Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

La Trobe University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics is a five-year double degree providing an accredited professional qualification in law, as well as a degree in politics, philosophy and economics. The program offers an innovative, high quality legal education with a social justice perspective and a real emphasis on hands-on experiences. It includes all the compulsory law subjects required by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board for admission to the legal profession in Victoria and a wide range of law electives. The course is designed to develop your cognitive flexibility, social intelligence, resilience, curiosity and empathy - key attribute

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at La Trobe University combines professional legal education with a deep understanding of political systems, ethical decision-making, and economic policy. Offered at Melbourne (Bundoora Campus), this five-year on-campus double degree is ideal for students who want to explore how law, government, society, and economics shape the world while building a strong foundation for careers in law, public policy, diplomacy, and leadership.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a strong foundation in both legal studies and the interdisciplinary world of politics, philosophy, and economics. Subjects such as Legal Institutions and Methods, Principles of Criminal Law, and Politics, Philosophy and Economics introduce students to legal reasoning, justice systems, and the social forces that influence law and public policy. Students also explore critical thinking and political structures through Critical Thinking and Democracies and Dictatorships: Introduction to Politics.

Year 2

The second year focuses on developing legal and ethical analysis while deepening students’ understanding of political economy and social issues. Through subjects including Contract Law A, Contract Law B, and Principles of Constitutional Law, students learn how legal agreements operate and how governmental powers are structured. Courses such as Ethics and How Do Societies and Economies Interact? Competing Approaches in Political Economy encourage students to evaluate complex public issues from multiple perspectives.

Year 3

During the third year, students strengthen their legal expertise while expanding their understanding of political ideologies, economic systems, and property law. Subjects like Foundations of Property Law, Real Property Law, and Statutory Interpretation develop practical legal knowledge, while Political Ideas and Ideologies and elective options such as International Trade or Knowledge, Individuals and Society provide broader insights into policy and governance.

Year 4

The fourth year emphasises advanced legal practice and political engagement. Students undertake subjects such as Company Law, Civil Procedure, and Evidence and Criminal Procedure, gaining essential knowledge required for professional legal practice. At the same time, units like Campaigns and Elections and economics electives help students understand political communication, public decision-making, and government policy development.

Year 5

In the final year, students integrate their learning through advanced legal and public policy studies. Subjects including Principles of Administrative Law, Principles of Equity and Trusts, and the capstone subject Politics, Power, and Public Policy allow students to apply their legal, political, and analytical skills to real-world challenges. Students may also complete practical experiences through Law Internship B, Legal Practice and Conduct, or a Legal Research Project, enhancing their professional readiness before graduation.

Focus Areas (in a string):

Constitutional law, criminal law, public law, dispute resolution, political systems, political economy, ethics, public policy, governance, critical thinking, economic analysis, legal research, social justice, international affairs.

Learning Outcomes (in a string):

Develop professional legal knowledge required for admission to legal practice, analyse political and economic systems, evaluate ethical and philosophical issues in policymaking, apply legal reasoning to complex problems, conduct advanced legal and social research, communicate effectively across professional contexts, and understand the role of law in promoting justice, equity, and social change.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) component includes all subjects required by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession in Victoria, Australia. The qualification is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 8 – Bachelor Degree Honours.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

La Trobe University is recognised globally for its commitment to industry-connected learning, practical legal education, and graduate employability. Law students benefit from the university’s Legal Internship Program, Law Clinic, industry placements, and overseas study opportunities, helping graduates build strong professional networks and career-ready skills before entering the workforce.

s needed for effective leadership, decision making and analysis.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at La Trobe University is designed to give students practical experience alongside strong academic training. Throughout the degree, students develop real-world legal, policy, analytical, and communication skills by engaging with authentic legal scenarios, public policy challenges, and multidisciplinary problem-solving activities. The program combines legal practice with political analysis, ethical reasoning, and economic decision-making, helping students understand how law operates within broader social and governmental systems.

