Bachelor of Social Sciences/Laws (Honours) | UNSW Sydney

Bachelor Honours Degree Law (JD) Full Time

Bachelor of Social Sciences/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

at University of New South Wales · Sydney, New South Wales

CRICOS course code

110661C

CRICOS provider code

00098G

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$289,500 total

Per year

A$57,900/yr

Intake

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

About this program

The Bachelor of Social Sciences/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of New South Wales in Sydney is a rigorous double degree that combines an in-depth understanding of social sciences with a comprehensive legal education. The programme is structured over five years of full-time study and is suited to those who want to understand the complex intersection of society, policy, and the law in Australia.

Throughout the course, students will study foundational and advanced units in both social sciences and law. The legal component emphasises core areas such as constitutional, criminal, contract, and administrative law, alongside specialised electives. The honours element includes independent research and a thesis, fostering strong scholarly and analytical abilities. In the social sciences stream, students examine social policy, sociology, political science, and other disciplines that explore how societal forces shape legal and policy frameworks.

The curriculum is typically delivered across semesters, with students earning credit points through each completed unit of study. Opportunities for work-integrated learning or professional placement are common, providing hands-on experience, particularly valuable for those intending to practise law or work in public policy. Graduates develop strong critical thinking, communication, legal research, and advocacy skills, as well as a comprehensive awareness of major social issues impacting Australian society.

This double degree is ideal for individuals interested in legal practice, social advocacy, government, or research. As a pathway to the legal profession, it meets academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia, and international students must meet English proficiency criteria, typically an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 or higher for law. Students in Australia benefit from links to industry, access to 48 hours of work rights per fortnight, and may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) upon graduation. Prospective students should confirm course details on the official 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 Australian legal practice
Policy analyst in government departments or NGOs
Social justice or advocacy roles in community legal centres
Legal researcher with think tanks or academic institutions
Consultant in regulatory affairs or compliance
Roles in the public sector or legislative advisory bodies

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Bachelor of Social Sciences/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at University of New South Wales?

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

How much is the tuition?

Tuition is around A$289,500 total. Fees change yearly, confirm with an advisor.

What are the career outcomes?

Solicitor or barrister in Australian legal practicePolicy analyst in government departments or NGOsSocial justice or advocacy roles in community legal centresLegal researcher with think tanks or academic institutionsConsultant in regulatory affairs or complianceRoles in the publi...

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