Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
ATAR:
Lowest selection rank*: 80.55
*Offers made in 2022. More about ATAR
Duration: 
5 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
City Campus
Footscray Park
Delivery mode: 
Block
In person
Start date:
31 July 2023
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 23 July 2023 for our next intake which starts on 31 July 2023.
Apply

Overview

Combine your chosen area of the arts with a qualification to practise law, for a rewarding and challenging career.

Our Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts gives you the flexibility to choose your own path. You’ll study the fundamentals of the law, then take your pick from our list of arts majors. By completing the degree you will have satisfied the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria.

Your degree will be personally satisfying and well-rounded. You’ll enhance your legal-analytical skills with critical thinking and writing. You’ll also gain a rich understanding of the role and impact of the law in society.

Our law campus is in the heart of the legal precinct, with access to private, public and community law institutes. You’ll complement your legal expertise with work experience in the arts, media or government – for a respected and useful skill set.

We offer valuable opportunities to network and learn through industry partnerships, and international collaborations with exchange partners.

Our partnerships with Magistrates’ Courts and community legal services let you apply your legal knowledge while you study. Our arts degree extends those opportunities to local councils and the Parliament of Victoria, as well as media organisations.

Some of our major clients, partners and industry associations:

  • ABC
  • Department of Justice, Victoria
  • Law Institute of Victoria
  • Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria
  • Migration Institute of Australia
  • Penguin Books
  • Stary Norton Halphen Lawyers
  • SBS
  • St Vincent de Paul.

In choosing your arts major, you get the exciting opportunity to set up your future career in an area that holds your interest and meets your personal goals.

As well as studying the necessary areas of the law to practise in Australia, you can choose a range of subjects – from Indigenous studies to gender studies, political science to sociology.

Our lecturers and research staff are all experts in their fields. We provide additional guidance from adjunct professors – honorary staff who hold positions in the legal and arts communities.

VU’s adjunct professors include:

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.

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.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back
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VU student stories – life as a Law student - Transcript

Careers in law and the arts

Your double degree will give you the skills and qualifications to practise law in your chosen area. For example, you could work in the copyright law in the media, or community law specialising in Indigenous, Vietnamese or family issues.

Other job pathways include:

  • lawyer
  • media professional
  • creative arts administrator
  • public servant and policy worker
  • community sector professional
  • strategic communicator
  • manager
  • professional writer.

Salaries

Use Labour Market Insights to find average salaries in Australia for various arts/law professions:

You can continue your studies with honours in law, a pathway to further graduate study.

What gives VU law students the edge?

What gives VU law students the edge?

Denis Nelthorpe, CEO of WEstjustice, says VU graduates are very well-rounded.

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Career head start

VU’s Law students have helped more than 1000 people with free advice and referrals through a workplace learning program at the WEstjustice Sunshine Youth Office.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts students will be required to complete 480 credit points consisting of:

  • 96 credit points of First Year Core studies
  • 132 credit points of Law Professional Core units
  • 60 credit points of a Law Elective studies

AND

  • 96 credit points of Arts Major studies 1 

PLUS

  • 96 credit points of Arts Major studies 2

OR

  • 2 X 48 credit points of Arts Minor studies 

Please note: 

Students selecting Arts Major 2 must choose 24 credit points in place of ACX3005 Graduating Project 1 and ACX3006 Graduating Project 2 as these units will be covered in Major 1.

The units can be selected from the following minors listed below:

  • International Development
  • Professional Communication
  • Aboriginal Yulendj (Knowledge) and Community.

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 Core Units

Year 2

12 credit points of Law Elective studies

And

36 credit points of Arts Major Studies 1

Year 3

36 credit points of Arts Major studies 1

36 credit points of Arts Major studies 2

Or

36 credit points of Arts Minor 1 and Arts Minor 2

Year 4

12 credit points of Law Elective studies

24 credit points of Arts Major studies 1

24 credit points of Arts Major studies 2

Or

24 credit points of Arts Minor studies 1 and Arts Minor studies 2

Year 5

36 credit points of Law Elective studies

36 credit points of Arts Major 2

Or

36 credit points of Arts Minor 1 and Arts Minor 2

Law Elective Units

Majors

Minors

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 specialist bodies of knowledge within the disciplines of law and humanities.  
  2. 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 comparative contexts.  
  3. Identify, articulate and respond to legal and humanities issues by 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 legal, 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 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.  
  9. Critically review theory and research in chosen areas of study.  
  10. Critically reflect on the patterns of social, cultural and political experience of society in general and share insights into their own lives.  
  11. Initiate, organise, undertake, and communicate research into the lives of their communities, including 'creative works as research' for students completing creative arts disciplines.  
  12. Exemplify academic skills in reading, note-taking and collection and organisation of resource materials including the presentation of oral and written material.  
  13. Collaborate with skill and confidence in group discussion and activity.  
  14. Exhibit interpersonal skills consistent with professional practice.  

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 for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

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

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.
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.

Subject adjustments

A study score of 35 in English (EAL) equals 5 aggregate points. A study score of 30 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics, Global Politics or Psychology equals 5 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 20 points.

ATAR profile

VU course code: LBLA

VTAC course code: 4300741131

Campus: City Queen/Footscray Park

ATAR profile of people who received an offer for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts.
  ATAR
(Excluding adjustment factors)		 Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Highest rank to receive an offer 91.25 97.15
Median rank to receive an offer 81.40 87.6
Lowest rank to receive an offer 70.95 80.55

 

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

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).

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

Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).

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

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
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.

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

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 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.

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.

Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice 22565VIC

You will be credited for up to 72 credit points of study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

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

Available start dates:
  • 31 July 2023

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 23 July 2023 for our next intake which starts on 31 July 2023.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

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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.