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Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Laws

Bachelors Double Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BPsychSc, LLB

  • Course code

    3207007

  • Credit points

    480

  • Equivalent units

    40

  • Indicative Fee


Overview

Examining the criminal mind is a fascinating and revealing journey. In this double degree, you’ll experience the mindsets of criminals, the perspectives of victims and the motivations of people working within the legal process.

The course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience required to embark on a career in law, as well as a strong grounding in psychology and psychological theory, providing insights into the workings of the human mind. Through an optional professional placement you can develop networks and gain vital insight into career possibilities.

Graduates may choose to pursue a career in one of the many facets of law, from health, social and disability services to youth services, corrective services, the armed services, research agencies and in education; or you can pursue postgraduate training for registration as a psychologist.

This degree fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession in Australia. Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to be eligible to practise as a lawyer.

The course also has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council accreditation for entrance into postgraduate training. 

Course Learning Outcome

Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues

Apply knowledge of the scientific method in thinking about problems related to behaviour and mental processes

Question claims that arise from myth, stereotype, pseudoscience or untested assumptions and recognise and defend against the major fallacies of human thinking

Apply legal reasoning, critical analysis, research and evidence to generate appropriate responses to legal problems

Demonstrate practical skills in laboratory- based and other psychological research

Demonstrate an attitude of critical thinking that includes persistence, open- mindedness, and intellectual engagement

Apply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings to solve problems in everyday life and in society

Demonstrate an understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making and an ability to recognise, reflect upon, and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts

Demonstrate an ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community

Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between law and sustainability.

Use information in an ethical manner (e.g., acknowledge and respect work and intellectual property rights of others through appropriate citations in oral and written communication)

Exhibit a scientific attitude in critically thinking about, and learning about, human behaviour, and in creative and pragmatic problem solving

Promote evidence-based approaches to understanding and changing human behaviour

Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge that includes the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts, and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise.

Demonstrate an understanding of the international and comparative contexts in which legal issues arise.

Acquire an understanding of core topics and describe the basic characteristics of the science of psychology

Explain the major themes (e.g., interaction of genetics and environment) and perspectives (e.g., behavioural, evolutionary, sociocultural) of psychology

Learn and work independently

Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and seek and make use of feedback as appropriate, to determine personal and professional development needs and achievements

Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal research and practice

Demonstrate a capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology

Apply psychological principles to promote personal development through self- regulation in setting and achieving career and personal goals; self-assess performance accurately; incorporate feedback for improved performance; and purposefully evaluate the quality of one’s thinking (metacognition)

Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences

Write effectively in a variety of formats (e.g., essays, research proposals, reports) and for a variety of purposes (e.g., informing, arguing) using the appropriate conventions and referencing styles

Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats (e.g., debate, group discussion, presentation) and for various purposes

Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice

Recognise and respect social, cultural, linguistic, spiritual, and gender diversity

Recognise how privilege, power, and oppression may affect prejudice, discrimination, and inequity

Reflect on one’s experiences and learn from them in order to identify and articulate one’s personal, sociocultural, and professional values; demonstrate insightful awareness of one’s feelings, motives, and attitudes based on psychological principles

Students can undertake voluntary legal experience and professional placement with legal firms or offices to build their practical legal skills and develop their professional networks.

You'll study core units in both law and psychology, and select units from an extensive range of electives to suit your career aspirations.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Coffs Harbour Session 1 N/A N/A
Gold Coast Session 1, Session 2 N/A N/A
Online Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The Bachelor of Laws fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession, and is accredited with the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB). Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to practise as a lawyer.

Students who intend to practise law outside Australia should refer to the relevant country’s admission body to confirm their admission requirements.

The course also has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accreditation for entrance into postgraduate training. 

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Laws, students must complete the equivalent of 40 units (480 credit points), comprising:

  • 32 core units (384 credit points), and
  • 8 Law electives (96 credit points).

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

LEGL1001 Legal Research and Writing
Session1,2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1,2
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2,3
Session1,3
LEGL1005 Legal Process
Session1,2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1,2
Session1,2
Online
Session1,2,3
Session1
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
PSYC1001 Introduction to Psychology I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
PSYC1005 Fundamentals of Career Success in Psychology
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
LAWS2015 Torts
Session2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2,3
Session2,3
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites LAW10180 - Law of Torts AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
PSYC1002 Introduction to Psychology II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session2
Session2
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
PSYC1004 Introduction to Psychological Investigation

Not currently available

STAT2002 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session2
Session2
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Enrolment information Students should have basic mathematical skills equivalent to Year 10 Maths. Students should have basic computer literacy and familiarity with a spreadsheet program, such as Excel.

