Key facts
4 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
Designed and taught by practising lawyers and academics, Deakin's accredited Bachelor of Laws combines sound legal training with real-world experience. You will develop key skills in communication, problem solving and analytical thinking, and gain sought-after experience through our substantial work-integrated learning opportunities.
Tailor your studies to a field of interest by choosing from a wide range of commercial and public law electives, and work with clients on real cases under the supervision of qualified solicitors at the Deakin Law Clinic, our community legal service that offers free legal advice.
Study at Deakin Law School and join the ranks of high-performing students attending one of Australia's top law schools.* For over 30 years we've attracted some of the best and brightest students in Australia who have gone on to enjoy high employment rates in dynamic roles across law, business, journalism, public administration, private enterprise and politics.
Are you looking for a degree that prepares you for a leading legal or professional career?
Choose Deakin's Bachelor of Laws and develop a solid foundation of practical legal skills, including:
- negotiation
- problem solving
- preparing for court appearances
- legal drafting
- statutory interpretation.
You will also learn transferable skills that can launch you on a variety of career paths that could see you entering the business sector, government, law reform, politics or public administration.
The legal profession is undergoing rapid change and lawyers are increasingly required to provide clients with practical, commercial advice. A distinctive feature of our programs is our focus on experiential learning, which helps you develop critical skills and obtain disciplinary knowledge, giving you an edge upon graduation.
At the Deakin Law Clinic, you will get the opportunity to hone the legal skills acquired in your academic training, including the capacity to analyse complex legal problems and other critical skills necessary for pursuing a career in law.
*Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Laws
- Year
2024 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400414063 - Waterfront (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
1400514063 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place - Deakin code
- M312
- CRICOS code?
- 026686F 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 Laws, students must attain a total of 32 credit points, plus completion of 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.
To complete the course you must include:-
- 18 credit points of core units
- completion of DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory module)
- 14 credit points of elective units (no more than 5 elective units at Level 1)
The 14 credit points of elective units must include:-
- a minimum of 6 credit points of law electives, including 1 credit point of WIL/practical/experiential unit from a list.
- a minimum of 4 credit points of non-law electives (these may be selected from any undergraduate units offered by the University, subject to eligibility) (i.e. a maximum of ten credit points of Law Electives can be chosen)
- and 4 credit points of electives that may be Law
Core units
Note: MLP code denotes Priestley units, which teach the academic areas of knowledge prescribed for admission to legal practice.
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Commercial Law electives
Note: It is not compulsory to choose electives from only one list; students may choose electives from across the Commercial Law and Public Law elective list)
Commercial Law elective units:
* Previously coded MLL210
Note:
- Not all units will be offered every year.
- The Law School might from time to time develop new units to strengthen these lists, and develop other lists.
Public Law electives
Note: It is not compulsory to choose electives from only one list; students may choose electives from across the Commercial Law and Public Law elective list)
Public Law electives:
* Previously coded MLL210
# MLL302 was previously coded MLL211/MLL417
Note:
- Not all units will be offered every year.
- The Law School might from time to time develop new units to strengthen these lists, and develop other lists.
WIL| Practical Elective units
Students must complete one of the following experiential/practice units as one of their 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)
- 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
A range of commercial and public law electives
A distinctive feature of the Deakin law degree is the large number of commercial law and public law elective units offered in the course. You can choose to add a commercial focus to your degree by selecting from a wide range of electives. Deakin Law School also offers a number of public law electives, drawing upon the significant expertise of staff in the areas of international law, criminal law, constitutional law, human rights law and health law.
Clinical legal education
Legal internship
In conjunction with community legal centres and other legal organisations, Deakin Law School offers a clinical skills unit. This involves students working in private law firms, companies employing in-house legal counsel, public legal centres or statutory bodies under the supervision of legal practitioners. You’ll assist the practitioners to take instructions from, advise and represent clients. Clinical training of this nature is designed to teach you skills such as interviewing, counselling, negotiation, communication and advocacy. Deakin's Legal Internship enables you to gain an appreciation of legal practice and extend your critical thinking skills by working in a legal environment. Quotas apply and enrolment is via application.
