Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Victoria University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) at Victoria University is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another discipline and want to fast-track their pathway into the legal profession. Delivered at Victoria University's City Campus, Melbourne – located in the heart of Melbourne's legal precinct, the program covers all major areas of Australian law while developing professional skills in advocacy, legal research, negotiation, legal writing, and ethical decision-making.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a strong foundation in legal systems, legal reasoning, and professional legal communication. Through units such as Australian Legal System in Context, Contracts 1, and Legal Research Methods, students learn how Australian law operates while developing essential research and analytical skills. Additional studies in Criminal Law, Legal Writing and Drafting, and Legal Interpretation strengthen students' ability to analyse legislation, prepare legal documents, and apply legal principles to real-world scenarios.

Year 2

The second year expands students' knowledge into core areas of private, public, and commercial law. Units including Real Property Law, Corporations Law, and Constitutional Law provide an understanding of property rights, corporate regulation, and Australia's constitutional framework. Students also study Commercial Law, Australian Administrative Law, and Equity and Trusts, developing the advanced legal knowledge required for professional practice and specialist legal careers.

Year 3

In the final year, students focus on professional responsibility, legal specialisation, and career preparation. Through Lawyers' Ethics and Professional Responsibility and a range of law electives, students refine their ethical judgement, professional conduct, and specialist legal expertise. The program prepares graduates for admission pathways into legal practice while allowing them to tailor their studies towards areas of personal and professional interest.

Focus Areas:

Australian Legal System, Contract Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Commercial Law, Property Law, Administrative Law, Equity and Trusts, Legal Research, Legal Writing and Drafting, Legal Interpretation, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Advocacy, Negotiation, Legal Practice

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal research and analytical skills; interpret and apply legislation and case law; communicate legal arguments effectively; demonstrate ethical and professional judgement; solve complex legal problems; conduct legal writing and drafting; understand major areas of Australian law; prepare for professional legal practice and further legal training.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The program is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria. Graduates who complete the required Practical Legal Training (PLT) may proceed towards admission as an Australian legal practitioner.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Victoria University's law programs benefit from strong industry engagement through partnerships with courts and community legal services, while students learn from experienced legal academics and adjunct professors who are respected legal professionals. The program's location within Melbourne's legal precinct provides direct exposure to one of Australia's largest legal employment markets.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) at Victoria University is designed for graduates who want to fast-track their pathway into the legal profession while gaining substantial practical experience. Studying in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct, students learn directly from experienced legal academics and leading legal professionals while developing real-world skills in advocacy, legal research, interviewing, negotiation, and professional practice. The program combines classroom learning with workplace experience, legal clinics, moot court activities, and industry engagement, ensuring graduates are well prepared for legal careers from day one.

This hands-on approach is supported by a range of specialised learning opportunities and facilities:

150 Hours of Legal Work Placement – The degree includes 150 hours of embedded legal work placement, allowing students to gain practical experience under the supervision of legal professionals before graduation.
Court and Legal Sector Internship Opportunities – Students can access placements and internship opportunities through Victoria University's legal sector connections, including:
- Supreme Court of Victoria
- County Court
- Victoria Legal Aid
- Victoria Police (Prosecutions Division)
- State Trustees Program
- Magistrates' Courts Program
- Family Law Clinic
- Refugee Clinic
- Sunshine Youth Clinic
- Infringements Clinic
  These experiences provide exposure to real legal matters and client-focused work.
State-of-the-Art Moot Court Facilities – Students participate in Victoria Law School's renowned mooting program, where they develop courtroom advocacy and legal argument skills by simulating real court proceedings in dedicated moot court facilities. Opportunities are available to compete in both national and international mooting competitions.
Victoria Law School Heritage Building – Students study within a dedicated law environment featuring professional legal learning spaces designed to reflect real legal practice settings.
Specialised Law Library – Access to a dedicated law library provides students with legal texts, journals, case law resources, legislation databases, and research materials essential for advanced legal study and professional legal research.
Sir Zelman Cowen Centre and Legal Research Centres – Students benefit from access to legal research centres, including the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, which supports legal scholarship, public policy discussions, and engagement with contemporary legal issues.
Legal Research and Drafting Training – Dedicated units such as Legal Research Methods, Legal Writing and Drafting, Interviewing and Advocacy, and Internships and Law Practice develop practical workplace skills used daily by legal professionals.
Workshop-Style Learning Through the VU Block Model® – Rather than managing multiple subjects simultaneously, students focus on one unit at a time in intensive workshop-style classes, allowing deeper engagement, stronger collaboration with peers, and faster feedback from academics.
Computer Labs and Digital Research Resources – Dedicated computer laboratories and access to digital legal research tools support legal analysis, case preparation, legal writing, and academic research throughout the program.
Professional Networking Opportunities – Students study alongside and learn from adjunct professors and prominent legal practitioners, including judges, barristers, magistrates, and legal directors who contribute directly to the law program.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) at Victoria University is designed for graduates who want to accelerate their pathway into the legal profession. The program develops advanced legal knowledge, critical thinking, advocacy, and professional communication skills, preparing graduates for a broad range of careers in the legal, corporate, government, and community sectors. Graduates commonly pursue roles such as Solicitor, Barrister, Legal Adviser, Policy Officer, and Corporate Compliance Specialist.

These strong career outcomes are supported by several advantages throughout the degree:

Career Development and Employability Services – Students have access to Victoria University's dedicated career support services, including career counselling, resume and interview workshops, networking events, employer engagement programs, and job-search resources that help students transition successfully into professional employment.
Work-Integrated Learning Opportunities – The program incorporates practical legal experiences and industry engagement opportunities that allow students to apply their legal knowledge in real-world contexts while building professional networks.
Industry Partnerships – Victoria University maintains strong connections with legal practitioners, courts, community legal centres, government organisations, and industry partners, helping students gain valuable exposure to the legal profession and contemporary legal practice.
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 professional recognition provides long-term value and portability throughout Australia.
Graduate Employment Outcomes – Law graduates possess highly transferable skills that are valued across legal practice, government agencies, financial institutions, corporate organisations, regulatory bodies, and not-for-profit sectors, providing graduates with diverse career opportunities.
Graduate Salary Prospects – Graduates entering legal and related professional roles typically earn between AUD $70,000 and $100,000 per year, depending on their employer, location, and area of specialisation. Salaries generally increase significantly with professional experience and admission to legal practice.
Professional Skills Development – Students graduate with expertise in legal research, advocacy, negotiation, problem-solving, dispute resolution, and legal analysis, making them highly competitive in both legal and non-legal professional environments.
Pathway to Legal Practice – Upon graduation, students can complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) and apply for admission as an Australian legal practitioner, opening opportunities across private practice, corporate law, government, and public-interest law.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry), graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. Those wishing to further specialise can pursue postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM) in areas including commercial law, international law, human rights law, dispute resolution, taxation law, or intellectual property law. Graduates may also continue into advanced business, public policy, or governance studies through programs such as an MBA or specialised master's degrees. For students interested in research, academia, or policy development, progression to a Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) provides opportunities to contribute to legal scholarship and pursue leadership positions within the legal profession and broader public sector.