Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) provides you with an accredited qualification in law whilst enabling learning to be contextualised to the discipline of engineering.
The degree also provides you with a broad, well-rounded legal education that inculcates an understanding of the role the law plays in our society and of how it can assist Australia as a trading nation.
When you graduate, you'll have the technical expertise and management skills for a career within biomedical, civil, construction, manufacturing, mechanical, network and telecommunication engineering environments.
Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. In this double degree, you'll complete law-related professional experience placements at organisations in Australia or overseas. You'll also be introduced to the practical aspects of legal practice through moot court scenarios and advocacy exercises, and you'll also apply your learning in eight project units (one per semester) related to engineering in professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 26 February 2024
- Semester 2 - 29 July 2024
VTAC codes
- 3400211161 (CSP)
- 3400211163 (IFP)
Nicola's choice: Swinburne's innovation over tradition
Nicola’s commitment to choosing innovation over tradition meant she choose to study Law and Engineering at Swinburne. As part of her course, she was able to get to experience placements in a number of different ways, which has landed her an ongoing position. Ready to take on new opportunities, Nicola learned to put her hand up for new opportunities and take the next step in her career.
My work requires a thorough understanding of the Local Government Act as well as contracts with different stakeholders. I am glad to have studied Law in addition to Engineering as it gives me an extra edge in providing engineering solutions which are legally and commercially viable.
Jainam
Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Course details
- Course structure, career opportunities and professional recognition.
As a Swinburne law student you can choose to take part in a dual award program with Leo Cussen Centre for Law. This makes it possible to study your LLB at Swinburne while also completing Practical Legal Training (the Swinburne program) at Leo Cussen. Please note that this dual award is not available to those on international student visas.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 650 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Australian Law & Statutory Interpretation | LAW10010 | 12.5 |
| Contract Law - # Priestley unit | LAW10011 | 12.5 |
| Commercial Law | LAW10013 | 12.5 |
| Torts 1 * - # Priestley unit | LAW10014 | 12.5 |
| Criminal Law & Procedure - # Priestley unit | LAW10015 | 12.5 |
| Torts 2 - # Priestley unit | LAW10025 | 12.5 |
| Legal Writing | LAW10026 | 12.5 |
| Evidence - # Priestley unit | LAW20009 | 12.5 |
| Administrative Law - # Priestley unit | LAW20010 | 12.5 |
| Trade Marks & Related Rights * | LAW20011 | 12.5 |
| Federal & State Constitutional Law * - # Priestley unit | LAW20012 | 12.5 |
| Property Law * - # Priestley unit | LAW20013 | 12.5 |
| Land Law - # Priestley unit | LAW20014 | 12.5 |
| Legal Technology and Innovation | LAW20040 | 12.5 |
| Copyright * | LAW20043 | 12.5 |
| Patents & Designs * | LAW30011 | 12.5 |
| Equity & Trusts * - # Priestley unit | LAW30012 | 12.5 |
| Company Law * - # Priestley unit | LAW30013 | 12.5 |
| Legal Practice & Professional Conduct * - # Priestley unit | LAW30015 | 12.5 |
| Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution - # Priestley unit | LAW30029 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Programming | COS10009 | 12.5 |
| Technology in an Indigenous Context Project | COS10025 | 12.5 |
| Humanitarian Engineering Design Project | ENG10001 | 12.5 |
| Engineering Materials | ENG10002 | 12.5 |
| Engineering Mechanics | ENG10003 | 12.5 |
| Calculus and Applications | MTH10012 | 12.5 |
| Linear Algebra and Applications | MTH10013 | 12.5 |
| Energy and Motion | PHY10001 | 12.5 |
| Professional Experience in Engineering | EAT20008 | 0 |
| Engineering Technology Project A (ENG/CS) *† - Choose if Major in: Software | EAT40005 | 12.5 |
| Engineering Technology Project B (ENG/CS) *† - Choose if Major in: Software | EAT40006 | 12.5 |
| Final Year Capstone Project 1 *† - Choose if Majors in: Architectural, Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Product Design | ENG40005 | 12.5 |
| Final Year Capstone Project 2 *† - Choose if Majors in: Architectural, Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Product Design | ENG40006 | 12.5 |
| Engineering Technology Project A *† - Choose if Majors in: Biomedical, Electrical, Robotics | ENG40007 | 12.5 |
| Engineering Technology Project B *† - Choose if Majors in: Biomedical, Electrical, Robotics | ENG40008 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
†Honours merit unit – results are used in the honours merit calculation
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Placement for Bachelor of Laws
4 units (0 credit points)
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Experience in Law 1 | LAW10016 | 12.5 |
| Professional Experience in Law 2 | LAW20018 | 12.5 |
| Professional Experience in Law 3 | LAW30016 | 12.5 |
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Other studies
4 units (50 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Engineering
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Engineering | ENG20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Engineering | ENG20004 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Law
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Professional Placement A – Law | LAW20021 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B – Law | LAW20022 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Engineering
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Engineering | ENG20003 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Law
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A – Law | LAW20021 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Laws will be able to:
- describe and demonstrate the application of the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system and of the principles and doctrines that underpin them
- describe and demonstrate the application of ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of the 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
- describe and compare the international legal order and the law and legal systems of Australia’s major trading partners
- 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
- demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences
- communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development.
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) will be able to:
- apply coherent and advanced knowledge of the chosen major in engineering in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking and judgement
- apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan and execute a piece of research with some independence, as preparation for research higher degrees
- apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
- apply abstraction, mathematics and engineering fundamentals to the analysis, design and operation of a model, using appropriate engineering methods and tools
- communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team, and use the basic tools and practices of project management within project work
- demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, professional accountability and an awareness of professional engineering practice in a global and sustainable context
- reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning and self-management processes, and manage their own time and processes effectively by regularly reviewing of personal performance as a means of managing continuing professional development and lifelong learning.
Career opportunities
Graduates will have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to operate effectively in diverse settings – using both law and engineering skills in workplaces such as law firms and barristers’ chambers, not-for-profit organisations, government, small businesses and corporate organisations.
In particular, the specialisation in intellectual property law equips graduates for careers in the new knowledge economy, giving them the skills to additionally work in media and entertainment, design, branding and advertising, and in internet companies and firms advising information-dependent industries.
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.
Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia.
Fees
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.