Key facts
5 years full-time
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Combine a leading law degree with the commercial expertise that organisations are seeking by undertaking Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws. Your broad knowledge of both commercial and legal concepts, as well as robust training, practical experience and industry placements, will give you a competitive edge in all areas of commercial law.
Graduate with two sought-after degrees in just five years – two fewer than if you completed each degree separately – and open up a world of exciting career opportunities with your dual expertise in commerce and law. In the law stream, you will be trained in all major areas of law by world-class academics before choosing from a range of real-world learning opportunities. One option is to apply your skills on real cases with real clients at the Deakin Law Clinic. In the commerce stream, you will study a broad range of foundation units before choosing one of eight majors, allowing you to tailor your degree to your career goals.
Want workplace-ready business and legal skills with a commercial focus?
We know that lawyers are increasingly expected to provide commercial and practical insight beyond pure legal advice. Our combined course in commerce and law gives graduates practical, commercially-focused skills, as well as professional legal insight.
Your teachers are active researchers and field workers, so you will always be learning the latest industry concepts, legal practice and approaches. Plus, you will benefit from their existing connections and insights, giving you a competitive edge that's ready for the workplace.
In your commerce component, you will choose a major in the area that interests you most. These majors prepare you to enter a ‘vertical’ profession where you obtain qualifications and skills that enable you to work in corporations and governments.
Options include:
- accounting
- economics
- finance
- financial planning
- human resource management
- management
- management information systems
- marketing.
Deakin Law School provides a strong foundation in all major areas of law, including:
- contract law
- criminal law and procedure
- tort law
- property law
- constitutional law
- administrative law.
Our Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws graduates have the combined business capabilities and legal expertise that organisations are looking for.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws
- Year
2024 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400414493 - Waterfront (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
1400514493 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place - Deakin code
- D322
- CRICOS code?
- 002452M Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws, students must attain a total of 40 credit points consisting of 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Commerce and 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws plus the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity Module. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake 2 trimesters each year.
16
Credit points from the Bachelor of Commerce
24
Credit points from the Bachelor of Laws
40
Total credit points
Units
Compulsory 0-credit point unit (to be completed in first trimester of study):-
- Academic Integrity Module
The 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Commerce include:-
- 7** credit points of core units (MAA103, MAE101, MAF101, MIS171, MMK101, MMM132 and MWL101)
- an 8 credit point major sequence
- a one credit point open elective unit chosen from across the University
- Level 3 - at least 4 credit points (which must be course grouped to a Faculty of Business and Law undergraduate degree)
The 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws include:-
- 18 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points of law elective units*, including 1 credit point of WIL/practical unit
**Please note: Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws course must not undertake MLC101 Law for Commerce (a core unit in the Bachelor of Commerce) as this unit is incompatible with MLP119 (core unit in the Bachelor of Laws).
*See the Bachelor of Laws entry for a list of the Deakin Law School’s Commercial Law elective units
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Additional course information
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. The minimum expected workload for a Law unit will normally be around 150 hours, which includes attendance at class, reading, completion of any assessment, and preparation for the exam.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
Current or recent secondary education
If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
Year 12 prerequisite subjects
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection consideration.
Higher education
If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- successful completion of at least four credit points in an equivalent (AQF Level 7) bachelor degree with a minimum WAM of 60 or equivalent
Vocational education
This course does not accept VET study for entry, please check for alternative entry requirements or visit the pathways finder for alternate pathways into this course.
Work and life experience
This course does not accept work, volunteer and/or life experience for entry. Please check for alternative entry requirements or visit the pathways finder for alternate pathways into this course.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score greater than 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or greater than 25 in any other English
- IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 35 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics or Global Politics equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics or Global Politics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2023 students (PDF, 354KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
RPL will generally be granted for a Priestley 11 unit where a student completed the unit within 5 years of the date on which they will commence their Law degree at Deakin University. Whether RPL is granted for a Priestley unit that a student completed more than 5 years before that date will depend on an assessment of the particular unit, including whether its content remains current and it is substantially equivalent to the relevant unit in the Deakin Law course for which RPL is sought. It is possible that RPL may not be granted where the coverage of Priestley 11 knowledge areas across units of study is structured differently in the Law course at Deakin University compared to the Law course at the university where the student previously studied.
You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about international student fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
International students who are currently completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas should apply through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), as well as directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect – Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
All other international students apply directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Careers
Career outcomes
Graduates from this course can look forward to a diverse and challenging range of opportunities that make you a sought-after candidate in a range of roles including:
- conveyancer
- corporate lawyer
- law reform officer
- police officer
- judge
- jury consultant
- law academic
- legal adviser
- mediator
- police development manager
- policy adviser
- private investigator
- liquidator
- legal secretary
- international trade law consultant
- accountant
- auditor
- human resources manager
- stockbroker
- organisational consultant
- small business owner
- immigration agent
- sport law adviser.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the academic qualifications necessary for admission to the legal profession. In Victoria these have been set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying the academic qualifications, a person seeking admission to the legal profession in Victoria is required to have satisfactorily completed certain practical legal training requirements and must be considered a fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession.
A person seeking admission in a jurisdiction outside Australia may be required to satisfy additional requirements. Please check the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
Deakin Business School holds the prestigious and globally recognised AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, which attest to quality, academic and professional excellence, ongoing improvement, innovation and graduate employability.
Students who complete the accounting major can apply for the:
- CA Program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
- Associate membership for the CPA Program
- IPA Program of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Students who complete the marketing major are eligible for a one-year credit towards their five-year Certified Practicing Marketer and Chartered Marketer certification awarded by the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI).
Students who complete the finance major are recognised through the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.
Students who complete the financial planning major satisfy the education standards of the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS). This enables students to provide financial advice in Australia and eligibility to enter certification programs of the professional financial planning associations. These include the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Program by the Financial Adviser Association of Australia (FAAA).
Depending on your units of study, commerce graduates are also eligible to apply for membership to the:
Students should consult the professional body or a course adviser to identify additional requirements for memberships.
*2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject and 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of the single degree.
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