How does a double degree work?
As you’re flipping through the pages of a university course guide or spending hours looking at your options online, it can be hard to work out where to start. There are so many choices.
Maybe you have a passion for law? But because you’re really good with numbers think accounting makes more sense? Then a double degree might be the perfect option for you.
By giving you skills and experience in more than one field, a double degree can boost your employability and open the door to a wider range of careers.
But how does a double degree work? We caught up with Deakin graduate Julia Pritchard, who completed a Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws double degree. She explained what it was like to study a double degree and how it helped get her to where she is today.
How does the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws double degree work?
It was the availability of the double degree at Deakin that propelled her to take that crucial step forward and really advance herself by combining her passions.
'I’ve always enjoyed law, but I’ve also always had a real interest in numbers,' Julia tells us. That's why she found it difficult to decide between Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce and our Bachelor of Laws.
'Studying a double degree was the perfect way to balance the two. It kept my studies interesting, and gave me both an analytical and a practical edge.'
Does a double degree mean you’re doing double the work? Well, yes and no. You are completing two degrees but the structure and timeframes are different when completing a double degree compared to two single degrees.
In the Bachelor of Laws at Deakin, you would need to complete 32 credit points; the Bachelor of Commerce requires 24. This would take at least six years if you completed them separately. For the double degree, you need at total of 40 credit points, which can be done in five years.
What do you learn in a commerce/laws double degree?
'Looking back, it was the right choice, because my career now sits at the intersection of law and finance,’ Julia tells us.
Deakin’s Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws degree equips you with knowledge across key legal and business disciplines. It also provides you with complete, comprehensive training and practical experiences that give you a competitive edge in all areas of commercial law and business.
When you’re studying a Bachelor of Laws, you quickly discover just how many different paths it can lead to. So how do you know which area of law is right for you?
During a Deakin law course, you’ll study all major areas of the profession, such as criminal, property and constitutional. You learn from experienced academics and apply your skills at Deakin Law Clinic, where students support real community cases.
If you’re passionate about law, this is the perfect place to start!
Commerce also covers a broad range of study areas. How do you know where to start and identify where your interests lie?
In a Deakin commerce course, you’ll gain specialist knowledge and data-informed insights in your chosen major, building the professional capabilities to influence real organisational outcomes. And if you’re good with numbers, this course will take your skills and confidence to the next level.
'University is where I really learnt how to apply myself, and Deakin gave me the tools to think critically and manage competing priorities. Beyond the classroom, Deakin also provided opportunities to volunteer and gain hands-on experience, which was invaluable,' Julia says.
'Those experiences, whether through student programs or volunteering, helped me develop practical skills and confidence that I still draw on in my role today.'
How does a double degree work to get you a job?
A double degree was just the start for Julia, laying the foundation to get her to where she is today. The ability to adapt is something significant she’s taken from the course.
'Employers value people who can bring different perspectives. My double degree showed I had that flexibility. It gave me options and made me malleable when I started looking for roles,' she explains.
She has taken this learning further than just her day-to-day job, harnessing these skills from the desk to community participation.
'The double degree has been important not only in securing employment but also in building a career that keeps evolving – whether in tax law, volunteering in sport or being active in my community,' she says.
How Julia secured her job
When it came to the job hunt, it was all about maximising opportunities and trying to gain as much experience as she could.
'I shadowed a barrister, volunteered at a community legal centre and even attended court on my days off just to observe and learn. Those experiences gave me a real insight into how theory translates into practice.
'They also taught me the value of putting yourself forward and seeking opportunities. That initiative has carried through into my career and helped make the transition into professional life much smoother,' she explains.
So, how does a double degree work when it comes to shaping your future?
As Julia's experience shows, it's far more than just studying two disciplines at once. It's about building flexibility, broadening your knowledge and career options and developing the confidence to step into whatever opportunities come your way.
Whether you're passionate about two different fields or simply want to graduate with a competitive edge, a double degree can open doors you may not have even considered yet.
If you’re ready to explore what’s possible, now is the perfect time to take the next step and discover how a double degree could work for you.
Frequently asked questions
A double degree is when you study two disciplines at once, letting you tailor your studies to what interests you and build a diverse skill set.
We currently offer 39 double degrees that cover most of our study areas. For example you can pair arts with business, sport science with engineering or nursing with psychology, letting you design your ideal career path.
Yes, we are finding that double degrees are becoming more popular each year. They let you diversify your skills for an ever-changing job market while also letting you explore what interests you most.
No. Because you are getting two qualifications in less time than it would take to do them separately, they're actually less expensive overall.
No. Deakin offers some double degrees that pair a bachelor undergraduate degree with one a masters. The Bachelor of Arts/Master of International Relations and Bachelor of Design (Architecture)/Master of Architecture are two examples. These are sometimes referred to a 'vertical degrees.'
Of course. Not all but most. Many international students enroll in them. Check the individual double degree pages to see if it is available for international.
