Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws combines the study of human behaviour with the study of the law, and is designed to produce well-rounded graduates ready for legal practice and a range of professional careers in an increasingly global environment. The psychological science component provides a comprehensive understanding of psychology, including behavioural and mental processes, and offers an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) sequence in psychology. It is accredited by APAC and approved by the Psychology Board of Australia as a suitable program of study for registration as a psychologist, though ACU notes a minimum six-year sequence of education and training is required for general registration. The law component has been approved by accreditation authorities as a prerequisite for admission to legal practice in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and is recognised for the purposes of admission in other Australian states and territories.

Across five years the course requires 400 credit points: 140 credit points of psychology specified units and 20 credit points of Core Curriculum units towards the Bachelor of Psychological Science, and 180 credit points of law specified units, 50 credit points of law electives and a 10 credit point Community Legal Engagement: Pro Bono unit towards the Bachelor of Laws. Students also complete at least 80 hours of pro bono placement after LAWS213, which provides practical, workplace-based experience in a community context. Students who have completed 120 credit points of law units with a grade point average of 5.75 and above may apply to complete an honours degree. In New South Wales, law units are taught at North Sydney and psychological science units at Strathfield.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $13,952

Duration

5 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning August 2027 (Applications open April 2027)

Study Mode

Full-time or part-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent:
- New South Wales: English (Standard) (Band 3) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) (Band 4)
- Victoria: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 25 in any other English
Indicative ATAR: 75.00 (Melbourne), 75.00 (North Sydney)
Applicants with higher education study must still meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites. Applicants who have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above are assigned a new selection rank reflecting their study level, duration and grade point average, and prior study or relevant work experience may attract credit or recognition of prior learning.
ACU also assesses applicants on recent secondary education, prior VET study, and work and life experience.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

International students

International applicants need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate and must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including its English Language Proficiency requirements.
International students completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (either in or outside Australia), an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 must apply for admission through their local Tertiary Admission Centre and are assessed on their performance in those studies, that is, their ATAR or equivalent.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws is excellent preparation for pursuing a career in areas such as:
• Academic
• Criminology researcher
• Health department researcher
• Human resources consultant
• In-house legal counsel for NGOs, community or health service organisations
• Legal practitioner (barrister or solicitor)
• Policy writer
• Psychologist (after further studies)
• Training consultant
• Private legal practice as a solicitor or barrister
• Legal officer in the public sector (for example in federal or state government departments and publicly funded organisations as diverse as national regulatory bodies, universities or public broadcasters)
• In-house counsel to a wide range of organisations from corporations to trade unions
• Public interest legal work in community legal centres
• Legal research

