Undergraduate
Law and Society
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
Frequently asked questions
Events you may be interested in
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Careers and further study
This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.
Career Pathways
Further Study
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.
Juris Doctor
Fees and scholarships
Domestic Student Fees
Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.
Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.
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
International Student Fees
Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.
Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.
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
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
- 3.6
- 75.5
- 254
- 324
- 14.5
- 280
- 61
- 1130
- 56
- 75
Admission requirements
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.
How to apply
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!
Course details
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.
Quick details
- Available
- Perth (Crawley campus)
- Albany (Regional campus)
- Full-time
- Part-time
- On-campus
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- 12-15 contact hours, plus at least twice as much of your own study time
- Undergraduate
- MJD-LWSOC
- 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
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
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:
- Philosophy: learn the foundations of critical thinking and making cogent arguments
- Political Science and International Relations: understand governments, political systems and public policy
You may also be interested in these courses
Communication and Media Studies 
Business Economics single major 
English Literary Studies 
History 4 skills you'll develop through Law and Society
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.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Philosophy
Assistant Professor Claire Kaylock
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.