#1 Melbourne university for business undergraduate employment
#1 Melbourne university for course satisfaction
80+ hours work-integrated learning
Why choose commerce / laws at Deakin
Study at a top 3 law school in the state of Victoria and build the legal and commercial expertise employers value. Combine comprehensive legal training with a commerce degree newly redesigned to develop specialists who use data and evidence to help organisations make sound financial and market decisions.
Build strong foundations in law, accounting, economics, finance and analytics. Develop skills in communication, problem solving and critical thinking. Apply your learning in professional and international settings through work-integrated learning, including supervised casework at the Deakin Law Clinic, internships and consulting projects. Explore commercial and public law, human rights, technology, privacy and data law while learning to interpret data, model financial outcomes and advise organisations on complex challenges.
Graduate ready to help shape decisions in law, business, government, policy and community settings in Australia and around the world.
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Proven employability
Study at the #1 Victorian university for business undergraduate employment and a top 3 law school in Victoria
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Programs shaped by employers
Build legal skills and commercial insight through a degree aligned with industry and professional standards.
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Practical learning for every student
Gain experience through commerce experiences and 150 hours at the Deakin Law Clinic working on real legal matters.
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Combined degree advantage
Graduate with commerce and law expertise to work across business, government and legal sectors worldwide.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Develop legal knowledge and analytical thinking alongside commercial and financial skills, opening pathways into law, business and government careers.
Lawyer
Advise clients on legal rights, prepare legal documents, negotiate settlements and represent clients across a range of commercial and legal matters.
- $105k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 20%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 3.6/5
Job satisfaction
Management accountant
Analyse financial performance, prepare budgets, forecasts and management reports. Advise leaders on costs, risks and opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability and business performance.
- $115k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 8.4%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Barrister
- Corporate lawyer
- Company administrator
- Business manager
- Public administrator
- In-house lawyer
FAQs
Deakin's campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool are set in vibrant, multicultural communities where it is easy to connect and feel at home. As the #1 university in Australia for international student happiness and student satisfaction, you will be supported at every step of your journey. You can join clubs and societies through the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA), attend social events, go on trips and live on campus to meet people from around the world. Each campus has fitness centres, cafes and 24-hour security, as well as prayer rooms and multifaith chaplains.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
As an international student at Deakin, you can work part time according to the conditions of your visa. On a Student Visa (Subclass 500), you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during trimesters. When you are on a trimester break you can work as much as you want. Compulsory work experience that forms part of your degree does not count toward this limit. Find part-time roles and internships through DeakinTALENT and learn more about working in Australia.
Most students studying full time at Deakin need a Student Visa (Subclass 500). You can apply for this visa after you accept your offer and receive your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). To apply, you will need a valid passport, your CoE, proof of Overseas Student Health Cover and any other documents required by the Department of Home Affairs. Apply as early as possible, but do not book travel until your visa has been granted. Find out more about student visas.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in an undergraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin is the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. Our degrees are developed with industry insight, so you will gain career-ready skills from the beginning. Each Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities including placements, internships and projects with well-known industry partners. Our dedicated international student career support program helps you learn about the Australian workforce, make connections and build your network through placements. You will get support with your resume, help looking for an internship or a job after graduation and even advice about your career options overseas.
There is more than one way to study at Deakin. If you do not meet the academic requirements, Deakin College offers a guaranteed pathway to Deakin with small, supportive classes on campus. If you meet the academic requirements but not the English requirements, you can enrol in a Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) English pathway program and progress to your chosen Deakin degree upon successful completion. Deakin also has formal pathway agreements with partner institutions in countries like China, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the United States, so you can start your studies locally before transferring to Australia to complete your degree.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws?
In this double degree, you combine legal expertise with business knowledge, developing an understanding of how law operates within commercial environments and broader society. Progress from foundations in both disciplines, to commerce specialisation, advanced legal studies and applied experiences that integrate law and business perspectives.
Foundations in law and business
Learn legal and business foundations
Explore fundamental legal principles alongside key business concepts, building a strong base across both areas.
Develop critical thinking skills
Strengthen your ability to interpret information, construct arguments and analyse real-world issues.
Build professional capability
Begin developing communication and problem-solving skills relevant to legal and commercial contexts.
Core legal knowledge and business depth
Advance legal understanding
Study key areas of law that underpin professional practice and legal reasoning.
Progress your commerce major
Begin focusing on a business discipline, developing knowledge aligned to your interests and goals.
Apply learning to practical scenarios
Analyse cases and business situations to strengthen your applied problem-solving skills.