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units92 units

PSYC100

Foundations of Psychology

PSYC101

Applications of Psychology

PSYC108

Psychological Practice: Theory and Techniques

PSYC110

Research Design and Data Analysis 1

PSYC200

Life Span Development

PSYC212

Abnormal Psychology

PSYC220

Personality and Individual Differences

PSYC226

Research Design and Data Analysis 2

PSYC227

Social Psychology

PSYC307

Cognitive Psychology

PSYC314

Psychological Assessment

PSYC315

Brain and Behaviour

PSYC323

Research Design and Data Analysis 3

PSYC324

Learning and Behaviour

PHCC102

Being Human

PHCC104

Ethics and the Good Life

PHCC106

Making Sense: Practical Reasoning for Life and Career

THCC100

Revolutionary Values: Christianity in History

THCC101

People Matter: Catholic Social Thought

TPCC100

Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema

PHCC201

The Origins of the Sciences and Contemporary Challenges

THCC200

Justice in the World: Catholic Social Ethics in Global Perspective

THCC202

Sacred Land: Australian Indigenous Spiritualities and Catholic Thought

TPCC201

Ecology and Justice

TPCC202

Conflict, Violence and Peace-making

LAWS104

Foundations of Law and Legal Research

LAWS105

Contract Law

LAWS106

Criminal Law and Procedure

LAWS107

Introduction to Australian Public Law

LAWS108

Commercial Law

LAWS200

Business Organisations

LAWS201

Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution

LAWS204

Land Law

LAWS205

Property

LAWS206

Torts

LAWS304

Evidence

LAWS314

Statutory Interpretation

LAWS403

Legal Theory

LAWS404

International Law

LAWS418

Administrative Law

LAWS419

Constitutional Law

LAWS420

Equity and Trusts

LAWS421

Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility

LAWS110

Of Civil Government and Indigenous Peoples

LAWS111

Indigenous Peoples and International Law

LAWS202

Comparative Legal Systems

LAWS203

False or Misleading Conduct and Economic Torts

LAWS207

Contemporary Legal Issues

LAWS208

Family Law

LAWS209

Introduction to the Law and Legal System of the United States

LAWS210

Lawyers, Problem-Solving and Professional Identity

LAWS211

Psychology and the Law

LAWS212

Employment Law

LAWS214

Drugs and the Law

LAWS215

Housing and Rental Law

LAWS216

Native Title Law and Practice

LAWS217

Philosophy of Law and Justice: Indigenous Peoples

LAWS301

Competition Law

LAWS306

Taxation Law

LAWS307

Advanced Criminal Law

LAWS308

Human Rights in Contemporary Australia

LAWS309

Communications Law

LAWS310

Discrimination and the Law

LAWS311

Environmental Law

LAWS313

Mooting and Advocacy

LAWS315

Welfare Law

LAWS316

INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOUR 2

LAWS318

Indigenous Knowledge and Intellectual Property

LAWS319

Oceans and Land Law: Just Terms

LAWS320

International Learning Tour

LAWS401

Consumer Protection Law

LAWS402

International Trade Law

LAWS406

Intellectual Property Law

LAWS407

International Human Rights Law

LAWS408

Alternative Dispute Resolution

LAWS409

Law of the European Union

LAWS410

Banking and Finance Law

LAWS411

The Phillip C Jessup Moot Seminar

LAWS412

Migration Law

LAWS413

Wills and Succession

LAWS414

Advocacy

LAWS415

Animal Law

LAWS416

International Criminal Law

LAWS417

Sports Law

LAWS423

Law, Religion and Society

LAWS424

Media Law

LAWS458

Childrens Rights

LAWS459

Law and Innovation

LAWS460

Mental Health Law

LAWS461

Financial Markets Law & Regulation

LAWS213

Community Legal Engagement Pro Bono

LAWP100

Pro Bono / Legal Professional Experience 1

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total tuition fee for the Bachelor of Psychological Science/ Bachelor of Laws?

The estimated total tuition cost for international students is AU$189,520, based on ACU's indicative first-year fee of AU$37,904 across the five years of the course, with no additional non-tuition fees listed.

How long does the Bachelor of Psychological Science/ Bachelor of Laws take to complete?

The course has a duration of 260 weeks.

Does the Bachelor of Psychological Science/ Bachelor of Laws include a work component?

Yes, students complete at least 80 hours of pro bono placement after finishing the unit LAWS213 Community Legal Engagement: Pro Bono, which provides practical, workplace-based experience in a community context.

At which campuses can I study the Bachelor of Psychological Science/ Bachelor of Laws?

The course is offered at three locations: the Australian Catholic University North Sydney Campus (NSW), the Strathfield Campus (NSW), and the Australian Catholic University Melbourne Campus (VIC), all of which are owned and operated by the provider.

Is this course eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

The course is a dual qualification Bachelor Degree with a duration of 260 weeks (which exceeds the 92-week threshold), and it falls under the Society and Culture broad field of education. Eligibility for extended Post-Study Work Rights depends on additional criteria including the course's narrow Field of Education aligning with the Skills Level 1 priority list and at least 1 active enrolment at the time of yearly review.

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!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $61,000 to $80,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $80,000 to $100,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $100,000 to $124,000 per year

Career Paths

Clinical PsychologistCounselling PsychologistOrganisational / Industrial PsychologistForensic PsychologistSchool Psychologist / Educational Psychologist

Key Skills

Critical thinking and evidence-based reasoningPsychological assessment and diagnostic interviewingQuantitative and qualitative research design and analysisTherapeutic communication and active listeningReport writing and clinical documentation

Full Course Overview

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