Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Murdoch University Australia

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at Murdoch University is designed for students who want to make a difference through the legal system while developing the practical skills required for a successful legal career. The degree combines strong legal foundations with hands-on experiences such as clinical legal education, mooting, and real-client legal work, preparing graduates for professional legal practice and a wide range of careers beyond law. Campus Location: Murdoch Campus, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a strong understanding of the Australian legal system and legal reasoning. Core units such as Foundations of Law (LLB100), Criminal Law and Procedure (LLB130), and Torts (LLB152) introduce key legal principles, legal research methods, and the foundations of professional legal analysis.

Year 2

During the second year, students deepen their knowledge of private and public law while developing practical legal skills. Through units including Contract Law (LLB260), Statutory Interpretation (LLB204), and Skills for Legal Practice (LLB200), students learn how legislation operates, how legal agreements are formed and enforced, and how lawyers apply legal principles in professional practice.

Year 3

The third year focuses on more advanced legal concepts and the operation of government and legal institutions. Students study units such as Constitutional Law (LLB259), Property Law A (LLB253), Property Law B (LLB254), Equity (LLB251), and Evidence (LLB352), gaining a sophisticated understanding of legal rights, obligations, and judicial processes.

Year 4

In the final year, students prepare for professional legal practice through advanced and specialised study. Units including Australian Administrative Law (LLB358), Civil Procedure (LLB450), Corporations Law (LLB452), Trusts (LLB353), and Ethics and Professional Responsibility (LLB468) help students develop professional judgment, ethical awareness, and expertise in complex legal matters. Students can also select law electives and explore areas of personal interest or emerging legal fields.

Focus Areas: Criminal Law, Contract Law, Constitutional Law, Property Law, Administrative Law, Corporations Law, Evidence, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Human Rights, Legal Practice Skills, Legal Research, Advocacy and Mooting.

Learning Outcomes: Develop advanced legal knowledge, analyse and solve complex legal problems, conduct legal research, interpret legislation and case law, communicate legal arguments effectively, apply ethical decision-making, and demonstrate professional legal practice capabilities.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) and is also recognised by the Singapore Ministry of Law and the Malaysia Bar Council, providing a strong foundation for professional legal qualification pathways.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Murdoch University's law programs emphasise practical legal training through the SCALES Community Legal Centre, clinical legal education, and an internationally recognised mooting program. These experiences provide graduates with workplace-ready skills highly valued by employers across legal, government, and corporate sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws at Murdoch University is designed to give students practical legal experience from the early stages of their degree. Rather than learning law solely through lectures and textbooks, students apply legal theory in real-world settings, work with actual clients, and develop advocacy skills through simulated court proceedings. Murdoch's strong focus on experiential learning helps students build the professional skills, confidence, and ethical understanding needed for legal practice and a wide range of law-related careers.

Students also benefit from purpose-built legal training facilities, industry partnerships, and opportunities to engage directly with the legal system through clinical programs and practical legal training pathways:

Clinical Legal Education Program: Gain hands-on legal experience through Murdoch's clinical program, working on real cases and assisting real clients while developing practical legal skills.
SCALES Community Legal Centre: Earn academic credit while working in Murdoch's award-winning legal clinic, where students assist with matters involving human rights, family law, Indigenous issues, and community legal services.
Human Rights Law Clinic: Develop practical legal and advocacy skills through specialised human rights legal work and case-based learning experiences.
Mooting Program: Participate in Murdoch's internationally recognised mooting program, where students prepare legal arguments, conduct legal research, and present cases in simulated court proceedings.
Purpose-Built Courtroom: Practise courtroom advocacy and litigation skills in a dedicated courtroom environment designed to replicate professional legal settings.
Practical Legal Training (PLT) Pathway: Through partnerships with Leo Cussen and The College of Law, eligible students can begin Practical Legal Training while completing their degree, helping them transition into legal practice faster.
Legal Research Training: Develop advanced legal research, writing, analysis, and advocacy skills through practical assessments, case studies, and client-focused legal work.
Student Law Society Competitions: Participate in additional mooting, negotiation, and advocacy competitions organised through the Murdoch Student Law Society, providing valuable extracurricular professional development.
Technology and Law Study Opportunities: Students may choose the Technology and Law minor, allowing them to explore emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, digital regulation, and technology-related legal issues.
Law Library & Research Resources: Access extensive legal databases, research materials, legislation resources, case law collections, and academic support services to strengthen professional legal research capabilities.
Skills for Legal Practice Units: Core units focus on practical legal competencies including legal drafting, professional ethics, advocacy, client communication, and legal problem-solving.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Murdoch University prepares graduates for a wide range of careers across the legal profession, government, business, and community sectors. Through practical legal training opportunities, clinical experience, and strong professional recognition, graduates develop the research, advocacy, analytical, and communication skills needed to succeed in an evolving legal landscape. Typical career pathways include Solicitor, Barrister, Legal Advisor, and Legal Analyst:

To support your transition from university to employment, Murdoch provides a range of career-focused opportunities:

Career Support Services: Murdoch's Careers and Employability team offers access to the myMurdoch Career Portal, employer networking events, careers fairs, graduate job listings, interview preparation, career coaching, and employability workshops designed to help students build professional networks and secure employment.
Industry Partnerships: Murdoch Law School partners with SCALES Community Legal Centre, Leo Cussen Centre for Law, and The College of Law, allowing students to gain practical legal experience and complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) pathways that support admission to legal practice.
Professional Accreditation: The Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) and recognised by the Malaysia Bar Council and Singapore Ministry of Law, providing strong professional recognition and international career mobility.
Practical Legal Training Advantage: Through Murdoch's partnerships with Leo Cussen and The College of Law, eligible students can begin their Practical Legal Training while completing their degree, helping them enter the profession more quickly after graduation.
Graduate Salary Potential: Law graduates in Australia commonly enter graduate legal and compliance roles with salaries ranging from approximately AUD $65,000–$95,000 per year, with earnings typically increasing significantly after admission to practice and career progression.
Employment Opportunities: Graduates can pursue careers in private legal practice, corporate organisations, government departments, community legal centres, policy development, dispute resolution, consulting, journalism, politics, and public administration.
Graduation Outcomes: Students graduate with practical legal skills developed through clinical legal education, mooting competitions, legal research, advocacy training, and exposure to real client matters, making them highly competitive in the graduate employment market.
Long-Term Career Value: Legal qualifications remain highly transferable and valued across industries. Graduates can apply their expertise in law, governance, risk management, compliance, policy, human rights, business consulting, and leadership roles throughout their careers.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Bachelor of Laws, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) and seek admission as a legal practitioner. Students may also continue with postgraduate study such as a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Master of Laws (LLM), specialised master's degrees in areas such as international law, commercial law, or human rights law, and eventually progress to research-based qualifications including a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Murdoch students who meet academic requirements may also be eligible to pursue Honours studies to deepen their legal expertise and research capabilities.