Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Biomedicine

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

La Trobe University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Biomedicine at La Trobe University combines advanced legal training with in-depth biomedical science knowledge, preparing students for careers at the intersection of law, health, science, and emerging technologies. Offered at Melbourne (Bundoora Campus), this five-year double degree is ideal for students who are interested in legal practice while also exploring human health, medical research, biotechnology, and scientific innovation.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin by building strong foundations in both law and biomedical science. Core law subjects such as Legal Institutions and Methods, Principles of Criminal Law, and Dispute Resolution introduce legal reasoning, advocacy, and dispute management, while science-focused units like Foundations of Biomedical Science and Applications of Chemistry develop essential scientific knowledge and laboratory skills.

Year 2

The second year expands students’ understanding of legal systems and human biology. Subjects including Contract Law A, Contract Law B, and Principles of Constitutional Law strengthen legal analysis, while biomedical units such as Molecules, Genes and Cells, Human Structure and Function, and Infections, Pandemics and Epidemics explore genetics, anatomy, and disease processes.

Year 3

Students move into more specialised legal and biomedical topics that connect theory with practical application. Law subjects such as Foundations of Property Law, Real Property Law, and Civil Procedure examine legal rights and court processes, while science units including Human Physiology 1, Human Physiology 2, and Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology deepen understanding of body systems and molecular science.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on advanced legal frameworks and professional preparation. Students study subjects such as Evidence and Criminal Procedure and Principles of Administrative Law, while biomedical learning advances through units like Advanced Topics in Biomedical Science A and Metabolic Biochemistry and Cell Biology, helping students explore contemporary developments in medicine and health sciences.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete advanced and capstone-level studies that integrate legal and biomedical expertise. Subjects including Principles of Equity and Trusts, Advanced Topics in Medical Sciences B, and the Advanced Biochemistry and Medical Biology Laboratory Course provide opportunities to strengthen research capability, professional judgement, and specialised scientific knowledge before graduation.

Focus Areas (in a string):

Health law, biomedical science, human physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, legal advocacy, criminal law, constitutional law, medical research, public health regulation, ethics, dispute resolution.

Learning Outcomes (in a string):

Develop advanced legal research and advocacy skills, understand biomedical and health sciences, analyse complex scientific and legal issues, apply ethical and professional judgement, strengthen laboratory and investigative capabilities, and communicate effectively across legal and scientific environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) for admission to legal practice in Victoria. The qualification is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as a Level 8 Bachelor Degree Honours qualification.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

La Trobe University is ranked within the Top 1% of universities worldwide, and its law and health-related disciplines are recognised internationally for academic quality, industry engagement, and graduate employability. The university maintains strong partnerships across legal, healthcare, research, and biotechnology sectors, helping graduates build career-ready skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At La Trobe University, the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Biomedicine is designed to immerse students in both legal practice and biomedical science from day one. Studying across Melbourne (Bundoora Campus), students move between law facilities and high-end science laboratories, gaining hands-on experience in real legal and scientific environments. This combination ensures graduates are not only academically strong but also confident in applying knowledge in clinical, courtroom, and research settings.

Students actively build practical skills through simulated legal environments, laboratory experimentation, and interdisciplinary problem-solving that connects law with health and biomedical innovation:

La Trobe Law Moot Courtrooms: Students practice courtroom advocacy, witness examination, and legal argumentation in simulated trials designed to mirror real court processes.
La Trobe Law Clinic: Provides opportunities to work on real legal matters under supervision, supporting community clients while developing professional legal skills.
Biomedicine Teaching & Research Laboratories (Bundoora Campus): State-of-the-art labs for molecular biology, physiology, microbiology, and biomedical research training.
Anatomy and Physiology Facilities: Hands-on learning using advanced anatomical models and lab-based human biology study environments.
Clinical Simulation & Health Learning Spaces: Develops applied understanding of health systems, medical science, and real-world biomedical applications.
La Trobe Learning Management System (LMS – Canvas): Used for interactive learning, case studies, digital assessments, legal research tasks, and collaboration across law and science subjects.
Interdisciplinary Project Work: Students engage in group-based projects that connect legal frameworks with biomedical issues such as health regulation, bioethics, and medical law.
La Trobe University Library – Bundoora Campus: Extensive legal databases, scientific journals, case law resources, and research tools supporting both law and biomedicine study.
Work-Integrated Learning Opportunities: Placements and industry engagement opportunities across legal services, research institutes, healthcare environments, and biotechnology-related organisations.

This strong blend of courtroom training, scientific laboratory work, and real-world exposure ensures students graduate with practical, career-ready experience in both law and biomedicine.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Biomedicine at La Trobe University is a powerful double degree that blends legal expertise with a deep understanding of human health and biomedical science. Campus Location: Bundoora (Melbourne) provides access to state-of-the-art laboratories, clinical simulation facilities, and strong industry-connected learning environments. Graduates are prepared to navigate complex challenges across healthcare regulation, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and legal systems, making them highly valuable in both scientific and legal professions.

Typical career outcomes include: Health Lawyer, Medical Research Officer, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Biomedical Policy Adviser.

Career Support & Graduate Success:

Career Ready Program: La Trobe’s Career Ready initiative supports students with personalised career coaching, resume and interview preparation, networking events, industry mentoring, and internship pathways designed to strengthen employability.
Practical Learning & Placements: Students gain real-world exposure through biomedical laboratory training, research projects, and legal experience via the La Trobe Law Clinic, along with industry-linked placements in health and science sectors.
Employment Outcomes: Graduates develop highly transferable skills across law, healthcare, biotechnology, research, and government, supporting strong employability in both scientific and legal fields.
Median Salary Range: Graduates entering law, biomedical science, and regulatory roles typically start with salaries around AUD $65,000–$90,000+ per year, with strong long-term growth in specialised areas such as health law, medical research regulation, and biotech policy.
University–Industry Partnerships: La Trobe maintains strong connections with major health and research organisations including Austin Health, Northern Health, biotechnology companies, and government health agencies, providing students with valuable placement and networking opportunities.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB), meeting the academic requirement for admission to legal practice in Victoria, while the Biomedicine component builds strong scientific credibility for healthcare and research careers.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates are well prepared for careers across healthcare law, biomedical research organisations, pharmaceutical companies, public health policy, regulatory bodies, environmental health agencies, and legal practice with a science focus.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Biomedicine, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify as a lawyer in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM) with a health or biotechnology focus, a Master of Biomedical Science, public health qualifications, or specialised degrees in medical law, bioethics, or health policy. For those interested in research and academia, pathways to a Master by Research or PhD are also available, allowing deeper expertise in law–science interdisciplinary fields.