Help protect the environment with a law degree
Become a defender of the environment with this dual degree. You’ll cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia, and build practical skills through active learning experiences right from your first year. You’ll also gain an in-depth understanding of human impacts on the environment, with a strong focus on tropical and subtropical environments. Law Honours is available, usually without extending the time required to complete your degree.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- ^ It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
- ^ It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
Become a defender of the environment with this dual degree. You’ll cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia, and build practical skills through active learning experiences right from your first year. You’ll also gain an in-depth understanding of human impacts on the environment, with a strong focus on tropical and subtropical environments. Law Honours is available, usually without extending the time required to complete your degree.
In this program you will:
- Research answers to legal problems, prepare advice, present legal argument, observe court proceedings, and take part in simulated court presentations in USC’s Moot Court
- Develop your skills by working with legal service clients under legal supervision in law practice
- Build your skillset and knowledge by specialising in an environmental area such as coastal and marine environments, urban design and town planning, geospatial analysis and global environment security and policy.
- Travel to fieldwork locations such as Fraser Island and the Noosa Biosphere to learn about conservation and restoration of the natural environment
Career opportunities
- In-house counsel for industry, conservation or research organisation
- Government positions
- Natural resource management
- Ecosystem conservation and restoration
- Policy and legislation development
- International negotiations
- Solicitor
- Barrister
- Judge's associate
Membership
The Law degree is an approved academic qualification for admission to the legal profession. After graduating you must undertake a further period of practical legal training before being admitted as a legal practitioner.
On graduation you can apply to become Associate Member of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) while you acquire relevant work experience. You can apply for Full Membership in EIANZ after you acquired two years of professional experience in one or more functional areas of environmental practice.
Program structure
Law courses
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
Developing and Graduate courses (20) 240 units
14 required courses (168 units):
LAW201
LAW202
LAW203
LAW204
LAW205
LAW206
LAW301
LAW302
LAW303
LAW304
LAW401
LAW402
LAW403
LAW404
PLUS select 6 elective courses (72 units) from:
Not all electives are offered every year. For a list of current Law elective courses click HERE.
LAW307
LAW310
LAW311
LAW312
LAW313
LAW315
LAW318
LAW405
LAW406
LAW407
LAW408
LAW409
LAW410
LAW411
LAW412
LAW414
LAW415
LAW416
LAW417
LAW418
LAW419
LAW420
LAW421
LAW422
The following 2 elective courses (24 units) are only available to students who have been accepted into Honours in Law:
LAW440
LAW441
Environmental Management courses
Introductory courses (5) 60 units
ENS120
ENS103
SCI102
SCI110
SUS101
Developing and Graduate courses (11) 132 units
ENP211
ENS204
ENS221
ENS223
ENS253
ENS300
ENS351
GEO310
SUS201
PUB262
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
ENS330
ENS333
SRP301
SUS310
WPL310
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 480
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 480 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses (180 units) in total, including the core course
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator
- Honours in Law available for high performing students
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.