Bachelor (Honours)
The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Theology is a unique double degree offered by The University of Notre Dame Australia, focusing on the relationship between law and religion. It combines practical legal education with theological studies, preparing graduates for diverse careers in law, business, politics, and academia.
Are you interested in a unique double degree? The University of Notre Dame Australia is one of two universities in Australia which offers this double degree in Law and Theology. The increasingly complex relationship between law and religion and contemporary challenges to religious freedoms make this a particularly valuable degree combination. Graduates may pursue a wide range of career options in law, business, politics and academia. The NSW Legal Profession Admission Board fully accredits your law degree. Contact us to find out more.
Why study this degree?The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Theology explores the increasingly complex relationship between the law and religion, religious freedom, and religious conflict. As a Catholic University, theology holds a central place in the life and mission of The University of Notre Dame Australia. By studying theology and various research methodologies, you will develop the skills to critically examine Scripture and Christian Tradition, thereby improving your understanding of the Catholic faith within a legal framework.
The Bachelor of Laws, meanwhile, focuses on the practical application of legal and ethical principles. This degree focuses on the basic building blocks of the law (the so-called "Priestley" subjects) and on developing practical skills such as public speaking, advocacy, alternative dispute resolution and commercial practice skills.
Through our mentoring and internship programs, students have many opportunities to experience the law in practice. All of our academics have substantial experience in legal practice (either as solicitors, law experts, barristers or judges) in Australia or overseas. This allows each student to learn legal principles and how they apply them in legal practice.
Graduates of this double degree program can work as a solicitor in private practice, become a barrister, join a corporation or not-for-profit organisation as an in-house solicitor, work in the courts as a judge's associate or enter academia.
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.
*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.
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 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:
*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).
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) graduates will be able to:
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Theology graduates will be able to:
Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; career opportunities range from government, policy development, management, education, advocacy, diocesan agencies or Church offices, charities, not-for-profits, non-government organisations, welfare and social service, mission, voluntary and youth 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).