Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) / Bachelor of Laws
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Type of institution: University/Higher Education Institution
Level: Undergraduate
CRICOS: 00099F
This course aims to develop digital communications practitioners/lawyers who can produce high quality outcomes in complex collaborative digital environments, especially social media contexts. It examines a communications environment where diverse media converge, mobile and social platforms are ubiquitous, and success for individuals and organisations depends largely on their capacity to creatively adapt to the challenges of continuous transformation. The course provides full-time study for students wishing to obtain a professional legal qualification that satisfies the academic requirements for admission as a lawyer together with the study of creative writing as a professional practice. The course develops a broad range of capabilities for professional practice in information and law. It is particularly relevant for imaginative, synthetic and analytical thinking and communication, as well as practical skills in digital communication across diverse technological platforms and environments. Students learn to be technologically literate, culturally sophisticated, innovative and resourceful leaders with legal knowledge and skills for the rapidly evolving digital communications industries. Career options include specialist social media lawyer, media lawyer, intellectual property lawyer, solicitor, social media manager, barrister, digital and social media coordinator, digital consultant, communications officer, digital channels strategist, marketing technologist, legal adviser within a government department, lawyer in corporate and commercial sector, librarian, media researcher, project manager, web designer, and other diverse roles particularly in legal and business contexts.
Structure
The course comprises 240 credit points and allows students to graduate with the separate degrees of Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) and Bachelor of Laws. The study components for course completion are as follows. The law component is made up of 144 credit points. The communication component is made up of 96 credit points. The course is offered on a five-year, full-time basis. Students are required to attend approximately 17 hours of seminars and lectures a week, and may be required to attend evening classes for the law component.
Subjects
- Communication
- Digital and social media
- Law
Standard entry requirements
- Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level. The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0
- Or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21
- Or AE5: Pass
- Or PTE: 58-64
- Or CAE: 176-184. HSC English and computer literacy are assumed knowledge.
Recognition
Supreme Court of NSW as a lawyer, provided students complete a practical legal training program, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice.
Study pathways
Students can graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) if they complete subjects Research Methodology and Research Thesis within the course. The degree may be awarded with first or second class honours, which does not require an additional honours year. The rules concerning the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) can be found in undergraduate course information. Students who meet these criteria for honours are eligible for transfer into the appropriate undergraduate honours exit course on completion of all coursework. This transfer is managed by the Haymarket Student Centre and occurs just prior to graduation. The Bachelor of Communication (Honours) is offered on a one-year, full-time basis.
Further information
To practise as a lawyer in NSW, students need to successfully complete an accredited legal academic qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Laws) and an accredited course of practical legal training (PLT), which UTS offers through its PLT program. Students enrolled in this course may complete their practical legal training by undertaking a postgraduate course in PLT, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice. Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
