Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws
Deakin course code	D322
Faculty	Faculty of Business and Law
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
Online	Yes
Duration	5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS course code	002452M Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
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

Combine a leading law degree with the commercial expertise that organisations are seeking by undertaking Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws. Your broad knowledge of both commercial and legal concepts, as well as robust training, practical experience and industry placements, will give you a competitive edge in all areas of commercial law.

Complete two sought-after degrees in just five years – two fewer than if you completed each degree separately – and open up a world of exciting career opportunities with your dual expertise in commerce and law. In the law stream, you will be trained in all major areas of the profession by world-class academics, before choosing from a range of real-world learning opportunities. One option is to apply your skills on real cases with real clients at the Deakin Law Clinic. In the commerce stream, you will study a broad range of foundation units before choosing one of eight majors, allowing you to tailor your degree to your career goals.

Want workplace-ready business and legal skills with a commercial focus?

We know that lawyers are increasingly expected to provide commercial and practical insight beyond pure legal advice. Our combined course in commerce and law gives graduates practical, commercially-focused skills, as well as professional legal insight.

Your teachers are active researchers and field workers, so you will always be learning the latest industry concepts, legal practice and approaches. Plus, you will benefit from their existing 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 gain the specific qualifications and skills required to secure a career in 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 have the combined business capabilities and legal expertise that organisations are looking for.

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.

Students who complete the finance major are recognised through the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.

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:

the Financial Adviser Association of Australia (FAAA) CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.

The human resource management major enables students to apply for the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) membership.

_{*2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject and 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.}

Career opportunities

Graduates from this course can look forward to becoming sought-after candidates for range of career opportunities, including:

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.

Alternate exits

Bachelor of Commerce (M300)
Bachelor of Laws (M312)

Course Learning Outcomes

Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of each of the single degrees.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws students must pass 40 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
16 credit points from the Bachelor of Commerce
- 7 credit points of core units (excluding MLC101)
- 1 major (8 credit points)
- 1 credit point of open elective units
- a minimum of 4 credit points of Faculty of Business and Law units at level 3
24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws
- 18 credit points of core units
- 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
Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws must be satisfied

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Course structure

Units

Compulsory 0-credit point unit (to be completed in first trimester of study):-

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

The 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Commerce include:-

7** credit points of core units (MAA103, MAE101, MAF101, MIS171, MMK101, MMM132 and MWL101)
an 8 credit point major sequence
a one credit point open elective unit chosen from across the University
a minimum of 4 credit points of Faculty of Business and Law units at level 3

The 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws include:-

18 credit points of core units
1 credit point of WIL/practical/experiential course elective unit (as outlined in the Bachelor of Laws)
5 credit points of law elective units from a specified list

**Please note: Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws course must not undertake MLC101 Law for Commerce (a core unit in the Bachelor of Commerce) as this unit is incompatible with MLP119 (core unit in the Bachelor of Laws).

*See the Bachelor of Laws entry for a list of the Deakin Law School’s Commercial Law elective units

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.