Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University is a combined degree designed for students who want to understand society, culture, and politics while also gaining a professional legal qualification. It suits students who are interested in justice, communication, human behaviour, and legal problem-solving, and who want flexible career options across law, government, and industry.
This program is delivered at the Melbourne Burwood Campus.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1

In the first year, students build the foundation of both arts and law study through introductory legal reasoning and humanities exploration. Core units such as Australian Legal System, Criminal Law, and Introduction to Sociology help students understand how law operates within society while also developing critical thinking and communication skills. This year is focused on building academic writing, legal basics, and social analysis.

Year 2

Year two deepens legal knowledge while expanding arts specialisation. Students typically study Torts, Contract Law, and Politics and Policy, gaining a strong understanding of legal responsibility, agreements, and governance systems. Alongside this, arts units allow students to explore areas like media, history, or sociology, strengthening their analytical and interpretive skills.

Year 3

In the third year, students move into more complex legal frameworks and begin shaping their career direction. Units such as Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Criminal Procedure develop a deeper understanding of government authority, justice systems, and legal processes. Arts electives continue to broaden perspective, often including global studies or communication-focused subjects.

Year 4

Year four focuses on advanced legal training and applied learning. Students study areas such as Equity and Trusts and Evidence Law, while also engaging in more specialised arts units aligned with their chosen major. This year strengthens practical legal reasoning, case analysis, and prepares students for professional legal environments through advanced coursework and simulations.

Year 5

The final year integrates both disciplines at a professional level. Students complete advanced law electives and may engage in clinical or experiential learning opportunities, alongside capstone arts studies. This year is designed to refine advocacy skills, ethical reasoning, and prepare students for admission pathways into legal practice or postgraduate study.

Focus areas:

Law, humanities, political studies, criminal justice, legal reasoning, communication, ethics, public policy, and interdisciplinary analysis.

Learning outcomes:

Graduates will be able to apply legal principles in real-world contexts, critically analyse social and political systems, communicate complex ideas effectively, and solve multidisciplinary problems across law and society.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws component is designed to meet the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training). The arts component strengthens adaptability across government, policy, media, and community sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Deakin University is recognised for strong graduate employability outcomes and industry-connected learning. Its law programs are regularly featured in global subject rankings such as QS, reflecting strong academic quality and employer relevance.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Deakin University, the Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws is built around learning by doing, where you don’t just study theory—you actively apply it in real legal and humanities-based contexts. Students develop legal reasoning, research skills, and critical thinking through practical law activities combined with hands-on arts-based analysis in politics, history, philosophy, and society. You’ll engage in real case studies, legal problem-solving exercises, and interdisciplinary projects that mirror professional legal and policy environments: supported by industry-standard tools and immersive learning spaces.

Law Mooting & Advocacy Training: simulated court environments where students practise legal argumentation, public speaking, and courtroom procedure
Legal Research Tools (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis): professional databases used for case law research, statutory interpretation, and legal writing tasks
Deakin Law Clinics: supervised real-client legal experience where students may assist with community legal issues under professional guidance
Arts & Humanities Research Projects: interdisciplinary group projects in politics, ethics, international relations, and cultural studies
Work-Integrated Learning & Placements: structured opportunities with legal services, government organisations, and community sector partners
Group-Based Policy & Legal Analysis: collaborative assignments focused on real-world legal and social policy challenges
Deakin University Library & Digital Resources: access to extensive legal journals, humanities archives, and research databases for advanced study and assignments
Simulation & Scenario-Based Learning: interactive exercises involving negotiation, dispute resolution, and legal decision-making

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University develop strong critical thinking, communication, and legal reasoning skills that prepare them for careers across law, government, policy, and the broader humanities sector. This combination is especially valuable in roles where understanding people, society, and law is essential. Many graduates progress into careers such as solicitor, policy advisor, public sector analyst, or community legal officer: working in environments that require both legal expertise and a deep understanding of social and cultural systems.

Career pathways (typical roles): Solicitor, Policy Advisor, Public Sector Analyst, Community Legal Officer
University services supporting employment: Deakin University DeakinTALENT offers personalised career coaching, internship and placement support, resume and interview preparation, and access to employer networks and graduate job opportunities
Employment outcomes & salary figures: law and humanities graduates in Australia typically earn in the approximate range of AUD $65,000–$120,000+ per year, with higher earning potential as graduates enter legal practice or move into senior government and policy roles
University–industry partnerships: strong connections with government departments, law firms, community legal centres, and public policy organisations support internships, clerkships, and work-integrated learning experiences
Long-term accreditation value: the law component meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training), while the arts component strengthens analytical, communication, and research skills highly valued across multiple industries
Graduation outcomes: graduates are well-prepared for flexible careers across legal practice, government advisory, public policy, advocacy, and community services, with strong demand for professionals who can combine legal and social insight

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this double degree, graduates can progress into the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice to qualify for admission as a lawyer, or pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Arts, or Master of Public Policy. Many also advance into research degrees (PhD) in law, humanities, or social sciences for academic, policy leadership, or high-level advisory careers.