Program Overview

Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts

Overview

This double degree prepares you for legal practice while giving you specialized knowledge in international relations or journalism.

Professional Recognition and Accreditation

Graduates may be recognized in Western Australia by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia.

Admission Criteria

ATAR Pathway

• Guaranteed ATAR: 90
• Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites): None
• Desirable WACE subjects: None

Alternative Pathways

• STAT entry: The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.
• TAFE entry: Not accepted. VET studies cannot meet the equivalent ATAR requirement.

English Requirements

• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System):
  • Writing: 6
  • Speaking: 6
  • Reading: 6
  • Listening: 6
  • Overall band score: 6.5

Fees and Scholarships

Australian and New Zealand Student Indicative Fees

• 2025 Fee year: $17,000* (Commonwealth supported)

Location

• Curtin Perth

How to Apply

• Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice
• Each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Course Structure

• This double degree will prepare you for legal practice while giving you specialized knowledge in digital and social media, international relations, journalism or security and strategic studies.
• You can gain an understanding of politics, cultures and societies, organizations and policymaking, the impact of digital technologies and the issues that concern our region and the world.
• You'll also gain practical skills specific to your chosen major, such as critical analysis, problem-solving, strategic and ethical leadership, and advanced communication skills and strategies.

Arts Majors

• Digital and Social Media: Develop advanced skills in creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions
• International Relations: Increase your understanding of international diplomacy, politics and organizations.
• Journalism: Learn how to report on topics across radio, video and online platforms.
• Security and Strategic Studies: Gain an in-depth understanding of the complex challenges that affect Australia’s national security and international security.

What You'll Learn

• Apply knowledge of the Australian legal system, statutory rules and case law principles in both the fundamental areas of legal knowledge and a range of elective fields to the resolution of legal problems.
• Critically and creatively analyze legal problems to articulate the issues involved and apply legal reasoning to make a considered choice between competing solutions.
• Identify, access, assess and synthesize relevant information from primary legal sources such as cases and legislation and secondary sources such as journal articles and commentaries (including electronic versions of these sources) and gather relevant oral and documentary evidence.
• Communicate the outcomes of legal research and analysis effectively, appropriately and persuasively to colleagues, to clients and to other professionals and the broader community.
• Use appropriate electronic legal databases for research purposes and be able to communicate effectively in electronic forms.
• Maintain intellectual curiosity as to justice and its practical application in the legal system, be able to identify areas where their legal knowledge and skills require further development, and to critically reflect on their own performance as legal professionals, making use of feedback as appropriate.
• Articulate the similarities and differences between local and other jurisdictions, including interstate and overseas ones, and be aware of the principles of public and private international law.
• Articulate distinct concepts of law, justice and human rights, with an awareness of different legal traditions and cultures, particularly indigenous cultures.
• Identify how and where indigenous persons and other identifiable social groups are differentially impacted by the legal system.
• Demonstrate respect for human rights, cultural diversity and the particular rights of Indigenous Australians.
• Work independently, as well as collaboratively, with a developing sense of the ethical issues that arise in legal practice and how these may be resolved.
• Work ethically and professionally, both within a team and independently.

Duration

• This course is four years plus one trimester full-time or equivalent part-time study.
• The first three years of this course are taught in semesters and only offered at the Bentley campus.
• The fourth year and the final trimester are taught in trimesters at our Perth City location.

Credit

• A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.
• 1000 credits are required to complete the course.

CRICOS

• The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) Code indicates a registered program offered to international students studying in Australia on student visas.
• K

Location

• The Curtin campuses or teaching locations where units of this course are offered.
• Curtin Perth

Other Requirements and Notes for This Course

• Applications to the Bachelor of Laws courses are for Semester 1 only.
• Applications to the Bachelor of Laws courses for Semester 2, Trimester 1, Trimester 2, and Trimester 3 may be available to:
  • Existing law students who have partially completed Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degrees from other recognised institutions.
  • Curtin students who are eligible to Course Switch and are seeking to add the Bachelor of Laws to their existing course and enrol in a Bachelor of Laws double degree course.

Use Your Experience to Get Credit Towards Your Degree

• Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.
• Submit an enquiry CRL search.