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Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Note
This course is an exit-only course. There is no direct admission to it. Current UTS students may be able to submit an Internal Course Transfer (Graduating) application to exit with this course. See the Course transfer page for further details.
The Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) Bachelor of Laws (Honours) offers a springboard into a career that intersects law and media, providing a competitive edge in both fields.
Please note that this is an exit-only course. There is no direct admission to it. Current UTS students who meet the criteria for honours may be able to submit an Internal Course Transfer (Graduating) application to exit with this course. Check with the UTS Student Centre.
Choose this course to become a journalist with a strong legal background or a lawyer with exceptional professional communication skills, equipping you for diverse roles in legal or media practice.
What sets this course apart is the unique combination of law and communication, fostering highly sought-after skills in advanced legal analysis and professional journalism techniques, such as legal reporting, media law practice and policy research.
Teaching methods focus on practical application and in-depth study, with opportunities to pursue a research thesis through the honours component in law, enabling you to develop advanced research, critical analysis and communication skills that can be used in further higher degree research such as Master of Laws or PhD.
Career prospects are broad, ranging from media law specialist and legal policy adviser to roles in government bodies like the Australian Broadcasting Authority.
For those wishing to specialise after graduation, the course offers a number of possibilities, including media and communications legal practice, policy and research work, specialist legal and crime reporting and publishing for print, internet, radio or television, and legal communications or publishing in the private sector.
Students have the opportunity to engage in deeper study of the law by studying 76090 Research Methodology and undertaking 76040 Research Thesis. This course can be a pathway to higher degree research programs.
Course fees
For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:
Local student
All students at UTS pay tuition fees to contribute towards the cost of their studies.
In 2024 all offers made to domestic undergraduate students will be for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP), which means that the Australian government makes a substantial contribution towards the cost of your education, and you pay the balance through student contributions.
The amount you pay depends on your area of study and the number of credit points (cp) in which you enrol. At UTS 48 credit points is considered to be one Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL).
The table to the right shows the amount a student can expect to pay for one year of full-time study (1.0 EFTSL).
Students can choose to pay their student contribution upfront, or if eligible, can defer their fees through HECS-HELP.
In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional cost.
You can calculate your student contribution as a percentage of the amounts shown on the table. Fee rates are divided into four bands covering broad discipline areas. It is important to note that a particular subject within a course may fall within a different band.
For example, if you are enrolled in a 6-credit point Architecture subject, your contribution would be 6/48 x $9,314 = $1,164.
Student contribution amounts for 2025 commencing students
| 2025 student contribution - Area of Study | Amount for 48 cp |
|---|---|
| Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications and Society and Culture | $16,992 |
| Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science | $13,241 |
| Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual & Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science and Pathology | $9,314 |
| Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing or Foreign Languages and Agriculture | $4,627 |
International student
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students can be found using tuition fees search.
Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.
For this course, the cost per credit point for 2025 is $986. The total credit points are 240.
All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:
- Protocol on refund of fees for international students - contains the refund of fees information for international students.
- Tuition Protection Service - designed to ensure that students receive the tuition they have paid for
In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.
UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage
For further information on costs related to your study at UTS, visit the international students' fees information page.
Careers
Career options include journalist with professional skills in one or more of the print, radio, television or internet media; lawyer in the media and communication industry or legal policy adviser in a government department such as the Australian Broadcasting Authority.
Course structure
To view the course structure please visit the UTS Handbook.Additional information
Course duration
The course is offered on a five-year, full-time basis. Students are required to attend approximately 17 hours of seminars and lectures a week. Timetable constraints may require attendance at daytime and evening classes for the law component.
On campus - WeeklyInherent requirements
Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential for successfully completing a course at UTS. You can find the inherent requirements for your course via the inherent requirements directory.
Assumed knowledge
Proficiency in English and computer literacy.
Year 12 adjustment factor scheme
To see a list of courses where HSC subjects provide adjustment factors, please refer to the Year 12 adjustment factors page.
Professional recognition
- This course satisfies the requirements for admission to the Supreme Court of NSW as a lawyer, provided students complete a practical legal training program, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice (C11232).
- Graduates are eligible to apply for professional level membership of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).
- Students are eligible for student membership of the MEAA and access to the MEAA, Women in Media and Walkley Foundation network which provides skill development programs.
- The Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) is recognised by the MEAA and the Australian Press Council.
Download a course guide
UTS: Handbook
See the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in the UTS: Handbook for comprehensive course details.
Information for international students
Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.
Part of UTS Arts and Social Sciences
