Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts

Overview

Prepare for a dynamic future-ready legal career with a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts. Build a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem solving to prepare you for the world of tomorrow! You’ll explore artificial intelligence, big data, cybersecurity and more, plus gain a solid grounding in constitutional, contract and criminal law.

Learning outcomes

The Bachelor of Laws provides an accredited qualification in law and educates students to meet the challenges of a profession and society that are increasingly diverse, complex and technologically sophisticated. It provides a rigorous and intellectually challenging legal education that develops and enhances legal knowledge and a broad range of skills necessary for legal practice; promoting respect for the Rule of Law and adherence to ethical conduct and professional responsibility. The Bachelor of Arts is designed to foster students’ individual development and allow them to hone their research and analytical skills that can be applied to a range of situations. Arts students learn how to gather, synthesise and assess information, how to conceptualise issues and how to express themselves effectively, both orally and in writing. It is also intended to develop interdisciplinarity and collaboration.

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Laws, students will be able to:

• apply the principles and doctrines that underpin the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system
• build on and continuously develop ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice
• analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues arise and the disciplines and policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law
• interpret issues affecting the legal status and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Australia and apply legal doctrine and other approaches to solve problems in preparation for professional practice acknowledging the culture, traditions and beliefs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other communities.
• critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
• undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
• effectively communicate persuasive legal arguments to legal and non-legal audiences
• function as an effective member or leader of a team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Arts, students will be able to:

• systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in the humanities and/ or social sciences
• formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of expertise
• critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences
• Define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their areas of expertise
• apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
• interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
• coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts.

Career opportunities

There are countless career opportunities with this laws / arts double degree combination.

Graduates have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to operate effectively in diverse settings such as law firms and barristers’ chambers, not-for-profit organisations, government, businesses and multinational corporate organisations.

Your understanding of intellectual property law will also equip you for the new knowledge economy. This work includes branding and advertising, media and entertainment, design, internet companies and legal firms advising information-dependent industries.

This double degree will strengthen potential career directions involving advocacy, advertising, anti-corruption, anti-discrimination, climate action, consumer protection, community development, corrections, cultural services, ethics, entertainment, human rights, government, indigenous engagement, large multinational organisations, law reform, NGO or aid work, media, marketing, public administration, politics, youth services, unions and writing.

A law degree is the first step to becoming a lawyer. You’ll also need to complete your Practical Legal Training prior to applying for admission to practice law.

Alternatively, you may continue onto postgraduate study for a career in primary or secondary school teaching, or to specialise at a more advanced level in media and communication, writing or business.  

Swinburne’s law degree prepares you for work in all legal fields including administrative law, business and corporate law, children’s law (child protection), competition and consumer law, criminal law, dispute resolution, elder law, entertainment, arts and media law, environment and planning law, family law, human rights law, intellectual property, industrial relations, migration and refugee law, native title, NFP and charity law.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practice as a lawyer in the Victorian and Australian Federal legal systems as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. 

Please be advised that non-academic requirements must also be satisfied for admission to practice and that no law degree allows graduates to practise straight away. 

All laws graduates must also complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) prior to applying for admission to practice as a lawyer. Swinburne offers the opportunity to complete this PLT at the same time as completing your Bachelor of Laws via the Leo Cussen Centre for Law Swinburne Program. 

Course rules

To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts, students must complete 500 credit points comprising:

• Twenty (20) Core Law units (250 credit points)
• Four (4) Law Elective units (50 credit points)
• Three (3) Professional Experience units in law (0 credit points) * (450 Professional Experience hours)
• Four (4) Core Arts units (50 credit points)
• Eight (8) units of study from an Arts discipline major (100 credit points)
• Four (4) units of other study comprising a minor or electives (50 credit points)

If a student selects the Humanities Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are still required. However, if a student selects the Law Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are waived.

Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement. Please note that due to government regulation, international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake Professional Placements in this course.

Professional placements

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 575 credit points comprising:

• Twenty (20) Core Law units (250 credit points)
• Four (4) Law Elective units (50 credit points)
• Three (3) Professional Experience units in law (0 credit points) * (450 Professional Experience hours)
• Four (4) Core Arts units (50 credit points)
• Eight (8) units of study from an Arts discipline major (100 credit points)
• Two (2) units of other study comprising electives (25 credit points)
• Four (4) Professional Placement units (100 credit points)

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 537.5 credit points comprising:

• Twenty (20) Core Law units (250 credit points)
• Four (4) Law Elective units (50 credit points)
• Three (3) Professional Experience units in law (0 credit points) * (450 Professional Experience hours)
• Four (4) Core Arts units (50 credit points)
• Eight (8) units of study from an Arts discipline major (100 credit points)
• Three (3) units of other study comprising electives (37.5 credit points)
• Two (2) Professional Placement units (50 credit points)

*Please note if a student selects the Arts Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are required to be completed. If student selects the Law Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are waived.

Volume of Learning

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts consists of 500 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points (cps.). A standard annual full-time load comprises 100 credit points and a part-time load comprises 50 credit points.

This course requires students to complete 450 Professional Experience hours.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts is typically 5 years.

For students who complete a Professional Placement the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts consists of 537.5-575 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points with placement units carrying 25 credit points each. A standard annual full-time student load comprises 100 credit points, and a standard part-time load comprises 50 credit points.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts with a 6-month placement is typically 5.5 years.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts with a 12-month placement is typically 6 years

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts is 250 credit points (normally 20 units) – 150 credit points maximum from Law discipline and 100 credit points from Arts discipline.

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent.