​Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (2833)

  • Approved Abbreviation: BComm/LLB(Hons)
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 2833
  • AQF Level: 8

CRICOS code: 108420E

This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.

This program is designed for high achieving law students in the Bachelor of Communication/ Bachelor of Laws program who wish to undertake an extended level of study and research in Law. An honours degree indicates academic excellence in a professional context and, as an Australian Qualifications Framework Level 8 qualification, students may also have direct entry into postgraduate programs including Masters and Doctor of Philosophy programs. 

There is no direct entry into the Honours program. Entry is by application only following completion of at least 160 credit points of Law study and by meeting specified criteria (see Admission details).  As an embedded honours program, students are not required to undertake an additional period of study. Further details regarding the honours program and its requirements are available at: Honours in Law and School of Law Honours Guidelines.

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program satisfies the academic degree requirements for admission to practice as an Australian lawyer. Students will engage in collaborative face-to-face problem and case-based learning, will be supported by online learning materials, and will participate in authentic assessment to develop knowledge and skills. The program provides students with a broad progressive legal education with a strong practical orientation to the law. Students develop skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, research, communication, collaboration, self-management, and ethical and professional awareness and judgement. Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in legal advocacy, negotiation, and legal technology and extend their professional and learning experiences through work integrated learning, clinical placement and international exchange engagements.

Study Mode

Five years full-time or ten years part-time. Communication subjects are offered at Parramatta, Penrith, WSU Online and Sydney City campuses and Law subjects are offered at Campbelltown and Parramatta campuses. Students may be required to travel between campuses in order to complete their subjects. 

Program Advice

courseadvicelaw@westernsydney.edu.au

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Campbelltown Campus Full Time Internal See Above
Campbelltown Campus Part TIme Internal See Above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Full Time Internal See Above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Part Time Internal See Above

Accreditation

Graduates from the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program are eligible to apply to the Legal Profession Admission Board for admission to legal practice in NSW after undertaking prescribed practical legal training.

The Bachelor of Communication is accredited with the International Advertising Association (IAA), the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and the Media Federation of Australia (MFA).

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.

Inherent Requirements

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

This program is designed for students in the Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws program who wish to undertake an Honours program.

Students must meet all of the following criteria for admission:

  • Completion of at least 160 credit points of law study (or 140 credit points if two Summer subjects are undertaken);
  • Demonstration of the likelihood of graduating with an Honours Weighted Average Mark (HWAM) of at least 70 at the time of graduation; or an Admission Average Mark (AAM) of at least 70 at the time of admission to the Honours program. Refer to https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/schools/sol/honours for details
  • Submission of a ‘Nomination of Topics’ form which expresses preferences among supervisor-defined topics and/or describes a student-defined topic in a scholarly manner. Refer to https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0008/1784474/Honours_topic_nomination_form_2020.docx
  • Demonstration of satisfactory academic writing skills
  • Availability of a principal supervisor

Special Requirements

Students enrolling in these subjects may need to have a National Police Certificate and consent or prohibited employment declarations as they may be conducting their placement in circumstances where they work with minors. This would be managed on an as needs basis:

  • LAWS 4017 Access to Justice Clinic
  • LAWS 3074 Judicial Internship
  • LAWS 3077 Legal Internship
  • LAWS 4012 First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic
  • LAWS 3080 Street Law Clinic
  • JUST 3011 Issues in the Criminal Justice System (corrective services field trip requirement) also records and identity check. 

The following units require a visa for the relevant country and the ability to travel at a specified time:

Program Structure Current

This structure applies to students who commenced in 2024 or later. If you commenced prior to 2024 please refer to the relevant Structure tab for details.

Qualification for a double degree in law requires the successful completion of 400 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended sequences for the relevant double degree programs.

Students are eligible to graduate in the associated degree at the end of three years of full-time study, only when they have completed all non-law subjects plus the eight law subjects specified in the study sequence as being in the first three years of the relevant double degree.

Students enrolled in the 2833 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) will only be eligible to graduate from their Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree upon completion of the entire 400 credit point course. Students enrolled in this course who wish to graduate with a standalone law degree prior to completion of the entire Bachelor of Communication component must transfer to course 2829 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Non Graduate Entry) which requires the completion of 320 credit points (inclusive of 80 credit points of non-LLB study).

