University of Adelaide

What you'll study

This combined honours degree brings together the core professional legal curriculum of the Adelaide Law School with the analytical and quantitative economics training of the School of Economics. In the law component you study foundational subjects such as Contract Law, Torts, Criminal Law, Property, Constitutional Law and Administrative Law, together with professional skills subjects including Legal Research and Writing, Evidence, Civil Procedure and Ethics. Advanced law options typically cover Corporations Law, Intellectual Property, Family Law, International Law, Competition and Consumer Law, and specialised electives in areas such as environmental law, taxation and health law.

The economics component covers Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, Econometrics and Quantitative Methods, Mathematical Economics, and applied fields such as Public Economics, Industrial Organisation, Labour Economics, International Trade and Development. The honours components in both disciplines require higher-level coursework and a substantial research project or thesis, developing independent research skills, technical competence in econometric methods and advanced legal analysis.

Program structure commonly includes a mixture of compulsory core subjects and a range of electives, practical workshops and clinic-style learning in law, plus laboratory and data-analysis tasks in economics. Students may also undertake internships, client placements or approved work-integrated learning as part of their professional development.

Entry requirements

Admission is competitive and based on a combination of academic achievement and required prerequisites. Domestic applicants are typically assessed by an Australian Year 12 certificate (or equivalent) with a competitive rank or tertiary entrance score. International applicants must meet equivalent secondary qualifications and demonstrate English language proficiency.

Additional entry pathways include tertiary transfer and recognised prior learning; applicants from other Australian university programmes may be eligible to transfer into the combined degree subject to meeting faculty requirements. Some applicants may be considered on the basis of personal statements, referees or portfolios where specified by the admissions policy. Meeting minimum entry thresholds does not guarantee admission; selection is competitive.

Career prospects

Graduates of this combined honours degree are well placed for a wide range of careers that value legal training and economic literacy. Typical career paths include:

• Admission to legal practice as a solicitor (and with further requirements, barrister), including roles in private law firms, commercial practice and in-house legal teams.
• Government and regulatory roles, working on policy development, legislative drafting, competition and consumer regulation, tax and public administration.
• Economic analysis and advisory roles in consulting firms, financial institutions, think tanks and international organisations, using econometrics and policy evaluation skills.
• Corporate roles in compliance, corporate strategy, risk management and mergers and acquisitions where combined legal and economic insight is valuable.
• Further research and academic careers: the honours year prepares graduates for honours-to-PhD pathways in law or economics and for roles requiring strong research capability.

Why study at University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide combines established professional legal education with a strong tradition in economic research and quantitative training. Students benefit from access to clinical legal education programs, connections with local courts and regulatory bodies, and opportunities for real-world placements. The School of Economics emphasises rigorous econometric and policy training, with research-active staff and specialised centres that support practical project work.

The university also offers opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration, international exchange options and a compact campus environment in South Australia’s capital, which can facilitate industry engagement and internships. The combined honours degree provides an academically demanding pathway that equips graduates with a distinctive skill set valued across law, government, business and research sectors.