Combine a leading law degree with the specialist commercial expertise that organisations are seeking by undertaking Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws.
Build broad knowledge across key legal and business disciplines, with comprehensive training and practical experience that gives you a competitive edge in all areas of commercial law. Complete two in-demand degrees in just five years - two fewer than if you completed them separately - and unlock a world of career opportunities with your dual expertise. In law, study all major areas of the profession, taught by experienced academics, with opportunities to apply your skills through initiatives like the Deakin Law Clinic, supporting real community cases. In commerce, gain specialist knowledge and data-informed insight in your chosen major, building the professional capabilities to influence organisational outcomes.
Want career-ready business and legal skills with a commercial focus?
We know that lawyers are increasingly expected to provide commercial and practical insight beyond traditional legal advice. Our combined course in commerce and law develops graduates with practical, commercially focused skills, and professional legal expertise.
Your teachers are active researchers and industry professional ensuring you learn the latest concepts, practices and approaches. You will also benefit from their strong industry connections and insights, giving you a competitive edge.
In your commerce component, you will select a major in the area that interests you most. Through these majors, you will build the specialist skills and qualifications needed to pursue your chosen profession.
Options include:
accounting
economics
finance
financial planning
human resource management
management
management information systems
marketing.
Deakin Law School provides a strong foundation in all major areas of law, including:
contract law
criminal law and procedure
tort law
property law
equity and trusts
constitutional law
administrative law.
Our Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws graduates combine business knowledge with legal expertise preparing you to meet the needs of employers across industries.
Indicative student 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.
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 with the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
Deakin Business School holds the prestigious and globally recognised AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, which attest to quality, academic and professional excellence, ongoing improvement, innovation and graduate employability.
Deakin’s accounting major enables students to apply for the:
The marketing major provides a one-year credit towards the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) five-year Certified Practicing Marketer and Chartered Marketer certification.
The financial planning major satisfies the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) education standards, meaning students can provide financial advice in Australia and are eligible for financial planning certification programs including:
Depending on your majors and career interests, you could pursue opportunities such as:
conveyancer
corporate lawyer
law reform officer
police officer
judge
jury consultant
law academic
legal adviser
mediator
police development manager
policy adviser
private investigator
liquidator
legal secretary
international trade law consultant
accountant
auditor
human resources manager
stockbroker
organisational consultant
small business owner
immigration agent
sport law adviser.
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.
Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Commerce (M300)
Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Laws (M312)
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
Apply a broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of commerce and its applications.
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 commerce concepts and information effectively including in oral, written and visual forms in a cohesive and understandable manner to academic audiences, business professionals and laypersons.
Communicate legal knowledge effectively to legal and non-legal audiences, both verbally and in writing.
Digital literacy
Use technologies to identify, locate, evaluate, synthesise and disseminate and communicate information in the field of commerce.
Use a range of digitally-based technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate information.
Critical thinking
Evaluate and critically analyse academic, professional and business information and values.
Exercise critical thinking, judgment and intellectual independence to evaluate, consolidate and synthesise knowledge relevant to legal doctrine and legal practice.
Problem solving
Identify solutions to a diverse range of authentic problems in commerce.
Apply legal reasoning and critical analysis to generate and articulate accurate and relevant responses to legal issues.
Self-management
Take personal responsibility for actions, self-reflect and critique own performance and identify and plan future professional development.
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
Interact and collaborate with others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.
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
Engage effectively in different environments and contexts reflecting social, sustainable, ethical, economic, and global perspectives in the field of commerce.
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 Commerce/Bachelor of Laws you must pass 40 credit points. This includes:
DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
1 credit point of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or practical course elective units (as outlined in the Bachelor of Laws)
5 credit points of course elective units
a maximum of 12 credit points at level 1 across both courses.
a minimum of 10 credit points at level 3 or above across both courses.
Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Commerce (M300) and Bachelor of Laws (M312) must be satisfied
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.
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.
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.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.