Second Year

LAWS2002 Contract Law I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites LAW00503 Contract Law AND not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
LAWS2008 Criminal Procedure
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites LAW00507 Criminal Law and Procedure AND not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
PSYC2004 Development across the Lifespan
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
PSYC2001 Psychological Assessment
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Introduction to Psychology I
LAWS2003 Contract Law II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites LAWS2002 - Contract Law I
Anti-requisites LAW00503 Contract Law AND not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
LAWS2009 Criminal Law
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites LAW00507 Criminal Law and Procedure
LAWS2005 Constitutional Law
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
PSYC2002 Abnormal Psychology
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session2
Session2
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Introduction to Psychology I

Third Year

LAWS2011 Statutory Interpretation
Session1
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1
Session1
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
LAWS2007 Corporations Law
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
PSYC3003 Learning and Memory
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Introduction to Psychology I AND STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
PSYC2005 Advanced Psychological Investigation
Session1
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1
Session1
PSYC3004 Biological Psychology
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session2
Session2
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
N/A
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Introduction to Psychology I AND must have completed or be currently enrolled in STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
LAWS2012 Property Principles
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites LAW00116 - Property Law AND not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
LAWS2017 Principles of Equity
Session2,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2,3
Session2,3
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites LAW00115 - Equity AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
Enrolment information It is preferable to have completed LAWS2003 - Contract Law II
PSYC3002 Applied Psychological Investigation
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session2
Session2
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
N/A
Pre-requisites PSYC2005 - Advanced Psychological Investigation

Fourth Year

LAWS2016 Evidence
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1005 - Legal Process AND LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
Anti-requisites LAW00114 - Evidence and Civil Procedure AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
LAWS2013 Civil Litigation and Procedure
Session1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1005 - Legal Process AND LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
Anti-requisites LAW00114 - Evidence and Civil Procedure AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
STAT3001 Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
PSYC3005 Cross Cultural and Indigenous Issues in Psychology
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites PSYC1001 - Introduction to Psychology I
LAWS2006 Administrative Law
Session2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites LEGL1005 - Legal Process AND LAWS2005 - Constitutional Law
LAWS3003 Professional Conduct
Session2
Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites LAWS2013 - Civil Litigation and Procedure, LAWS2016 - Evidence, LAWS2008 - Criminal Procedure
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information This unit requires attendance, for all students, at a compulsory two-day residential school held on the Gold Coast campus. Students may attend the residential in person or online. Students who can demonstrate that attendance at the residential will cause hardship, may apply to the Unit Assessor for an exemption.
PSYC3001 Social Psychology
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session2
Session2
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Online
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
Law Electives
LEGL1006 Jurisprudence
Session1,3
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1,3
Session1,3

Fifth Year

Law Electives
Law Electives
Law Electives
Law Electives
Law Electives
Law Electives
Law Electives

Note 1:

Attendance at a compulsory workshop is required.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units

LEGL1001 Legal Research and Writing
LEGL1005 Legal Process
LAWS2002 Contract Law I
LAWS2008 Criminal Procedure
LAWS2003 Contract Law II
LAWS2009 Criminal Law
LAWS2007 Corporations Law
LAWS2016 Evidence
LAWS2013 Civil Litigation and Procedure
LAWS2015 Torts
LAWS2005 Constitutional Law
LAWS2011 Statutory Interpretation
LAWS2012 Property Principles
LAWS2017 Principles of Equity
LAWS2006 Administrative Law
LAWS3003 Professional Conduct
PSYC1001 Introduction to Psychology I
PSYC1005 Fundamentals of Career Success in Psychology
PSYC1002 Introduction to Psychology II
PSYC1004 Introduction to Psychological Investigation
PSYC2001 Psychological Assessment
PSYC3001 Social Psychology
PSYC3003 Learning and Memory
STAT2002 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
STAT3001 Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology
PSYC2002 Abnormal Psychology
PSYC2004 Development across the Lifespan
PSYC3004 Biological Psychology
PSYC2005 Advanced Psychological Investigation
PSYC3002 Applied Psychological Investigation
PSYC3005 Cross Cultural and Indigenous Issues in Psychology
LEGL1006 Jurisprudence

Electives

Choose eight (8) units from the following electives

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
ACCT2001 Taxation
ACCT3001 Advanced Taxation
LAWS2056 Family Law Practice
LEGL2008 Conveyancing Law
LAWS2057 Welfare Law
LAWS2060 Drugs, Crime and the Law
LAWS2018 Wills and Estates
LAWS2019 Employment and Industrial Relations Law
JUST2005 EEO and OH&S Law and Practice
LAWS2014 Local Government and Planning Law
LAWS2020 Intellectual Property
LAWS3001 Clinical Legal Experience
LAWS3002 Law Placement
LAWS2021 International Business Law
LAWS2022 Competition and Consumer Law
LEGL2011 Mediation and Dispute Resolution
LEGL2012 Mediation Practice and Procedure
LAWS2038 Advanced Advocacy
LAWS2023 International Law
JUST2004 Human Rights
LAWS2024 Commercial Law
LAWS4001 Independent Legal Research
LAWS2025 Stock Exchange and Finance Law
LEGL2017 Public Interest Advocacy
LAWS2063 Race and the Law
LAWS2026 Entertainment Law
LAWS4002 Legal Research: Context, Perspective and Method
LEGL2009 Mooting
LAWS2028 Animal Law
LAWS2032 Comparative Law
LAWS2065 Ecological Jurisprudence
LAWS2011 Statutory Interpretation
LAW73003 Remedies
LAWS2066 Climate Law and Policy
LAWS2035 International Business Negotiations
LAWS2010 Environmental Law
LAWS3004 Jessup Moot