If you want to study law with a deeper understanding of humankind, The University of Notre Dame Australia, combined Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Philosophy, is the ideal double degree. Unique to Notre Dame, the degree is completed over five years of full-time study or part-time equivalent. By combining these two disciplines, graduates develop the skills to think creatively and communicate convincingly. As a result, our graduates choose to follow a range of careers in law, journalism, politics, business and academia. Contact us today to find out more about this unique degree program.

Why study this degree?

Are you considering studying for a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in conjunction with the Bachelor of Laws degree? The University of Notre Dame Australia is the only university in Australia which offers this double degree. Students taking this degree combination will develop the ability to consider issues using two of the most advanced forms of thinking and analysis in Western civilisation: law and philosophy. This combination equips students with an array of skills they can draw upon to resolve problems for themselves and their clients.

The Bachelor of Laws degree is accredited for admission to legal practice. It combines excellent coverage of underlying legal and ethical principles with an explanation of how they are applied in legal practice.

However, as a student of the School of Philosophy, you will encounter the works of great minds such as Aquinas, Socrates and Plato. In doing so, you will be encouraged to reflect deeply and critically on the fundamental questions of existence, as well as question your preconceptions of ethics and morality. As a result, graduates from the School of Philosophy can analyse and evaluate arguments about our current political, religious, and ethical systems – all valuable skills for a lawyer.

Similarly, the training you receive in the legal component of your degree will further develop your analytical mindset. Considered to be a degree of methodology rather than one solely of content, a Bachelor of Laws from Notre Dame teaches students to consider new approaches to problem-solving and analysis. By participating in lively debate and the free exchange of ideas in intimate class settings, you will develop mastery of public speaking, advocacy, research, and dispute resolution.

Year One

• Legal Research & Writing
• Legal History
• Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation
• Three Philosophy Electives

Year Two

• Criminal Law A
• Contract Law A
• Torts A
• Torts B
• Criminal Law B
• Contract Law B
• Four Philosophy Subjects

Year Three

• Property Law A
• Property Law B
• Five Philosophy Electives

Year Four

• Advocacy
• Equity
• Trusts
• Constitutional Law
• Administrative Law
• Evidence
• Corporations & Partnerships
• One Law Elective

Year Five

• Remedies
• Civil Procedure
• Public International Law
• Legal Philosophy
• Commercial Practice & Ethics
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Two Law Electives

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
• Indigenous Law
• Insolvency
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Dispute Resolution
• Canon Law  (i.e. Church Law)
• Law and Religion
• Law in Context (Externships) – involves work experience
• Mining and Petroleum Law
• Occupational Safety and Health Law
• Introduction to Australian Taxation Law
• Succession
• Competition and Consumer Law
• Trial Advocacy

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

*Available law electives are subject to change and may vary depending on your campus and year of study. Please check with your school for the current electives on offer.

More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

Year One

• Legal Research & Writing
• Legal History
• Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation
• Three Philosophy Electives

Year Two

• Criminal Law A
• Contract Law A
• Torts A
• Torts B
• Criminal Law B
• Contract Law B
• Four Philosophy Subjects

Year Three

• Property Law A
• Property Law B
• Five Philosophy Electives

Year Four

• Advocacy
• Equity
• Trusts
• Constitutional Law
• Administrative Law
• Evidence
• Corporations & Partnerships
• One Law Elective

Year Five

• Remedies
• Civil Procedure
• Public International Law
• Legal Philosophy
• Commercial Practice & Ethics
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Two Law Electives

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
• Indigenous Law
• Insolvency
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Dispute Resolution
• Canon Law  (i.e. Church Law)
• Law and Religion
• Law in Context (Externships) – involves work experience
• Mining and Petroleum Law
• Occupational Safety and Health Law
• Introduction to Australian Taxation Law
• Succession
• Competition and Consumer Law
• Trial Advocacy

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

*Available law electives are subject to change and may vary depending on your campus and year of study. Please check with your school for the current electives on offer.

More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

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 law.

Applicants must meet High school qualifications (or equivalent) to apply for undergraduate program. Academic minimum entry requirements for international applicants vary from country to count

IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 overall, with no individual band score lower than 6.0; CAE/CPE - 176 overall, with no individual band score lower than 169; PTE Academic - 58 overall, with no individual band score lower than 50; TOEFL (iBT) - 84 overall, with no score lower than 21 in writing and no other band score lower than 17.