Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

RMIT University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce at RMIT University is a future-focused double degree that combines strong legal training with in-demand business and commercial expertise, preparing graduates for careers across law, finance, corporate strategy, and government. Delivered at the Melbourne City Campus, this program suits students who want to understand how law and business work together in real-world environments, particularly in corporate, regulatory, and advisory settings.

Curriculum structure

First Year

In the first year, students build a strong foundation in both legal and business disciplines, developing essential analytical and communication skills. Core law subjects such as Foundations of Law, Contract Law, and Criminal Law are introduced alongside commerce units like Principles of Economics and Accounting in Organisations and Society, helping students understand both legal systems and business operations.

Second Year

In the second year, students deepen their understanding of legal frameworks and commercial decision-making. Subjects such as Constitutional Law, Torts, and Property Law are studied alongside commerce-focused units like Business Statistics and Principles of Marketing, allowing students to connect legal reasoning with real business environments.

Third Year

The third year focuses on more advanced legal and commercial analysis, including subjects such as Administrative Law, Company Law, and Equity and Trusts, paired with commerce studies in areas like Financial Management and Organisational Behaviour. Students begin applying legal and business knowledge to complex case studies and industry-style problem-solving tasks.

Fourth Year

In the fourth year, students engage with specialised legal and commerce subjects such as Taxation Law, Evidence, and Commercial Law, alongside advanced business electives in finance, economics, or management. This year strengthens professional judgment, regulatory understanding, and strategic decision-making skills.

Fifth Year

The final year integrates advanced legal and business learning through subjects such as Ethics and Professional Conduct, Corporate Law, and capstone commerce electives. Students complete industry-relevant assessments that prepare them for professional practice in both legal and commercial environments.

Focus areas

Corporate law, commercial law, business management, finance, taxation, constitutional law, contract law, corporate governance, economics, legal ethics, financial decision-making, regulatory compliance

Learning outcomes

Develop integrated legal and business expertise, apply legal reasoning and commercial analysis to complex problems, conduct advanced legal and financial research, communicate effectively in professional environments, demonstrate ethical and regulatory awareness, and make strategic decisions across legal and commercial contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The law component meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). The commerce component aligns with professional pathways in accounting, finance, and business, supporting recognition by industry bodies depending on chosen electives and specialisations.

Reputation (employability rankings)

RMIT University is internationally recognised for strong graduate employability and industry-connected learning. Its focus on practical education, employer engagement, and real-world skill development supports strong outcomes for graduates entering both legal and business professions.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce at RMIT University is built to mirror how law and business operate together in real professional environments. Students don’t just study legal theory or commercial concepts in isolation — they actively apply both disciplines through case-based learning, industry-style projects, and problem-solving activities that reflect corporate, legal, and regulatory practice. With access to RMIT’s Melbourne City Campus facilities, students develop practical capability using industry-relevant tools, legal resources, and collaborative learning spaces designed for professional readiness:

Moot Courts & Legal Simulation Activities: Students practise advocacy, negotiation, and dispute resolution through simulated court proceedings and structured legal role-play exercises.
Industry-Integrated Business & Law Projects: Students complete collaborative case studies combining legal reasoning and commercial decision-making, often based on real corporate scenarios.
Legal Research Databases & Tools: Training in professional legal research platforms used in practice for case law, legislation, corporate regulation, and compliance analysis.
Business & Financial Software Applications: Hands-on use of tools such as Excel-based financial modelling and accounting/business analytics systems to support commerce-related learning.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL): Opportunities to engage with industry-relevant projects and applied learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge with real-world legal and business practice.
Guest Lectures & Industry Engagement: Regular sessions with practising lawyers, business executives, consultants, and policymakers who share real industry insights and expectations.
RMIT Library Legal & Business Resources: Access to extensive collections of legal journals, business databases, research tools, and academic support services tailored to law and commerce students.
Modern City Campus Learning Environments: Technology-enabled classrooms, collaborative study spaces, and flexible learning hubs designed for teamwork, presentations, and professional skill development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce at RMIT University are well prepared for careers that sit at the intersection of law, business, and corporate decision-making. With strong skills in legal analysis and commercial strategy, graduates can step into roles across private firms, financial institutions, and government organisations where both legal and business insight are essential. Typical career paths include corporate lawyer, commercial consultant, policy adviser, compliance manager, and business analyst.

Progression into industry is strongly supported through RMIT’s practice-focused ecosystem and professional engagement opportunities:

RMIT Careers and Employability Services: Provides one-on-one career coaching, resume and interview preparation, employer networking events, job search support, and access to internships and graduate programs across law and business sectors.
Industry Partnerships: RMIT maintains strong connections with legal firms, corporate organisations, accounting bodies, and government agencies, helping students build professional networks and gain exposure to real workplace expectations.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Insights: Graduates entering law and commerce-related roles in Australia typically start around AUD $65,000–$95,000 per year, with higher earning potential as they progress into qualified legal practice, corporate advisory roles, or senior management positions.
Long-term Accreditation Value: The law component satisfies academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (after Practical Legal Training), while the commerce component supports pathways aligned with professional business and corporate career progression.
Graduate Outcomes: Students develop strong analytical, financial, and legal decision-making skills that are highly valued across corporate law firms, financial services, consulting firms, and government departments, enabling diverse and flexible career progression.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, or specialised graduate certificates in corporate law, taxation, international business, or governance to further strengthen expertise and leadership opportunities.