Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Psychological Sciences | Courses | Swinburne University

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BB-LAWPSY Double degree Hawthorn Send me a link to this course

Study the intersection of two forever-fascinating fields with our Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Psychological Sciences at Australia’s newest, most forward-thinking law school.

If we can understand people’s actions, we can predict their behaviour and help to prevent harm. Learn how you could help do both with this intellectually challenging double degree.

Gain an accredited qualification in Australian law plus learn behavioural analysis and research skills. Delve into current psychological theories to examine local and global criminality and traditional and emerging, tech-enabled responses to crime. Learn how to formulate unshakeable arguments.

Prepare for a career in legal practice, law enforcement, corrections, offender rehabilitation, victim support and policy development, or pursue further studies in forensic psychology and forensic counselling.

ATAR 85 2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR

Start dates

Hawthorn campus

Semester 1 - 26 February 2024
Semester 2 - 29 July 2024

View application and start dates

Duration

5 Years full-time or equivalent part-time

Full-time, Part-time

VTAC codes

3400213091 (CSP)
3400213093 (IFP)

Course details

- Course structure and career opportunities.

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 Psychological Sciences requires students to complete units of study to the value of 500 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements

Core studies for Bachelor of Laws

20 units (250 credit points)

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 and Related Rights *	LAW20011	12.5
Federal and 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

Core studies for Bachelor of Psychological Sciences

4 units (50 credit points)

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Introduction to Research Methods	PSY10005	12.5
Brain and Behaviour	PSY10007	12.5
Fundamentals of Psychology	PSY10008	12.5
Foundations of Statistics	STA10003	12.5

Major for Bachelor of Psychological Sciences in Psychological Sciences

8 units (100 credit points)

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Cognition and Human Performance	PSY20006	12.5
Developmental Psychology	PSY20007	12.5
Social Psychology	PSY20016	12.5
Analysis of Variance and Regression	STA20006	12.5
Psychology Project	PSY30003	12.5
Psychology of Personality	PSY30008	12.5
History and Philosophy of Psychology	PSY30013	12.5
Mental health diversity, diagnosis and treatment	PSY30016	12.5

Placement for Bachelor of Laws

3 units (0 credit points)

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Professional Experience in Law 1	LAW10016	0
Professional Experience in Law 2	LAW20018	0
Professional Experience in Law 3	LAW30016	0

Other studies

8 units (100 credit points)

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

– Work Integrated Learning + Elective units

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.

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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.

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.

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Financial Information for Decision Making	ACC10007	12.5
Introduction to Forensic Science	CHE10007	12.5
Fundamentals of Criminology	CRI10002	12.5
Introduction to Forensic Psychology	FOR10001	12.5
Introduction to Health Sciences	HEA10001	12.5
Digital Health Foundations	HEA10004	12.5
Contemporary Management Principles	MGT10009	12.5
Neuroscience	NEU10002	12.5
What is Power?	PHI10007	12.5
Introduction to Ethics	PHI10008	12.5
The Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity	SPO10002	12.5
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	HEP20002	12.5
International Commercial Law ^#	LAW20007	12.5
Law and the Media ^#	LAW20024	12.5
Taxation Law ^#	LAW20033	12.5
Public and Private International Law ^#	LAW20035	12.5
Competition Law and Policy ^#	LAW20036	12.5
Asian Commercial Law ^#	LAW20037	12.5
Privacy in Law and Society ^#	LAW20038	12.5
Indonesia Law, Governance and Culture Study Tour ^#	LAW20039	12.5
Advanced Criminal Law and Sentencing ^#	LAW20041	12.5
Advanced Intellectual Property Law ^#	LAW20042	12.5
Neurophysiology	NEU20006	12.5
Theories of Counselling	PSY20001	12.5
Psychology of Adolescence	PSY20003	12.5
Sports Psychology	PSY20005	12.5
Psychology of Infancy and Early Childhood	PSY20008	12.5
Dimensions of Human Sexuality	PSY20009	12.5
Human Factors Psychology	PSY20011	12.5
Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology	FOR30001	12.5
Legal Research Project ^#	LAW30026	12.5
Advanced Legal Research Project 1 ^#	LAW30027	12.5
Advanced Legal Research Project 2 ^#	LAW30028	12.5
Psychology of Health	PSY30001	12.5
Psychology of Wellbeing	PSY30011	12.5
Psychology of Trauma	PSY30012	12.5
Applied Social Psychology	PSY30014	12.5

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

On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:

Bachelor of Laws - 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
Bachelor of Laws - Describe and demonstrate the application of ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of the law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice
Bachelor of Laws - 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
Bachelor of Laws - Describe and compare the international legal order and the law and legal systems of Australia’s major trading partners
Bachelor of Laws - Critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
Bachelor of Laws - Undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
Bachelor of Laws - Demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences
Bachelor of Laws - Communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development
Bachelor of PSY - Systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in psychology
Bachelor of PSY - Formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in psychology
Bachelor of PSY - Critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of psychology
Bachelor of PSY - Define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
Bachelor of PSY - Apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
Bachelor of PSY - Interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
Bachelor of PSY - 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 context

Career opportunities

Graduates with a degrees in psychology and law can work in many fields such as public affairs, education, health, business, sales, service industries. Graduates will also have the ability to start a legal practice career.

Fees

Find out more about fees.

How to enter this course

- Entry requirements, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Entry requirements

2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 85

Standard entry

Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in English (or equivalent) or 30 in English (EAL).

Non Year 12 entry

Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.

Other requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne, for general information about admission process

Pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second.

Learn more about pathways.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about credit.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about RPL.

How to apply

Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.

Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.