Bachelor of Laws

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Laws
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Online
Length	4 years full-time
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$46,400 for 1 yr full-time AUD
CRICOS code	026686F Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
Level	Undergraduate
Deakin course code	M312
VTAC codes	1400414063 - Waterfront (Geelong), International full-fee paying place 1400514063 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Study at Deakin Law School, at a university ranked in the top 150 worldwide for law*, and join a high-achieving community of future legal professionals. Designed and taught by academics and practising lawyers, Deakin's accredited Bachelor of Laws combines comprehensive legal training with practical experience. You will develop key skills in communication, problem solving and analytical thinking, and gain sought-after experience through our substantial work-integrated learning opportunities.

Tailor your degree to your interests through a broad range of commercial and public law electives. Apply your learning at the Deakin Law Clinic, our community legal service offering free legal advice, where you will work with real clients under the supervision of qualified solicitors. You will graduate with the knowledge and experience to pursue dynamic careers across law, business, government, public policy and more.

Are you looking for a degree that prepares you for a leading legal or professional career?

Choose Deakin's Bachelor of Laws and build a strong foundation of practical legal skills, including:

negotiation
problem solving
preparing for court appearances
legal drafting
statutory interpretation.

You will also gain transferable skills valued across industries, supporting careers business, government, law reform, politics or public administration.

The legal profession is undergoing rapid change, and lawyers are increasingly expected to provide clients with practical, commercial advice. Deakin’s strong focus on experiential learning, including international study opportunities and work-integrated learning ensures you graduate with the skills employers value. At the Deakin Law Clinic, our community legal service, you’ll apply your academic training to real cases. Building your ability to analyse complex legal problems and deliver clear, commercially focused advice in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Professional recognition

Deakin's Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the academic qualifications necessary for admission to the legal profession. In Victoria these have been set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying the academic qualifications, a person seeking admission to the legal profession in Victoria is required to have satisfactorily completed certain practical legal training requirements and must be considered a fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession.

Requirements for admission in jurisdictions outside Australia vary. Please check the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.

Fees and charges

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

Learn more about international student fees.

Career opportunities

Obtaining a law degree is your first step to entering the legal profession. Upon completion of your degree and the additional practical legal training, you will be qualified to work as a solicitor or barrister in all legal fields, graduating from the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, including:

commercial law
criminal law
equity and trusts
family law
personal injury law
public international and human rights law
refugee law.

In addition, your degree opens up many other career opportunities. As an alternative to practising as a barrister or solicitor, you may choose to enter:

business as a corporate lawyer, consultant, company administrator or business manager
education
government as a lawyer or policy adviser with departments or authorities as diverse as the Attorney General's Department, the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Office of Public Prosecutions, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
industrial relations
law reform
media
politics
public administration.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate an understanding of the Australian legal system and the fundamental areas of knowledge required for legal practice as situated within international contexts and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise
Communication	Communicate legal knowledge effectively to legal and non-legal audiences, both verbally and in writing
Digital literacy	Use a range of digitally-based technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate information
Critical thinking	Exercise critical thinking, judgment and intellectual independence to evaluate, consolidate and synthesise knowledge relevant to legal doctrine and legal practice
Problem solving	Apply legal reasoning and critical analysis to generate and articulate accurate and relevant responses to legal issues
Self-management	Exercise responsibility and accountability for own learning, and possess abilities to reflect on own capabilities, performance and feedback to support personal and professional development
Teamwork	Collaborate effectively in a team environment demonstrating constructive engagement and contribution to the team and the ability to draw on strengths of others
Global citizenship	Reflect on the ethical and professional behaviours and responsibilities of legal professionals and demonstrate an understanding of the impact that different social, ethical, global or environmental perspectives have on exercising legal practice in the community

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Laws, you must pass 32 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
18 credit points of core units
1 credit point of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or practical course elective units
5 credit points of course elective units
4 credit points of open elective units
4 credit points of course or open elective units
a maximum of 5 credit points of elective units at level 1.

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

Core units

MLL110

Legal Research and Statutory Interpretation

MLL113

Resolving Disputes and Legal Communication

MLP114

Criminal Law

MLP117

Misleading Conduct and Economic Torts

Contract A

Torts

Criminal Procedure

Contract B

Legal Practice and Ethics

Constitutional Law

Land Law

Property

Corporate Law

Evidence

Civil Procedure and Dispute Resolution

MLP405

Equity and Trusts

MLP424

Administrative Law

MLL427

Advanced Legal Problem Solving and Persuasion ^(Capstone)

Note: MLP code denotes Priestley units, which teach the academic areas of knowledge prescribed for admission to legal practice.

WIL|Practical course elective units

Students must complete one of the following experiential/practice units as one of their Law Elective units:

MLL338

Legal Professional Practice

MLL351

Community Legal Internship

MLL420

Deakin Law Clinic

MLL460

Mooting and Advocacy

Electives

Not all elective units will be offered every year. Units not offered in 2026 may be offered in 2027 or 2028. From time to time the Law School may develop
new units to strengthen the law elective list.

Elective units offered in 2026

MLL215

Commercial Law

MLL224

Advanced Statutory Interpretation

MLL228

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Principles and Practice

MLL319

Sentencing Law and Practice

MLI320/MLL320

Family Law *

MLL329

Financial Services Regulation

MLL332

International Arbitration

MLL338

Legal Professional Practice

MLL342

Workplace Law

MLL348

Transformative Technologies and the Law

MLL351

Community Legal Internship

MLL362

Succession Law

MLL394

Migration and Refugee Law and Policy

MLT324

Transnational Study Tour ^

MLL406

Taxation

MLL409

Competition Law and Policy

MLL419

Contemporary International Legal Challenges (Intensive)

MLL420

Deakin Law Clinic

MLL425

Environmental and Climate Law

MLL444

Privacy and Data Law

MLL460

Mooting and Advocacy

^*MLI code denotes optional residential version of the unit

^# Previously coded MLL417, MLL211

^MLT324 does not count as one of the WIL/Practical course elective units (listed above) required for the Bachelor of Laws.