Please visit the Legal Internship website, for more information.
Deakin Law Clinic
Deakin Law School offers teaching law firms which provide legal placements for students. The clinics operate under the supervision of qualified legal practitioners and offer opportunities for students to develop legal skills in the following areas:
civil and commercial law
criminal law
employment law
venture law
family law
policy law
A Deakin Law Clinic can be taken as a law elective in year 3 or year 4 of your law degree.
Study abroad opportunities
Our global study itinerary includes the prestigious Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong and Vienna and options to study one or more elective units at an overseas institution
At present, to qualify for admission as a barrister and solicitor in Victoria, university graduates are required to complete either a supervised legal traineeship (previously known as articles of clerkship) for one year or an approved practical legal training (PLT) course. Institutes that offer Practical Legal Training in Victoria include:
- The College of Law Victoria: Victorian Professional Program
- Leo Cussen Centre for Law
- Australian College of Applied Professions with the Law Institute of Victoria
The Deakin law degree is designed to satisfy the university component of the requirements to become a barrister and solicitor in Victoria set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. Study may be undertaken on either a full-time or part-time basis.
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
A full-time law degree has approximately the same workload as a full-time job. Full-time students should expect to commit around 40 hours per week to their studies, including attendance at class, extensive reading, writing, and critical analysis for completion of all assessments and preparation for exams. part-time students should expect a pro-rata commitment depending on how many units they undertake.
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.
Work experience
This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more work-integrated learning units.
More Information: WIL Programs
International Students:
This course includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) formally registered as part of the course on the CRICOS register. The total work integrated learning hours will differ depending on the WIL unit you choose. For more information about WIL hours, please check the unit information in the handbook or the unit guide.
For information about how WIL units may impact student visa holder work rights, please visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. See Schedule 8 (8102)Visa Conditions.
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
- Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent
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 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.
Online studies
Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.
However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.
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.
Entry pathways
Further study options
M412 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Careers
Career outcomes
Obtaining a law degree is your first step to entering the legal profession. Upon completion of your degree and the additional practical legal training, you will be qualified to work as a solicitor or barrister in all legal fields, including:
- commercial law
- criminal law
- family law
- public international and human rights law
- refugee law
- personal injury law.
In addition, your degree opens up many other career opportunities. As an alternative to practising as a barrister or solicitor, you may choose to enter:
- business as a corporate lawyer, consultant, company administrator or business manager
- government as a lawyer or policy adviser with departments or authorities as diverse as the Attorney General's Department, the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Office of Public Prosecutions, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
- industrial relations
- public administration
- education
- media
- politics
- law reform.
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.
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.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate an understanding of the Australian legal system and the fundamental areas of knowledge required for legal practice as situated within international contexts and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise |
| Communication | Communicate legal knowledge effectively to legal and non-legal audiences, both verbally and in writing |
| Digital literacy | Use a range of digitally-based technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate information |
| Critical thinking | Exercise critical thinking, judgment and intellectual independence to evaluate, consolidate and synthesise knowledge relevant to legal doctrine and legal practice |
| Problem solving | Apply legal reasoning and critical analysis to generate and articulate accurate and relevant responses to legal issues |
| Self-management | Exercise responsibility and accountability for own learning, and possess abilities to reflect on own capabilities, performance and feedback to support personal and professional development |
| Teamwork | Collaborate effectively in a team environment demonstrating constructive engagement and contribution to the team and the ability to draw on strengths of others |
| Global citizenship | Reflect on the ethical and professional behaviours and responsibilities of legal professionals and demonstrate an understanding of the impact that different social, ethical, global or environmental perspectives have on exercising legal practice in the community |
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