Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University is a double degree designed for students who want to combine strong business expertise with a professional legal qualification. It suits students who are analytical, detail-oriented, and interested in careers across corporate law, finance, consulting, or government advisory roles.
The program is delivered at the Burwood (Melbourne) and Geelong Waterfront campuses, offering access to modern learning spaces and strong industry connections.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:
In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in both law and commerce. Core units such as Legal Principles and Skills, Contract Law, along with Accounting for Decision Making and Microeconomics, introduce key legal reasoning and business decision-making frameworks. This year focuses on developing critical thinking, academic writing, and commercial awareness.

Year 2:
The second year deepens understanding of core legal systems and business operations. Students typically study units like Criminal Law, Torts, Business Law, Principles of Finance, and Marketing Fundamentals. This year strengthens analytical ability while introducing practical applications of law and commerce in real-world contexts.

Year 3:
Students begin exploring more advanced and specialised areas such as Corporate Law, Constitutional Law, Corporate Finance, and Economics for Managers. The focus shifts toward applying legal and commercial principles to complex case studies, preparing students for professional-level problem solving.

Year 4–5:
In the final stages, students engage in advanced legal study such as Equity and Trusts, Administrative Law, and Commercial Law, alongside commerce electives in areas like International Business or Investment Analysis. This stage often includes capstone-style learning experiences, industry-focused assessments, and practical legal training preparation.

Focus Areas:

Corporate Law, Commercial Practice, Financial Decision-Making, Economics, Legal Advocacy, Business Strategy

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates will be able to apply legal reasoning in commercial environments, interpret complex regulatory frameworks, and make strategic business decisions supported by financial and economic analysis. They will also develop strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills suited for professional legal and business settings.

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 commerce component aligns with industry expectations in finance, consulting, and corporate sectors, strengthening multidisciplinary career readiness.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Deakin University is recognised in global university rankings and is well regarded for its law and business education, with strong graduate employability outcomes reflected in national graduate employment surveys (QILT) and international subject rankings in law and business disciplines.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University, students build real professional capability by combining business decision-making with legal practice in highly applied learning environments. You won’t just study commercial law, accounting, and economics in theory—you’ll actively apply them through case-based learning, legal problem-solving, and industry-style business simulations. The program is supported by professional-grade legal and commerce tools, allowing you to develop the same skills used in law firms, corporate offices, and financial institutions. Students also engage in structured work-integrated learning experiences that connect study directly with real workplace practice:

Moot Court & Advocacy Training: practice courtroom argument, legal reasoning, and litigation strategy in simulated court environments used in law teaching at Deakin
Deakin Law Clinic: opportunity to engage in supervised, real-client legal service experiences, building practical legal skills in a professional setting
Business & Commerce Simulation Learning: applied projects in accounting, economics, and commercial decision-making using real-world case studies and industry scenarios
Professional Legal Research Tools: access to industry-standard databases such as LexisNexis and Westlaw for case law, legislation, and legal research tasks
Deakin Business School Learning Spaces: use of specialist learning environments including trading and analytics-style facilities for commerce and finance-related learning activities
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): structured placements and industry projects with legal firms, corporate organisations, and government bodies
Group-Based Legal & Business Projects: collaborative assignments simulating corporate advisory teams, contract negotiation, and commercial dispute resolution
Deakin Library & Digital Learning Resources: extensive legal and business collections, online journals, and research databases supporting advanced academic and professional study

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University are equipped with a powerful combination of legal expertise and business acumen, making them highly competitive in corporate, financial, and legal sectors. This dual qualification prepares you for roles where law, commerce, and regulation intersect, particularly in banking, corporate governance, taxation, and commercial advisory services. Many graduates move into careers such as commercial lawyer, corporate advisor, tax consultant, compliance officer, or business analyst: working in environments where legal and commercial decision-making are closely linked.

Career pathways (typical roles): Commercial Lawyer, Corporate Advisor, Tax Consultant, Compliance Officer
University services supporting employment: Deakin University DeakinTALENT provides personalised career coaching, internship and placement support, resume and interview preparation, and access to employer networks and graduate job opportunities
Employment outcomes & salary figures: graduates in commerce and law fields in Australia typically earn in the approximate range of AUD $70,000–$130,000+ per year, with significant growth potential in corporate law, finance law, and senior advisory roles
University–industry partnerships: strong links with major accounting firms, banks, corporate law firms, government agencies, and regulatory bodies 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 Practical Legal Training), while the commerce component is aligned with professional pathways in finance, accounting, and business leadership
Graduation outcomes: graduates are highly sought after across legal and corporate sectors, with strong demand in commercial law, taxation, governance, financial services, and corporate compliance roles

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 Commerce, or MBA. Many also advance into specialised fields like corporate law, taxation law, or financial regulation, or pursue research degrees (PhD) for careers in academia, policy leadership, or high-level corporate advisory roles.