Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws |
| Deakin course code | D331 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | No |
| 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 | 015203K Burwood (Melbourne) |
| 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
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
The commercialisation of rapidly evolving technologies has opened the door to a new kind of expert with specialist knowledge in both science and law. Study Deakin's Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws to graduate with an increasingly sought-after skill set to succeed in either field, or where science and law intersect.
This double degree gives you the freedom to learn more about what interests you. Get a taste for different disciplines within science before choosing to focus on an area you are passionate about. The law stream of this combined course is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board and is supported by extensive practical training. You will even have the opportunity to work on real cases at the Deakin Law Clinic – invaluable preparation if you choose to undertake the additional work required to become a fully qualified lawyer.
Want the freedom to explore a range of lucrative and rewarding careers?
Tailor your degree to your unique career aspirations with our broad range of science specialisations and get more out of your studies by learning about the things that matter to you.
You will learn to grapple with tomorrow's global issues through science and discovery and build your foundational knowledge by taking on a range of science-related study areas, before focusing on one of eight majors:
- animal biology
- cell biology and genomics
- chemistry
- environmental science
- food science
- human biology
- mathematical modelling
- plant biology.
You will also gain practical experience beyond the classroom through programs in modern teaching laboratories, and through completing a Community Science Project or undertaking an industry-based learning placement.
Our Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and covers all major areas of the law, including:
- contract
- torts
- property
- equity and trusts
- constitutional law
- criminal law and procedure
- administrative law.
Deakin Law School consistently ranks among the top in the country and the world for teaching quality and student satisfaction. Our teaching staff are leaders in their field and will prepare you for real issues currently faced by those in the legal sector.
Throughout your degree, you will develop practical legal skills including:
- negotiation
- problem solving
- preparing for court appearances
- legal drafting
- statutory interpretation.
In the Deakin Law Clinic, you will even get to work on real legal cases, interview real clients, offer advice where appropriate and, in some cases, attend courtroom proceedings.
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 the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
The Bachelor of Science (Chemistry major) has been professionally accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). Graduates who have successfully completed the chemistry major as part of this course are encouraged to apply for membership of the respective local branch of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws, you will be uniquely placed to thrive in fields where science and law intersect. Depending on your area of specialisation, you could work in:
- biotechnology
- forensic science
- environmental science
- research science.
If you want to become a practising lawyer, a law degree is a significant first step towards entering the legal profession. Upon completion of your degree and the additional legal training, you will be qualified to work as a solicitor in all legal fields including:
- commercial law
- criminal law
- family law
- personal injury law
- public international and human rights law
- refugee law
- the law pertaining to government.
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.
You may be required to complete units in Trimester 3 depending on your chosen major. Please refer to the Handbook for unit offering patterns.
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
Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of each of the single degrees.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Science/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 Science
- SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 8 credit points of core units (excluding SLE209)
- 1 major (6 credit points)
- 2 credit point of course elective units
- 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 Science 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
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)
Units
To assist you in following the course rules:
Please see course entry for Bachelor of Science (S320) and Bachelor of Laws (M312).
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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.