Work on real client cases
#1 Victorian university for psychology course satisfaction
Top 3 law school in Victoria
Why choose laws and psychological science at Deakin
Prepare to navigate complex, human-centred legal issues with confidence and compassion. This powerful double degree prepares you to practise law while gaining insight to human behaviour. Studying at a top 3 law school and the #1 Melbourne university for psychology course satisfaction in Victoria, you will lay the foundation for careers in law, mental health, policy and advocacy, unlocking a pathway to further study and registration as a psychologist.
Complete all legal units required for professional practice and choose from a wide range of law electives. Explore human behaviour and personality while developing a deeper understanding of the factors that shape how we think and act. Gain practical experience through work-integrated learning, working on real client cases at Deakin Law Clinic, and applied counselling and psychology projects. Graduate with a versatile, career-ready qualification tailored through your choice of diverse electives.
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Boost your employability
Combine legal expertise with psychological insight for a versatile skillset. Address challenging legal and social problems and create broad career options.
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Learn from the best
Deakin is home to a top 3 ranked law school in Victoria and is #1 for undergraduate psychology course satisfaction in Victoria.
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Practical learning focus
Gain hands-on experience through mooting, internships, clinic work and applied psychology units to build your workforce readiness.
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Pathways to professional practice
Meet the academic requirements for admission to legal practice and progress toward psychology registration with further study.
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
Combine legal reasoning with insight into human behaviour for careers across legal practice, policy, advocacy, mediation, government and services supporting people involved in the justice system.
Family lawyer
Advise clients on divorce, parenting, property settlements and family disputes. Represent clients in negotiations and court while protecting their legal rights and achieving fair outcomes.
- $125k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 11.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.3/5
Job satisfaction
Program officer
Coordinate programs that support people affected by mental health and the justice system. Manage services, engage stakeholders, monitor outcomes and improve access to rehabilitation and support.
- $93k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 9.5%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 3.9/5
Job satisfaction
Professional areas
- Criminal law
- Mental health law
- Human rights advocacy
- Mediation and dispute resolution
- Victim support
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
FAQs
Yes – every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning (WIL) in their degree. Each year, more than 30,000+ students complete a placement or internship with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, EY and the National Australia Bank. You can access WIL through placements, industry projects, field-based experiences, simulations and global programs, helping you apply your skills and graduate with the experience and confidence employers value.
DeakinTALENT is Deakin's award-winning career service, and you can access it for life – not just while you're studying. From personalised career coaching sessions and AI-enhanced resume support to a jobs and internships board with employment opportunities, it’s designed to give you the career management skills and connections you need to stand out. Every Deakin degree is built with input from employers, so your course is designed around real workplace needs, now and into the future.
Entry requirements and the minimum ATAR vary by degree and are detailed on the degree page, but if your ATAR is below the cut-off, you still have options. Use the pathway finder tool to find the opportunities available to you, including associate degrees and Deakin Guaranteed ATAR, which offers eligible students a guaranteed entry score that's on average 10 points below the lowest selection rank. If you don't have an ATAR, Deakin Uni Ready is a free, supported program designed to build your skills and confidence and open doors to degrees in arts, health, science and business. Access programs and equity schemes are also available.
At Deakin, employability isn't an add-on – it's built in. Our degrees are designed with industry input, so your skills are aligned to what employers actually need. Every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities such as placements, internships and industry projects, helping you build your professional network and practical experience before you even graduate. It's an approach that works: nine out of 10 Deakin graduates get a job within four to six months of finishing their degree.
Yes. Most eligible undergraduate students are offered a Commonwealth Supported Place meaning the government subsidises part of your tuition fees. If eligible, you can pay your student contribution using a HECS-HELP loan that you only start repaying once your income is above the repayment threshold. Deakin has scholarships that cater to our diverse student community, ranging from $5,000 per year for high ATAR achievers to $10,000 per year for students facing financial or personal hardship. The University also offers support services including financial counselling, budgeting help and access to short-term, interest-free loans to help you stay on track.
Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for student support and that starts the moment you accept your offer. Orientation is designed to help you feel welcome and get to know your community of classmates and teachers from day one. Across all campuses, there's a vibrant student community with clubs, events and opportunities to build real friendships. Deakin offers a range of services to help students stay healthy and safe, including sport and fitness facilities, free counselling, on-campus medical services and around-the-clock security.
Yes, and it's straightforward. You can transfer to Deakin in a few steps and apply for credit through recognition of prior learning (RPL), so you won't necessarily repeat subjects you've already completed. If you're coming from a TAFE partner, you may get guaranteed entry into second year with guaranteed RPL. Deakin's three-trimester system also means you may be able to start mid-year rather than waiting until March.
Most Deakin courses run across three trimesters per year instead of the traditional two semesters. Trimester 1 begins around March, Trimester 2 around July and Trimester 3 around November, each with roughly 12 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period. This means you can usually start your degree at three different points in the year and have more flexibility to manage your study load. Check the intakes by location section on the course page for details.
*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 Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science?
In this five-year double degree you study law and psychology side by side, developing legal expertise alongside deep understanding of human behaviour. Across both disciplines, your learning builds from foundations to advanced and applied knowledge, with opportunities to choose electives and gain practical experience.
