Key facts
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
Combine an industry-leading legal education with thought-provoking investigative learning when you study Deakin’s Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws. Deakin Law School trains you in everything from torts to commercial law, while your arts degree offers a range of complementary specialisations, from criminology to sociology, politics and policy studies to media studies.
Graduating with two versatile degrees sets you up for a career without limitations.
No matter which field you enter, you’ll be ready for your future role because of the real-world experience you build throughout the course. In the law stream, you can work on real cases alongside established legal professionals at Deakin Law Clinic. In the arts stream, you’ll hone industry-relevant skills on work-integrated learning projects and depending on your major, you can choose to undertake an international experience.
Want to develop transferrable skills that enhance your career prospects in law?
The law operates in and is influenced by many external factors, from society to economics and the environment to politics. A combined Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws course gives you the extra knowledge to appreciate – and work with – these extenuating issues.
Deakin Law School provides a strong foundation in all major areas of law, including:
- contracts law
- legal practice and ethics
- criminal law and procedure
- torts
- property law
- constitutional law
- administrative law
As part of your legal education, you’ll gain practical skills through our programs at Deakin Law Clinic, industry placements and internships. We also offer opportunities to study abroad, with exchange programs and university partnerships, so you can further enhance your contextual understanding.
In your arts degree, you’ll choose from a range of study areas in social sciences, humanities and the arts. What is it about the law that interests you most? If you’re into human behaviour, you might choose sociology. If the state of the world is more your thing, you might look at international relations. Or, you might opt for something that simply fascinates you, like anthropology or film and television.
Your units are taught by active researchers and field workers, so you’ll always be learning the latest industry concepts, legal practice and approaches. Plus, you’ll benefit from their existing connections and insights, giving you a competitive edge to stand out to employers.
Read MoreCourse structure
To complete the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws, students must attain a total of 40 credit points, consisting of 16 credit points from the Faculty of Arts and Education and 24 credit points from the Faculty of Business and Law, plus the compulsory 0-credit point MAI010 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.
Units
Compulsory 0-credit point unit (to be completed in first trimester of study):-
- MAI010 Academic Integrity Module
The 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws (M312) include:-
- 18 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points of law elective units including 1 credit point of an experiential unit from the WIL/Practical Elective units list.
The 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Arts (A300) include:-
- Level 3 - at least 4 credit points
- either two major sequences, or a major sequence and a minor sequence
Key information
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws
2021 course information
1400514013 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Cloud Campus
Students enrolled at Waterfront (Geelong) in this combined course will be required to undertake units of study at both Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Waterfront (Geelong).
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
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 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
Current or recent Year 12
If you are currently studying Year 12 in 2020 or completed Year 12 in 2018 or 2019 and have not attempted higher education or VET study since, your selection is based on the following.
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
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Higher education experience
If you have undertaken at least one unit of higher education after secondary schooling, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
Senior secondary 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 or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Applicants who wish to use a general aptitude test for consideration for entry must complete the STAT (Multiple Choice). Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
VET education experience
If you have undertaken at least one unit of Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your secondary education and subsequent academic records as part of its selection considerations.
Senior secondary 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 or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Applicants who wish to use a general aptitude test for consideration for entry must complete the STAT (Multiple Choice). Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago or did not finish Year 12, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
Senior secondary 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 or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Applicants who wish to use a general aptitude test for consideration for entry must complete the STAT (Multiple Choice). Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 35 in any Business, English other than EAL, any LOTE, Australian Politics or Global Politics equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in any Business, English other than EAL, any LOTE, 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 this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the ComparED website.
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enables Deakin to consider disadvantageous circumstances you may have experienced and their 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.
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2020 students (PDF, 581.6KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
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.
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 calculated depending on the course you choose.
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
How to apply
Applications for study for Trimester 1 must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC
Applications can be made 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
Alternative exits
Why choose Deakin
Career outcomes
Graduates can look forward to a diverse and challenging career in a range of roles, including:
- conveyancer
- corporate lawyer
- law reform officer
- federal police officer
- judge
- jury consultant
- law professor
- legal adviser
- mediator
- police development manager
- policy adviser
- private investigator
- liquidator
- legal secretary
- international trade law consultant
- accountant
- auditor
- human resources manager
- stockbroker
- organisational counsellor
- small business owner
- immigration agent
- sport law adviser.
Professional recognition
Deakin’s Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the university component of the requirements to become an Australian Lawyer set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB).
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 each of the single degrees.
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