Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Criminology

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

La Trobe University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Criminology at La Trobe University is designed for students who want to understand both the legal system and the causes, prevention, and impact of crime in society. Campus Location: Bundoora (Melbourne) gives students access to modern learning facilities, expert teaching, and strong connections with legal and justice organisations.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:
Students are introduced to foundational legal and criminology concepts through core subjects such as Legal Methods and Reasoning, Criminology: Crime, Justice and Society, and Foundations of Law and Legal Systems. This year builds essential skills in critical thinking, legal writing, and understanding crime from social and psychological perspectives.

Year 2:
In the second year, students deepen their legal knowledge with subjects like Contracts Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, and Penology and Punishment. Alongside these, criminology-focused units explore crime prevention strategies and the justice system, helping students understand how law operates in real-world contexts.

Year 3:
Students begin advanced legal and criminology study with subjects such as Torts Law, Evidence Law, and Advanced Criminological Theory. This year focuses on developing strong analytical, advocacy, and research skills while examining complex issues in crime, justice, and legal responsibility.

Year 4–5 (Honours & Advanced Study):
In the final stage, students complete advanced law electives such as Administrative Law, Equity and Trusts, and Corporate Law, alongside criminology research projects or honours-level legal research. This phase strengthens professional readiness through independent research, mooting, and practical legal applications.

Focus Areas:

Law, Criminal Justice, Crime Prevention, Legal Practice, Social Policy, Justice Systems, Research Methods

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop advanced legal reasoning, criminological analysis, research capability, and professional communication skills, enabling them to work effectively in law, justice, policy, and government sectors.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) component is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria, supporting graduates who wish to become practising lawyers in Australia.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

La Trobe University is recognised globally for law and social sciences education, with strong graduate employability outcomes supported by national teaching quality and industry engagement indicators (La Trobe University official performance and graduate outcomes reporting).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At La Trobe University, students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Criminology develop practical legal and criminology skills through a strong focus on real-world learning. From early in the degree, students engage in hands-on legal problem solving, criminal justice analysis, and applied research that connects theory with practice. Learning is supported through simulated court environments, legal research training, and exposure to criminal justice systems, helping students build confidence in professional settings. This program also integrates collaboration, critical case analysis, and industry-informed learning experiences designed to reflect real legal and criminology workplaces:

La Trobe Law Clinic – opportunity to work on real legal matters under supervision, supporting community clients and building practical legal experience
Moot Court & Advocacy Training – simulated court proceedings where students develop courtroom skills, legal argumentation, and public speaking
Criminology Case Analysis Projects – applied study of crime, justice systems, and offender behaviour through real-world scenarios and research tasks
Legal Research Tools – training in professional databases such as Westlaw AU and LexisNexis Advance for case law and legal research
Digital Learning Platforms – use of university LMS systems for collaboration, assignments, and interactive learning resources
Internships & Industry Placements – opportunities with legal firms, courts, community legal centres, corrections services, and justice-related organisations
La Trobe University Library (Bundoora campus) – access to specialised law and criminology collections, academic journals, and research databases
Group-Based Learning Projects – collaborative tasks focused on legal problem-solving, policy analysis, and criminological research
Criminal Justice & Law Research Exposure – engagement with academic staff and research-informed teaching in law and criminology fields

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Criminology at La Trobe University prepares graduates for impactful careers at the intersection of law, justice, crime prevention, and public policy. Students develop strong analytical, investigative, and legal reasoning skills, along with a deep understanding of criminal behaviour and justice systems. This combination equips graduates to contribute meaningfully to legal practice, law enforcement, corrections, and government policy development.

Typical career outcomes include: Criminal Lawyer, Policy Adviser, Intelligence Analyst, Corrections Officer.

Career Support & Graduate Success:

Career Ready Program: La Trobe’s Career Ready initiative provides tailored career coaching, resume and interview preparation, networking events, employer mentoring, internship support, and employability workshops to help students transition into professional roles.
Practical Experience Opportunities: Students gain real-world exposure through the La Trobe Law Clinic, criminal justice placements, moot court competitions, and industry-based learning with justice agencies and community organisations.
Employment Outcomes: Graduates are well positioned for careers across legal services, policing, corrections, intelligence agencies, government departments, and community justice organisations.
Median Salary Range: Graduates typically enter professional roles with salaries ranging from approximately AUD $65,000–$90,000+ per year, with higher earning potential in legal practice and specialised criminal justice roles.
University–Industry Partnerships: La Trobe maintains strong connections with justice agencies, law enforcement organisations, courts, legal aid services, and government departments, providing valuable internship and networking opportunities.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB), meeting the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria, while the criminology component strengthens expertise in criminal justice systems and policy analysis.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for careers in criminal law, policing, intelligence and security analysis, corrections management, policy development, youth justice, and legal advocacy roles.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Criminology, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a lawyer in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Criminology, Master of Criminal Justice, or related qualifications in forensic studies, public policy, or security studies. Graduates interested in research or academic pathways can progress to a Master by Research or PhD, advancing expertise in law, criminology, and justice systems.