Where law and media intersect
Acquire the knowledge and ability for two professions in this double degree. The journalism component produces journalists with a strong sense of ethics, and practical skills in print, broadcast and digital media. At the same time, you will cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. From first year, you will engage in active learning experiences and gain practical legal skills.
- 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.
- ^It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
Acquire the knowledge and ability for two professions in this double degree. The journalism component produces journalists with a strong sense of ethics, and practical skills in print, broadcast and digital media. At the same time, you will cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. From first year, you will engage in active learning experiences and gain practical legal skills.
In this program you will:
- Develop cutting-edge problem-solving and communication skills to work across a range of media platforms.
- Cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia.
- Research answers to legal problems, prepare advice, present legal argument, observe court proceedings, and take part in simulated court presentations in USC's Moot Court.
- Develop your skills by working with Legal Service clients under legal supervision in law professional practice and also complete a journalism internship.
- Have the option to complete Law Honours, usually without extending the time required to complete your degree.
Career opportunities:
- Solicitor
- Government legal officer
- Journalist
- Digital communications officer
- Communications officer – corporate or government
- Technical writer
Program structure
Bachelor of Laws courses
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
LAW101
LAW102
LAW103 Foundations of Australian Law A
LAW104 Foundations of Australian Law B
Developing and Graduate courses (20) 240 units
14 required courses (168 units)
LAW201 Criminal Law and Procedure A
LAW202 Criminal Law and Procedure B
LAW203 Torts A
LAW204 Torts B
LAW205 Contracts A
LAW206 Contracts B
LAW301 Property A
LAW302 Property B
LAW303 Constitutional Law
LAW304 Equity & Trusts
LAW401 Corporations Law
LAW402 Civil Procedure
LAW403 Administrative Law
LAW404 Professional Conduct
PLUS select 6 elective courses (72 units) from:
Not all electives are offered every year. For a list of current Law elective courses click HERE.
LAW307 Evidence
LAW310 Regulation
LAW311 Commercial Law
LAW312 Children & the Law
LAW313 Law Professional Practice
LAW315 Competition and Consumer Law
LAW318 Building & Construction Law
LAW405 Indigenous Legal Issues
LAW406 Advocacy
LAW407 Legal Dispute Resolution
LAW408 Planning and Environment Law
LAW409 Elder Law and Succession
LAW410 Intellectual Property
LAW411 Taxation
LAW412 Public International Law
LAW414 Private International Law
LAW415 International Human Rights Law
LAW416 Legal Internship
LAW417 Sports Law
LAW418 International Commercial Disputes
LAW419 Employment Law
LAW420 Health Law
LAW421 Family Law
The following 2 elective courses (24 units) are only available to students who have been accepted into honours in Law:
LAW440 Anti-Discrimination Law
LAW441
Journalism courses
Introductory courses (5) 60 units
CMN101 Honours Research Methods, Design and Confirmation
CMN106 Law Honours Thesis
CMN130 Introduction to Creative Entrepreneurship*
CMN150 Contemporary Communication Theory and Trends*
COR109 Introduction to Journalism
Developing and Graduate courses (11) 132 units
CMN202 Visual Journalism
CMN228 Communication and Thought
CMN235 Screen Production and Editing
CMN237 Media Publishing: Law & Ethics
CMN240 News Writing and Reporting
CMN277 Online Journalism
CMN302 Feature Writing
CMN305 Broadcast Journalism
CMN312 Investigative and Data Journalism
CMN313 News Rounds
CMN330 Industry Project 2: Communication
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 480
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 480 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level courses, including core courses
Program Notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 units per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on Student visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses
- Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependant on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator
- Honours in Law is available for high performing students and approval from the Program Coordinator