAE/CPE 169

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Solicitor
Barrister
Judge's associate
Research assistant, in the fields of law, politics or journalism

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB NSW)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

State Legal Admission Authority

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units36 units

LAWS1000

Legal Research & Writing

LAWS1010

Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation

LAWS1020

Legal History

LAWS2510

Criminal Law A

LAWS2110

Contract Law A

LAWS2210

Torts A

LAWS2520

Criminal Law B

LAWS2120

Contract Law B

LAWS2220

Torts B

LAWS2410

Property Law A

LAWS3002

Administrative Law

LAWS2420

Property Law B

LAWS3600

Advocacy

LAWS3003

Constitutional Law

LAWS2310

Equity

LAWS3210

Corporations & Partnerships

LAWS3001

Evidence

LAWS2320

Trusts

LAWS4050

Remedies

LAWS4001

Civil Procedure

LAWS3500

Legal Philosophy

LAWS4620

Alternative Dispute Resolution

LAWS4710

Commercial Practice & Ethics

Law Elective Courses (5 required, including at least one international law elective)

COMM1420

Introduction to Journalism

POLI1000

Introduction to World Politics

POLI1001

Politics, Democracy and Governance in Australia

COMM2340

Journalism: Theory and Practice

COMM3050

Media Ethics and Law

POLI3003

Setting the Agenda: The Media and Politics

POLI3001

Information Disorder and Political Warfare

Journalism Elective Courses (2 required)

Politics & International Relations Elective Courses (2 required)

Capstone Course

COMM3002 Digital Journalism Portfolio, OR ARTS3002 Internship or Professional Project

CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom

CORE II: Elective

Electives in philosophy and/or theology, professional embedded electives, a pilgrimage-embedded option (e.g. World Youth Day), a community-service option, or an international-experience elective.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bachelor of Laws degree accredited for admission to legal practice?

Yes. The Bachelor of Laws degree offered at The University of Notre Dame Australia is an accredited degree for admission to legal practice. It covers underlying legal and ethical principles and explains how they are applied in legal practice.

How long does this double degree take to complete?

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Journalism) takes 5.25 years to complete full-time, or an equivalent period part-time. It is available at both the Fremantle and Sydney campuses, with commencement in Semester 1 or Semester 2.

What practical skills will I develop in the Law component of this degree?

The Notre Dame Law degree has a particular focus on the basic building blocks of the law (the so-called "Priestley" subjects) and on developing practical skills such as public speaking, advocacy, alternative dispute resolution and commercial practice skills. Through mentoring and internship programs, students have many opportunities to experience the law in practice.

What are the entry requirements for applicants with recent secondary education in WA?

For WA applicants with recent secondary education, an indicative ATAR/Selection Rank of 80 (including adjustment factors) or an International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 29 is required. All applicants must also satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency.

What career paths can I pursue after completing this double degree?

Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors. Career opportunities include working as a solicitor, pursuing a political career, becoming a policy adviser in state or Federal Government, or working as a journalist reporting on legal developments.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Typical Salary (AUD)

Entry-level (0-2 years)$55,000 – $74,000/yr

Early Career (2-5 years)$74,000 – $90,000/yr

Mid-Level (5-10 years)$90,000 – $115,000/yr

Career Paths

Policy Analyst / Policy Officer
Communications Officer / Manager
Public Relations Specialist
Content Writer / Copywriter
Journalist / Reporter

Key Skills

Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
Persuasive written and oral communication
Research design and qualitative/quantitative research methods
Intercultural awareness and cross-cultural communication
Ethical reasoning and moral philosophy

Full course overview

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