Overview
Complete a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in the standard law-degree timeframe, and improve your job prospects in a competitive market.
Our program prepares you for a rewarding career in the public or private sectors.
Aim to work as a lawyer in a top-tier law firm, or an adviser in a community organisation. We give you the broad knowledge and professional qualifications to choose your own path.
You’ll study the compulsory academic requirements to practise law, as well as areas of the law which interest you. We make sure you’re work-ready through authentic experiences with public-sector authorities such as the Magistrates’ Courts, and private law firms.
You’ll also benefit from the guidance of professionals appointed as adjuncts to the law college. These are honorary staff who hold positions in the legal community. VU’s adjunct professors include:
- the Hon. Justice Chris Maxwell QC
- Professor Robert Richter QC
- criminal law specialist, Robert Stary
- Victorian Chief Magistrate, Ian Gray
- retired High Court Judge, the Hon. Michael Kirby.
Studying honours in law indicates a strong academic ability. Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) meet the academic requirements to be admitted to legal practice in Australia.
Legal community partnerships & placements
Our partnerships with Magistrates’ Courts and community legal services let you apply your knowledge while you study. More importantly, you’ll develop the skills needed to make a difference to the lives of real people.
You’ll gain practical legal experiences within the justice system and related organisations, including:
- State Trustees Program
- Victoria Police (Prosecutions Division)
- Victoria Legal Aid:
- Magistrate’s Courts program
- Family Law Clinic
- Infringements Clinic
- WEstjustice:
- Sunshine Youth Clinic
- Family Law Clinic
- Refugee Clinic.
We provide you with the grounding needed for a rewarding career in law.
Local & international collaborations
VU offers fantastic opportunities to network and learn through industry partnerships and international collaborations with exchange partners.
Some of our major clients, partners and industry associations are:
- Department of Justice, Victoria
- Migration Agents Registration Authority
- Migration Institute of Australia
- Department of Labour (New Zealand)
- FCG Legal
- Department of Education and Employment (Commonwealth; Learn Experience Access Professions Program)
- Stary Norton Halphen Lawyers
- Law Institute of Victoria
- Council of Legal Education
- Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria (Melbourne, Sunshine)
- Society of Notaries of Victoria
- Victoria Police.
World-class moot program
At VU, we make sure you graduate with plenty of practical experience under your belt. That’s why we encourage students to take advantage of our renowned moot program.
A moot court is a mock court which simulates the proceedings of a live court room. By participating, you’ll develop your legal skills and be work-ready to practise law in the real world.
Double your career options with a double degree
Study law with a second degree – and open the door to a career that combines your passion with practical skills, and helps you achieve your ambitions.
We offer the following double degrees:
Study overseas while earning course credits
At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.
Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.
Study in the heart of the legal precinct
Our Queen Street law hub on our City Campus is in the heart of Melbourne's legal district.
Our dedicated law building features:
- specialised law library
- legal research centres including the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre
- mooting court
- computer labs, student lounges, study spaces and a prayer room.
Careers in law
The course prepares graduates to gain employment in the:
- legal profession
- legal sector generally
- government, non government and private sectors.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) meet the academic and professional requirements to be admitted to legal practice in Australia.
Salaries
Use Labour Market Insights to find average salaries for various law-related professions in Australia.
See the average salary for solicitors in Australia via Labour Market Insights.
Course structure
To attain the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) students will be required to complete 384 credit points consisting of:
- 96 credit points of First Year Core studies
- 156 credit points of Core Law studies
- 84 credit points of Law Elective students
- 48 credit points of Non Law electives
All students who complete the degree will graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), without any reference to a Class of Honours.
To be awarded a Bachelor of Laws with Honours:
Students who enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws prior to 31 Dec 2014 may apply to undertake the unit Advanced Legal Research Dissertation in their later years in this degree based on the aggregate of points attributed to the top two thirds of units so listed shall then be calculated and a grade point average determined. Students will be further assessed on an outline of a proposed thesis topic and availability of a college based or college affiliated supervisor. Students will be awarded a Bachelor of Laws with Honours (Class H1, H2A, H2B or H3) based on their aggregate of points and overall mark in Advanced Legal Research Dissertation.