It may be possible to vary the sequence of subjects so that students study a greater concentration of either law or their second discipline of study each semester to minimise travel between campuses and to overcome timetabling problems. Students should speak to their academic advisor as needed. 

Students considering varying their recommended program sequences outlined below, should also refer to the separate 2829 Bachelor of Laws (Non-Graduate Entry) (Honours) and 1696 Bachelor of Communication recommended program sequences, to ensure that they are completing their studies in a manner which will avoid problems due to a lack of prerequisites or prior knowledge. Continuing students should refer to the earlier versions of the above programs.

The Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) requires students to undertake:

  • 160 credit points of specified core subjects to meet Priestly 11 accreditation requirements;
  • 10 credit points Research Training Component (LAWS 4016 Legal Research and Methodology)
  • 20 credit points Research Component (LAWS 4011 Law Honours Dissertation)
  • 50 credit points of LLB alternate subjects
  • 80 credit points of specified core Communication subjects 
  • Plus one of the following majors (80 credit points)

Recommended Sequence Current

This sequence applies to students who commenced in 2024 or later. If you commenced prior to 2024 please refer to the relevant Sequence tab for details.

Qualification for a double degree in law requires the successful completion of 400 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.  

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LAWS 1003 Fundamentals of Australian Law 10
LAWS 2004 Criminal Law 10
COMM 1045 Foundations of the Communication Industry 10
Select one of the following: 10
Data, Mediation, Power  
Media Cultures and Industries  
Professional Communication  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 1009 Legal Analysis and Critique 10
LAWS 2013 Torts Law 10
INFO 1004 Data Analysis and Storytelling 10
Choose your major at this stage and enrol in the corresponding subject as listed below. 10
For the Advertising Major:
 
Advertising: An Introduction  
For the Public Relations Major:
 
Public Relations Theory and Practice  
For the Journalism Major:
 
News and Media Today  
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
LAWS 2003 Contracts 10
Select one Level 2 subject from your chosen major 10
Select two of the following: 20
Data, Mediation, Power  
Media Cultures and Industries  
Professional Communication  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 2001 Alternative Dispute Resolution 10
COMM 3052 Writing for our Digital Lives 10
Select two Level 2 subjects from your chosen major 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
LAWS 2015 Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics 10
COMM 2024 Media Law and Ethics 10
COMM 3053 Industry Research Project 10
Select one Level 2 subject from your chosen major 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 2008 Government and Public Law 10
Select three subjects from your chosen major 30
 Credit Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
LAWS 3018 Equity & Trusts 10
LAWS 3082 Property Law 10
Select two LLB alternate subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 3081 Administrative Law 10
LAWS 3045 Law of Associations 10
Select two LLB alternate subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 5
Autumn session
LAWS 4015 Constitutional Law 10
LAWS 4004 Criminal Procedure and Evidence 10
LAWS 4016 Legal Research and Methodology 10
Select one LLB alternate subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 4014 Remedies 10
LAWS 4013 Civil Procedure and Arbitration 10
LAWS 4011 Law Honours Dissertation 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points400

LLB Alternate Subjects

Students must complete 50 credit points of subjects from the list of Bachelor of Laws alternate subjects below.

