Bachelor of Fine Arts/Laws (Honours) – UNSW Sydney

Bachelor Honours Degree Law (JD) Full Time

Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

at University of New South Wales · Sydney, New South Wales

CRICOS course code

110675H

CRICOS provider code

00098G

This course is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Verify it yourself at cricos.education.gov.au before paying any fee.

Duration

5 years

Tuition (whole course)

A$289,500 total

Per year

A$57,900/yr

Intake

Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul)

About this program

The Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a distinctive double-degree designed for those wishing to combine creative arts with a solid legal education. Over five years of full-time study, students engage with both the dynamic world of contemporary art and rigorous legal training, preparing them for multifaceted careers at the intersection of creativity and law. The Fine Arts component explores studio practice, art history, and critical theory, developing advanced skills in creative expression and visual literacy. The Laws (Honours) component covers essential areas such as constitutional, criminal, and contract law, alongside opportunities for legal research.

This double degree is structured around a series of core and elective units of study, with each course assigned credit points according to UNSW and AQF conventions. Students progress through carefully sequenced semesters, balancing creative studio work with compulsory and elective law units, culminating in an Honours research thesis or capstone project in law, offering an authentic research experience. UNSW’s proximity to Sydney’s legal and arts precinct offers abundant opportunities for work-integrated learning, including professional placements and industry partnerships, particularly relevant in fields like intellectual property or arts administration.

Graduates acquire a versatile and high-level skill set combining legal reasoning, critical analysis, research, problem-solving, creative thinking, and communication. The programme suits those who wish to practice law with a creative perspective, advocate within the cultural sector, or pursue innovative roles that draw on both disciplines. An Australian Bachelor Honours Degree is a recognised qualification for both graduate study and professional practice, and this combination uniquely positions graduates to respond to the evolving needs of the legal and arts industries in Australia and internationally.

International students must demonstrate English proficiency (such as IELTS 7.0–7.5 for law) and should verify requirements on the official UNSW page. The course is registered with CRICOS, and international graduates may be eligible to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) in the post-study work stream. Student visa holders are permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while enrolled.

Entry requirements

English: International applicants must evidence English proficiency. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common undergraduate and coursework-postgraduate standard, rising to 7.0–7.5 for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university’s own English programmes are accepted as equivalents; the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself.

International students: Registered on CRICOS for international students. A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for this course supports a Student visa (subclass 500) application; Overseas Student Health Cover is required for the full duration.

Career outcomes

Lawyer or Solicitor (upon meeting admission requirements)
In-house counsel for creative industries
Arts administrator or curator
Intellectual property advisor
Policy officer in government or cultural organisations
Media and entertainment lawyer
Academic or legal researcher
Non-profit and advocacy roles in the arts or legal sector

Graduates enter sectors such as legal practice, arts and cultural management, media, education, and government within Australia.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at University of New South Wales?

It typically takes 5 years, with intakes in Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul).

How much is the tuition?

Tuition is around A$289,500 total. Fees change yearly, confirm with an advisor.

What are the career outcomes?

Lawyer or Solicitor (upon meeting admission requirements)In-house counsel for creative industriesArts administrator or curatorIntellectual property advisorPolicy officer in government or cultural organisationsMedia and entertainment lawyerAcademic or legal researcherNon-profit an...

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