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The University of Notre Dame Australia

  • 2% international / 98% domestic

Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Politics & Journalism / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Politics & Journalism

  • Bachelor (Honours)

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Journalism) at the University of Notre Dame Australia combines legal knowledge with insights into politics and journalism, preparing students for careers in law, politics, or journalism.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor (Honours)
Duration
5.25 years full-time, 5.25 years part-time
Course Code
3514, 095679M
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Jan, Jul

About this course

Overview

Whether you are a budding politician looking to change Australian law or a passionate journalist who wants to report on our country's latest legal developments, understanding the law is valuable. The University of Notre Dame Australia's Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Journalism) is an exciting double degree that covers the legal knowledge necessary to excel as a lawyer and an introduction to current affairs, world politics and journalism. Contact us today to start your learning journey.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Entry requirements WA

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 80
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 29

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education

  • Successful completion of at least 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*, with mid-credit average.

Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

Note: Tertiary Preparation Programs are not accepted for entry.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Diploma or higher in a relevant discipline from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • In exceptional circumstances, applicants who have significant relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.
  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section*.
  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

Entry requirements NSW

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*
  • Equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education

  • Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*, with an average grade of 65% or higher

Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

Note: Tertiary Preparation Programs are not accepted for entry.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Diploma or higher in a relevant discipline from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • In exceptional circumstances, applicants who have significant relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.
  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 160 in the Multiple Choice section and 160 in the Written English section*.
  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

Study locations

Sydney

Fremantle

What you will learn

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) graduates will be able to:
  1. Write effective and professional documents adapted to suit the purpose and audience
  2. Develop and deliver effective and professional presentations adapted to suit the purpose and audience, using appropriate technologies
  3. Synthesise, interpret and apply information in order to resolve legal problems
  4. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of foundational legal concepts, principles and theories, and apply and transfer knowledge to diverse national, regional and international legal contexts
  5. Undertake self-directed learning with an appreciation of the value and importance of engaging in continuing professional development
  6. Provide social justice in the community including the provision of legal advice on a pro bono basis
  7. Use ethical and socially responsible decision-making skills
  8. Critically reflect on the influence of Catholic and other philosophical and intellectual traditions on the law and on their role in resolving legal issues
  9. Work responsibly and collaboratively in diverse teams to achieve shared outcomes
  10. Conduct independent legal research and employ appropriate legal research methods and sources to locate, evaluate, synthesise and present accurate, up-to-date and reliable legal sources
  11. Critically evaluate, analyse and deploy evidence in support of a research thesis and communicate their findings in both oral and written form (Honours Only)
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Journalism) graduates will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate broad theoretical and practical knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts related to politics, international relations and journalism
  2. Identify appropriate sources and evaluate information
  3. Demonstrate an awareness of different conceptual approaches and/or research methods
  4. Identify the ethical considerations informing the study and professional practice of politics, international relations and journalism
  5. Synthesise knowledge and apply skills in order to solve complex political and cultural problems
  6. Communicate arguments and/or ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences in a range of forms
  7. Exemplify the technical and professional skills required in the domains of politics, international relations and journalism
  8. Work independently and, where appropriate, in collaboration with others
  9. Reflect upon personal knowledge, skills and experiences drawn from the study and practice of politics, international relations and journalism

Career pathways

Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; career opportunities range from solicitor, barrister, judge's associate, and research assistant in the fields of law, politics or journalism.

Course structure

Program summaryYear One
  • Legal Research and Writing
  • Legal Process and Statutory Interpretation
  • Introduction to World Politics
  • Introduction to Journalism
  • Legal History
  • Politics, Democracy and Governance in Australia
  • Journalism: Theory and Practice
Year Two
  • Criminal Law A
  • Contract Law A
  • Torts A
  • Setting the Agenda: The Media and Politics
  • Criminal Law B
  • Contract Law B
  • Torts B
  • Media and Society
  • One Journalism Elective
Year Three
  • Property Law A
  • Property Law B
  • Two Journalism Electives
  • Three Politics Electives
Year Four
  • Advocacy
  • Constitutional Law
  • Equity
  • Corporations and Partnerships
  • Evidence
  • Administrative Law
  • Trusts
  • Law Elective One
Year Five
  • Remedies
  • Civil Procedure
  • Legal Philosophy
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Commercial Practice & Ethics
  • Law Elective Two
  • Law Elective Three
  • Law Elective Four
Law Electives
  • Advanced Administrative Law
  • Advanced Civil Procedure
  • Advanced Constitutional Law
  • Advanced Evidence
  • Advanced Research Project (i.e. Honours research - two courses)
  • Bioethics and the Law
  • Advanced Taxation Law
  • Commercial Drafting
  • Commercial Law
  • Construction and Building Contract Law
  • Contemporary Legal Issues
  • Directed Research Project
  • Employee Relations Law
  • Entertainment Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Family Law
  • Health Law
  • Human Rights Law
  • Insolvency
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Canon Law (i.e. Church Law)
  • Law in Context (Externships) - involves work experience
  • Law Review (i.e. the University's legal journal)
  • Mining and Petroleum Law
  • Occupational Safety and Health Law
  • Introduction to Australian Taxation Law
  • Succession
  • Competition and Consumer Law
  • Trial Advocacy
  • Indigenous Law
  • Law & Religion
Politics & Journalism Electives
  • Politics, Democracy and Governance in Australia
  • Introduction to World Politics
  • Setting the Agenda: The Media & Politics
  • Introduction to Journalism
  • Journalism: Theory and Practice
  • Media and Society
  • Australian Foreign Policy
  • Comparing Political Systems
  • Strategy, Security & Diplomacy
  • Media Ethics and Law
  • Journalism for TV & Video
  • Interactive Media
  • Radio
Core Curriculum
  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and/or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and/or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

Credit for prior study or work

Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).