Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Laws

Discover how an understanding of social systems can support knowledge of the legal system. As you study the Bachelor of Arts — Bachelor of Laws joint degree, you’ll learn the role of law in social, economic, environmental and political contexts. You’ll also consider the importance of stable government, economic prosperity, the protection of individual and cultural rights, and the wellbeing of societies in the Tropics and throughout Australia. You’ll then explore the connections between the two, to understand how the Arts and Law can complement each other.

In this five-year joint degree, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the concepts, principles and values of the law, enhanced by the critical analysis, problem-solving and research capabilities of the arts and humanities. The Bachelor of Arts — Bachelor of Laws degree qualifies you for admission to practice law in Queensland and provides you with the analytic and communication skills of the Bachelor of Arts.

Learn from world-class lecturers and experience small, friendly classes and personalised support. Practical work placements will ensure you are work-ready when you graduate. In the Bachelor of Laws, you’ll get firsthand experience with the legal system through mock trials as well as the chance to gain practical training in North Queensland’s first ‘moot court’ with e-court facilities at JCU Cairns, Bada-jali campus, City. The law discipline will enable you to develop an understanding of a broad and coherent body of legal knowledge, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts

The arts disciplines will help you understand how humans recognise, record and debate human practices, meanings and values, and will show you how to apply this understanding to historical and contemporary contexts. The arts disciplines include Anthropology, Archaeology, Criminology, English, History, Human Geography, Human Services, Indigenous Studies, Politics and International Relations, Psychology Studies and Sociology.

Tailor your studies to suit your passion, with 11 majors to choose from within the Bachelor of Arts. You can choose up to two majors or one major with two minors, which can complement your studies in Law, broaden your area of expertise, or allow you to pursue topics that spark your interest.

If you wish to practice law, you should obtain further information from the Barristers’ and Solicitors’ Admission Boards.
Additional information

A JCU Arts-Law degree gives you the versatility and diversity of skills to choose from many different careers.

Career pathways — depending on what majors you choose — may include law, land rights and Indigenous affairs, education, politics, economics, history, public policy, or human rights

You could perform roles such as barrister, solicitor, public prosecutor, community lawyer, legal officer, or in-house counsel for large companies.