Bachelor of Laws (Honours) & Journalism at Adelaide

Bachelor Honours Degree Law (JD) Full Time

Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing

at Adelaide University · Adelaide, South Australia

CRICOS course code

089102C

CRICOS provider code

00121B

This course is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Verify it yourself at cricos.education.gov.au before paying any fee.

Duration

5 years

Tuition (whole course)

A$191,500 total

Per year

A$37,863/yr

Intake

Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul)

About this program

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing at Adelaide University offers a rigorous and comprehensive double degree for those seeking to develop advanced knowledge in both legal theory and practice, alongside professional skills in journalism. Over five years of full-time study, students undertake a robust curriculum designed to cultivate analytical, research, advocacy, and communication skills, grounded in Australian legal and media contexts. Honours-level law study ensures a deeper engagement with legal research or a capstone project, and helps develop competencies highly regarded by employers and professional bodies.

The course is structured around semesters, featuring a combination of foundational and advanced units of study across both law and journalism disciplines. Students typically complete a set number of credit points by undertaking core units in areas such as constitutional law, contract law, media law, ethics, news writing, and multimedia storytelling. A distinctive feature of this double degree is the opportunity for work-integrated learning through professional placements in legal firms, courts, media organisations, or government departments, offering practical experience and valuable industry networking within Australia’s legal and communications sectors.

Graduates will attain public speaking, critical thinking, negotiation, legal research, news production, editing, and digital content creation skills, placing them at an advantage in the marketplace. This programme is well-suited to those with an interest in law, public policy, investigative reporting, or media relations who wish to drive positive change across both sectors. International students are eligible to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during their studies and may be eligible for the Post-Study Work stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) upon completion, fostering further career advancement in Australia. As this qualification may lead to admission as a legal practitioner, students should confirm professional accreditation and admission requirements on the official university page.

Entry requirements

English: International applicants must evidence English proficiency. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common undergraduate and coursework-postgraduate standard, rising to 7.0–7.5 for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university’s own English programmes are accepted as equivalents; the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself.

International students: Registered on CRICOS for international students. A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for this course supports a Student visa (subclass 500) application; Overseas Student Health Cover is required for the full duration.

Career outcomes

Solicitor or barrister in private practice, government, or community legal centres
Legal advisor or policy officer in public and private sectors
Journalist, reporter, or multimedia content producer for press, digital, radio, or television outlets
Media lawyer or legal consultant for news organisations
Corporate communications or public relations specialist
Researcher for think tanks, advocacy groups, or academic institutions
Opportunities in Australia's legal, media, publishing, corporate, and government industries

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing at Adelaide University?

It typically takes 5 years, with intakes in Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul).

How much is the tuition?

Tuition is around A$191,500 total. Fees change yearly, confirm with an advisor.

What are the career outcomes?

Solicitor or barrister in private practice, government, or community legal centresLegal advisor or policy officer in public and private sectorsJournalist, reporter, or multimedia content producer for press, digital, radio, or television outletsMedia lawyer or legal consultant for...

Apply View university