Foundations in law and psychology
Legal systems and reasoning
Examine how Australian law is structured and interpreted, and develop skills in statutory analysis, case reading and clear legal communication.
Foundations of psychology
Explore key concepts in human behaviour, development and social interaction, forming a scientific base for later study.
Academic and ethical practice
Strengthen the research, writing and integrity skills that underpin both legal training and psychological science.
Core doctrines and scientific methods
Principles of private and public law
Study core areas that regulate obligations, rights and government power, building structured legal argument skills.
Research design and analysis
Learn how psychological research is designed, conducted and interpreted while developing your quantitative and critical thinking skills.
Behaviour across contexts
Examine cognition, development and social processes to understand how individuals think, feel and act in varied settings.
Applying theory to current issues
Crime, procedure and justice
Investigate how the criminal justice system operates, alongside psychological perspectives relevant to offending and behaviour.
Professional and ethical frameworks
Consider the responsibilities of legal and psychological practitioners, focusing on ethical decision-making.
Counselling and communication skills
Develop applied interpersonal skills that enhance negotiation, advocacy and client interactions.
Advanced analysis and specialisation
Complex areas of law
Explore topics such as property, corporate regulation and evidence, strengthening your strategic and analytical abilities.
Complete your psychology studies
Study specialist areas such as personality, psychopathology or biological bases of behaviour, linking theory to practice.
Work-integrated learning option
Complete a practical, clinical or experience-based law unit, applying your skills in authentic professional settings.
Legal integration and professional readiness
Choose law electives
Broaden or focus your expertise by choosing from an extensive list of electives and tailor your degree to your career interests.
Legal practice and capstone skills
Refine your advocacy, problem-solving and professional judgement through advanced legal learning experiences.
Research and career preparation
Strengthen your ability to evaluate evidence, communicate clearly and navigate complex human issues in legal or related careers.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science, 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 18 credits points of core units 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.
Students must complete 16 credits points of core units from the Bachelor of Psychological Science
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
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.
Students must complete one of the following experiential/practice units as one of their Law course elective units:
Further details can be found at WIL opportunities for law students
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 the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
If you are seeking to become a registered psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a graduate from this course you must next apply for a fourth year of study in psychology, such as Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)
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.
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 Psychological Science degree will be taught at the Waurn Ponds Campus.
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 for Bachelor of Psychological Science (H344) | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Laws (M312) |
|---|---|
| Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality. Demonstrate appropriate communication, counselling, and research methods skills. | 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. |
| Communicate psychological knowledge and arguments effectively using the most appropriate means utilising clear, discipline appropriate, coherent and well developed communication skills. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding. | Communicate legal knowledge effectively to legal and non-legal audiences, both verbally and in writing. |
| Utilise online technologies to interact with others, access research and evaluate empirical evidence; and create and disseminate psychology-relevant content. | Use a range of digitally-based technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate information. |
| Identify and critique the factors that contribute to the development of unhealthy mental processes and behaviours, develop arguments, reports, or commentaries based on empirical research and apply the results; to affect healthy behaviour change in; oneself or others, and; apply the skills required to affect healthy behaviour change; in oneself and in others in diverse contexts. | Exercise critical thinking, judgment and intellectual independence to evaluate, consolidate and synthesise knowledge relevant to legal doctrine and legal practice. |
| Apply knowledge of the scientific method when addressing problems related to; behaviour and mental processes; design, plan, and conduct research that addresses; these problems; and apply analytic and; statistical skills to interpret the results and; validity of research. | Apply legal reasoning and critical analysis to generate and articulate accurate and relevant responses to legal issues. |
| Engage in independent learning as a; reflective practitioner to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice; of psychology; and manage resources; timelines and other constraints to achieve; quality and timely outcomes. | Exercise responsibility and accountability for own learning, and possess abilities to reflect on own capabilities, performance and feedback to support personal and professional development. |
| Collaborate and communicate psychological principles and practices effectively in interdisciplinary teams to work and learn in a range of environments including; communities of practice, research and professional practice. | Collaborate effectively in a team environment demonstrating constructive engagement and contribution to the team and the ability to draw on strengths of others. |
| Embody the values and attitudes of the scientist-practitioner; apply ethical and professional responsibilities to local and global communities, apply knowledge and skills in culturally appropriate and inclusive ways. | 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 Laws / Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400412291 - Waterfront (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400512291 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400612291 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) - Deakin code
- D386
- 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
$17,148
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Apply through VTAC
Applications are open. Apply through VTAC if you're:
- currently in Year 12 and applying for Trimester 1 or Semester 1
- applying for multiple undergraduate courses
Need help? Follow our step-by-step undergraduate guide to prepare and submit your application.
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.
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.
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.
- For accreditation purposes, the University normally only considers RPL for core Deakin Bachelor of Laws units, or core Juris Doctor units, on the basis of previous law study that has taken place within five years of the anticipated commencement [Note 1] of the degree at Deakin. Please note that RPL requests for any law unit core to the degree undertaken more than 5 years ago is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Deakin Law School.
- RPL for any non-core (elective) units will be determined via normal RPL policy rules; however, if the unit would be more than 5 years old at the student's anticipated course commencement date, then the decision needs to be made within the Law School (in order to ensure the currency of the learning that is being recognised).
Note: that the date taken is commencement of studies at Deakin, not the date of the RPL Application.
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.