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

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

La Trobe University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at La Trobe University is a five-year double degree that equips you with both a strong legal foundation and an interdisciplinary understanding of politics, economics, and ethics. It’s perfect for students who want to understand how law operates in real-world contexts, think critically about social issues, and pursue careers where legal expertise and policy insight go hand in hand.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year introduces you to the fundamentals of law with units such as Foundations of Law and Legal Skills, while also exploring the core areas of politics, philosophy, and economics. These courses develop your analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills, forming a solid base for both legal and interdisciplinary learning.

Year 2:
In the second year, you’ll build on your foundation with core law subjects such as Property Law, Administrative Law, and Equity and Trusts. At the same time, PPE units deepen your understanding of political systems, ethical reasoning, and economic principles, helping you see how law interacts with policy and society.

Year 3:
The third year focuses on advanced law units like Advanced Legal Skills, Law of Torts, and Jurisprudence, alongside politics and economics subjects that broaden your perspective on governance and social change. You’ll also have opportunities to apply your knowledge in professional settings through practical experiences like legal internships.

Year 4:
In year four, you continue integrating law with interdisciplinary studies. Units such as Remedies and Civil Procedure, Evidence, and Law of Business Organisations prepare you for professional legal practice, while PPE subjects maintain your understanding of complex societal, economic, and political issues.

Year 5:
Your final year brings elective law subjects and the capstone unit Law, Justice and Professional Practice, tying together your legal and interdisciplinary learning. This year focuses on preparing you as a versatile professional with the skills, knowledge, and judgment to navigate both legal and policy-focused careers.

Focus areas: Legal reasoning, civil and constitutional law, public policy, economic systems, ethical and philosophical analysis.

Learning outcomes: Ability to apply legal principles in practical contexts, critically evaluate political and economic systems, reason ethically, and communicate complex ideas effectively across disciplines.

Professional alignment (accreditation): This double degree meets the academic requirements for admission to practice law in Victoria via the Victorian Legal Admissions Board, while also providing strong interdisciplinary skills applicable to careers in policy, governance, and research.

Reputation (employability rankings): La Trobe University is well-regarded for law and social sciences, and this double degree enhances your employability across legal practice, government, policy, international relations, and advisory roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at La Trobe University, your learning goes well beyond lectures and textbooks. From early in the program, you’ll have opportunities to put theory into practice, gaining real-world skills that prepare you for both legal and policy-focused careers. The program encourages hands-on experiences through clinics, internships, competitions, and collaborative projects, while La Trobe’s excellent facilities — including libraries, digital tools, and dedicated law resources — support your development every step of the way:

Professional placements and work-integrated learning: Gain practical experience by working with law firms, government offices, community legal centres, and NGOs, while earning credit toward your degree.
Law Clinic experience: Engage with real clients at community clinics, conduct interviews, prepare legal documents, and learn how legal advice is delivered in professional settings.
Mooting and advocacy programs: Hone your research, reasoning, and public speaking skills by presenting legal arguments in structured competitions, building confidence for future careers in law and policy.
Collaborative projects and community engagement: Work in teams to tackle real challenges, gaining teamwork skills and building a professional network across law, policy, and community sectors.
Library and research resources: Access La Trobe’s extensive collections, digital databases, and study spaces to support your research, policy analysis, and project work across law, politics, philosophy, and economics.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of La Trobe’s Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics emerge with a unique blend of legal expertise and interdisciplinary insight, equipping them to make an impact in a wide range of professional environments. You’ll be prepared to tackle complex legal, political, and economic challenges, making this degree ideal for roles where analytical thinking, ethical reasoning, and policy knowledge are essential. Typical careers for graduates include solicitor or barrister, policy analyst, political advisor, and public servant:

Career support and guidance: La Trobe’s Career Ready Advantage and Careers Central provide personalised coaching, mentoring, workshops, and networking events to help you develop workplace skills, connect with employers, and plan your career from day one.
Strong employment outcomes: La Trobe graduates enjoy excellent job prospects, with the majority securing full-time work shortly after graduation. Many enter positions with competitive starting salaries, reflecting the professional, analytical, and research skills gained through the program.
Industry partnerships and professional exposure: The university maintains strong links with government departments, legal firms, policy organisations, and NGOs, offering internships and work-integrated learning experiences that let you apply your knowledge in real-world settings and expand your professional network.
Long-term value of the degree: This double degree meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria via the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. Beyond law, the combination of analytical, ethical, and interdisciplinary skills makes you adaptable for careers in policy, research, advocacy, and consulting.
Graduate outcomes: Alumni work in legal practice, government, international relations, policy development, and advisory roles, demonstrating the wide applicability of the skills and knowledge gained through this program. Graduates could expect to earn AUD 55,000 to 70,000 per annum.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, you have excellent options to continue your studies. Many graduates pursue postgraduate programs such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Public Policy, Master of International Relations, or specialised master’s degrees in areas like dispute resolution, human rights, or economic policy. If research or academia appeals to you, the degree also provides a pathway to a PhD, preparing you for careers in higher education, advanced policy research, or senior advisory roles.