Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

La Trobe University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at La Trobe University is a professionally focused degree designed for students who want to build a strong legal foundation while developing practical skills for real-world legal practice. Offered at Melbourne (Bundoora Campus) and City Campus (Melbourne CBD), this four-year honours program combines academic excellence with hands-on learning through internships, legal clinics, mooting competitions, and industry placements, preparing graduates for careers across law, government, business, and community sectors.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1

Students begin by developing a strong understanding of the Australian legal system and the core principles that underpin legal practice. Through subjects such as Contract Law A, Contract Law B, and Principles of Constitutional Law, students learn how laws are created, interpreted, and applied while building essential legal research, writing, and analytical skills.

Year 2

The second year expands students’ knowledge of legal rights, responsibilities, and dispute resolution processes. Units including Principles of Tort Law, Civil Procedure, and Evidence and Criminal Procedure introduce students to civil litigation, courtroom procedures, and the operation of the criminal justice system, helping them understand how legal principles function in practical settings.

Year 3

Students move into more specialised areas of legal study and develop deeper professional capabilities. Subjects such as Foundations of Property Law, Real Property Law, and Statutory Interpretation strengthen students’ ability to analyse legislation, interpret legal frameworks, and address complex legal issues across property and commercial contexts.

Year 4

In the final year, students refine their expertise through advanced legal studies and honours-level learning. Units including Company Law, Principles of Administrative Law, and Principles of Equity and Trusts focus on corporate regulation, government decision-making, and fiduciary obligations, while honours studies encourage advanced legal research, critical thinking, and professional problem-solving.

Focus Areas (in a string):

Contract Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Civil Procedure, Property Law, Corporate Law, Administrative Law, Equity and Trusts, Legal Research, Dispute Resolution, Advocacy, Professional Legal Practice.

Learning Outcomes (in a string):

Advanced legal knowledge, legal research expertise, critical thinking, analytical reasoning, negotiation skills, dispute resolution capabilities, professional communication, ethical decision-making, teamwork, advocacy, legal problem-solving, and independent professional judgement.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) includes all subjects required by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) to satisfy the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession in Victoria. Graduates can progress to practical legal training and seek admission as an Australian lawyer through the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

La Trobe University is recognised for its strong focus on employability, practical legal training, industry engagement, and community impact. The program offers opportunities through the Legal Internship Program, Law Clinic, industry placements, and national and international mooting competitions, helping graduates develop professional experience before entering the workforce.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at La Trobe University is designed to move beyond traditional classroom learning by giving students practical legal experience from the beginning of their degree. Students develop professional skills through real-world legal problem-solving, advocacy exercises, dispute resolution activities, and work-integrated learning opportunities that reflect the realities of legal practice. The program combines academic legal training with practical experiences, helping students build confidence in client interaction, legal research, negotiation, teamwork, and courtroom communication. Through internships, clinical placements, mooting competitions, and industry partnerships, students graduate with valuable professional experience alongside their legal qualification.

To strengthen practical learning and professional readiness, students benefit from a wide range of specialised opportunities and facilities:

Law Clinic Experience: Gain hands-on legal training through La Trobe’s Law Clinic, where students engage with real legal matters and develop practical client-focused skills under professional supervision.
Legal Internship Program: Participate in the university’s Legal Internship Program, providing workplace experience with law firms, government departments, courts, and community legal organisations.
Work-Based Learning Placements: Students can undertake Work-Based Learning (WBL) placements that allow them to apply classroom knowledge in professional legal environments while building industry networks.
Legal Practice and Conduct Clinical Placement: The course includes the dedicated Legal Practice and Conduct Clinical Placement subject, providing structured practical legal experience within professional settings.
Leading Mooting Program: Students can participate in La Trobe’s highly regarded moot court competitions, developing advocacy, legal argument, public speaking, and courtroom presentation skills through national and international competitions.
Legal Research Projects: The honours degree includes a Legal Research Project, allowing students to conduct advanced legal research and strengthen analytical, writing, and problem-solving skills.
Industry & Community Partnerships: Students gain practical exposure through partnerships with community legal centres, law firms, government agencies, and legal service organisations, creating valuable networking and professional development opportunities.
Group-Based Legal Problem Solving: Many law subjects involve collaborative legal analysis, negotiation exercises, dispute resolution simulations, and teamwork-focused projects that reflect professional legal practice.
Overseas Study Opportunities: Students can broaden their legal perspective through international study experiences and overseas learning programs connected to the law degree.
Library & Legal Research Resources: Students have access to La Trobe’s extensive library system, legal databases, academic journals, research materials, and digital legal research tools that support professional-level legal analysis and case preparation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at La Trobe University prepares graduates to become confident legal professionals with advanced skills in advocacy, legal research, negotiation, problem-solving, and critical analysis. Through practical learning experiences and professional engagement opportunities, students develop the expertise needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Graduates are highly regarded across the legal profession, government, corporate organisations, and public policy sectors.

Typical career outcomes include: Solicitor, Barrister, Corporate Lawyer, Policy Adviser.

Career Support & Graduate Success:

Career Ready Advantage: La Trobe’s Career Ready program helps students build employability through career coaching, networking events, industry mentoring, job search support, interview preparation, and professional development workshops.
Practical Legal Experience: Students can gain real-world experience through the La Trobe Law Clinic, legal internships, moot court competitions, and placement opportunities with law firms, community legal centres, courts, and government agencies.
Employment Outcomes: Law graduates develop highly transferable skills that are valued across legal practice, government, business, compliance, consulting, and policy development sectors, providing strong employment prospects after graduation.
Median Salary Range: Graduates entering legal and professional services roles typically begin with salaries ranging from approximately AUD $65,000–$90,000+ per year, with earning potential increasing significantly as legal experience and specialisation develop.
University–Industry Partnerships: La Trobe Law maintains connections with legal practitioners, community legal centres, courts, government organisations, and industry partners through internship programs, clinical legal education, and professional networking initiatives.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria. Graduates can progress to Practical Legal Training (PLT) and apply for admission as an Australian lawyer.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for careers in private legal practice, corporate law, government, public policy, dispute resolution, compliance, human rights advocacy, and community legal services. The honours qualification also demonstrates advanced legal research and analytical capability, enhancing professional opportunities.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a lawyer in Australia. Those seeking further specialisation may continue with a Master of Laws (LLM) or postgraduate qualifications in areas such as commercial law, international law, human rights law, environmental law, or public policy. Graduates interested in research and academia can also progress to a Master by Research or PhD, building on the advanced research skills developed through the honours program.