Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Journalism | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Journalism

Where the law and the media connect.

Our journalism degree produces journalists with a strong sense of ethics and practical skills in print, broadcast and digital media. Develop cutting-edge problem-solving and communication skills to work across a range of media platforms.

Study location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
094765K
Commence
Semester 1, Semester 2
Program length (full-time)
5 years
Semester tuition fee 2018
$11,400
Estimated total tuition fee *
$114,000
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
  • * It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 018271
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 9 Rank - 81
UniSC program code
AR395
Commence
Semester 1, Semester 2
Duration
5 years full time or equivalent part time *
Study mode
on campus
Prerequisites
English (4,SA)
Fee type 2018
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
40
Total units
480
Footnotes
  • * It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.

Our journalism degree produces journalists with a strong sense of ethics and practical skills in print, broadcast and digital media. Develop cutting-edge problem-solving and communication skills to work across a range of media platforms.

You will cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. You will engage in active learning experiences and gain practical skills right from your first year. For example, you will observe volunteer lawyers conducting client interviews at an advice clinic operated by Suncoast Community Legal Service.

You will research answers to legal problems, prepare advice, present legal argument, observe court proceedings, and take part in simulated court presentations in our new Moot Court venue. You can further develop your skills by working with Legal Service clients under legal supervision in law professional practice, or undertake a legal internship.

Take advantage of careers for law graduates with especially strong English skills in areas such as parliamentary counsel, contract drafting, corporate writing and legal publishing.

Law Honours is available, usually without extending the time required to complete your degree.

Career opportunities

This double degree offers a wide range of career opportunities including as a solicitor, barrister, government legal officer, journalist, corporate or government communications, technical writing.

Registration

The degree is an approved academic qualification for admission to the legal profession. Graduates must undertake a further period of practical legal training before being admitted as a legal practitioner.

Program structure

USC Law School courses
Introductory courses (5)

COR109 Globalisation, Development and Indigenous Peoples
LAW101 Communication and Thought
LAW102 Business Analytics
LAW103 Introduction to Economics
LAW104 Introduction to Management

Advanced courses (20)

14 required courses:

LAW201 Introduction to Marketing
LAW202 Accounting for Business
LAW203 Introduction to Informatics
LAW204 Business Law and Ethics
LAW205 Communication and Thought
LAW206 Foundations of Australian Law A
LAW301 Foundations of Australian Law B
LAW302 Criminal Law and Procedure A
LAW303 Criminal Law and Procedure B
LAW304 Torts A
LAW401 Torts B
LAW402 Contracts A
LAW403 Contracts B
LAW404 Property A

PLUS select 6 elective courses from:

LAW307 Property B
LAW310 Constitutional Law
LAW311 Equity & Trusts
LAW312 Corporations Law
LAW318 Civil Procedure
LAW407 Administrative Law
LAW408 Professional Conduct
LAW414 Evidence
LAW415 Regulation
LAW416 Commercial Law
LAW417 Children & the Law
LAW418 Law Professional Practice
LAW419 Competition and Consumer Law
LAW420 Advocacy

The following 2 elective courses are only available to students who have been accepted into honours in Law:
LAW440 Elder Law and Succession
LAW441 Intellectual Property

Please note: Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator.

Journalism courses
Introductory courses (3)

CMN104 Legal Internship
CMN130 Sports Law
CMN150 International Commercial Disputes

Advanced courses (12)

CMN213 Employment Law
CMN228 Health Law
CMN235 Family Law
CMN237 Anti-Discrimination Law
CMN240 Honours Research Methods, Design and Confirmation
CMN249 Law Honours Thesis
CMN277 Introduction to Media and Communication Industries
CMN302 Introduction to Journalism
CMN305 Visual Journalism
CMN306 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN307 Media Publishing: Law & Ethics
CMN330 News Writing and Reporting

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 480

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Successfully complete 480 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • Complete 5 introductory level (100 coded) required law courses including COR109
  • Complete 14 advanced level (200/300/400 coded) required law courses
  • Complete 6 law electives
  • Complete 3 introductory level (100 coded) required School of Communication and Creative Industries courses
  • Complete 12 advanced level (200/300 coded) required journalism courses
  • Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total, including the core course
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
  • As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
  • Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
  • Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Coordinator
  • Honours in Law available for high performing students