Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

If you’re someone who loves science but also sees yourself influencing policy, protecting innovation, or working in regulated industries, the Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) / Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University is a powerful combination. Over five years full-time, you’ll graduate with both strong laboratory expertise and the legal knowledge to navigate contracts, regulation, intellectual property, and environmental or pharmaceutical law — a rare and highly valuable skill set.

Campus Location: Burwood (Melbourne), Geelong Waurn Ponds, and Geelong Waterfront (Victoria, Australia)

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
You’ll start by building solid foundations in both fields. In chemistry, units like Chemistry for the Professional Sciences and Laboratory and Chemical Skills introduce you to core chemical principles while giving you hands-on lab experience from the very beginning. Alongside this, law units such as Legal Principles and Skills and Contract Law help you understand how the Australian legal system works and teach you how to think, analyse and argue like a lawyer.

Year 2:
As your confidence grows, you’ll move into more detailed scientific study with subjects like Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry, exploring molecular structures and modern testing techniques. In law, units such as Torts and Criminal Law deepen your understanding of legal responsibility and rights, helping you apply legal reasoning to practical, real-world scenarios.

Year 3:
This year brings more advanced scientific theory through Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry, supported by increasingly complex laboratory work. At the same time, law studies expand into areas like Property Law and Administrative Law, giving you insight into ownership, governance and how laws shape public decision-making.

Year 4:
You’ll begin tailoring your degree to your interests. Chemistry electives and research-focused units — potentially including areas like Medicinal Chemistry — allow you to specialise and apply scientific knowledge to real challenges. In law, subjects such as Corporations Law and Equity and Trusts prepare you for work in commercial and regulatory environments, which is especially relevant if you’re interested in science-based industries.

Year 5:
Your final year is about bringing everything together. Advanced law units like Evidence and other professional preparation subjects support your pathway toward legal practice, while upper-level chemistry units or a research project allow you to apply laboratory and analytical skills to complex problems. By graduation, you’ll be equally comfortable in a lab, a boardroom, or a legal setting.

Focus areas (in a string):

Organic and inorganic chemistry, laboratory analysis, scientific research methods, legal systems and reasoning, corporate and property law, regulatory compliance, intellectual property and environmental law.

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Build advanced laboratory and analytical skills; apply chemical theory to real-world problems; interpret and apply Australian legal principles; construct persuasive legal arguments; integrate scientific expertise with regulatory and ethical frameworks.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The Law component is designed to meet the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria, as prescribed by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (subject to completing Practical Legal Training).

Reputation (employability rankings):

Deakin University is widely recognised for its strong industry connections and graduate employment outcomes, and is ranked among leading global universities in major rankings such as the QS World University Rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the things students genuinely love about the Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) / Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University is that it’s not just theory-heavy — you’re constantly applying what you learn. As a chemistry student, you’ll spend significant time in purpose-built teaching laboratories using professional-grade scientific equipment, developing practical lab techniques, data analysis skills and confidence with real research tools. On the law side, you don’t just study cases — you step into real legal environments, working on practical problems and building advocacy, drafting and client communication skills that prepare you for practice. The degree is designed to connect classroom learning with industry and community experience right from early in your studies:

Modern chemistry laboratories: Access to specialist science facilities within Deakin’s Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, where you complete structured laboratory classes and advanced practical experiments using contemporary analytical equipment.
Research-focused environments: Opportunities to undertake science research projects in later years, working in supervised lab settings that reflect real-world scientific investigation.
Deakin Law Clinic: A community legal service where eligible law students assist with real client matters under professional supervision, gaining practical legal experience before graduation.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Law units that include practical, real-world components designed to build professional skills and industry readiness.
Group-based projects and problem-solving tasks: Collaborative laboratory work in chemistry and advanced legal problem-solving units that strengthen teamwork and professional communication.
Digital learning platforms: Access to Deakin’s online learning systems and legal research databases to develop strong research, drafting and analytical skills.
Library and research support: Comprehensive campus libraries with dedicated law and science collections, study spaces and research assistance services to support both disciplines.
DeakinTALENT career service: A dedicated employability hub offering internship opportunities, career coaching, networking events and employer connections while you study.

Progression & Future Opportunities

When you graduate from the Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) / Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University, you won’t be limited to just one career path — you’ll have two strong professional identities. With expertise in both chemistry and law, you could step into roles such as a regulatory affairs officer, intellectual property lawyer, environmental compliance adviser, corporate legal consultant for science-based companies, or even move into research and policy development. It’s a combination that gives you flexibility and long-term career security in industries that rely on both scientific understanding and legal precision:

Dedicated career support through DeakinTALENT: You’ll have access to one-on-one career coaching, employer networking events, internship listings and tailored workshops to help you secure placements and graduate roles.
Work Integrated Learning and industry exposure: Law placements and professional practice experiences give you real-world insight and help you graduate with practical experience already on your CV.
Strong graduate employment outcomes: Deakin reports high levels of graduate employment and employer satisfaction, reflecting the university’s focus on career-ready learning. Graduates can expect to earn between AUD 65,000 and AUD 80,000 per annum.
Professional recognition in Law: The Bachelor of Laws component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria (subject to completing Practical Legal Training), giving your qualification lasting professional value.
Industry-connected learning environment: Through partnerships across science, engineering and legal sectors, Deakin ensures your studies stay aligned with current industry expectations and workforce needs.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: graduates in law and science-related fields in Australia typically earn in the approximate range of AUD $70,000–$125,000+ per year, with higher earning potential in specialised areas such as environmental law, intellectual property, and regulatory affairs

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to specialise further, this double degree opens excellent postgraduate options. You could pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) to focus on areas like corporate, environmental or intellectual property law, or continue in science through a Master of Science or research degree (Honours or PhD pathway) if you’re passionate about laboratory research and innovation. With this combination, you’re positioned not just for your first job — but for long-term growth in leadership, research, policy or advanced professional practice.