Undergraduate

Law and Society

From human rights, crime and justice to Indigenous rights, freedom of expression and religion, the Law and Society major explores the impact of legal and social policy on all areas of our lives.

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

Graduates pursue varied careers in the private, non-profit and public sectors, including law-related policy and research roles. They may work in law reform and justice agencies, the civil and criminal justice systems, government, education and academia, and law-relevant fields like management and human resources, media and communications, industrial relations, human rights, social services and legal support.
Graduates pursue varied careers in the private, non-profit and public sectors, including law-related policy and research roles. They may work in law reform and justice agencies, the civil and criminal justice systems, government, education and academia, and law-relevant fields like management and human resources, media and communications, industrial relations, human rights, social services and legal support.

Further Study

Students with a Law and Society major may pursue further studies by undertaking Law and Society Honours, a Master of Laws, a Master of Public Policy, a Master of International Law or another postgraduate course. Alternatively, you may choose to study law as a professional qualification (to pursue a legal career) by applying for entry to the Juris Doctor.
Students with a Law and Society major may pursue further studies by undertaking Law and Society Honours, a Master of Laws, a Master of Public Policy, a Master of International Law or another postgraduate course. Alternatively, you may choose to study law as a professional qualification (to pursue a legal career) by applying for entry to the Juris Doctor.
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Law Assured Pathway

If you're interested in undertaking the Law and Society, Business Law or Criminology major, you may want to check out our Law Assured Pathway.

Our pathways combine your first degree with your second degree, giving you an assured place in your postgraduate course and providing you with a clearer direction to your career of choice.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee
2024
$45,800.00
2025
$48,300.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

Course details

What impact does law have on our lives? To what extent does law either control what we do or allow us to achieve what we want? Learn to understand, apply and adapt concepts in socio-legal studies while developing skills in research analysis, teamwork and communication.

About the course

From human rights, crime and justice to Indigenous rights, freedom of expression and religion, and social media and the law, the Law and Society major explores the impact of legal and social policy on all areas of our lives. 

Through this major you’ll understand, apply and adapt concepts in socio-legal studies while developing skills in research analysis, teamwork and communication. 

Law and Society

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 12-15 contact hours, plus at least twice as much of your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-LWSOC
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Law and Society
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 12-15 contact hours, plus at least twice as much of your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-LWSOC
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Student testimonial

Hear from our students

"The Law and Society major offers an insight into what law is all about. The units are engaging and interesting where tutors and lecturers give their first-hand experiences into their previous careers and the law profession.

I chose the Law and Society major as my first preference because I have always been interested in the justice system and from watching crime shows a lot as a child.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to study the postgraduate Juris Doctor to attain the qualifications I need to become a lawyer."

--Marwat, Bachelor of Arts student

Student testimonial

4 reasons to do Honours

  • Boosts analytical, critical, problem solving skills and project management.
  • Regarded highly by future employers in wide range of sectors: business, law, government, semi-government.
  • Leads to higher earnings and better career advances.
  • Increases admission chances of highly-sought graduate degrees domestically and internationally, including the Juris Doctor and the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Why Law and Society?

  • If you're considering studying the Juris Doctor in the future, it’s excellent preparation. There are many teachers in this major who teach in the JD, so you'll become used to their teaching. You can also get an idea if you find law interesting, to help you decide whether to undertake the JD.
  • You'll really improve your analytical and research skills.
  • You're able to go on exchange.

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Popular combinations

Get hands-on learning

 

  • Role plays: tenancy agreements, government consultation on the rights of older persons and potential for a new UN treaty, negotiating conflict situations in emerging countries and the role of the UN Security Council, mock Law Reform Commission Inquiry
  • Students draft social media policy for a business or be involved in creation and promulgation of an online petition.
  • Honours students undertake applied research projects in partnership with Community Legal Centres such as Law Access and the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA. 
 

Take a second major

Employers seek graduates with a breadth of knowledge from multiple complementary areas. Have you considered taking a second major to increase your skills and experience?

Law and Society pairs well with these other majors:

4 skills you'll develop through Law and Society

1. Interpersonal skills: develop your empathy and reasoning skills by discovering the social aspects of law and how it operates within the real world.

2. Analytical skills: synthesise information quickly and accurately by looking at data and case studies, and drawing logical conclusions.

3. Teamwork skills: learn how to resolve differences of opinion and collaborate in diverse groups.

4. Communication skills: work on your persuasion, negotiation, assertiveness and tact; share information and propose ideas; learn to write for and speak to a range of audiences.

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

Meet the Director

Assistant Professor Claire Kaylock

"I am a Lecturer in the UWA Law School and Director of the Law and Society Major. I am a teaching specialist, and have received teaching awards at national and university level. I studied law here at UWA, and I have worked in some really fascinating legal roles, mostly involving community legal services and Native Title. But my love of learning was sparked by my first degree, a Bachelor of Arts with a double major and honours in Linguistics. I currently teach Property Law and Land Law in the Juris Doctor program, as well as a foundations unit for graduate students who don’t have a law background. I have previously taught the Level 2 core unit in this major (LAWS2227 Law in Action), and I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue my contribution in the role of Director."
Meet the Director

Western Australia's premier Law School

The UWA Law School is ranked in the top 150 law schools in the world for Law and Legal Studies (QS 2024). You will join and contribute to 90 years of excellence: we are the first law school established in WA and the fifth oldest in Australia.

Our graduates include a Prime Minister, a Governor of Western Australia, State Ministers, Justices of the Supreme Court of WA, a Young Australian of the Year, Rhodes Scholars, and more.

While we have a long and proud history, we're also a closely-knit, creative and progressive Law School, fostering critical thought, ethical scholarship and practice, a deep connection to our Indigenous past and present, and supportive student culture based upon wellbeing and inclusion.