Overview
Launch a dynamic and fulfilling career in law with a Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University (VU).
Study in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct at our City Campus, learning from expert legal academics and supported by adjunct professors who are some of Australia’s most reputable legal professionals.
Thanks to our partnerships with the courts and community legal services, you’ll also gain practical, real-world experience of the justice system – preparing you to work in the corporate, commercial, community or government legal sectors.
In this four-year law degree, you’ll gain a broad perspective on legal practice and gain specialist academic and professional skills including:
- advocacy
- ethical judgement
- communication
- legal research and writing
- interviewing and negotiation
- legal interpretation.
By studying all of the major areas of law (including contract, torts, property, constitutional, criminal and corporate), you’ll graduate from VU’s Bachelor of Laws having satisfied the academic requirements of the Victorian Legal Admissions Board for admission to legal practice in Victoria.
You may also be able to complete an honours thesis in your final year, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours).
Receive guidance from top legal professionals
During your study, you'll benefit from the wisdom and experience of our adjunct professors who include:
- the Hon. Michael Kirby AC, CMG former High Court Judge
- the Hon. Justice Chris Maxwell, former President of the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal
- Professor Robert Richter KC, Barrister
- the Hon Robert Stary, Magistrate at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court
- Ian Gray AM, former Victorian Chief Magistrate
- David Denton KC, Barrister
- Picha Djohan, Barrister and member of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- David S Thomson OAM, FACE, fellow at Sir Zelman Cowen Centre
- Melissa Kirby, Legal Director at Sharpe and Able.
Gain highly-valued legal experience in internships
With 150 hours of legal work placement embedded in your Bachelor of Laws, you’ll benefit from VU’s commitment to connecting you with experiences that will get you work-ready before you graduate.
Take advantage of our extensive connections in the legal sector, including internship programs with the Supreme Court and County Court and other legal placement opportunities including:
- State Trustees Program
- Victoria Police (Prosecutions Division)
- Victoria Legal Aid
- Magistrate’s Courts program
- Family Law Clinic
- Infringements Clinic
- Sunshine Youth Clinic
- Family Law Clinic
- Refugee Clinic.
Undertaking a work experience legal placement in the final years of your degree means you’ll work under the supervision of experienced legal professionals on cases that have a real impact on people – preparing you to enter the workforce with confidence.
Practise your skills in VU’s world-class moot program
As a Victoria Law School student, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in our renowned moot program in our new state-of-the-art moot court facilities in the Victoria Law School Heritage Building. Mooting involves you and your team participating in advocacy skills, simulating the proceedings of a live courtroom.
Give yourself a professional edge by sharpening your legal skills ready for the real world by taking part in mooting competitions both locally and internationally.
Study in the heart of the legal precinct
As a VU law student, you’ll study at our City Campus law hub building in the heart of Melbourne's legal district.
Take advantage of the facilities in our dedicated law campus, both in the Heritage Building and in the VU City Tower, including:
- specialised law library
- legal centres including the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre
- moot court.
We also offer computer labs, seminar rooms, lecture theatres, state-of-the-art classrooms, student lounges, study spaces, a parenting room, cafes, a pride room and a prayer room.
Expand your knowledge on an international study tour
You may also gain a global perspective on the law by exploring international legal systems on a law and justice study tour.
As part of your law degree, you may choose to take part in VU’s annual law and justice study tour to India, where you’ll gain a better understanding of the Indian justice system.
Study abroad options are also available – where you can complete some of your law studies with our international partner institutions.
Careers in law
Take advantage of the strong future growth predicted in the legal sector, with job opportunities for solicitors and barristers expected to grow by more than 20% over the next five years, and opportunities also strong for judicial and other legal professionals.
In Melbourne, law graduates are in high demand particularly in banking and finance, corporate/commercial, litigation, private equity, projects, property, tax and workplace relations.
With a Bachelor of Laws from VU, you’ll be in high-demand and equipped to work as a lawyer or in legal practice in areas including criminal law, human rights law, family law, commercial law and business.
Like many of our graduates, you may choose to work in community legal centres providing legal access to disadvantaged groups, and in not-for-profit organisations.
You could take on roles in the legal field such as:
- lawyer (barrister or solicitor)
- in-house legal counsel
- policy adviser
- legal adviser
- human-rights advocate.
Course structure
To attain the Bachelor of Laws students will be required to complete 384 credit points consisting of:
-
96 credit points of First Year Core studies
-
132 credit points of Professional Core studies
-
108 credit points of Law Elective studies
- 48 credit points of Non Law Electives 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.
Course structure and units
First Year Units
-
- 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
24 credit points of Law Elective studies
24 credit points of Non Law Elective studies
Year 3
-
- Unit code
- LLW3000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW3008
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW3009
- Credits
- 12
60 credit points of Law Elective Studies
Year 4
-
- Unit code
- LLW4007
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW4008
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW4009
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LLW4000
- Credits
- 12
24 credit points of Law Elective studies
24 credit points of Non Law Elective studies
Law Electives
-
- 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 local and 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 evaluating, synthesising and 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. |
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.
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.
Entry requirements
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 (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.
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.
IELTS (Academic Module) result with an overall score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0).
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 72 credit points of study.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Pathways from other institutions
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.
Victoria Police, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Victoria Police, Australia
You will be credited for up to 180 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.
Pathways to further study
On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:
You will be credited for up to 60 credit points of study.
Find out more about our study pathways to VU
How to apply
We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.
Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.
If you have questions, please get in touch:
- Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
- Online: enquiry form
Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.
VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.