Students learn in an environment that encourages collaboration, debate, research, advocacy, and professional engagement. Through practical placements, clinical learning, legal internships, and policy-focused capstone projects, students gain valuable experience before graduation. This hands-on approach helps students build confidence, industry connections, and workplace-ready skills:

Legal Internship Program: Complete professional work placements with law firms, community legal centres, courts, and government agencies, gaining direct exposure to legal practice and professional workplace environments.
Clinical Legal Placement: Undertake the dedicated Legal Practice and Conduct Clinical Placement (LAW4LPP), where students apply legal knowledge in practical settings while working on real legal matters under supervision.
La Trobe Law Clinic: Gain practical legal experience through the university’s Law Clinic, developing client communication, legal research, case preparation, and professional ethics skills while engaging with real community legal issues.
Leading Moot Court Program: Participate in La Trobe’s nationally and internationally recognised mooting competitions, allowing students to practise courtroom advocacy, legal argumentation, public speaking, and dispute resolution. Opportunities may include competitions against universities such as Harvard, Cambridge, and the University of Hong Kong.
Dispute Resolution Training: Students develop practical negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and conflict-resolution skills through subjects such as Dispute Resolution, preparing them for legal and policy-focused careers.
Policy & Government Analysis Projects: Through Politics, Philosophy and Economics subjects, students analyse contemporary public policy issues, political systems, economic challenges, and ethical questions using real-world case studies and research-based assessments.
Capstone Policy Experience: Complete the final-year Politics, Power, and Public Policy capstone subject, integrating legal, political, philosophical, and economic perspectives to solve complex public policy problems.
Advanced Legal Research Project: Undertake the Legal Research Project (LAW4005), developing high-level legal research, critical analysis, and professional writing skills relevant to legal practice and postgraduate study.
Collaborative Group-Based Learning: Many subjects involve teamwork, policy discussions, legal problem-solving exercises, debates, presentations, and collaborative research projects that reflect professional legal and policy environments.
Digital Research & Legal Resources: Students use professional legal research databases, online legislative resources, case law repositories, digital academic journals, and university library research platforms to support legal and policy analysis.
Industry & Community Engagement: Build professional networks through partnerships with legal practitioners, government bodies, courts, community organisations, and public policy institutions throughout the degree.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) at La Trobe University prepares graduates to tackle complex legal, political, and economic challenges facing modern societies. By combining legal expertise with an understanding of public policy, ethical decision-making, and economic systems, students graduate with highly sought-after analytical, research, communication, and leadership skills. This distinctive double degree opens pathways into law, government, policy, consulting, and international affairs, giving graduates a strong competitive edge in diverse professional environments.

Typical career outcomes include: Lawyer, Policy Adviser, Political Consultant, Corporate Compliance Manager.

Career Support & Graduate Success:

Career Ready Program: La Trobe’s Career Ready initiative supports students through career planning, industry mentoring, networking events, employability workshops, internship preparation, and personalised career coaching to enhance graduate employability.
Professional Experience Opportunities: Students can gain practical experience through the La Trobe Law Clinic, legal internships, moot court competitions, and industry engagement activities that connect classroom learning with real-world professional practice.
Employment Outcomes: Graduates possess a versatile skill set that is highly valued by employers across legal services, government, public policy, consulting, corporate strategy, and international organisations.
Median Salary Range: Graduates entering legal, policy, consulting, and government-related professions typically commence with salaries ranging from approximately AUD $65,000–$90,000+ per year, with strong progression opportunities into senior leadership roles.
University–Industry Partnerships: La Trobe Law maintains strong relationships with courts, law firms, community legal centres, government agencies, and professional organisations, providing students with valuable networking, placement, and experiential learning opportunities.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and fulfils the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria. The PPE component further strengthens graduates’ expertise in public policy, governance, economics, and ethical leadership.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates are well prepared for careers in legal practice, public administration, policy development, political advisory roles, regulatory affairs, diplomacy, corporate governance, advocacy, and consulting. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree enables graduates to work effectively across both public and private sectors.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a lawyer in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate study through a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Public Policy, Master of International Relations, Master of Economics, or other specialised qualifications in governance, politics, ethics, and public administration. Graduates interested in research and academia can continue to a Master by Research or PhD, building on the advanced analytical and research skills developed throughout the honours program.