Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

This double degree pairs a psychology major with a full law degree, and you finish with honours. It runs 5.5 years full time at Western Sydney University. You graduate with two qualifications: a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). That means you study the mind and behaviour alongside the rules that govern how people, companies and governments behave.

What you actually study

On the psychology side you take core units in areas like cognition, development, social psychology, personality and research methods. You learn how to design studies, run statistical analysis and interpret evidence. On the law side you cover the subjects every Australian law graduate needs: constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law, property, equity, administrative law and legal ethics. Later years bring electives where the two fields meet, such as forensic psychology, mental health law, family law and criminal responsibility.

The degree is structured in semesters. Each unit carries credit points, and you need to pass a set number to progress. Because it is an honours degree, the law component includes a research project or thesis in your final year. You work with a supervisor, choose a legal question, review the literature and produce a substantial piece of writing. Some students combine psychology and law in that research.

Practical experience

Law at Western Sydney includes work-integrated learning. You may take a placement in a community legal centre, a law firm, a government department or a court. Psychology units can include research assistantships or applied projects. These placements count towards your degree and give you something concrete to talk about at interviews.

Who it suits

This course suits students who want to practise law but also want to understand why people do what they do. It leads towards legal practice, but also policy work, criminal justice, human resources and mental health advocacy. If you are considering a career where law and behaviour overlap, this double degree gives you both. Check the official CRICOS entry and Western Sydney University page for current unit lists, English requirements and tuition.

• Solicitor or barrister (after completing practical legal training and admission)
• Legal officer in government departments
• Policy adviser in justice, health or social services
• Forensic psychologist (with further postgraduate study and registration)
• Human resources or industrial relations specialist
• Community legal centre worker
• Compliance or investigations officer
• Youth justice or corrections officer
• Researcher in law, criminology or psychology

Australian employers include law firms, Legal Aid, community legal centres, state and federal government agencies, courts, tribunals, police services, banks and insurers, universities and not-for-profit organisations. Law graduates who want to practise must complete Practical Legal Training and apply for admission in an Australian state or territory.