Bachelor of Commerce(Finance)/Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University combines professional legal education with specialist finance expertise, preparing graduates to navigate complex commercial, corporate, and financial environments. Designed for students interested in both business and law, the program develops strong analytical, legal, financial, and decision-making skills that are highly valued across the legal, banking, investment, consulting, and corporate sectors.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students build a strong foundation in both commerce and law. In the finance stream, they study units such as Fundamentals of Finance (MAF101), Economic Principles (MAE101), and Accounting for Decision Making (MAA103), gaining an understanding of financial markets, economic systems, and business decision-making. Alongside this, students commence legal studies through Legal Research and Statutory Interpretation (MLL110) and Resolving Disputes and Legal Communication (MLL113), developing essential legal reasoning, research, and communication skills.

Year 2:
The second year introduces core legal doctrines while strengthening commercial knowledge. Students undertake foundational law units including Contract A (MLP119), Criminal Law (MLP114), Torts (MLP213), and Contract B (MLP219). Finance studies continue through major-specific subjects that explore investment analysis, corporate finance, and financial decision-making, enabling students to understand how legal frameworks influence commercial and financial activities.

Year 3:
Students advance into more specialised areas of law and finance. Legal studies include Constitutional Law (MLP323), Corporate Law (MLP331), and Land Law (MLP325), providing insight into government regulation, business structures, and property rights. Finance major units deepen understanding of financial management, capital markets, and risk assessment, helping students evaluate complex business and investment decisions from both legal and financial perspectives.

Year 4:
The fourth year focuses on professional application and advanced legal analysis. Students complete units such as Evidence (MLP334), Civil Procedure and Dispute Resolution (MLP391), Equity and Trusts (MLP405), and Administrative Law (MLP424). At the same time, advanced finance studies develop expertise in strategic financial management, investment evaluation, and commercial decision-making, preparing students for leadership roles in finance-related industries.

Year 5:
In the final year, students integrate their learning through practical and experiential opportunities. They complete the capstone unit Advanced Legal Problem Solving and Persuasion (MLL427) and may undertake professional experiences through options such as Deakin Law Clinic (MLL420), Legal Professional Practice (MLL338), or Mooting and Advocacy (MLL460). These experiences allow students to apply legal and financial expertise to real-world commercial challenges while enhancing professional readiness.

Focus Areas: Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Financial Markets, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Property Law, Constitutional Law, Legal Research, Dispute Resolution, Business Analytics, Risk Management, Professional Legal Practice.

Learning Outcomes: Apply advanced finance and legal knowledge to commercial situations; analyse financial and legal issues using critical thinking and professional judgment; communicate effectively with legal and business stakeholders; develop solutions to complex commercial problems; demonstrate ethical, professional, and globally aware decision-making skills; utilise digital technologies and research methods in legal and financial contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The law component includes the nationally recognised Priestley 11 academic areas required for admission to legal practice in Australia. The finance component provides specialist commercial and financial expertise valued by employers across banking, investment, consulting, corporate, and legal sectors.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
Deakin University is recognised for its strong industry engagement, practical learning opportunities, and work-integrated learning experiences. The program incorporates real-world experiences through initiatives such as the Deakin Law Clinic, professional placements, and industry-connected learning, helping graduates build career-ready skills.

Career Outcomes:
Commercial Lawyer, Corporate Lawyer, Banking Lawyer, Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Corporate Advisor, Compliance Manager, Risk Analyst, Wealth Management Consultant, Financial Consultant, Corporate Governance Specialist, Business Development Manager.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University is designed to give students practical business and legal experience alongside academic study. Students develop real-world skills through industry-focused finance units, legal practice experiences, work-integrated learning opportunities, and exposure to authentic legal cases. Throughout the degree, students learn from academics with industry experience and build both commercial and legal expertise that employers increasingly seek. The program also emphasizes professional communication, problem-solving, teamwork, digital literacy, and practical application of legal and financial concepts. This hands-on learning is supported through a range of experiential opportunities and professional facilities:

