Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Environmental Science

Program code

1626

Available at

Nathan

Gold Coast

Mount Gravatt

Logan

South Bank

Online

Offshore

Other

Duration

5.5 years full-time

Credit points

440

Commencing in

For Continuing Students Only

Important Notes

From 2024, commencing students are referred to the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Environmental Science (1673)

About this program

This degree provides students with a comprehensive grounding in legal practice and legal skills with a focus on the interaction and impact of human societies on the environment.

Students will develop an understanding of environmental economics, environmental ethics, environmental law and governance and the national and international policy context, as they pertain to environmental management.

Law component

Griffith Law School offers a professional legal curriculum that focuses on core areas of legal practice and the legal skills that lawyers must have. You will have the opportunity to choose law electives based on your interests, including high-level research and clinical courses that emphasise practical legal skills, insights and experience.

You will make connections between law and ethics, legal theory, Indigenous issues, and internationalisation. You will also develop interdisciplinary understandings of law and legal work.

You will take courses that cover areas such as crime, contracts, property, corporate law, torts and theories of law.

If you complete the five Canadian Law courses, you will be eligible for entry into the legal profession in Canada's common law provinces, when accompanied by a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.

Environmental Science component

You will gain knowledge and skills from across the broad environmental science spectrum, exploring environmental issues from social, physical and biological perspectives. Students will also be equipped with the skills required of an environmental practitioner and have the opportunity to undertake capstone projects or an industry placement.

Attendance information

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Environmental Science is offered full-time on-campus at the Nathan and Gold Coast campuses.

As a full-time student you will generally attend 10-15 hours of scheduled classes per week throughout the trimester. Classes may be scheduled during the day and early evening throughout the week.

Some law electives are based at the Gold Coast, Nathan or South Bank campuses. Some electives are offered online and a few law electives are run in intensive mode, including in trimester 3. Intensive mode means that classes may be compacted over a week, or over several weekends. Some law electives are 'clinics' which typically involve work off campus. Law electives are not normally undertaken until the final two years of your law degree.

If you are an International student on a student visa, you must ensure that you enrol in a way that will allow you to complete your enrolment within the expected program duration as stated on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Work-integrated learning

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) provides the opportunity for optional work-integrated learning through its variety of clinic courses.

My career opportunities

A law degree from Griffith University is recognised as a qualifying degree for admission into the legal profession in many countries around the world.

As a graduate, career opportunities exist in areas such as environmental and planning law, government, industry, environmental organisations and development companies.

Professional recognition

To be eligible for admission as a solicitor, a person must complete an approved Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree (undertaken approved practical legal training via a practical legal training course or supervised traineeship at a law firm) and be able to satisfy the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board and the Supreme Court of their fitness to practise law.

Canada Griffith's law degree is accepted for entry into the legal profession in Canada's common law provinces, when accompanied by a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. You must ensure you complete the five Canadian Law courses to help you prepare for the NCA exams while gaining credit towards your law degree.

Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) Students from Sabah or Sarawak who have a Griffith law degree and wish to return to Sabah or Sarawak to practise law may do so providing they gain admission to practice in an Australian jurisdiction first and then fulfil additional requirements upon their return to Sabah or Sarawak.

Fiji: All Australian law degrees are recognised in Fiji. Graduates must also complete their Practical Legal Training to be admitted to practice law in Fiji.

Papua New Guinea (PNG): All Australian law degrees are recognised in PNG. Graduates that are not citizens of PNG must complete their Practical Legal Training, have three years' post admission experience, and complete three exams on PNG law to be admitted to practice law in PNG.

Brunei: All Australian law degrees are recognised in Brunei. Graduates must also complete their Practical Legal Training to be admitted to practice law in Brunei.

India: Griffith's law degree is recognised for the purposes of admission to legal practice in India.

Please note that different jurisdictions' admission rules and requirements are subject to change. You should carefully examine the relevant legal requirements which are usually available on each jurisdiction's relevant law or bar association's websites.

International students

An International student is one who is not:

  • an Australian or New Zealand citizen or
  • a Pacific Engagement visa holder or
  • a person who has Australian permanent resident status.
Indicative annual tuition fee

The indicative annual tuition fee is calculated based on a standard full-time study load which is usually 80 credit points (two full-time trimesters).

The indicative annual tuition fee is based on current conditions and available data and should only be used as a guide. These fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change.

Tuition fees
  • An International student pays tuition fees.
  • Students are liable for tuition fees for the courses they are enrolled in as at the census date.
  • The tuition fee for students who commence their program prior to 2014 is charged according to the approved program fee for the trimester in which the student commenced the program.
  • The tuition fee for students who commence their program from 2014 onwards is charged according to the approved program fee for the trimester in which the student is enrolled.

Program fees for the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Environmental Science (1626)


If the fee rate for your program is not displayed above, please contact Student Connect for assistance.

Changing programs

If an International student changes to a different program they will be subject to the approved program fee for the trimester in which they are enrolled.

Permanent resident status

If an undergraduate student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will be provided with a domestic fee-paying place.

The student may then apply for a Commonwealth supported place at the next admission period provided that the student satisfies the conditions for transfer from a domestic fee-paying place to a Commonwealth supported place as set out in the Undergraduate Programs Admission Policy.

If a postgraduate student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will automatically be considered for a Commonwealth supported place (subject to availability) or a domestic fee-paying place as applicable for the program.

If a research student obtains permanent resident status in Australia after commencing study in a program, and the student can provide evidence of permanent resident status prior to the census date (of the trimester in which they are enrolled), the student will automatically be considered for a Commonwealth Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset or a domestic fee-paying place as applicable for the program.

Further information