Course overview
Study the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science to build a powerful dual qualification that prepares you to practise law while gaining insight to human behaviour. Over five years, you’ll develop core legal skills and explore psychological science laying the foundation for careers in law, mental health, policy and advocacy, and providing a pathway to further study if you wish to progress towards registration as a psychologist.
Deakin Law School is ranked among the top 3 in Victoria*, and we’re the #1 Victorian university for psychology undergraduate employment# with state-leading facilities and resources. This program combines rigorous legal training with applied psychology units, from tailoring your law degree through diverse electives to developing foundational counselling skills, giving you a versatile, career-ready qualification.
How can a deep understanding of people make you a more effective lawyer, and how can legal knowledge help you shape healthier communities?
Graduates with expertise in both law and psychology are in high demand, able to navigate complex societal issues and provide insight-driven solutions across legal, health, policy and community sectors. This dual skill set equips you to address challenging human and legal problems with confidence and professionalism.
The law component covers all core legal units required for professional practice while offering electives that let you tailor your studies to your interests in areas such as commercial, public or family law. You’ll gain hands-on experience through the Deakin Law Clinic, mooting, internships and other applied learning opportunities. These experiences develop your ability to analyse complex legal problems, communicate effectively and deliver practical, commercially aware advice.
In the psychology stream, you will explore human behaviour, personality and emotion, covering areas such as cognitive psychology, social behaviour, child and adolescent development, forensic psychology, psychopathology and individual differences. You’ll develop applied counselling and coaching skills through core units, giving you practical experience in understanding and supporting people.
Choose Deakin’s Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science and build a strong foundation of practical skills, including:
- legal reasoning
- client communication
- counselling
- behavioural assessment
- applied research
This program maintains pathways to both legal practice and psychology registration, and meets the academic requirements of the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB).
You’ll graduate with the professional versatility and applied expertise to thrive across law, psychology, health, policy and community sectors, and be well-prepared to continue postgraduate study if you wish to pursue general registration as a psychologist.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
#2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey, QILT for Psychology (Undergraduate)
^SES 2024, QILT (Psychology – teaching practices, student support, facilities).
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2026 close 28 June 2026
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Year
2026 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400412291 - Waterfront (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400512291 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400612291 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS) - 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
Mooting at Deakin Law School
Meet Swathika, a Deakin Law graduate who discovered her voice through mooting and now uses law as a tool for change. Discover how Deakin Law School nurtured Swathika's confidence and built career readiness through our mooting program and practical legal experiences.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science, you must pass 40 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws
- 18 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or practical course elective units
- 5 credit points of course elective units
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Psychological Science The 16 credit points of core units consist of:
- 4 credit points of Foundations of Psychology
- 8 credit points Psychology Essentials
- 3 credit points of Psychology in Practice
- 1 credit point of Forensic Psychology
- course requirements for both the Bachelor of Laws (M312) and the Bachelor of Psychological Science (H344) must be satisfied.
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.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Students must complete 18 credits points of core units from the Bachelor of Laws
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 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
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.
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.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- 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 Psychological Science 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).
Course duration
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.
Academic requirements
If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
Year 12 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
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent
If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet the following to be considered for admission to this degree:
- successful completion of at least four credit points in an equivalent (AQF Level 7) bachelor degree with a minimum WAM of 60 or equivalent
This course does not accept VET study for entry, please check for alternative entry requirements or visit the pathways finder for alternate pathways into this course.
This course does not accept work, volunteer and/or life experience for entry. Please check for alternative entry requirements or visit the pathways finder for alternate pathways into this course.
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score greater than 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or greater than 25 in any other English
- IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Subject adjustment
A study score of 35 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Politics equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Politics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Access and equity
Equity schemes and scholarships, formerly known as Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS), enable Deakin to consider any disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and how these have impacted your studies. Equity schemes help us identify whether you are from an under-represented group when making selection decisions for certain courses. It's important to note that participation in an equity scheme does not exempt you from meeting the standard course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin's equity schemes and scholarships.
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2026 students (PDF, 879KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.
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.
RPL will generally be granted for a Priestley 11 unit where a student completed the unit within 5 years of the date on which they will commence their Law degree at Deakin University. Whether RPL is granted for a Priestley unit that a student completed more than 5 years before that date will depend on an assessment of the particular unit, including whether its content remains current and it is substantially equivalent to the relevant unit in the Deakin Law course for which RPL is sought. It is possible that RPL may not be granted where the coverage of Priestley 11 knowledge areas across units of study is structured differently in the Law course at Deakin University compared to the Law course at the university where the student previously studied.
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.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - (CSP) ?Enrolling in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) means the Australian Government pays part of your course fees directly to Deakin, and you pay a 'student contribution'.
$16,416 for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose, as each unit has its own cost. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in 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 this 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 on our Current students fees website or estimate your tuition fees.
Scholarship options
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.
Apply now
Apply through VTAC
Applications for Trimester 1, 2027 will open on 3 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.
Apply directly to Deakin
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Pathways
Alternate exits
Career outcomes
Graduate from the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment ready to step into diverse roles where law and psychology intersect. Your combined expertise in legal reasoning and human behaviour will open doors to careers in:
- legal practice (solicitor or barrister, after completing Practical Legal Training)
- family, criminal or mental health law
- policy development and advocacy
- human rights and social justice organisations
- government, community and regulatory roles
- mediation, dispute resolution and victim support
- behavioural research and court support services
You’ll also be well prepared for further psychology study, with a pathway through a fourth year and further postgraduate study that enables you to progress toward general registration as a psychologist.
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.
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.
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)
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.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Psychological Science | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Laws |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | 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. |
| Communication | 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. |
| Digital literacy | 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. |
| Critical thinking | 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. |
| Problem solving | 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. |
| Self-management | 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. |
| Teamwork | 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. |
| Global citizenship | 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. |
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
