Bachelor of Laws

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Victoria University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University is designed for students who want to build a professional legal career while developing strong analytical, advocacy, negotiation, and legal research skills. Studying in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct at **City Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia **, students learn from experienced legal academics and industry professionals while gaining exposure to real-world legal practice through the university's partnerships with courts and community legal services.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

The first year introduces students to the foundations of the Australian legal system and develops essential legal reasoning and communication skills. Students study units such as Australian Legal System in Context, Contracts 1, and Legal Research Methods, while also building knowledge in Torts, Criminal Law, Legal Writing and Drafting, and Legal Interpretation. These subjects establish the core legal principles and professional skills required for future legal studies.

Year 2

In the second year, students expand their understanding of key legal fields that underpin modern legal practice. Through subjects including Real Property Law, Corporations Law, and Constitutional Law, students examine property rights, business regulation, and the operation of government and constitutional institutions. Commercial Law and elective studies further allow students to begin exploring areas of personal interest.

Year 3

The third year focuses on advanced legal concepts, professional responsibility, and public law. Students undertake units such as Australian Administrative Law, Equity and Trusts, and Lawyers' Ethics and Professional Responsibility, developing a deeper understanding of legal obligations, ethical decision-making, and judicial review. Elective units enable students to tailor their studies towards specialised legal interests.

Year 4

The final year emphasises practical legal skills and career readiness. Students complete professional subjects including Evidence, Internships and Law Practice, Interviewing and Advocacy, and Civil Procedure, which help bridge the gap between academic study and professional legal practice. Additional electives allow students to explore specialised fields such as Human Rights Law, Family Law in Society, Taxation Law, or Public International Law.

Focus Areas:

Australian Legal System, Criminal Law, Commercial Law, Constitutional Law, Property Law, Corporate Law, Administrative Law, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Advocacy, Civil Procedure, Legal Research, Human Rights Law, International Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal knowledge, legal research capabilities, advocacy and communication skills, ethical judgement, legal interpretation expertise, problem-solving abilities, professional responsibility, and the capacity to apply legal principles to complex real-world situations.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria, providing a recognised pathway towards becoming an Australian lawyer.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Victoria University's law program benefits from its location within Melbourne's legal precinct, strong industry engagement, and partnerships with courts and community legal services. Students are taught by experienced legal academics and adjunct professors who are respected legal professionals, helping graduates build practical and career-ready legal skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University (VU) is designed to immerse students in real legal practice from the beginning of their studies. Located in the heart of Melbourne's legal precinct, the program combines classroom learning with practical legal experience, advocacy training, and industry engagement. Students learn directly from experienced legal academics, judges, barristers, and legal professionals while developing the professional skills required for legal practice. Through internships, mooting activities, legal research projects, and workplace experiences, students graduate with practical knowledge and valuable industry connections:

150 Hours of Legal Work Placement – A substantial 150-hour legal internship is embedded within the degree, allowing students to gain hands-on experience before graduation. Students work under the supervision of practising legal professionals on real legal matters.
Court and Legal Sector Partnerships – VU maintains internship and placement opportunities with organisations including the Supreme Court of Victoria, County Court of Victoria, Victoria Legal Aid, Victoria Police (Prosecutions Division), State Trustees, Magistrates' Courts Program, Family Law Clinic, Refugee Clinic, Infringements Clinic, and Sunshine Youth Clinic.
State-of-the-Art Moot Court Facilities – Students can participate in VU's renowned mooting program, where they simulate courtroom proceedings and develop advocacy, legal argument, and public speaking skills in a dedicated moot court environment. Opportunities exist to compete in both national and international mooting competitions.
Mooting Competition Unit – Students may undertake the dedicated Mooting Competition elective, providing structured practical advocacy training and team-based legal argument preparation.
Interviewing and Advocacy Training – The curriculum includes the Interviewing and Advocacy unit, enabling students to develop client interviewing, negotiation, communication, and courtroom advocacy skills.
Internships and Law Practice Unit – Students complete the Internships and Law Practice unit, directly integrating academic learning with workplace legal experience.
Specialised Law Library – The Victoria Law School building houses a dedicated law library with extensive legal resources, case law databases, research materials, and study spaces tailored specifically for law students.
Legal Research Centres – Students have access to legal research facilities including the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, supporting legal scholarship, policy discussions, and engagement with contemporary legal issues.
Computer Laboratories and Digital Research Resources – Dedicated computer labs provide access to legal research databases, online legal resources, and digital tools commonly used throughout legal education and practice.
Learning from Distinguished Legal Professionals – Students benefit from teaching and mentoring by adjunct professors and legal experts including former High Court judges, Supreme Court judges, King's Counsel barristers, magistrates, tribunal members, and senior legal practitioners.
Collaborative and Team-Based Learning – Mooting exercises, advocacy activities, legal problem-solving tasks, and internship experiences require students to work collaboratively, mirroring professional legal practice environments

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University equips graduates with the legal knowledge, practical skills, and professional capabilities required for a successful career in the legal sector and beyond. Graduates develop expertise in advocacy, legal research, negotiation, ethical decision-making, and legal problem-solving, making them highly attractive to employers across corporate, government, and community settings. Typical career outcomes include Solicitor, Barrister, Policy Adviser, Legal Adviser, and In-House Legal Counsel.

This strong career preparation is supported by several key advantages:

Strong Industry Connections – Victoria University maintains partnerships with courts and community legal services, providing students with valuable exposure to the justice system and opportunities to gain practical, real-world legal experience during their studies.
Career Development Support – Students have access to VU's employability initiatives, networking opportunities, career guidance, professional development resources, industry engagement activities, and work-integrated learning experiences designed to improve graduate employment outcomes.
Industry-Experienced Academics – Students learn from expert legal academics and adjunct professors who are recognised legal professionals, ensuring that teaching reflects current industry practices and professional expectations.
Graduate Employment Opportunities – Melbourne continues to experience strong demand for law graduates, particularly in areas such as banking and finance, corporate and commercial law, litigation, property law, taxation, and workplace relations.
Graduate Salary Outcomes – Law graduates in Australia commonly enter professional roles with starting salaries ranging from approximately AUD $70,000–$95,000 per year, with experienced solicitors, legal advisers, and corporate lawyers often earning substantially higher salaries as their careers progress.
Professional Accreditation – The degree is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria. This accreditation provides long-term professional recognition and is an essential step towards becoming a practising lawyer.
Flexible Career Outcomes – Graduates are prepared for careers in private legal practice, government agencies, corporate organisations, community legal centres, human rights advocacy organisations, not-for-profit sectors, and policy development roles.
Research and Honours Opportunities – High-achieving students may progress into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) pathway, providing advanced research experience and enhancing opportunities for postgraduate study and specialised legal careers.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to satisfy the practical requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. Students with strong academic performance may also progress into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program, developing advanced legal research and analytical skills. Beyond this, graduates can pursue postgraduate qualifications such as a Graduate Diploma, Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or specialised studies in areas such as commercial law, international law, human rights law, taxation, or dispute resolution. Those interested in research and academia may continue into Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs, opening pathways into legal scholarship, policy development, and leadership roles within the legal profession.