Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Graduating with two versatile degrees sets you up for a career without limitations. Combine an industry-leading legal education with thought-provoking investigative learning when you study Deakin's Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws. Study everything from tort law to commercial law at Deakin Law School, while exploring a complementary specialisation, including criminology, sociology, politics and policy studies and media studies, through your arts degree.
The real-world experience you gain throughout your degree will prepare you for roles across a wide range of fields. In the law stream, you can work on real cases alongside established legal professionals at the Deakin Law Clinic. In the arts stream, you will develop industry-relevant skills on work-integrated learning projects and, depending on your major, you may choose to undertake a study abroad experience.
Ready to develop transferable skills to enhance your career prospects in law?
The law is influenced by many social, economic, environmental and political factors. A combined Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws course gives you the knowledge and skills to understand these factors and work in areas where they may be relevant.
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.
Gain a robust legal education and practical skills through our renowned programs at the Deakin Law Clinic, industry placements and internships. You can also undertake opportunities to study abroad through exchange programs and university partnerships to further enhance your contextual understanding.
Choose from a range of study areas in your arts degree, including social sciences, humanities and the arts. If you're interested in human behaviour, you might choose sociology. If the state of the world is more your thing, choose to focus on international relations. Or, you might opt for something that simply fascinates you, like anthropology or film and television studies.
Explore the latest industry concepts, legal practice and approaches in units taught by active researchers and legal professionals. Benefit from their existing connections and insights and gain that all-important competitive edge to stand out to your future employers.
Course information
- Award granted
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws
- Year
2023 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400414013 - Waterfront (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
1400514013 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place - Deakin code
- D312
- CRICOS code?
- 015206G Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- 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 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 (A310) include:-
- Either the Global Challenge sequence (3 credit points) or the Employability sequence (3 credit points)
- One major sequence (8 credit points) as described under course A310 Bachelor of Arts
- The remaining credit points may be used to undertake a Bachelor of Arts minor sequence or additional elective units chosen from the Bachelor of Arts
- Level 3 - at least 4 credit points
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
Students and Applicants to Geelong Waterfront Campus
Travel between campuses will be required to complete this combined degree. The Bachelor of Laws degree will be taught at Waterfront campus and the Bachelor of Arts degree will be taught at the Waurn Ponds Campus.
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
Senior certificate of education
If you are currently studying Year 12 or completed Year 12 in the previous two years and have not attempted higher education or VET/Polytechnic study since, your selection is based on the following.
VCE 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.
International equivalent requirements
To view the international academic admission and English language requirements visit the International entry requirements page. If your course or country of origin is not listed please contact study@deakin.edu.au.
To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.
Higher education study
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.
Weighted Average Mark (WAM)
Successful completion of 4 credit points or more at an accredited higher education institution with a minimum WAM of 60 or equivalent.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
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)
If you have not successfully met the WAM requirements for this course, you will need to achieve at least 60 in the STAT (Multiple Choice) to be considered for this course. Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test results for entry into Deakin University here.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
International equivalent requirements
To view the international academic admission and English language requirements visit the International entry requirements page. If your course or country of origin is not listed please contact study@deakin.edu.au.
To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.
Polytechnic study
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.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
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)
To be considered for this course you will need to achieve at least 60 in the STAT (Multiple Choice). Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test results for entry into Deakin University here.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
International equivalent requirements
To view the international academic admission and English language requirements visit the International entry requirements page. If your course or country of origin is not listed please contact study@deakin.edu.au.
To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.
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.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
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)
To be considered for this course you will need to achieve at least 60 in the STAT (Multiple Choice). Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test results for entry into Deakin University here.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
International equivalent requirements
To view the international academic admission and English language requirements visit the International entry requirements page. If your course or country of origin is not listed please contact study@deakin.edu.au.
To submit an application please visit the how to apply page.
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, any LOTE, 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.
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 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
Alternative exits
- Associate Degree of Arts (A250)
- Bachelor of Arts (A310)
- Bachelor of Laws (M312)
- Diploma of Arabic (A221)
- Diploma of Arts (A215)
- Diploma of Chinese (A222)
- Diploma of Indonesian (A223)
- Diploma of Spanish (A224)
Careers
Career outcomes
Graduates can look forward to diverse and challenging career opportunities 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 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). In addition to completing an approved law degree, a person seeking admission to the legal profession is required to work for one year as a supervised legal trainee, or to undertake an approved practical legal training course.
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.