Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Cyber Security
2021 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2021 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Cyber Security |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2021. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Campus | |
| Cloud Campus | Yes |
| Duration | 5 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 0100550 Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | D397 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7. |
Students and Applicants to Geelong Waterfront Campus | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
Course overview
Protect society from the growing threat of cybercrime by studying Australia's only combined laws and cyber security degree. Through Deakin's Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Cyber Security, you can explore roles in both fields or use your dual expertise to become an in-demand cyber lawyer, capable of handling the complex issues of our evolving digital world.
With over 6 million Australians being victim to cybercrime in 2017*, professionals with this unique dual skillset law are needed more than ever.
Cybercrime is at an all-time high and it's not just everyday consumers who are facing the threat. Government and businesses, are in need of professionals who can expose risks before they happen and provide legal protection for their digital operations.
This degree puts you in a position to answer the call. Graduate with two degrees in two years fewer than if you studied each degree separately and develop advanced skills in cyber security that perfectly complement legal acumen.
What if you had the power to make a difference?
You'll study major areas of law including:
- legal practice and ethics
- constitutional, administrative, commercial and land law
- criminal procedure
- advanced legal problem-solving and persuasion.
As well as industry-relevant areas of cyber security such as:
- computer crime and digital forensics
- database and information management
- ethical hacking
- cyber security management.
The broad range of units on offer allows you to build a diverse set of skills, which opens the door to exciting career opportunities. For example, you could become an accomplished cyber lawyer, leaning on your deep understanding of privacy and criminal law to better protect the rights of your clients. Or, you could be on the front line of cybercrime, using your skills in system security to set up digital barriers between businesses and cyber threats.
Whichever path you choose, you’ll be well-served by the practical experience on offer throughout the course. Gain real-world legal experience at the renowned Deakin Law Clinic. The clinic is a teaching law firm that gives you the opportunity to access real clients under the supervision of qualified legal practitioners. Analyse complex legal problems and develop the drafting, communication and problem-solving skills required for a successful career in law. Better still, you’ll get hands-on with our specialised cyber security software that allows you to simulate and respond to real cyber attack scenarios. By practising your skills under pressure, you’ll feel confident when it’s time to perform in your job. You’ll also be able to leverage the extensive research, industry partnerships and state-of-the-art facilities of Deakin’s Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CCSRI). With research in areas from cyber analytics and artificial intelligence to organisational security and information warfare, you’ll have direct access to some of the most progressive cyber security content in the world.
Importantly, this course has the accreditations you need to take your career forward. Deakin’s Bachelor of Laws is a recognised pathway towards becoming a practising Australian lawyer. The Bachelor of Cyber Security is in the process of being professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) as part of this double degree.
* Source: Norton Cyber Security Insights Report 2017 – Australia
Indicative student workload
As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. 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
The Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the university component of the requirements to become an Australian lawyer set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to completing an approved LLB degree, you’ll need to work for one year as a legal trainee or undertake a practical legal training (PLT) course.
The Bachelor of Cyber Security is in the process of being professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) as part of this double degree.
Career opportunities
Studying this combined degree means you’ll be well-placed to work in the field of law and cyber security, or in roles where both disciplines intersect. You’ll graduate with the diverse skills and practical experience required to thrive in roles including:
- business analyst
- business manager, company administrator or consultant
- corporate lawyer
- cyber security consultant
- national security adviser
- policy adviser for government departments or authorities such as the Attorney General's Department, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
- security analyst
- security systems manager or cryptographer.
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’ll be qualified to work as a solicitor or barrister in all legal fields, including:
- commercial law
- criminal law
- family law
- personal injury law
- public international and human rights law
- refugee law.
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.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.
Course Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of each of the single degrees.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Cyber Security, students must attain a total of 40 credit points consisting of 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Cyber Security and 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Cyber Security (S334) and the Bachelor of Laws (M312) must be satisfied plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, MAI010 Academic Integrity Module and unit, SIT010 Safety Induction Program. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake 2 trimesters each year.
The 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Cyber Security include:-
- 15 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of SIT coded elective unit
- SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0 credit point compulsory unit)
- Level 3 - at least 4 credit points of SIT-coded units
Students undertaking this combined degree are not required to undertake SIT306 IT Placement.
The 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws include:-
- 18 credit points of core units
- MAI010 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory module to be completed in the first trimester of study)
- 6 credit points of law elective units, including 1 credit point of WIL/practical unit.
Course structure
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study.
Units
To assist you in following the course rules:
Please see course entry for Bachelor of Cyber Security (S334) and Bachelor of Laws (M312).
Other course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central