Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Commerce

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

La Trobe University

Program Overview

A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Commerce at La Trobe University combines legal training with strong business and financial expertise, preparing graduates for careers where law and commerce intersect. Campus Location: Bundoora (Melbourne) offers access to modern learning facilities and strong industry connections, supporting both academic and professional development. This program suits students who are analytical, detail-oriented, and interested in both legal systems and the world of business.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:
In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in both disciplines through introductory law and commerce subjects. Typical law studies include Legal Methods and Ethics, while commerce studies may include Principles of Economics and Accounting for Decision Making, helping students understand legal reasoning alongside financial and economic fundamentals.

Year 2:
In the second year, students deepen their understanding of core legal and business frameworks. Law subjects such as Contract Law and Torts are combined with commerce units like Corporate Financial Management and Business Law Foundations, allowing students to connect legal principles with real-world business decision-making.

Year 3–5 (Advanced Study & Honours):
In later years, students undertake advanced legal training including Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Equity and Trusts, alongside commerce specialisations such as Marketing Management, Corporate Accounting, or International Business. The honours component includes research-based legal study, equipping students with advanced analytical and academic skills.

Focus Areas:

Law, Corporate Governance, Commercial Law, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Strategy, Legal Research, Ethics, Regulatory Systems

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop strong legal reasoning, commercial awareness, analytical thinking, financial literacy, and problem-solving skills, enabling them to work effectively across legal and business environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria as recognised by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB), while the commerce component strengthens career readiness in accounting, finance, and corporate sectors.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

La Trobe University is recognised globally in major ranking systems such as the QS World University Rankings, reflecting strong teaching quality, graduate employability, and industry engagement across law and business disciplines.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Commerce at La Trobe University gain hands-on experience through a blend of legal training, business practice, and real-world industry engagement. Learning is supported through practical legal education, commercial simulations, and industry-aligned projects that help students apply theory to real professional settings. Across both disciplines, students develop skills using professional tools, legal databases, and business analytics platforms, while also building confidence through teamwork, case analysis, and client-style problem solving: this strong focus on practice-based learning ensures graduates are workplace ready.

La Trobe Law Clinic: Students gain real legal experience by working on supervised cases involving real clients, helping develop advocacy, communication, and legal problem-solving skills.
Moot Court Competitions: Students participate in simulated court proceedings, building confidence in legal argumentation, public speaking, and courtroom procedure.
Industry Internships & Work Placements: Opportunities exist to undertake internships with law firms, corporate organisations, government departments, and community legal centres, applying both legal and commercial knowledge in professional environments.
Commerce Industry Projects: Students engage in business case studies, group consulting projects, and applied commerce tasks that simulate real corporate decision-making environments.
Professional Legal Research Tools: Training includes the use of legal databases such as Westlaw AU and LexisNexis to conduct case research and build legal arguments.
Business & Analytics Software: Commerce studies incorporate professional tools such as Excel-based financial modelling and business analysis systems used in industry decision-making.
Career Ready Program: Structured employability support includes mentoring, networking events, employer engagement sessions, resume workshops, and interview preparation.
La Trobe University Library & Learning Spaces: Students access extensive legal and business resources, study hubs, and collaborative learning environments designed for research and group work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Commerce at La Trobe University prepares graduates for influential careers across law, business, finance, and corporate leadership. By combining legal expertise with strong commercial and economic understanding, students develop advanced skills in problem-solving, negotiation, financial analysis, and strategic decision-making. This makes graduates highly competitive in both the legal profession and the global business environment.

Typical career outcomes include: Corporate Lawyer, Commercial Solicitor, Financial Analyst, Business Consultant.

Career Support & Graduate Success:

Career Ready Program: La Trobe’s Career Ready initiative provides personalised career coaching, resume and interview preparation, networking events, employer mentoring, and internship opportunities to strengthen employability.
Professional Experience Opportunities: Students gain practical exposure through the La Trobe Law Clinic, commercial law placements, business internships, moot court competitions, and industry-based learning projects with real organisations.
Employment Outcomes: Graduates are highly sought after across legal firms, accounting practices, financial institutions, consulting companies, and government agencies due to their combined legal and commercial expertise.
Median Salary Range: Graduates typically enter roles with a median starting salary of approximately AUD $65,000–$95,000+ per year, with strong progression into higher-paying roles in corporate law, investment banking, and executive management.
University–Industry Partnerships: La Trobe maintains strong links with legal firms, banks, consulting agencies, accounting organisations, and government departments, providing students with 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 commerce component enhances professional recognition in business, finance, and corporate sectors.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates are well prepared for careers in corporate law, commercial litigation, financial services, business advisory, taxation law, management consulting, and corporate governance.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Commerce, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify as a practising lawyer in Australia. They may also pursue a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or specialised postgraduate study in areas such as taxation, finance, international business, or corporate governance. For those interested in research or academic careers, pathways to a Master by Research or PhD are also available, supporting advancement into high-level legal or commercial leadership roles.