University of Adelaide

What you'll study

This double-degree brings together the full suite of core law subjects with interdisciplinary sustainability and climate coursework. The law component covers foundational and professional practice topics such as constitutional law, criminal law, contract, torts, property, administrative law, evidence, commercial law, and ethics, together with legal research and writing and an honours research project or thesis. The honours year in law typically involves an advanced research thesis and may require a specified grade point average in preceding law units.

• Core law topics: legal method, constitutional and administrative law, criminal law and procedure, contract and tort, property, commercial law, evidence, ethics and professional responsibility, legal research and honours thesis.
• Sustainability and climate topics: climate science and systems, climate change policy and economics, environmental management and impact assessment, sustainable cities and energy systems, biodiversity and ecology, adaptation and mitigation strategies, sustainability governance, and Indigenous and community approaches to environmental stewardship.
• Interdisciplinary and practical learning: coursework linking law and climate (for example, climate litigation, environmental regulation, carbon markets), fieldwork or practicum options, case studies, simulation and legal clinic placements where available.
• Structure: the program is delivered over several years of full-time study with progression from foundational units to advanced and research-led units; students complete both the law honours requirements and the sustainability degree requirements to graduate with the double award.

Entry requirements

Entry is competitive and based on successful completion of secondary schooling or recognised equivalent. Domestic applicants typically require a strong high-school qualification (such as an ATAR at or above the university’s threshold for law and combined degrees) or successful completion of an approved pathway. International applicants should meet the equivalent academic standard and demonstrate English language proficiency.

• Admission pathways: direct school leavers, interstate and international applicants, articulation from diploma or foundation programs, and mature-age applicants with work or tertiary experience.
• Specific requirements: applicants should check for any required assumed knowledge or prerequisite subjects and for the entry requirements specific to the honours component of the law degree, which may include a GPA threshold for progression to honours.
• Alternative entry: the university offers pathway programs and recognition of prior learning where appropriate; students with relevant tertiary study or professional experience may be eligible for admission under alternative criteria.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for legal careers with a strong environmental or climate focus as well as a broad range of sustainability roles. Typical pathways include admission to legal practice after completing required practical legal training, roles in environmental and planning law, and positions advising on regulatory compliance and policy.

• Environmental lawyer or solicitor in private practice, corporate legal teams or community legal centres
• Policy adviser or analyst in local, state or federal government agencies dealing with climate, environment and natural resources
• Sustainability consultant, climate risk analyst or corporate sustainability officer in industry and consulting firms
• Roles with non-government organisations, advocacy groups and international organisations focused on climate action and environmental protection
• Research careers in universities or research institutes, including work on climate law, policy evaluation and interdisciplinary sustainability research

Why study at University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide offers an established law school and multidisciplinary teaching and research in sustainability and climate science. Students benefit from access to specialist expertise across law, environment and policy, opportunities for practical legal experience through clinics and placements, and industry and government connections across South Australia.

• Research and expertise: strong research groups and centres in law, environmental science and climate policy provide an evidence-informed curriculum.
• Practical learning: clinical legal education, externships and partnerships with industry and government support applied learning and employability.
• Interdisciplinary approach: the program integrates legal training with technical and policy-focused sustainability skills, equipping graduates to work across sectors.
• Location benefits: Adelaide’s policy, renewable energy and environmental research community offers students opportunities for networking, internships and applied projects.