Subject Title Credit Points
LAWS 4017Access to Justice Clinic10
LAWS 3001Advanced Family Law10
LAWS 4003Advanced Taxation Law10
LAWS 3002Advanced Torts and Civil Wrongs10
LAWS 3003Advocacy10
LAWS 3090Animal Law10
LAWS 3004Anti-Discrimination Law10
LAWS 3005Australian Competition Law10
LAWS 3006Australian Consumer Law10
LAWS 3007Banking and Securities Law10
LAWS 2014Bioethics10
LAWS 3089Children's Rights: Local and International10
LAWS 3011Comparative Law: Legal Systems of the World10
LAWS 3013Conflict of Laws10
LAWS 3088Construction Law10
LAWS 3014Corporate Governance10
LAWS 3015Cyber Law and Justice10
LAWS 4010Designing Law Apps for Access to Justice10
LAWS 3096Drug Policy and Law10
LAWS 3016Elder Law10
LAWS 3022Family Dispute Resolution10
LAWS 3023Family Law10
LAWS 2005Financial Services Law10
LAWS 2007First Peoples and the Australian Legal System10
LAWS 4012First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic10
LAWS 3024Foundations of Chinese Law10
LAWS 2017Indonesia: Law, Governance and Culture 10
LAWS 3025Law, Culture and Entrepreneurial Innovation in India10
LAWS 3083Gender and the Law10
LAWS 3091Globalisation, Law, Governance and Culture10
LAWS 3028Human Rights and the Asia Pacific10
LAWS 3027Human Rights Law10
LAWS 3029Immigration Law10
JUST 3008Independent Study (Law)10
LAWS 3030Information and Data Governance Law and Regulation10
LAWS 3031Insolvency Law and Policy10
LAWS 3032Intellectual Property10
LAWS 3033International Business Transactions Law10
LAWS 3034International Criminal Law10
LAWS 4007International Environmental Law10
LAWS 3039Islam, International Law and Human Rights10
JUST 3011Issues in the Criminal Justice System10
LAWS 3074Judicial Internship10
LAWS 3042Jurisprudence10
LAWS 3079Law, Economics, Ethics and Change10
LAWS 3084Law and Literature10
LAWS 3044Law and Public Policy10
LAWS 3046Law of Employment10
LAWS 3047Law of International Organisations10
LAWS 3048Law of the Sea10
LAWS 3085Law of War10
LAWS 3075Law's Self-Understanding10
LAWS 3078Legal, Economic and Social Transformation in Taiwan10
LAWS 3077Legal Internship10
LAWS 4016Legal Research and Methodology10
LAWS 3086Managing Legal Risk in Construction Law10
LAWS 3049Media Law10
JUST 2013Mediation10
LAWS 3050Medical Law10
LAWS 3052Mental Health Law10
LAWS 3053Moot Court10
LAWS 3055Planning and Environment Law10
LAWS 3061Public Health Law10
LAWS 3063Public International Law10
LAWS 3097Refugee Law10
LAWS 2012Regulatory Risk and Compliance10
LAWS 4008Revenue Law10
LAWS 3067Self-Managed Superannuation and Trusts10
LAWS 3068Space Law - Commercial Aspects10
LAWS 3087Sports Law10
LAWS 3080Street Law Clinic10
LAWS 3076Technology, Innovation and the Law10
LAWS 3071Wills and Succession10
LAWS 3072Work Health and Safety Law10

Please note that the availability of Bachelor of Laws Alternate subjects may vary from year to year. New subjects may become available and some others discontinued. The School will publish information on which subjects are available in a session.

Program Structure 2022 - 2023

This structure applies to students who commenced in 2022-2023. If you commenced in Autumn 2024 or later please refer to the relevant Structure tab for details.

Qualification for a double degree in law requires the successful completion of 400 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended sequences for the relevant double degree programs.

Students are eligible to graduate in the associated degree at the end of three years of full-time study, only when they have completed all non-law subjects plus the eight law subjects specified in the study sequence as being in the first three years of the relevant double degree.

Students enrolled in the 2833 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) will only be eligible to graduate from their Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree upon completion of the entire 400 credit point program. Students enrolled in this program who wish to graduate with a standalone law degree prior to completion of the entire Bachelor of Communication component must transfer to program 2829 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Non Graduate Entry) which requires the completion of 320 credit points (inclusive of 80 credit points of non-LLB study).

It may be possible to vary the sequence of subjects so that students study a greater concentration of either law or their second discipline of study each semester to minimise travel between campuses and to overcome timetabling problems. Students should speak to their academic advisor as needed.

Students considering varying their recommended program sequences outlined below, should also refer to the separate 2829 Bachelor of Laws (Non-Graduate Entry) (Honours) and 1696 Bachelor of Communication recommended program sequences, to ensure that they are completing their studies in a manner which will avoid problems due to a lack of prerequisites or prior knowledge. Continuing students should refer to the earlier versions of the above programs.

The Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) requires students to undertake the 12 core Communication subjects plus 40 credit points from one of the following majors, selecting 20 credit points at Level 2, and 20 credit points at Level 3

Students must also complete 240 credit points of Law subjects comprising:

  • 160 credit points of specified core subjects to meet Priestly 11 accreditation requirements;
  • 10 credit points Research Training Component (LAWS 4016 Legal Research and Methodology)
  • 20 credit points Research Component (LAWS 4011 Law Honours Dissertation)
  • 50 credit points of LLB alternate subjects.

Recommended Sequence 2022 - 2023

This sequence applies to students who commenced in 2022-2023. If you commenced in Autumn 2024 or later please refer to the relevant tab for details.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 400 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.  

Full-time start year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
LAWS 1003 Fundamentals of Australian Law 10
LAWS 2004 Criminal Law 10
Select two First Year Communication subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 1009 Legal Analysis and Critique 10
LAWS 2013 Torts Law 10
Select two First Year Communication subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
LAWS 2003 Contracts 10
Select one of the following: 10
Media Law and Ethics  
Professional Writing and Editing  
Select two First Year Communication subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 2001 Alternative Dispute Resolution 10
Select one of the following: 10
Media Law and Ethics  
Professional Writing and Editing  
Select two First Year Communication subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
LAWS 2015 Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics 10
Select one of the following: 10
Communication Research Project  
Media Memory  
Select two Level 2 subjects from your chosen Major 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 2008 Government and Public Law 10
Select one of the following: 10
Communication Research Project  
Media Memory  
Select two Level 3 subjects from your chosen Major 20
 Credit Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
LAWS 3018 Equity & Trusts 10
LAWS 3082 Property Law 10
Select two LLB alternate subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 3081 Administrative Law 10
LAWS 3045 Law of Associations 10
Select two LLB alternate subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 5
Autumn session
LAWS 4015 Constitutional Law 10
LAWS 4004 Criminal Procedure and Evidence 10
LAWS 4016 Legal Research and Methodology 10
Select one LLB alternate subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
LAWS 4014 Remedies 10
LAWS 4013 Civil Procedure and Arbitration 10
LAWS 4011 Law Honours Dissertation 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points400

First year Communications Subjects

Subject Title Credit Points
MKTG 1001Advertising: An Introduction10
INFO 1004Data Analysis and Storytelling10
COMM 1012Data, Mediation, Power10
COMM 1018News and Media Today10
COMM 1039Introduction to Screen Media10
COMM 1020Media Cultures and Industries10
MKTG 1009Public Relations Theory and Practice10
COMM 1044Professional Communication10

Chosen Majors

Students in Advertising Major

Subject Title Credit Points
Level 2 subjects
COMM 2001Account and Client Management10
MKTG 2001Advertising: Creative10
COMM 2006Advertising: Media10
COMM 2011Communication Strategies10
Level 3 subjects
COMM 3045Advertising: Campaigns10
COMM 3018Internship10
COMM 3014Digital Communication20

Students in Journalism Major

Subject Title Credit Points
Level 2 subjects
COMM 2017Feature Writing10
COMM 2022Journalism: Research and Investigation10
COMM 2027News Reporting10
COMM 2029Photo Journalism10
Level 3 subjects
COMM 3015Digital Journalism Production20
COMM 3018Internship10
COMM 3025News Teams10
COMM 3037Transmedia Production10

Students in Screen Media Major

Subject Title Credit Points
Level 2 subjects
COMM 2051Animation and Visual Effects10
COMM 2052Documentary: Factual Screen Media10
COMM 2053Narrative: Fictional Screen Media10
Level 3 subjects
COMM 3047Episodic Screen Media10
COMM 3048Immersive Screen Technologies10
Select one of the following:10
Internship
Personal Branding Strategies: Build and Manage Your Career Profile

Students in Public Relations Major

Subject Title Credit Points
Lvel 2 subjects
COMM 2001Account and Client Management10
COMM 2011Communication Strategies10
COMM 2015Strategic Event Promotion10
MKTG 2005Issues, Risk and Crisis Communication10
Level 3 subjects
MKTG 3018Public Relations: Campaigns10
COMM 3018Internship10
COMM 3014Digital Communication20

LLB Alternate Units

Students must complete 50 credit points of subjects from the list of Bachelor of Laws alternate subjects below.

