Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 2 locations

Duration
5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
CRICOS Code
089312D
IELTS
7.0 Overall Score (Individual Score of 7.0 in all tests)
Fees (first year)*
$32000
Start dates
February 2026, February 2027

Overview

The Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws combines the study of human behaviour with the study of the law. This double degree is designed to produce well-rounded graduates ready for legal practice and a range of professional careers in an increasingly global environment.

The program combines the study of human behaviour with the study of law. The psychological science component enhances the student’s specialist knowledge by providing a comprehensive understanding of psychology, including behavioural and mental processes. It offers an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) sequence in psychology.

Students who have completed 120 credit points of law units with a grade point average of 5.75 and above may apply to complete an honours degree.

  • Top 2% universities worldwide

  • Top 10 Catholic universities globally

  • Top 40 young universities worldwide

Professional experience

You will complete 80 hours pro bono experience (after your first year).

Volunteer experience

The pro bono program provides practical, work place based experience in a community context.

Professional recognition

This degree has been approved by accreditation authorities as a prerequisite for admission to legal practice in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and is recognised for the purposes of admission in other Australian states and territories.

This course is currently accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and approved by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a suitable program of study for the purpose of registration as a psychologist. Please note that a minimum six-year sequence of education and training in psychology is required for an individual to become eligible for general registration as a psychologist in Australia.

Careers

Completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws is excellent preparation for pursuing a career in areas such as:

  • academic
  • criminology researcher
  • health department researcher
  • human resources consultant
  • in-house legal counsel for NGOs, community or health service organisations
  • legal practitioner (barrister or solicitor)
  • policy writer
  • psychologist (after further studies)
  • training consultant
  • private legal practice as a solicitor or barrister
  • legal officer in the public sector (for example in federal or state government departments and publicly funded organisations as diverse as national regulatory bodies, universities or public broadcasters)
  • in-house counsel to a wide range of organisations from corporations to trade unions
  • public interest legal work in community legal centres
  • legal research.

within a variety of organisations such as:

  • Australian Institute of Criminology
  • Centrelink
  • Department of Community Service
  • Department of Health
  • Department of Human Services
  • rehabilitation centres.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Sem 1

  • Law Specified UnitsLAWS104Foundations of Law and Legal Research10 cp
  • Law Specified UnitsLAWS105Contract Law10 cp
  • Psychology Specified UnitsPSYC108Psychological Practice: Theory and Techniques10 cp
  • Psychology Specified UnitsPSYC100Foundations of Psychology10 cp
  • Law Specified UnitsLAWS107Introduction to Australian Public Law10 cp
  • Law Specified UnitsLAWS108Commercial Law

    (Pre: LAWS104, LAWS105)

    10 cp
  • Psychology Specified UnitsPSYC101Applications of Psychology10 cp
  • Psychology Specified UnitsPSYC110Research Design and Data Analysis 110 cp

Commencing Sem 2

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Double Bachelor - Bachelor/Bachelor - AQF Level 7

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent:

StatePrerequisites

New South Wales

English (Standard)(Band 3) or English as an Additional Language (EAL) (Band 4)

Victoria

Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 25 in any other English.

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

View transparency admission information

International applicants

If you’re an international applicant you’ll need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate.

Find the equivalent qualification for your country

You’ll also need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy , including the English Language Proficiency requirements.

See the language requirements

 If you’re an international student completing one of the following qualifications, you will need to apply for admission through your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and be assessed on your performance in these studies (i.e. your ATAR or equivalent):

 an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)

an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Pathways into course for international applicants

If you don’t currently meet the direct entry requirements for admission to your chosen program, don’t worry. Our range of pathway programs can help you build the language proficiency, academic skills and confidence you need to succeed. 

Find out more about English language programs 

Find out more about the ACU Foundation Studies program 

Find out more about Diploma pathways 

Further study

A student who has completed at least 120 cp of LAWS units of the degree with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.75 may be eligible for Admission to the Bachelor (Honours degree).

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

A student who achieves an Honours at a minimum level of Second Class Division A (Distinction average) may be eligible for Admission to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Meeting the eligibility requirements for admission is not in itself a guarantee of admission. The candidate’s potential to undertake research, the quality and feasibility of the research proposal, the availability of appropriate supervision and the referee’s reports will all be taken into consideration. Please refer to the Higher Degree Research Regulations

A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must comply with the Higher Degree Research Regulations.

Fees

Course costs

  • Unit fee: $4000
  • Average first year fee: $32000
  • Estimate total cost: $160000

The tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.

Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships 

How to apply

International applicants

Melbourne

Apply through VTAC

VTAC code 1200210183

Direct application

Apply now

Information on the application procedure.

International students undertaking an Australian Year 12 qualification should apply through the relevant tertiary admissions centre.

Deferment

Yes. See Defer your offer.

Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.

Staff Profile

Dr Joanne Bennett

Lecturer -Psychology – School of Behavioural and Health Sciences

Dr Joanne Bennett is an early career researcher who finished her PhD in 2017. Her primary research interests are in cognitive neuropsychology across the lifespan, applied driving psychology and road safety. Dr Bennett’s research has focused on understanding the relationships between cognitive function and driving behaviour across the lifespan. Her research aims to use this information to determine fitness to drive, in particular for older adults and individuals with neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. She specialises in teaching research design and statistics while enjoying the challenge of helping students understand not just the numbers, but what the numbers tell us about people.

Dr Chris Goff

Lecturer , Thomas More Law School

Dr Christopher Goff is a Lecturer in Law at the Thomas More Law School. Before joining ACU, he held academic positions at Bond University and Southern Cross University. His doctorate, awarded in 2021, is on the topic of terrorism and anti-terrorism law. Prior to that, Christopher completed his Master of Laws and Bachelor of Laws (Honours). He also holds a degree in Psychological Science.

Christopher has a strong research interest in terrorism, counter-terrorism, and the associated legal and criminological aspects. Christopher is passionate about teaching and facilitating a positive and effectual learning environment for his students. Among the subjects he teaches at ACU are Terrorism, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Introduction to Australian Public Law.

Christopher also has significant publications in the area of constitutional law. These include the co-authorship of Principles of Australian Constitutional Law (5th ed, LexisNexis), and he is the co-editor and updating author of the Halsbury’s Laws of Australia title on Constitutional Law.

Christopher has been nominated for, and is the recipient of, multiple teaching awards.


Testimonial

Rachel

“ACU has helped me realise my true academic potential. The lecturers and tutors know us by our names and provide me with the most personalised education I could ever hope for. I’ve had fantastic opportunities, including being the Vice President of the Law Society, competing in mooting and networking with leading firms in the industry.

I love studying across both campuses because I will graduate with a diverse experience and countless social connections.”

Rachel
Psychological Science/ Laws student
 

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