Key facts
Duration
1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Locations
OnlineCourse overview
Deakin’s one-year LLB (Honours) program is your opportunity to deepen your understanding of the law through a major independent research project, supervised by an academic from Deakin Law School. Designed for high-achieving students who have completed or nearly completed a four-year Bachelor of Laws at Deakin or another Australian institution, this honours program sharpens your research capabilities, enhances your analytical thinking and strengthens your legal writing – all highly valued by employers.
You will undertake in-depth research on a legal topic of your choice, developed in consultation with your supervisor and course director, and produce a 10,000-word thesis. Whether you're looking to elevate your legal career, strengthen your professional profile or pursue further study such as a master’s or PhD, Deakin’s LLB (Honours) will help you stand out.
Looking for a pathway to research degrees and enhanced career opportunities?
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2026 close 21 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 (Honours)
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- M412
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
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Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), you must pass 8 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 4 credit points of core units
- 4 credit points of course elective units^.
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.
Note:
- ^which may include 4 LLB electives selected from M312 advanced law studies (equivalent Deakin level 3 and 4 coded units, other than WIL units). Students are expected to receive RPL for these LLB electives, based on their Bachelor of Laws studies.
- Current Deakin M312 Bachelor of Laws (or combined Law courses) students who satisfy the entry requirements for the M412 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) may enrol in this course concurrently with their current Law course.
4 credit points of course elective units^ can be chosen from:
^ As noted above, it is expected that students enrolling in this course will receive RPL for law elective subjects that they have already undertaken (and so will not have to undertake these electives when enrolled in Honours). Applications for RPL will be assessed by reference to the list of core electives below. Likewise, any students not granted RPL (or who are not granted RPL for the full four electives) will have to undertake course electives from the above 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:
- Online
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
This course will be available to both new applicants and Deakin students currently enrolled in M312 Bachelor of Laws or combined Law degrees and who meet the entry requirements for M412.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin online courses.
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
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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.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
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.
Please note, there are limited places in this course and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
For Deakin students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws degree (M312), or a combined Bachelor of Laws degree, to be considered for admission to this degree you will need to have completed a minimum number of credit points of MLL/MLP/MLT units, (or equivalent, as determined by the LLB (Hons) Course Director), as outlined in the following criteria:
- for students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws degree (M312), 21 credit points of MLL/MLP/MLT coded units, with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65% across these units
- for students currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws combined degree, 16 credit points of MLL/MLP/MLT coded units, with a WAM of at least 65% across these units
For all other applicants (not a current Deakin University student), to be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:
- completion of an accredited 4 -year Bachelor of Laws at an Australian institution with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) (or equivalent average grade indicator) of at least 65% in all law units successfully completed
All applicants:
Applications must be accompanied by a personal statement (600 words in total), which includes an overview of their proposed Honours research (300 words) and their motivation(s) for undertaking Honours (300 words).
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree
- IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
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 (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
All applications are considered by the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Course Director. As part of this process, the Course Director will also assess each application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
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'.
$17,399 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 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
Further study options
Graduates may wish to apply for further study in Higher Degrees by Research.
Career outcomes
The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree provides students with demonstrated skills pertaining to legal research, writing, and analysis, all of which are highly prized in legal practice, as well as in government, policy, and corporate roles. Study at the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment and gain a competitive edge as you enter the workforce.
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 |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply advanced legal research methodologies and legal reasoning to identify and address legal issues with reference to relevant theoretical approaches, and social, political, and global contexts. |
| Communication | Employ advanced legal writing skills to effectively communicate legal arguments and the conclusions that follow |
| Digital literacy | Utilise a variety of resources in order to formulate and execute a research strategy and plan |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate and synthesise legal and other relevant sources to identify and articulate a research question that is suitable for research at an advanced level, and apply high-level legal reasoning to explore such policy, theoretical and legal questions as arise. |
| Problem solving | Apply rigorous legal analysis to formulate and articulate well-reasoned and nuanced responses to the legal problem under consideration |
| Self-management | This CLO is not explicitly assessed |
| Teamwork | This CLO is not explicitly assessed |
| Global citizenship | Evaluate and compare different approaches and solutions to legal problems in Australian and international jurisdictions and incorporate consideration of ethical perspectives where appropriate |
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
