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.
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:
*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.
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 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
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.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
