Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Victoria University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business at Victoria University combines professional legal education with contemporary business knowledge, preparing students for careers that require both legal expertise and commercial awareness. Ideal for students interested in law, corporate governance, entrepreneurship, finance, or management, this double degree develops practical skills in legal analysis, advocacy, business strategy, and decision-making. Campus Location: City Campus, Melbourne, Victoria, situated in the heart of Melbourne's legal precinct and close to courts, law firms, government agencies, and major businesses.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build strong foundations in both law and business. Legal studies begin with Australian Legal System in Context, Contracts 1, and Legal Research Methods, while business studies introduce essential commercial concepts through Financial Literacy and Decision Making, Business Data Analytics and Visualisation, and Economic Concepts and Application. Students also develop professional legal communication skills through Legal Writing and Drafting and Legal Interpretation.

Year 2

The second year expands students' understanding of core legal principles and business innovation. Subjects such as Criminal Law, Corporations Law, Constitutional Law, and Commercial Law provide insight into the legal frameworks governing individuals, businesses, and governments. Students also study Innovation and Entrepreneurship, helping them understand how legal and commercial considerations interact in modern organisations.

Year 3

During the third year, students deepen their legal expertise through advanced subjects including Equity and Trusts and Australian Administrative Law. At the same time, they begin focusing on their chosen Business major, allowing them to develop specialised knowledge in areas such as management, marketing, finance, accounting, or international business. Law electives also provide opportunities to tailor studies to individual career interests.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on professional legal practice and advanced business studies. Students undertake Lawyers' Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Civil Procedure, gaining a strong understanding of professional obligations and court processes. Further business major and minor units allow students to strengthen their expertise in their selected business discipline while continuing to broaden their legal knowledge through elective studies.

Year 5

In the final year, students prepare for professional practice through highly practical subjects such as Evidence, Internships and Law Practice, and Interviewing and Advocacy. These units help students apply legal knowledge in real-world contexts while refining advocacy, interviewing, and professional communication skills. Additional law electives and business minor studies provide opportunities for further specialisation before graduation.

Focus Areas:

Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, Business Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Advocacy, Legal Research, Contract Law, Constitutional Law, Professional Legal Practice, Business Analytics, Management, Finance, Ethics and Leadership.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal research and analytical skills; apply legal principles to complex commercial and organisational issues; communicate effectively in professional legal and business environments; evaluate legal and business risks; demonstrate ethical judgement; conduct advocacy and legal problem-solving; and understand contemporary business operations in both Australian and international contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Law component satisfies the academic requirements prescribed by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) for admission to legal practice in Victoria. Graduates may proceed to Practical Legal Training (PLT) as the next step towards becoming an Australian legal practitioner.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Victoria University is recognised for its strong industry connections, practical learning approach, and location within Melbourne's legal precinct. Students benefit from learning alongside experienced legal academics and legal professionals, while partnerships with courts and community legal services provide valuable real-world exposure that supports graduate employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business at Victoria University is designed to ensure students graduate with both professional legal capabilities and practical business expertise. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the program integrates industry engagement, legal placements, advocacy training, business-focused learning, and real-world projects that help students develop workplace-ready skills. Studying at VU's City Campus in Melbourne's legal precinct also provides direct access to courts, legal organisations, business networks, and professional opportunities that enhance learning beyond the classroom.

Students gain hands-on experience through a range of specialist facilities, industry programs, and practical learning opportunities:

