Overview
Launch a career investigating and prosecuting crime, or defending the criminally accused, with a law and criminology degree from VU.
Our Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology will give you broad knowledge of the causes and consequences of crime. You'll gain expertise in criminal investigation, sentencing, and security, at national and international levels.
You will also develop practical skills in investigating and providing strategic advice in relation to crime and crime management.
The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements to become an Australian Lawyer, as required by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In order to become an Australian Lawyer, you'll also need to complete Practical Legal Training or an equivalent.
Workplace & practical learning
Learn to apply your law and criminology study in simulated workplace environments and tasks, including:
- advising clients
- resolving disputes
- mediation
- using principled persuasion.
You may also take part in our renowned moot program, and gain invaluable experience through our Supreme Court and County Court internship programs. We offer placement opportunities at Victoria Police and Legal Aid, among many others.
Study in the heart of the legal precinct
Our law courses are delivered in the heart of Melbourne's legal district, at 295 Queen Street.
This dedicated law campus features:
- specialised law library
- legal research centres including the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre
- mooting court
- computer labs, seminar rooms, lecture theatres, student lounges, study spaces & a prayer room.
Mentors from the legal community
If you’d like a dynamic and fulfilling job in law, learn from the best at VU.
Our lecturers and adjunct professors include some of Australia’s most reputable legal professionals, sharing their many years of experience and knowledge. They 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.
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.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backCareers in law and criminology
When you graduate from a Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminology at Victoria University, you’ll be in high demand because we’ll make sure you’re job-ready.
You could work as a lawyer or in legal practice in areas including criminal law, family law, commercial law and business. Many of our graduates choose to work in community legal centres providing legal access to disadvantaged groups, and in not-for-profit organisations.
Roles in the legal field include:
- solicitor
- lawyer
- policy adviser
- legal adviser
- human-rights advocate.
Your qualification will be widely recognised in areas including:
- forensic work
- police work
- community legal settings
- legal aid
- security and intelligence organisations
- paralegal work
- youth justice
- correctional services
- community services.
Salaries
Use Labour Market Insights to find average salaries in Australia for various law/legal professions:
Course structure
To attain the awards of Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Criminology students will be required to complete in total 432 credit points consisting of:
- 96 credit points of First Year Core studies
- 156 credit points of Professional Core Law study
- 120 credit points of Professional Core Criminology studies
- 60 credit points of Elective studies
To attain the award of Bachelor of Law (Honours) students will be required to transfer in Year 5 to LHLW Bachelor of Laws (Honours) based on eligibility and must complete:
- 24 credit points of Honours units in the final year of study
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 a GPA of 7 or above as calculated by the Victoria Law School. Students will be awarded a Bachelor of Laws with Honours (Class H1, H2A, H2B or H3) dependant on their GAP score 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. Students with only 8 or less units to complete, will be assessed on top 12 Law units completed. Where average score is 70% or above for the top 12 Law units completed, students are eligible to make an application for transfer into Honours degree, and will be further assessed on an outline of proposed thesis topic and availability of a collage based or college affiliated supervisor. Where approved, students must have at least 2 spaces of law electives available and once transferred must enrol in both Advanced Legal Research Methods and Advanced Legal Research Dissertation. In order to graduate with honours, students must successfully pass both these units.
Course structure and units
First Year Core Units
-
- Unit code
- BLB1101
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB1102
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB1114
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLB1115
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LCR1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LCR1002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW1002
- Credits
- 12
Year 2
-
- Unit code
- LCR1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LCR2001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LCR2002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LCR2003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW1004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW2004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW2005
- Credits
- 12
Year 3
-
- Unit code
- BLB2125
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LCR2004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LCR3001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LCR3002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW2008
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW3008
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW3009
- Credits
- 12
12 credit points of Law Elective studies
Year 4
-
- Unit code
- LCR3004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LCR3901
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LCR3902
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW3000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW4000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW4008
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW4009
- Credits
- 12
12 credit points of Law Elective studies
Year 5
-
- Unit code
- LLW4007
- Credits
- 12
36 credit points of Law Elective studies
Honours units available on application only:
-
- Unit code
- LLW5900
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW5901
- Credits
- 12
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
- LLW2002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW2009
- 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 and practical understandings of criminology, the Australian legal system, and 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 criminology and underlying principles and concepts in diverse contemporary local and international and comparative contexts; | ||
| 3. | Identify, articulate and respond to legal and criminological 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 evaluating, synthesising and adapting knowledge, skills, criminological and 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. | 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. 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. | Critically review, analyse, adapt and apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of law and underlying principles and concepts in diverse contemporary local and international and comparative contexts; | ||
| 8. | Contribute effectively, with personal accountability for outcomes in a dynamic 21st century work team, working in an ethical and socially responsible manner. |
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 for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
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
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Economics, any History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics, Global Politics or Psychology.
Subject adjustments
A study score of 35 in English (EAL) equals 5 aggregate points. A study score of 30 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics, Global Politics or Psychology equals 5 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 20 points.ATAR profile
VU course code: LBLC
VTAC course code: 4300610941
Campus: City Queen
| ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors) |
Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 96.20 | 99.95 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 78.80 | 87.05 |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 69.00 | 80.45 |
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
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
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
Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
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
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English (or equivalent).
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Economics, any History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics, Global Politics or Psychology.
Additional information
All applicants are encouraged to complete the law supplementary form which may be used to adjust an applicant's Selection Rank.
The form will be available at: https://www.vu.edu.au/current-students/your-course/forms/supplementary-a...
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.
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
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
You will be credited for up to 36 credit points of study.
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
Available start dates:
- 20 January 2025
- 24 February 2025
- 28 April 2025
- 28 July 2025
Before you apply
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
- Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Find out more about applying for our courses.
Apply through VTAC
Apply through VTAC if any of the following apply to you:
- you are applying for more than one course
- you are completing Year 12 in 2023
- you have an existing VTAC application to study in 2024
VTAC very late applications are due 14 January 2025.
Apply via VTACSpecial Entry Access Scheme
You can apply for consideration of your life circumstances during the application process by submitting a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application.
Apply direct to VU
Apply directly to VU if any of the following apply to you:
- you are a current VU student
- you are only applying for this course and are not completing Year 12 in 2023
Direct applications are due on 12 January 2025 for our next intake which starts on 20 January 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
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)
- Request a call back
- 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.
