Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

La Trobe University

Program Overview

If you’re curious about why societies work the way they do — and you want the confidence and credibility to shape what happens next — the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at La Trobe University is designed for you. Over five years, this powerful double degree brings together legal training with big-picture thinking about power, ethics and economics, helping you graduate not just informed, but influential.

Program Overview

This degree is for students who like to question assumptions, argue thoughtfully, and engage with real-world problems. You’ll learn to think like a lawyer while also understanding the political, economic and philosophical forces that shape laws, policies and societies.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Building your foundations
Your first year sets the tone for everything that follows. You’ll begin learning how lawyers think and reason through subjects like Legal Institutions and Methods, while PPE units introduce you to political systems, ethical questions and economic ideas. From the start, you’ll see how law connects to society — not as isolated rules, but as part of a much bigger picture.

Year 2: Seeing the system in action
In your second year, theory starts to feel real. Law subjects such as Public Law, Evidence and Criminal Procedure introduce you to how legal decisions are made and challenged, while PPE units deepen your understanding of economic policy and political institutions. You’ll begin to recognise how laws, incentives and power structures shape everyday decisions — and where change is possible.

Year 3: Thinking deeper, connecting ideas
This is where your interdisciplinary skills really start to come together. You’ll tackle more advanced legal studies like Civil Procedure, alongside deeper exploration of political economy and ethical philosophy. You’ll be encouraged to explore electives and may begin considering internships or work-related learning that lets you test your thinking beyond the classroom.

Year 4: Applying knowledge to real problems
Fourth year focuses on practical skills and contemporary challenges. You’ll sharpen abilities such as advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution, while PPE subjects ask you to engage with pressing global issues like inequality, governance and public policy. Many students begin capstone projects or internships that connect academic insight with real-world impact.

Year 5: Bringing it all together
Your final year is about refinement and direction. With advanced law electives and deeper dives into political philosophy or economic analysis, you’ll tailor the degree to your interests and ambitions. Through projects, placements or research, you’ll graduate with a clear sense of how law, policy and ideas interact — and where you want to make your mark.

Focus Areas

This program shapes lawyers who understand economics, policymakers guided by ethical reasoning, and critical thinkers ready to tackle complex global challenges.

Learning Outcomes

By the time you graduate, you’ll have strong legal reasoning skills, the ability to argue clearly and ethically, sharp analytical and economic insight, and the confidence to engage with social issues thoughtfully and persuasively.

Professional Alignment

The law component meets the academic requirements for legal practice in Victoria, while the PPE degree broadens your career options across government, policy, advocacy, economics and beyond — giving you both depth and flexibility.

Reputation and Employability

La Trobe University is recognised globally for its practical, career-focused approach to education, consistently ranked among the world’s leading universities. Graduates are known for their ability to think critically, communicate clearly and make meaningful contributions in professional and public life.

In short, this is a degree for students who don’t just want a career — they want a voice, perspective and the tools to use both well.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

I love how this Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at La Trobe is structured to help you do as much as you learn. From the moment you begin, you’re not just memorising concepts — you’re trained to think across law, politics, philosophy and economics so you can genuinely engage with the big issues shaping our world, from justice and rights to economic systems and policy. That cross‑disciplinary lens is more than academic: it’s a way of preparing you to tackle real, messy problems in legal, government, policy and community settings with both depth and confidence. As you progress, this integrated approach builds your ability to apply knowledge in varied contexts, giving you a strong foundation for the career direction you choose.

Here are the key experiential learning elements this program officially builds into your journey:

an integrated, multi‑disciplinary curriculum that connects legal reasoning with political, philosophical and economic analysis — helping you think about real‑world challenges holistically
development of practical legal skills through your law studies, including how legal systems operate and how to apply legal thinking in context
focus on understanding how political institutions and economic systems function together, equipping you to analyse and respond to societal issues from multiple angles
opportunities to engage with complex, real‑life problems through your coursework as you balance legal, policy and ethical considerations in decisions

Progression & Future Opportunities

Right from the start, graduates of La Trobe’s Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics step out with a genuinely rare mix of skills. You’re trained to think like a lawyer, understand how policy and power really work, and analyse complex issues from multiple angles. That combination doesn’t just prepare you for a first job — it sets you up for a career where you can shape decisions, influence systems, and tackle problems that don’t have easy answers. It’s why graduates move into roles like solicitor or barrister, policy advisor, public servant, government relations specialist, or political communications professional — and why many go on to leadership roles across government, law, and the private sector.

What this means for you, in real terms:

You’re supported, not left to figure it out alone.
La Trobe’s Career Ready support is there to help you turn your degree into real opportunities. From job boards and resume support to interview preparation and one-on-one career coaching, you’re guided through the process of understanding what employers want — and how to confidently present your skills before you even graduate.

You get real-world experience while you study.
Through Work Based Learning placements, you can step into professional environments and apply what you’re learning in real situations. These experiences help you build networks, gain confidence, and test out different career paths so you graduate with clarity, not guesswork.

Your learning goes beyond theory.
The law component meets the academic requirements to practise law in Victoria, and many subjects include hands-on experiences like legal competitions and placements with community legal centres, law firms, or government bodies. This practical exposure gives you credibility — and the confidence that comes from knowing you’ve already worked in the field.

You’re not boxed into one career path.
Combining law with politics, philosophy, and economics gives you flexibility. Employers value graduates who can think legally, understand policy contexts, and analyse complex systems — whether that’s in government, NGOs, consulting, advocacy, or international organisations. You’re graduating with options, not limits.

Thinking about studying further? You’re well placed.
Many graduates continue with postgraduate law training if they want to practise as a lawyer, or move into master’s programs in areas like public policy, international relations, or economics. Others pursue honours or research pathways if they’re drawn to policy analysis or academic work. These options open doors to senior advisory roles, specialised positions, and research-driven careers — and help you stand out in competitive fields.

In short, this double degree doesn’t just teach you how systems work — it prepares you to influence them.