Subject Title Credit Points
LAWS 4017Access to Justice Clinic10
LAWS 3001Advanced Family Law10
LAWS 4003Advanced Taxation Law10
LAWS 3002Advanced Torts and Civil Wrongs10
LAWS 3003Advocacy10
LAWS 3090Animal Law10
LAWS 3004Anti-Discrimination Law10
LAWS 3005Australian Competition Law10
LAWS 3006Australian Consumer Law10
LAWS 3007Banking and Securities Law10
LAWS 2014Bioethics10
LAWS 3089Children's Rights: Local and International10
LAWS 3011Comparative Law: Legal Systems of the World10
LAWS 3013Conflict of Laws10
LAWS 3088Construction Law10
LAWS 3014Corporate Governance10
LAWS 3015Cyber Law and Justice10
LAWS 4010Designing Law Apps for Access to Justice10
LAWS 3096Drug Policy and Law10
LAWS 3016Elder Law10
LAWS 3022Family Dispute Resolution10
LAWS 3023Family Law10
LAWS 2005Financial Services Law10
LAWS 2007First Peoples and the Australian Legal System10
LAWS 4012First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic10
LAWS 3024Foundations of Chinese Law10
LAWS 2017Indonesia: Law, Governance and Culture 10
LAWS 3025Law, Culture and Entrepreneurial Innovation in India10
LAWS 3083Gender and the Law10
LAWS 3091Globalisation, Law, Governance and Culture10
LAWS 3028Human Rights and the Asia Pacific10
LAWS 3027Human Rights Law10
LAWS 3029Immigration Law10
JUST 3008Independent Study (Law)10
LAWS 3030Information and Data Governance Law and Regulation10
LAWS 3031Insolvency Law and Policy10
LAWS 3032Intellectual Property10
LAWS 3033International Business Transactions Law10
LAWS 3034International Criminal Law10
LAWS 4007International Environmental Law10
LAWS 3039Islam, International Law and Human Rights10
JUST 3011Issues in the Criminal Justice System10
LAWS 3074Judicial Internship10
LAWS 3042Jurisprudence10
LAWS 3079Law, Economics, Ethics and Change10
LAWS 3084Law and Literature10
LAWS 3044Law and Public Policy10
LAWS 3046Law of Employment10
LAWS 3047Law of International Organisations10
LAWS 3048Law of the Sea10
LAWS 3085Law of War10
LAWS 3075Law's Self-Understanding10
LAWS 3078Legal, Economic and Social Transformation in Taiwan10
LAWS 3077Legal Internship10
LAWS 4016Legal Research and Methodology10
LAWS 3086Managing Legal Risk in Construction Law10
LAWS 3049Media Law10
JUST 2013Mediation10
LAWS 3050Medical Law10
LAWS 3052Mental Health Law10
LAWS 3053Moot Court10
LAWS 3055Planning and Environment Law10
LAWS 3061Public Health Law10
LAWS 3063Public International Law10
LAWS 3097Refugee Law10
LAWS 2012Regulatory Risk and Compliance10
LAWS 4008Revenue Law10
LAWS 3067Self-Managed Superannuation and Trusts10
LAWS 3068Space Law - Commercial Aspects10
LAWS 3087Sports Law10
LAWS 3080Street Law Clinic10
LAWS 3076Technology, Innovation and the Law10
LAWS 3071Wills and Succession10
LAWS 3072Work Health and Safety Law10

Please note that the availability of Bachelor of Laws Alternate subjects may vary from year to year. New subjects may become available and some others discontinued. The School will publish information on which subjects are available in a session.

Equivalent Subjects

The subjects listed below count towards completion of the program for students who may have passed subjects in the list in 2023 or earlier.

COMM 1032 Writing Ecologies, replaced by COMM 1044 Professional Communication

The subjects listed below count towards completion of the program for students who may have passed subjects in the list in 2022 or earlier.

JUST 4001 Clinical Legal Placement, replaced by LAWS 4017 Access to Justice Clinic

DESN 1018 Visual Storytelling, replaced by INFO 1004 Data Analysis and Storytelling