Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
ATAR:
Not required*
*Offers made in 2022. More about ATAR
Duration: 
3 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
City Campus
Delivery mode: 
In person
Application due dates:
Applications are not being taken at this time.
Register your interest

Overview

Improve your career prospects with a respected and flexible legal qualification. If you already have a degree, you can complete a bachelor of laws with honours in just three years.

When you add a law degree to your current qualification you open the door to a range of exciting career options.

Aim to become a specialised lawyer in your current field – for example, in the arts, science, sport or health (subject to further professional accreditation). Or change tack entirely, and aim for a career in government, community, or a private law firm.

You’ll complete the compulsory academic requirements to practise law, and gain skills in:

  • criminal law
  • commercial law
  • property law.

You’ll also gain authentic experience through our partnerships with public-sector authorities such as the Magistrates’ Courts, and private law firms.

Studying honours in law demonstrates academic excellence, and gives you the requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia.

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 authentic experiences within the justice system and related organisations. We provide you with the grounding needed for a rewarding career in law.

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:

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.

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:

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.

You’ll gain real insight into legal practice and start building networks for your future career.

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.

Nussen Ainsworth - Law Graduate - Transcript
VU student stories – life as a Law student - Transcript

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) (Graduate Entry) 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) (Graduate Entry) students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

- 252 credit points of Core Law studies
- 36 credit points of Law Elective studies

For students who enrolled in any other law degree prior to 2015, and successfully transfer to LHGE:

- 240 credit points of Core Law studies (including Advanced Legal Research Dissertation)
- 48 credit points of Law Elective studies

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.

First Year

Year 2

24 credit points of Law Elective studies

Year 3

12 credit points of Law Elective studies

Law Elective Units

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.

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:

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

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

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.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

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.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

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.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

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.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Additional information

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 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.

Selection criteria assistance

Let us know which qualifications you have studied and we will help you find the admission information that most applies to you.

Which of the following qualifications have you studied, or are currently studying?

Still not sure? Make an enquiry and one of our advisors can assist.

Student profile

Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

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.

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.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.

Browse our other Law & justice courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.

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Get help

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.