Australian residents
International students
Intakes: 

2023: February, July

Duration: 
4 years
Location: 
City Campus
Fees: 

2023: A$15,800*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
Apply

Overview

Launch an exciting career in law and make a name for yourself in corporate, community or government legal sectors.

If you’d like a dynamic and fulfilling job in law, learn from the best at VU.

Our lecturers and adjunct professors include some of Australia’s most reputable legal professionals, sharing their many years of experience and knowledge. They include:

Through this law degree you’ll get 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
  • relevant legal professional computing skills.

Thanks to our partnerships with the courts and community legal services, you’ll also gain practical, real-world experience of the justice system – helping you along the path to a rewarding career in law.

We also offer Honours in Law for our high academic achievers.

Our partnerships with industry mean you’ll learn from experienced professionals in the legal sector – working on cases that have a real impact on people.

You could gain invaluable experience with our Supreme Court and County Court internship programs, as well as legal placement opportunities at:  

  • State Trustees Program
  • Victoria Police (Prosecutions Division)
  • Victoria Legal Aid:
    • Magistrate’s Courts program
    • Family Law Clinic
    • Infringements Clinic
  • WEstjustice:
    • Sunshine Youth Clinic
    • Family Law Clinic
    • Refugee Clinic

At VU, we make sure you graduate with plenty of practical experience under your belt. That’s why we encourage students to take advantage of our renowned moot program.

A moot court is a mock court which simulates the proceedings of a live court room. By participating, you’ll develop your legal skills and be work-ready to practise law in the real world.

Our City Campus Queen Street law hub building is in the heart of Melbourne's legal district.

This dedicated law campus features:

  • specialised law library
  • legal research centres including the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre
  • mooting court
  • computer labs, seminar rooms, lecture theatres, student lounges, study spaces and a prayer room.

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.

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VU’s Practical Learning – Law - Transcript
VU student stories – life as a Law student - Transcript

Careers in law

When you graduate from a Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University, you’ll be in high demand because we’ll make sure you’re job-ready.

You could work as a lawyer or in legal practice in areas including criminal law, family law, commercial law and business. Many of our graduates choose to work in community legal centres providing legal access to disadvantaged groups, and in not-for-profit organisations.

Roles in the legal field include:

  • solicitor
  • lawyer
  • policy adviser
  • legal adviser
  • human-rights advocate.

Industries in Melbourne with the greatest demand for law graduates are banking and finance, corporate/commercial, litigation, private equity, projects, property, tax and workplace relations.

Salaries

Use Labour Market Insights to find average salaries for various law-related professions in Australia.

See the average salary for solicitors in Australia via Labour Market Insights.

The two unique ways Rawan’s making her way in the law

The two unique ways Rawan’s making her way in the law

Rawan transferred to VU for its innovative learning model and focus on industry placements that are giving her the best start in her career.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.

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.

First Year Units

Year 2

24 credit points of Law Elective studies

24 credit points of Non Law Elective studies

Year 3

60 credit points of Law Elective Studies

Year 4

24 credit points of Law Elective studies

24 credit points of Non Law Elective studies

Law Electives

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 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.

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.

International Foundations at VU (Extended) JQAH

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

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.

Diploma of Policing

Victoria Police, Australia

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Graduate Certificate in Police Prosecution

Victoria Police, Australia

You will be credited for up to 180 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.

On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:

Graduate Diploma in Migration Law

You will be credited for up to 60 credit points of study.

Find out more about our study pathways to VU

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

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.

Apply

If you have questions, please get in touch:

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.