Bachelor of Property and Real Estate/Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

This double degree combines professional legal education with specialist expertise in property investment, valuation, development, management, and property law, giving students a competitive advantage in one of Australia's most significant industries. It is ideal for students interested in law, real estate, urban development, property investment, and commercial transactions who want to build expertise across both legal and property sectors.

Deakin University – Burwood (Melbourne), Victoria, Australia

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin by building foundational knowledge in both disciplines. In property studies, units such as Introduction to Property (MMP111) and Introduction to Property Development (MMP122) introduce the property industry, development processes, and market fundamentals, while early law units develop essential legal reasoning, communication, and research skills. Students also establish business foundations through studies in economics and finance that support later property analysis.

Year 2

The second year develops technical knowledge of property markets alongside core legal principles. Students study units including Property Economics (MMP213), Statutory Valuation (MMP211), and Property Investment (MMP212) while progressing through foundational law areas such as contract law, criminal law, and torts. This combination helps students understand both the commercial and legal dimensions of property ownership and transactions.

Year 3

Students expand their expertise into property management and legal regulation. Units such as Property Management (MMP221), Sustainable Property Construction (MMP219), and Property Law and Practice (MMP223) provide practical knowledge of managing assets, construction considerations, and legal property frameworks. Simultaneously, students continue advanced legal studies in areas including constitutional law, land law, and commercial law.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on strategic analysis and advanced legal application. Students undertake Advanced Property Analysis (MMP321) and Advanced Property Development (MMP322), exploring complex development projects, feasibility assessment, and investment decision-making. Law studies progress into specialist areas such as corporate law, evidence, and dispute resolution, allowing students to apply legal principles in commercial property contexts.

Year 5

In the final year, students consolidate their professional expertise through the capstone Advanced Property Valuation (MMP311) alongside advanced law electives and practical learning opportunities. Students may participate in experiences such as the Deakin Law Clinic (MLL420), Community Legal Internship (MLL351), Mooting and Advocacy (MLL460), or industry internships, enabling them to graduate with practical experience and professional confidence.

Focus Areas:

Property investment, property valuation, property development, property management, property law, land law, commercial law, contract law, corporate governance, dispute resolution, real estate markets, legal practice, sustainability in the built environment, and professional property analysis.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal reasoning and advocacy skills; analyse property markets and investment opportunities; conduct property valuations and development feasibility assessments; understand legal frameworks governing property transactions; apply commercial, land, and corporate law principles; and integrate legal and property expertise to solve complex industry challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The law component satisfies the academic requirements prescribed for admission to legal practice in Victoria (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training), while the property and real estate component is professionally recognised within the Australian property sector and prepares graduates for careers across valuation, development, investment, and property management.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Deakin University is recognised as the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, reflecting its strong focus on practical learning, industry engagement, and career readiness. The combination of law and property expertise positions graduates strongly within both the legal profession and Australia's substantial property and real estate industry.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This double degree gives students the opportunity to develop practical expertise across both the legal and property sectors from the beginning of their studies. Rather than learning theory alone, students engage with real-world property valuation, development, investment, planning, and legal scenarios using industry-relevant technologies and professional practice experiences. Through Deakin’s combination of legal training, property-focused learning, and industry engagement, students graduate with skills that are directly applicable to the real estate, property development, and legal industries.

Students build professional capabilities through hands-on projects, practical legal experiences, digital learning platforms, and industry-connected activities, including:

Deakin Law Clinic where eligible students can work on real legal matters under the supervision of qualified legal practitioners
Moot Court facilities that allow students to develop advocacy, negotiation, dispute resolution, and courtroom communication skills in simulated legal environments
Property and real estate industry projects focused on property valuation, investment analysis, development feasibility, and market assessment
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities that connect students with industry professionals and real workplace experiences
Professional Practice units designed to expose students to current property and legal industry challenges
Industry-standard property analysis and valuation software used throughout property and real estate studies to support market research and investment decision-making
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and property market data tools that help students analyse land use, planning, development, and property trends
Group-based property development and investment projects that simulate professional consulting and development environments
Community Legal Internship and legal placement opportunities that provide practical exposure to legal practice
Deakin Library resources, including extensive property, planning, business, economics, and legal databases, case law repositories, and industry research publications
Access to property and built environment industry networks, guest lectures, and professional engagement activities with practitioners from the real estate and development sectors
CloudDeakin digital learning platform, providing access to industry resources, collaborative projects, simulation activities, and professional software applications
Research-informed learning through Deakin’s property and legal academics, exposing students to current industry trends, regulatory changes, and market developments

Progression & Future Opportunities

This double degree prepares graduates to operate at the intersection of law, property, development, and real estate markets. By combining legal expertise with specialist property knowledge, graduates are well positioned to advise on property transactions, development projects, planning regulations, investment decisions, and land use matters. Career opportunities include property lawyer, real estate analyst, property development consultant, commercial property adviser, property valuer, and town planning or compliance specialist: creating strong pathways into one of Australia's largest and most valuable industries.

Future progression and career opportunities are enhanced through Deakin’s industry-focused curriculum, professional networks, and employability support:

Deakin Talent and Careers provides career coaching, employer networking events, job-search assistance, interview preparation, resume reviews, and graduate recruitment support
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities enable students to gain practical industry experience through placements, internships, industry projects, and professional engagement activities
Deakin Law Clinic allows eligible law students to gain supervised practical legal experience while working on real legal matters
Strong industry engagement with property professionals, developers, valuation firms, legal practices, and real estate organisations helps students build valuable industry networks before graduation
Property and real estate curriculum aligned with industry needs, ensuring graduates develop skills in property investment, valuation, development, property economics, and asset management
Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) accredited law qualification, satisfying the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria (subject to Practical Legal Training requirements)
Professional recognition pathways through key Australian property industry bodies, enhancing long-term career credibility and professional development opportunities
Graduates are prepared for opportunities across commercial property, real estate investment, urban development, legal practice, government planning, and property consultancy
Deakin is recognised as the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, supporting strong employment outcomes after graduation

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Graduate Property Lawyer / Legal Adviser: approximately AUD $75,000 – $120,000+
Property Development Consultant: approximately AUD $85,000 – $140,000+
Commercial Property Analyst / Investment Analyst: approximately AUD $80,000 – $130,000+
Property Valuer or Asset Manager: approximately AUD $85,000 – $135,000+

Estimated Median Salary Range:
Graduates entering the property, real estate, and legal sectors typically achieve a median salary of approximately AUD $90,000 – $125,000, with strong long-term earning potential in commercial property, development, investment management, and legal practice. Senior professionals in property law, development, and investment can earn substantially higher salaries.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a solicitor in Australia. Students may also continue with postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Property, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Construction Management, or research-based higher degrees focused on property markets, urban development, planning, or commercial law. These pathways can lead to senior leadership positions across the legal, property, development, and investment sectors.