Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Civil)

6 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Swinburne University of Technology

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) at Swinburne University of Technology is a unique double degree that combines legal expertise with technical civil engineering skills, preparing you to work at the intersection of infrastructure, construction, and regulation. It’s ideal if you want to stand out in industries like construction law, infrastructure development, or engineering consultancy, where both legal and technical knowledge are highly valued.

Curriculum structure

Year 1:
You’ll build strong foundations in both disciplines, starting with subjects like Introduction to Australian Law and Statutory Interpretation, Criminal Law and Procedure, and engineering basics such as Engineering Mechanics and Engineering Materials. Alongside this, units like Calculus and Applications and Introduction to Programming help develop analytical and technical thinking early on.

Year 2:
This year deepens your understanding of legal systems and engineering science through subjects like Torts 1 & 2, Legal Writing, and Energy and Motion. At the same time, you’ll strengthen your engineering skills with Linear Algebra and Applications and hands-on design through Humanitarian Engineering Design Project.

Year 3:
You’ll begin to specialise and apply your knowledge with more advanced law units such as Property Law, Land Law, and Company Law, while continuing engineering development through practical learning and Professional Experience in Engineering. This is where theory starts connecting strongly with real-world applications.

Year 4:
Your studies become more industry-focused with subjects like Equity and Trusts, Legal Technology and Innovation, and Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Engineering learning is reinforced through applied projects and technical problem-solving aligned with civil engineering practice.

Year 5:
You’ll take on higher-level legal studies such as Patents and Designs and Legal Practice and Professional Conduct, while progressing in engineering with advanced design and planning work. Industry exposure increases through structured placements and professional experience units.

Year 6–6.5:
In your final stage, you’ll complete major projects like Final Year Capstone Project 1 & 2 alongside legal placements such as Professional Experience in Law. This phase integrates everything you’ve learned, preparing you for professional practice in both fields.

Focus areas (in a string):

Civil engineering design, construction law, infrastructure planning, legal frameworks in engineering, project management, dispute resolution

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Analyse legal and engineering problems, apply Australian law in technical contexts, develop engineering solutions, communicate persuasively, integrate multidisciplinary knowledge, solve complex real-world challenges

Professional alignment (accreditation):

Accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board and Engineers Australia, enabling pathways to become both a practising lawyer and a professional engineer.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Swinburne is ranked among the Top 200 globally for Law (THE Subject Rankings 2023) and Top 150 (ARWU 2022), reflecting strong academic credibility and graduate employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In this combined Law and Civil Engineering degree at Swinburne, you’ll gain practical, hands-on experience from day one. It’s not just about lectures and textbooks — you’ll work on real projects, use cutting-edge facilities, and collaborate with industry professionals and your peers, giving you the skills and confidence that employers are looking for. From designing infrastructure in advanced engineering labs to applying legal knowledge in real client scenarios, every part of the program is designed to help you connect theory with practice.

Some of the ways you’ll gain hands-on experience include:

Industry placements and internships: You’ll complete Professional Experience in Law and Professional Experience in Engineering units, gaining real workplace experience, applying technical and legal skills, and using industry-standard tools before you graduate.
Specialised engineering facilities: Learn and experiment in spaces like the Trimble Technology Lab, Digital Construction Lab, and applied mechanics and construction simulation labs — all equipped with advanced tools to bring your engineering ideas to life.
Legal clinics and real-client work: Law students get hands-on experience through professional placements and supervised legal projects, developing practical skills while working on real cases.
Software and digital tools: Use industry-standard platforms such as Trimble Business Center, Tekla Structures, and Trimble Connect® to model, design, and collaborate on engineering projects.
Team projects and interdisciplinary learning: Many units involve collaborative group projects, allowing you to work across disciplines, combining legal and engineering knowledge to solve complex, real-world challenges.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) at Swinburne opens up an exciting range of career options where both legal and engineering skills are in high demand. You could become a civil engineer, a legal counsel in construction or engineering firms, a solicitor with technical expertise, or even a project or compliance manager. Employers value graduates who can bridge the gap between law and engineering, making you a standout candidate in a competitive job market.

Here’s how Swinburne helps you get there:

Career guidance and support: Swinburne’s Careers and Employability team offers personal advice, workshops, and job boards to help you build your resume, prepare for interviews, and connect with potential employers.
Boost your employability: The Swinburne Employability Award gives you the chance to develop workplace-ready skills and show employers you’re ready for professional challenges.
Graduate outcomes and salary potential: Swinburne graduates enjoy strong employment rates, with many starting salaries around $77,900 AUD, reflecting the value of your double skill set in the job market.
Industry connections: Through placements, internships, and project work, you’ll network with legal firms, engineering consultancies, and construction companies — often opening doors to jobs even before you graduate.
Accreditation that matters: You’ll be eligible for admission to legal practice in Australia after completing Practical Legal Training and qualify for graduate membership of Engineers Australia, giving your career flexibility both nationally and internationally.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can further specialise or expand your skills through postgraduate study. Options include a Master of Engineering Practice to boost your technical leadership, or a Juris Doctor / Master of Laws (LLM) to focus on areas like construction law, intellectual property, or international legal practice. These pathways help you move into senior roles in engineering, law, or consultancy, giving you long-term career growth.