Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Business

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Victoria University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Business at Victoria University is a five-year double degree that combines professional legal training with contemporary business expertise, preparing graduates for leadership roles across law, business, government, and corporate sectors. Students develop legal knowledge alongside practical business skills in areas such as finance, analytics, entrepreneurship, management, and commercial decision-making. Campus location: City Campus and Footscray Park Campus, Melbourne, Victoria.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Students build strong foundations in both law and business. Legal studies begin with units such as Australian Legal System in Context, Contracts 1, and Legal Research Methods, while business studies introduce key commercial concepts through Financial Literacy and Decision Making, Business Data Analytics and Visualisation, and Economic Concepts and Application. These subjects develop essential analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.

Year 2
The second year expands students' understanding of legal principles and business innovation. Core law units such as Torts, Criminal Law, and Criminal Investigation, Procedure and Sentencing strengthen legal reasoning, while Innovation and Entrepreneurship introduces students to business creativity, opportunity identification, and venture development. Students also begin progressing through their chosen business major.

Year 3
Students explore more advanced legal concepts while deepening expertise in their selected business discipline. Units including Australian Administrative Law, Equity and Trusts, and Lawyers' Ethics and Professional Responsibility develop professional judgement and legal problem-solving skills. At the same time, students undertake higher-level business major studies tailored to their career interests.

Year 4
The focus shifts towards legal practice and specialised business knowledge. Students study Civil Procedure and Evidence, gaining a deeper understanding of litigation processes and courtroom procedures. Additional law electives and advanced business major units allow students to customise their degree according to their preferred industry or legal specialisation.

Year 5
In the final year, students integrate their legal and business expertise through advanced professional and research-based learning. Units such as Internships and Law Practice, Interviewing and Advocacy, Advanced Legal Research Methods, and Advanced Legal Research Dissertation provide practical legal experience, advanced research skills, and professional preparation for legal practice or corporate leadership roles.

Focus Areas: Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Legal Research, Advocacy, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, International Trade.

Learning Outcomes: Develop advanced legal knowledge, conduct professional legal research, analyse complex legal and business problems, communicate effectively in professional settings, apply ethical decision-making principles, and integrate legal and commercial perspectives to address organisational challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria through accreditation by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). The business component provides industry-relevant knowledge across a range of commercial disciplines.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Victoria University is recognised for its strong industry focus, practical learning approach, and career-ready curriculum. The university's law and business programs emphasise professional skills, industry engagement, internships, and workplace learning to enhance graduate employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Business at Victoria University is designed to give students practical experience across both the legal and business worlds. Throughout the degree, students develop professional skills in legal research, advocacy, negotiation, business analytics, decision-making, and problem-solving while working on real-world legal and commercial challenges. Victoria University's strong connections with legal and business communities create valuable opportunities for professional development, workplace learning, and industry engagement, ensuring graduates are career-ready from day one.

This hands-on approach is embedded throughout the course through specialised units, industry experiences, research opportunities, and professional learning activities:

Internships and Law Practice Unit – Students complete the dedicated Internships and Law Practice unit, providing practical exposure to legal workplaces and professional legal practice.
Interviewing and Advocacy Training – The program includes Interviewing and Advocacy, allowing students to develop courtroom-style communication, client interviewing, legal argument construction, and advocacy skills essential for legal practice.
Workplace Learning Experience – Business students undertake Workplace Learning (BSK3001), which connects academic learning with real industry environments and professional business practice.
Business Data Analytics and Visualisation – Students gain experience using contemporary business analytics, data interpretation, and visualisation techniques through the Business Data Analytics and Visualisation unit, developing valuable digital and analytical skills sought by employers.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Projects – The Innovation and Entrepreneurship unit encourages students to apply creative problem-solving, business planning, and entrepreneurial thinking to practical business challenges.
Advanced Legal Research Project – Honours students complete Advanced Legal Research Methods and an Advanced Legal Research Dissertation, working closely with academic supervisors to undertake independent legal research and produce a substantial research project.
Collaboration with Academic Supervisors – Honours candidates work directly with Victoria Law School academics and affiliated supervisors, gaining valuable research mentorship and exposure to contemporary legal scholarship.
Industry-Relevant Business Specialisations – Students can tailor their learning through majors such as Accounting, Business Analytics, Financial Risk Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Information Systems Management, International Trade, and Supply Chain and Logistics Management, allowing them to build expertise aligned with their career goals.
Library and Digital Resources – Students have access to Victoria University's extensive library collections, online legal databases, business research resources, academic journals, and digital learning platforms that support both legal and business studies.
Industry Connections – Victoria University's close links with legal and business communities provide opportunities for professional networking, industry engagement, and workplace exposure throughout the degree.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Business at Victoria University gives graduates a powerful combination of legal expertise and commercial knowledge, preparing them for leadership roles across the legal, corporate, and government sectors. By developing skills in legal analysis, business strategy, negotiation, compliance, and decision-making, graduates are well positioned for careers as Solicitors, Corporate Lawyers, Compliance Managers, Business Consultants, and Policy Advisers. The Honours component also strengthens research and analytical capabilities, making graduates highly competitive in both professional practice and postgraduate study.

This strong career foundation is supported by several key advantages:

Career Development and Employability Services – Victoria University's Careers and Employability team provides personalised career consultations, resume and interview support, networking opportunities, career workshops, employer engagement programs, and access to job-search resources to enhance graduate employability.
Industry-Focused Learning – Students benefit from practical learning experiences that connect legal theory with contemporary business practice, helping them develop the commercial awareness increasingly sought by employers in the legal and corporate sectors.
Industry Partnerships and Professional Networks – Victoria University maintains strong relationships with legal professionals, business leaders, government organisations, community legal centres, and industry partners, providing students with valuable industry exposure and networking opportunities.
Professional Accreditation – The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) component is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria. This professional accreditation remains highly valuable throughout a graduate's legal career.
Strong Graduate Employment Opportunities – Graduates are prepared for careers in legal practice, corporate governance, financial services, risk management, consulting, government policy, regulatory compliance, and business management, providing exceptional career flexibility.
Graduate Salary Prospects – Graduates entering legal, corporate, and business-related professions typically earn between AUD $75,000 and $110,000 per year, depending on their role, industry, and location. Salaries often increase significantly as graduates gain professional accreditation and industry experience.
Honours Research Advantage – The Honours component develops advanced legal research, critical thinking, and analytical skills that are highly regarded by employers and can provide a competitive advantage when applying for postgraduate programs and professional positions.
Graduate Outcomes – The combination of law and business creates graduates who understand both legal frameworks and commercial realities, making them attractive to employers seeking professionals capable of navigating complex legal and business environments.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Business, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to meet the requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. The Honours qualification provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate study, including a Master of Laws (LLM) in specialised areas such as commercial law, corporate law, international business law, taxation law, or dispute resolution. Graduates may also pursue advanced business qualifications such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Management, or specialised master's degrees in finance, governance, or entrepreneurship. Those interested in research, academia, or policy development can progress to Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs, opening pathways into legal scholarship, corporate leadership, and senior advisory roles across the public and private sectors.