Elective units not offered in 2026

MLL225

Personal Injuries Compensation Schemes

Superannuation Law

International Law

Business Tax Law

Human Rights Law ^#

Corporate Insolvency Law

MLL330

Health Law

MLL336

International Commercial Law

MLL339

Corporate Governance and Sustainability

MLL364

Animal Law

MLL410

Intellectual Property

MLL426

Mining and Energy Law

Features of the Program

A range of commercial and public law electives

A distinctive feature of the Deakin law degree is the large number of commercial law and public law elective units offered in the course. You can choose to add a commercial focus to your degree by selecting from a wide range of electives. Deakin Law School also offers a number of public law electives, drawing upon the significant expertise of staff in the areas of international law, criminal law, constitutional law, human rights law and health law.

Clinical legal education

Legal internship

In conjunction with community legal centres and other legal organisations, Deakin Law School offers a clinical skills unit. This involves students working in private law firms, companies employing in-house legal counsel, public legal centres or statutory bodies under the supervision of legal practitioners. You’ll assist the practitioners to take instructions from, advise and represent clients. Clinical training of this nature is designed to teach you skills such as interviewing, counselling, negotiation, communication and advocacy. Deakin's Legal Internship enables you to gain an appreciation of legal practice and extend your critical thinking skills by working in a legal environment. Quotas apply and enrolment is via application.

Please visit the Legal Internship website, for more information.

Deakin Law Clinic

Deakin Law School offers teaching law firms which provide legal placements for students. The clinics operate under the supervision of qualified legal practitioners and offer opportunities for students to develop legal skills in the following areas:

civil law
criminal law
employment law
family law
generalist law
policy advocacy.

A Deakin Law Clinic can be taken as a law elective in year 3 or year 4 of your law degree. Learn more about Deakin Law Clinic

NIKERI Institute

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can enrol in Deakin’s Bachelor of Laws through the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute. NIKERI offers culturally respectful, flexible, and accredited programs that combine week-long on-campus intensives with supported online learning. Your studies will be grounded in shared cultural values and designed to balance learning with your community commitments. Learn more at deakin.edu.au/nikeri.

Study abroad opportunities

Our global study itinerary includes the prestigious Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong and Vienna, international study tours and options to study one or more elective units at an overseas institution.

These options provide you with the opportunity to experience first-hand foreign legal systems and learn how law is applied within these jurisdictions as well as across borders, again giving you an edge upon graduation.

Admission to legal practice

At present, to qualify for admission as a barrister and solicitor in Victoria, university graduates are required to complete either a supervised legal traineeship (previously known as articles of clerkship) for one year or an approved practical legal training (PLT) course. Institutes that offer Practical Legal Training in Victoria include:

The College of Law Victoria: Victorian Professional Program
Leo Cussen Centre for Law
Australian College of Applied Professions with the Law Institute of Victoria

Course of study

The Deakin law degree is designed to satisfy the university component of the requirements to become a barrister and solicitor in Victoria set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. Study may be undertaken on either a full-time or part-time basis.

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.

Academic requirements

Academic requirements - Current or recent secondary education

If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

Year 12 prerequisite subjects

Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL

ATAR

Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent

Academic requirements - Higher education study

If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

successful completion of at least four credit points in an equivalent (AQF Level 7) bachelor degree with a minimum WAM of 60 or equivalent

Academic requirements - VET study

This course does not accept VET study for entry, please check for alternative entry requirements or visit the pathways finder for alternate pathways into this course.

Academic requirements - Work and life experience

This course does not accept work, volunteer and/or life experience for entry. Please check for alternative entry requirements or visit the pathways finder for alternate pathways into this course.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score greater than 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or greater than 25 in any other English
IELTS 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2026 students (PDF, 879KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.

Pathways

Further study options
M412 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Credit for prior learning - general

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.

Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

(a) For accreditation purposes, the University normally only considers RPL for core Deakin Bachelor of Laws units, or core Juris Doctor units, on the basis of previous law study that has taken place within five years of the anticipated commencement [Note 1] of the degree at Deakin. Please note that RPL requests for any law unit core to the degree undertaken more than 5 years ago is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Deakin Law School.

(b) RPL for any non-core (elective) units will be determined via normal RPL policy rules; however, if the unit would be more than 5 years old at the student's anticipated course commencement date, then the decision needs to be made within the Law School (in order to ensure the currency of the learning that is being recognised)

[Note 1] Note that the date taken is commencement of studies at Deakin, not the date of the RPL Application

You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

Articulated courses

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (M412)

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Work experience

This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more work integrated learning units.

Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.

International Students:

This course includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) formally registered as part of the course on the CRICOS register. The total work integrated learning hours will differ depending on the WIL unit you choose. For more information about WIL hours, please check the unit information in the handbook or the unit guide.

For information about how WIL units may impact student visa holder work rights, please visit Home Affairs. See 8105 Work limitation.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.

Selection adjustment

Subject adjustment

A study score of 35 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Politics equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Politics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

Access and equity

Equity schemes and scholarships, formerly known as Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS), enable Deakin to consider any disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and how these have impacted your studies. Equity schemes help us identify whether you are from an under-represented group when making selection decisions for certain courses. It's important to note that participation in an equity scheme does not exempt you from meeting the standard course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin's equity schemes and scholarships.