Key facts
4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2023 close 25 June 2023
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’ll develop key skills in communication, problem solving and analytical thinking, and gain the experience employers are seeking through our substantial work-integrated learning opportunities.
You can tailor your studies to a field of interest by choosing from a wide range of commercial and public law electives, and work on real cases and interview clients under the supervision of qualified solicitors at Deakin’s Law Clinic, our community legal service that offers free legal advice. There’s even the opportunity to study abroad with our global study itinerary, including the US Criminal Justice study tour. Our international programs and placements mean you can take your study overseas for a few weeks, a trimester or even a year.
Are you looking for a degree that prepares you for a leading legal or professional career?
When you study at Deakin Law School, you’ll join the ranks of our high-performing students to attend one of Australia's top law schools*. For 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.
Choose Deakin’s Bachelor of Laws and develop a solid foundation of practical legal skills, including:
- negotiation
- mediation
- preparing for court appearances
- legal drafting
- statutory interpretation.
You'll 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’ll 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 2021
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Laws
- Year
2023 course information
- VTAC code
1400414061 - Waterfront (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400514061 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400614061 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)- Deakin code
- M312
- CRICOS code?
- 026686F 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 Laws, students must attain a total of 32 credit points, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, 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.
To complete the course you must include:-
- 18 credit points of core units
- completion of MAI010 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
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
# Previously coded 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).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can apply directly through the NIKERI Institute.
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 Chinese Commercial Law study tour, the International Alternative Dispute Resolution study tour to the United States, 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
- Australia National University School of Legal Practice
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 - additional informationCourse 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.
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Download course flyerEntry requirements
Current or recent Year 12
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.
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 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)
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.
Course Transfer
Students may apply for a course transfer if you wish to change to a new course, campus or mode. Academic performance for Undergraduate students requires successful completion of a minimum of 4 units of study plus Weighted Average Mark (WAM) requirements detailed here.
VET 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.
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.
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 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 2022 students (PDF, 804.3KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose to study as each unit has its own costs. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete 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 8 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 fees and available payment options.
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
Applications for Trimester 1, 2024 open in August. Each year, thousands of students prepare for uni with the help of Deakin support services. We offer a huge range of support, including one-on-one consultations, webinars, online resources and events throughout the year.
Direct applications are open for applicants who are not currently in Year 12, including:
- recent Year 12 students who completed secondary education in the past two years
- applicants with work and life experience
- applicants with TAFE study
- applicants with higher education study.
Please note: If you’re applying for more than one course, you need to apply through VTAC.
NIKERI Institute applicants must apply via the How to apply webpage. You’ll need to complete a declaration statement and application form. If your application is successful, you’ll then be invited to an interview.
Entry pathways
View pathways into the Bachelor of Laws with our pathways finder.
M412 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
This course is only available to Deakin students currently enrolled in M312 Bachelor of Laws or combined Law degrees and who meet the entry requirements for M412.
Further information can be found here.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.
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’ll 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 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, if you are seeking entry to legal practice you are required to work for one year as a supervised legal trainee or undertake a practical legal training (PLT) 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.
| 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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Footnotes
**ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2018
+Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of media references.