To be awarded a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (For students enrolled post 1 January 2015):Students in any Bachelor of Laws course may apply to transfer into any Bachelor of Laws (Honours) course if the selection criteria is met.
Course structure and units
First Year
-
- Unit code
- BLB1101
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB1102
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB1114
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB1115
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW1002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW1004
- Credits
- 12
Year 2
-
- Unit code
- BLB2125
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW2004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW2005
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW2008
- Credits
- 12
36 credit points of Law Elective studies
12 credit points of Non Law Elective studies
Year 3
-
- Unit code
- LLW3000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW3008
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW3009
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW4000
- Credits
- 12
24 credit points of Law Elective studies
24 credit points of Non Law Elective studies
Year 4
-
- Unit code
- LLW4007
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW4008
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW4009
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW5900
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW5901
- Credits
- 12
24 credit points of Law Elective studies
12 credit points of Non Law Elective studies
Law Elective Units
-
- Unit code
- BLB3129
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB3134
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB3136
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB4135
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB4143
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB4145
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB4146
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW2002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW2009
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW2010
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW3002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW3007
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW3010
- Credits
- 12
Achieve more with the VU Block Model
We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.
Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.
You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.
Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.
Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.
Find out more about the VU Block Model.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Integrate conceptual understandings of the Australian legal system, fundamental areas of legal knowledge and relevant advanced specialist bodies of knowledge within the discipline of law; | ||
| 2. | Critically review, analyse, adapt and apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of law and underlying principles and concepts in diverse contemporary international and comparative contexts; | ||
| 3. | Identify, articulate and respond to legal issues by critically analysing and applying information with initiative and judgement in order to both anticipate and creatively solve problems and promote justice in authentic/contemporary professional, community and global settings; | ||
| 4. | Exhibit professional accountabilities and ethical judgement, by adapting knowledge, skills legal reasoning and research to make appropriate responses to legal issues that reflect the social, political and contextual factors; | ||
| 5. | Communicate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and skills appropriate for legal and non-legal audiences, in both oral and written form; | ||
| 6. | Reflect on personal learning and skills in relation to career goals and implement effective, creative strategies to promote lifelong learning and pathways to further learning including a commitment to ongoing professional development; | ||
| 7. | Apply personal and interpersonal competencies including organisational and collaborative skills necessary to operate within broad parameters in the immensely divergent and complex global and Australian cultures; | ||
| 8. | Contribute effectively, with personal accountability for outcomes in a dynamic 21st century work team, working in an ethical and socially responsible manner; and | ||
| 9. | Plan and execute a research project, professional project or piece of scholarship which demonstrates intellectual independence and contributes to the evidence base within the legal discipline. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admissions
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.
Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Admission criteria
The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.
Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)
- Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
- an Australian or overseas equivalent or
- an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Importance of ATAR for this course
We consider both ATAR and other criteria
ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria
Admission criteria
Find out if you meet the admission criteria for a bachelor degree at VU.
Why is ATAR not applicable?
You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study
This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Admission criteria
Find out if you meet the admission criteria for a bachelor degree at VU.
Applicants with higher education study
This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.
Admission criteria
Students in any Bachelor of Laws may apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree once they have completed a minimum 192 credit points and have attained an average mark of Distinction or above i.e. 70–100%. Applicants will be assessed on the highest grades achieved in the top 12 Law units. Students will be further assessed on an outline of a proposed thesis topic and availability of a college based or college affiliated supervisor. Successful applicants will enrol in both Advanced Research Legal Methods and Advanced Legal Research Dissertation instead of 24 credit points of law electives.
Applicants with work & life experience
This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.
Admission criteria
Find out if you meet the admission criteria for a bachelor degree at VU.
Pathways & credits
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Pathways from VU courses
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
How to apply
Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.
Browse our other Law & legal courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Visit the glossary
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