Embedded Legal Internship Program – Through Internships and Law Practice (LLW4008), students must complete a minimum of 150 hours of legal placement with a law firm, legal clinic, court, or approved legal organisation. Placement activities may include legal research, client interview support, legal problem-solving, and professional legal practice under supervision.
Business Integrated Learning Program – Students participate in VU's Business Integrated Learning (BIL) initiatives, which connect classroom learning with industry-based projects and professional experiences.
Moot Court Program – Students can participate in VU's renowned Moot Program, where they simulate real court proceedings, prepare legal arguments, and develop advocacy and public-speaking skills in a professional courtroom environment. Opportunities exist to compete in both local and international mooting competitions.
Purpose-Built Moot Court Facility – Victoria Law School features a dedicated mooting court that replicates a real courtroom, allowing students to practise litigation, advocacy, and legal procedure in an authentic legal setting.
Clinical Legal Education Opportunities – Students can gain practical legal experience through VU's clinical legal education programs, applying legal knowledge to real community and legal issues while developing professional skills.
Court and Legal Sector Partnerships – Victoria University maintains partnerships with organisations including the Magistrates' Court of Victoria, Victoria Legal Aid, Victoria Police (Prosecutions Division), Department of Justice Victoria, State Trustees, and various community legal services. These partnerships support placements, internships, networking, and experiential learning opportunities.
Community Legal Clinics – Students may engage with specialist legal clinics such as the Family Law Clinic, Sunshine Youth Clinic, Refugee Clinic, and Infringements Clinic, gaining exposure to real legal matters and community-focused legal services.
Specialised Law Library – Students have access to a dedicated law library containing legal texts, journals, case law resources, research databases, and professional legal materials to support both academic studies and legal research projects.
Sir Zelman Cowen Centre – The law school houses the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, a legal research centre that contributes to legal scholarship, professional engagement, and research activities.
Computer Laboratories and Digital Resources – Students have access to modern computer laboratories, online learning systems, legal research databases, and digital resources that support legal analysis, business analytics, research, and collaborative learning.
Group-Based Professional Learning – Throughout the program, students develop teamwork, collaboration, negotiation, and cross-disciplinary problem-solving skills through legal exercises, business projects, mooting activities, and industry-focused learning experiences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business at Victoria University prepares graduates to operate confidently at the intersection of law and business, making them highly valuable in today's increasingly regulated and commercially driven environment. Graduates develop expertise in legal reasoning, corporate governance, business strategy, compliance, and negotiation, opening doors to careers as Solicitor, Corporate Lawyer, Compliance Manager, Business Consultant, and Policy Adviser. The combination of legal and commercial knowledge provides a significant advantage for graduates seeking leadership roles across private, public, and non-profit sectors.

This strong career preparation is supported by several key advantages:

Career Development and Employability Services – Victoria University's Careers and Employability team offers personalised career coaching, resume and interview support, employer networking events, industry mentoring opportunities, graduate recruitment preparation, and access to job-search platforms designed to enhance graduate employment outcomes.
Industry Connections and Professional Networks – Students benefit from Victoria University's strong relationships with legal practitioners, business leaders, community legal centres, government organisations, and industry partners, helping them build valuable professional networks before graduation.
Practical Industry Exposure – Through work-integrated learning opportunities, internships, industry projects, and practical legal training experiences, students gain hands-on exposure to both legal and business environments.
Professional Accreditation – The Bachelor of Laws component is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria. This provides graduates with a recognised pathway towards becoming a practising lawyer in Australia.
Broad Employment Opportunities – Graduates are prepared for careers across legal practice, corporate governance, financial services, consulting, risk management, regulatory compliance, government policy, entrepreneurship, and business leadership roles.
Graduate Salary Prospects – Graduates entering law, business, and corporate professions typically earn between AUD $75,000 and $110,000 per year, depending on their role, industry, and location. Salaries often increase substantially with professional accreditation, leadership responsibilities, and industry experience.
Transferable Professional Skills – Students graduate with highly sought-after capabilities in legal analysis, business decision-making, commercial awareness, communication, advocacy, negotiation, strategic planning, and risk management.
Strong Graduate Outcomes – The combination of legal and business qualifications allows graduates to pursue opportunities across multiple industries, providing excellent career flexibility and long-term employability in a rapidly changing workforce.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to satisfy the practical requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. Students wishing to specialise further may pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) in areas such as commercial law, corporate law, international business law, taxation law, or dispute resolution. The Business component also provides pathways into advanced qualifications such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Management, Master of Finance, or specialised postgraduate programs in entrepreneurship, governance, or international business. Graduates interested in research and academia may continue into Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs, leading to opportunities in legal scholarship, business research, policy development, and senior leadership positions across the public and private sectors.