Integration and applied learning
Link law and business perspectives
Understand how legal frameworks influence business decisions and organisational strategy.
Engage in experiential learning
Undertake practical or work-integrated learning experiences that build industry awareness.
Develop advanced analytical skills
Refine your ability to interpret legislation, evaluate risk and assess business implications.
Advanced study and professional focus
Complete advanced legal studies
Engage with complex areas of law and develop higher-level legal reasoning and advocacy skills.
Extend commerce expertise
Continue your major studies, building depth in your chosen business discipline.
Build workplace readiness
Strengthen professional skills through applied tasks, collaboration and industry engagement.
Consolidation and career readiness
Complete capstone learning experiences
Undertake advanced projects or practical units that bring together your legal and business knowledge.
Refine professional identity
Develop confidence in applying your dual expertise in real-world contexts.
Graduate with dual capability
Enter the workforce with a strong understanding of both legal systems and commercial environments.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws, you must pass 40 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Students must complete 7 credit points from the Bachelor of Commerce
Students must complete 18 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws
*Previously coded MLL110
Note: MLP code denotes Priestley units, which teach the academic areas of knowledge prescribed for admission to legal practice.
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Students must complete one of the following experiential/practice units as one of their Law Elective units:
Further details can be found at WIL Opportunities for law students
Students must complete 1 Bachelor of Commerce major sequence chosen from the below list. Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability:
^M380 Bachelor of Commerce is the recommended pathway to qualify for membership of professional organisations.
Students must complete 5 Law electives from the following list
*MLI code denotes optional residential version of the unit.
^MLT324 does not count as one of the WIL/Practical course elective units (listed above) required for the Bachelor of Laws.
Note:
Not all units will be offered every year.
The Law School might from time to time develop new units to strengthen the law elective list.
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.
Requirements for admission in jurisdictions outside Australia vary. Please check with 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.
Deakin’s accounting major enables students to 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 finance major are recognised through the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.
The financial planning major satisfies the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) education standards, meaning students can provide financial advice in Australia and are eligible for financial planning certification programs including:
- the Financial Adviser Association of Australia (FAAA) CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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.
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. 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.
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
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 Home Affairs. See 8105 Work limitation.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
This course structure applies to students who commenced in 2027.
Students who commenced prior to 2027 should refer to the Handbook Archive for their course structure and consult with their enrolment officer.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Laws (M312) | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Commerce (M380) |
|---|---|
| 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. | Integrate specialist disciplinary knowledge in commerce to analyse financial, economic and market systems and generate data driven insights that inform organisational and investment decisions in interconnected local, regional and global markets. |
| Communicate legal knowledge effectively to legal and non-legal audiences, both verbally and in writing. | Apply analytical frameworks, quantitative methods and tools for commerce to interpret financial, economic and organisational data, exercising ethical professional judgement to develop evidence based analyses and advice in commercial contexts. |
| Use a range of digitally-based technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate information. | Communicate commercial ideas, analyses and recommendations clearly and professionally to diverse stakeholders, and collaborate effectively with others,using feedback and reflection to improve professional practice. |
| Exercise critical thinking, judgment and intellectual independence to evaluate, consolidate and synthesise knowledge relevant to legal doctrine and legal practice. | Critically evaluate economic and business models, strategies and practices to assess how commercial activity can balance financial performance with environmental and social sustainability. |
| Apply legal reasoning and critical analysis to generate and articulate accurate and relevant responses to legal issues. | Select and apply technologies to analyse complex commercial problems, evaluate alternative courses of action and generate evidence based insights that inform decision making in commerce contexts. |
| Exercise responsibility and accountability for own learning, and possess abilities to reflect on own capabilities, performance and feedback to support personal and professional development. | Apply commercial knowledge and cultural intelligence to identify and address opportunities for shared prosperity across Indigenous, regional, and international contexts. |
| Collaborate effectively in a team environment demonstrating constructive engagement and contribution to the team and the ability to draw on strengths of others. | |
| 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. |
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400414493 - Waterfront (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
1400514493 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place - Deakin code
- D308
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 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
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$47,000
AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Apply through VTAC
If you are an international student completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas, you must submit an application through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). In addition, you may also apply directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's international student application service.
Readmission into law courses
All students seeking readmission into law courses must be readmitted into the latest version of a course. To satisfy admission requirements to the legal profession, you may need to pick up additional units or repeat units where prior studies at Deakin were undertaken more than 5 years ago; or where units were undertaken in a previous course version.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Alternate exits
- Bachelor of Commerce (M380)
- Bachelor of Laws (M312)
- Diploma of Business Studies (M201)