Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Science

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

La Trobe University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Science at La Trobe University combines professional legal training with scientific expertise, allowing students to explore complex issues from legal, ethical, and scientific perspectives. Designed for students who are interested in both law and science, this five-year double degree develops strong analytical, research, advocacy, and problem-solving skills while offering flexibility through a range of science majors and law electives. Campus location: Melbourne (Bundoora Campus).

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Students establish foundations in both disciplines by studying core law and science subjects. Law units such as Legal Institutions and Methods, Principles of Criminal Law, and Principles of Public Law introduce the Australian legal system, while science subjects including Big Ideas in Science: Life, the Universe and Everything and Making Sense of Data develop scientific literacy and quantitative reasoning skills.

Year 2
The second year builds legal and professional knowledge through subjects such as Contract Law A, Contract Law B, and Principles of Constitutional Law. Students also strengthen their career readiness through Career Options and Professional Identity and innovation-focused learning in Ideas to Innovation, while continuing studies within their chosen science major.

Year 3
Students move into more advanced legal studies with Foundations of Property Law, Real Property Law, Civil Procedure, and Statutory Interpretation. At the same time, they deepen expertise in their selected science discipline and begin tailoring the degree through elective choices that align with their career interests.

Year 4
The focus shifts toward specialised legal knowledge and professional application. Students undertake subjects such as Evidence and Criminal Procedure and Principles of Administrative Law while progressing through higher-level science subjects, allowing them to apply scientific and legal perspectives to contemporary issues.

Year 5
In the final year, students complete advanced law subjects including Company Law and Principles of Equity and Trusts, alongside remaining science major requirements and electives. This final stage allows students to consolidate their interdisciplinary expertise and prepare for professional careers or postgraduate study.

Focus Areas:

Legal systems and institutions, criminal law, constitutional law, dispute resolution, advocacy, property law, scientific investigation, data analysis, innovation, research methods, environmental and ethical decision-making, interdisciplinary problem-solving.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced knowledge of Australian legal systems and procedures; apply scientific knowledge to real-world challenges; critically evaluate information from multiple sources; communicate scientific and legal reasoning effectively; conduct research with academic integrity; and demonstrate the competencies required for admission to legal practice in Victoria.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The law component is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria. The degree also provides specialised scientific knowledge through a range of science majors, creating strong interdisciplinary career pathways.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

La Trobe University is recognised for its strong industry engagement, practical learning opportunities, and graduate employability outcomes. Students benefit from legal placements and internship opportunities with industry partners including CSIRO and Bayer Crop Science, helping them build professional experience before graduation

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Science at La Trobe University is designed to give students practical experience across both legal and scientific disciplines. Throughout the degree, students develop hands-on skills in advocacy, negotiation, dispute resolution, scientific investigation, laboratory techniques, data collection, and research. Learning extends beyond the classroom through professional placements, industry engagement, laboratory work, field-based activities, and real-world legal experiences that help students apply their knowledge in professional settings. Students also benefit from access to advanced research facilities and industry-connected learning opportunities that prepare them for careers at the intersection of law, science, technology, and regulation:

Legal Placements: Gain practical experience through placements in community legal centres, law firms, government agencies, and with judges and magistrates (subject to availability).
Science Industry Placements: Undertake industry-based learning opportunities with organisations such as CSIRO, Bayer Crop Science, and various government departments.
La Trobe Law Clinic: Apply legal knowledge to real-world matters through the university’s Law Clinic, working on practical legal issues and developing professional skills.
Legal Internship Program: Access work-integrated learning through La Trobe’s Legal Internship Program, providing exposure to professional legal environments.
Leading Moot Court Program: Develop advocacy, legal reasoning, and courtroom presentation skills through La Trobe’s nationally and internationally recognised mooting competitions.
Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Training: Build practical expertise in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, conciliation, and dispute resolution, mirroring real legal practice.
Laboratory and Fieldwork Experience: Learn specialist scientific techniques through laboratory-based investigations and fieldwork, collecting and analysing data to solve complex scientific problems.
La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS): Access one of the university’s flagship research facilities, featuring advanced scientific laboratories and research infrastructure.
Research-Led Learning: Study alongside academics who are leaders in their scientific fields and participate in research-focused learning activities.
Field Trips: Depending on the science major selected, students may participate in field-based learning activities that support scientific investigation and data collection.
Collaborative Projects: Develop teamwork, communication, and professional collaboration skills through group-based scientific investigations and legal problem-solving activities embedded throughout the program.
Study Abroad Opportunities: Enhance global perspectives through overseas study programs available within the law component of the degree.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Science at La Trobe University equips graduates with a rare combination of legal expertise and scientific knowledge, preparing them to address complex challenges at the intersection of law, technology, health, and the environment. Students graduate with highly transferable skills in research, critical thinking, advocacy, problem-solving, and scientific analysis, making them valuable across multiple industries. This unique double degree opens doors to both legal and science-based careers, giving graduates a significant competitive advantage in the job market.

Typical career outcomes include: Intellectual Property Lawyer, Compliance Manager, Research and Development Manager, Environmental Consultant.

Career Support & Graduate Success:

Career Development Services: La Trobe’s Career Ready program provides students with career planning support, employability workshops, networking opportunities, internship preparation, industry mentoring, and job search assistance to help graduates transition confidently into the workforce.
Industry Placements & Professional Experience: Students can undertake legal placements in community legal centres, law firms, government agencies, and courts. Science students may also gain practical experience through placements with industry partners such as CSIRO, Bayer Crop Science, and government departments.
Employment Outcomes: Graduates develop expertise across both legal and scientific disciplines, positioning them for opportunities in legal practice, regulatory affairs, research, policy development, environmental management, and technology sectors.
Median Salary Range: Graduates entering law, science, compliance, research, and regulatory roles typically commence with salaries ranging from approximately AUD $65,000–$90,000+ per year, with strong long-term earning potential as professional experience and specialisation increase.
University–Industry Partnerships: La Trobe maintains strong industry connections through its Legal Internship Program, Law Clinic, community legal partnerships, and science placement opportunities with organisations including CSIRO and Bayer Crop Science.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria as determined by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. In addition, several science majors hold professional accreditation, including Chemistry through the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI), Physics through the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP), and Statistics through the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA).
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for careers across law firms, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical organisations, environmental agencies, research institutions, government departments, intellectual property firms, and regulatory bodies. The degree is particularly valuable for careers where legal and scientific expertise overlap.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Science, graduates can pursue advanced study through a Master of Laws (LLM), specialised postgraduate qualifications in areas such as environmental law, intellectual property law, health law, biotechnology, data science, or public policy. Students interested in research can continue into Honours-level research pathways, Master's by Research, or a PhD, while aspiring legal practitioners can complete the required practical legal training for admission to the legal profession in Australia.