Deakin Law Clinic: Students can apply legal knowledge to real community cases under professional supervision, gaining firsthand experience in client interaction, legal research, and case preparation.
Community Legal Internship: Eligible students can undertake a supervised legal internship, providing direct exposure to professional legal environments and practical legal work.
Mooting and Advocacy: Students participate in simulated court proceedings, developing advocacy, legal argumentation, negotiation, and public speaking skills in realistic legal settings.
Legal Professional Practice Unit: A dedicated experiential unit that helps students understand the realities of legal practice, professional ethics, and workplace expectations.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): The course includes Work Integrated Learning opportunities that allow students to gain professional experience and industry exposure before graduation.
Finance Major Training: Finance students build expertise in investment analysis, financial decision-making, and commercial problem-solving through industry-relevant finance studies and practical business applications.
Business Analytics Exposure: Core commerce studies include Business Analytics, helping students develop data-driven decision-making skills increasingly valued in finance and commercial law careers.
Industry-Connected Academics: Students learn from active researchers and industry professionals who bring current business and legal practices into the classroom and provide valuable industry insights.
Collaborative Projects and Team-Based Learning: The course develops teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration skills through group activities and problem-solving exercises across commerce and law subjects.
Digital Research Tools: Students use modern digital technologies for legal research, information analysis, financial investigation, and professional communication, building strong digital literacy capabilities.
Transnational Study Tour Opportunity: Law electives include an international study tour option, allowing students to explore legal systems and business environments from a global perspective.
Deakin Library Resources: Students have access to extensive legal databases, business research resources, finance publications, academic journals, and digital learning materials that support both commerce and law studies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)/Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University develop a powerful combination of financial expertise and legal knowledge, making them highly attractive to employers across the corporate, legal, financial and government sectors. This dual qualification can lead to careers such as Corporate Lawyer, Financial Analyst, Legal Adviser, Investment Consultant, Compliance Manager, Policy Adviser, Commercial Law Specialist, and Corporate Governance Consultant

Career Support & Employability Services:

Deakin Talent connects students with employers, internships, graduate programs and career opportunities.
Access to career coaching, resume reviews, interview preparation workshops and networking events.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities allow students to gain practical industry experience during their studies.
Law students can participate in the Deakin Law Clinic, working on real community legal matters under professional supervision.
Opportunities for Community Legal Internship, Mooting and Advocacy, and Legal Professional Practice units help build workplace-ready skills.

Employment Statistics & Salary Range:

Deakin is ranked as the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, providing strong graduate outcomes for business and law students.
Finance and commercial law graduates commonly enter roles with median starting salaries ranging from approximately AUD $65,000 – $90,000 per year, depending on role, industry and location.
Experienced professionals in corporate law, financial consulting and compliance can progress to salaries exceeding AUD $120,000 – $200,000+ per year.

University–Industry Partnerships:

The program integrates industry-focused learning through Work Integrated Learning (WIL) projects and placements.
Students gain practical exposure through the Deakin Law Clinic, working alongside qualified legal professionals on real cases.
Strong industry engagement through business and law networks helps students build professional connections before graduation.

Long-Term Accreditation Value:

The Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB).
The degree is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 7.
Professional legal recognition provides a pathway toward becoming a solicitor or barrister after completing Practical Legal Training requirements.

Graduation Outcomes:

Graduates can pursue careers in commercial law, corporate law, banking, finance, compliance, consulting, government policy, international trade, financial services and corporate governance.
The combination of finance and law creates opportunities across both professional disciplines, offering greater career flexibility and advancement potential.

Further Academic Progression:

Progress to the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) pathway at Deakin (subject to eligibility).
Complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner.
Pursue postgraduate studies such as a Juris Doctor-equivalent professional pathway, Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Finance, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Financial Planning, or other specialised business and legal postgraduate qualifications.
Undertake professional certifications in finance, investment management, compliance, risk management or corporate governance to further enhance career opportunities.