Complement an industry-leading legal education at a top 3 law school in Victoria* with an understanding of how power, incentives and ethics shape decisions across business, government and broader society. Study Deakin’s Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics to build a unique combination of legal expertise and global knowledge. Develop legal expertise alongside political, economic, moral and ethical thinking, equipping you for a wide range of future careers.
Tackle global challenges in business, government and society with an understanding of political issues ranging from inequality to environmental sustainability and public decision making. Build the skills to shape the way law, policy and economics influence communities and create change.
Looking to build a legal career backed by business, political and economic expertise?
Graduate with practical experience for a professional edge. In the law stream, work with real clients under the supervision of qualified solicitors at Deakin Law Clinic- our community legal service that offers free legal advice. In the politics, philosophy and economics stream, apply your skills through internships, volunteer placements and study tours, expanding your understanding of governance, policy and values. Across both streams, collaborate on team projects and global learning experiences to expand your networks and practical insight. Understand the social, economic, environmental and political factors that shape law and policy, and learn how to apply this knowledge in a professional context.
Deakin Law School provides a strong foundation in all major areas of law, including:
• contract law • criminal law and procedure • torts • property law • equity and trusts • constitutional law • administrative law.
With an emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills, this course prepares you to address complex legal issues across areas such as:
• environment • climate change • sustainability • population • ageing • health/mental health • international trade • economic strategy • the economic and institutional drivers of inequality, poverty and conflict.
This combined course gives you the opportunity to complement your studies in law with a focus on two streams chosen from the disciplines of:
• philosophy • politics and policy studies • economic policy.
Learning from leading academics and researchers, you will build the skills to make an impact on society. Understand public decision making, resource management and business challenges through a social justice lens while building strong professional capabilities. Graduate ready to pursue roles in the public or private sector with the added knowledge, expertise and practical skills to succeed in a range of areas involving government policy, strategy, consulting or business management.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
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 requirements necessary for admission to the legal profession set in Victoria by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying these academic requirements, a person seeking admission to the legal profession in Victoria is required to have satisfactorily completed practical legal training requirements also specified by VLAB and must be considered a fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession.
A person seeking admission in a jurisdiction outside Australia will likely be required to satisfy additional requirements. Please consult the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic requirements, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
Career opportunities
Graduate from the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment with a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics and step into a wide range of career areas, including:
business
community legal centre consulting
diplomacy
economics
education (a law academic or legal studies teacher)
government lawyer or policy advisor
industrial relations
in-house lawyer for businesses and corporations, including start-up companies
international relations
media/journalism
police prosecutor
private legal practice
policy analysis
politics
research.
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.
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 Politics, Philosophy and Economics (A336)
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.
Apply a broad and coherent knowledge in the Politics, Philosophy and Economics disciplines in academic and professional settings drawing on depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more of PPE disciplines.
Communication
Communicate legal knowledge effectively to legal and non-legal audiences, both verbally and in writing.
Employ highly developed skills in oral, written and electronic communication to communicate the outcomes of Politics, Philosophy and Economics problem solving and research in academic and professional contexts.
Digital literacy
Use a range of digitally-based technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate information.
Utilize a range of digital technologies in both academic and professional settings to research, analyse, synthesise and disseminate information to diverse audiences in the field of Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
Critical thinking
Exercise critical thinking, judgment and intellectual independence to evaluate, consolidate and synthesise knowledge relevant to legal doctrine and legal practice.
Use critical and analytical thinking and judgement in selecting and applying theories and methodologies to evaluate major political, philosophical and economic issues confronting society.
Problem solving
Apply legal reasoning and critical analysis to generate and articulate accurate and relevant responses to legal issues.
Utilise cognitive, technical, and creative skills to generate solutions to real-world political, philosophical and economic problems through drawing on methodologies from multiple disciplines.
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.
Act with autonomy, responsibility and accountability for personal actions through a commitment to self-directed learning and professional practice that contributes to solving political, philosophical and economic issues in society.
Teamwork
Collaborate effectively in a team environment demonstrating constructive engagement and contribution to the team and the ability to draw on strengths of others.
Work and learn collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and members of the wider community in addressing major political, philosophical and economic issues confronting society.
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.
Engage respectfully with ethical issues, cultural diversity, and social responsibility when engaging in Politics, Philosophy and Economics scholarship and professional roles in the local, national or international community.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics 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.
Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (A336) 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.
Students must complete 8 credit points of discipline study units comprising of 4 discipline study units chosen from two to the following discipline streams:
Philosophy
To complete the Philosophy stream, 4 credit points of discipline study units must be chosen including at least 2 credit points at level 3.
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.
