Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Media and Communication

Overview

Protect the rights of creators and innovators (or become a savvy creator yourself) with our Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Media and Communication. Delve into the space where the media, communications and multimedia industries intersect with commercial and intellectual property (IP) law. 

Learn all about trademarks, patents and designs, copyright, misleading or deceptive conduct, and competition law.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws, graduates should be able to:

• describe and demonstrate the application of the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system and of the principles and doctrines that underpin them
• describe and demonstrate the application of ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of the law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice
• analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues arise and the disciplines and policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law
• describe and compare the international legal order and the law and legal systems of Australia’s major trading partners
• critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
• undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
• demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences
• communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development.
   

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication, graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge, conceptual understanding, technical skills and expertise in the broad field of media and communication
• formulate arguments that draw on and critique the differences between relevant theories and evidence as they pertain to the field of media and communication
• exercise initiative and judgement in planning, problem-solving and decision-making in professional practice and/or scholarship, individually and in collaboration with others
• demonstrate critical analysis, creativity and problem-solving in relation to a range of media and communication activities and processes
• recognise and reflect on social, cultural, legal and ethical issues relating to media and communication industries in local and international contexts
• apply a broad understanding of an audience through interpreting and communicating ideas, problems and arguments in a range of media and communication contexts and formats, using the English language
• reflect critically on their performance and/or scholarship and use this to improve their own creative and productive outcomes
• apply research methodology relevant to the field of media and communication.

Career opportunities

Graduates will have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to operate effectively in diverse settings such as law firms and barristers’ chambers, not-for-profit organisations, government, small businesses, as well as media and communication organisations.

In particular, the specialisation in intellectual property law equips graduates for careers in the new knowledge economy, giving them the skills to work in media and entertainment, design, branding and advertising, and in internet companies and firms advising information-dependent industries.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practice as a lawyer in the Victorian and Australian Federal legal systems as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. Please be advised that non-academic requirements must also be satisfied for admission to practice and that no law degree allows graduates to practise straight away. 

On completion of the Public Relations major, students may be eligible to become a member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and should confirm eligibility with the Institute.

The Advertising major is professionally accredited by the Media Federation of Australia (MFA).

Course rules

To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Media and Communication, students must complete 500 credit points comprising:

• 20 core Law Units (250 credit points)
• 4 Law electives (50 credit points)
• 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) *
• 4 core Media and Communication units (50 credit points)
• 8 units of study from a Media and Communication discipline major (100 credit points)
• 4 other studies comprising a minor, advanced minor or electives. (50 credit points)
   

Students complete no more than 200 credit points (16 units) at Introductory Level (i.e. Stage 1 - eg: LAW1XXXX). A unit of study can only be counted once. Where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative unit.

Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Professional Placement. Please note that due to government regulation international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake Professional Placements in this course.

Professional placements

Professional placements are subject to a competitive selection process.

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 575 credit points comprising:

• 20 core Law Units (250 credit points)
• 4 Law electives (50 credit points)
• 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) *
• 4 core Media and Communication units (50 credit points)
• 8 units of study from a Media and Communication discipline major (100 credit points)
• 2  elective units. (25 credit points)
• 4 units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points)
   

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 537.5 credit points comprising:

• 20 core Law Units (250 credit points)
• 4 Law electives (50 credit points)
• 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) *
• 4 core Media and Communication units (50 credit points)
• 8 units of study from a Media and Communication discipline major (100 credit points)
• 3 elective units. (37.5 credit points)
• 2 units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (50 credit points)
   

* Please note if a student selects the Business Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are required to be completed. If student selects the Law Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are waived.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Media and Communication is 250 credit points (normally 20 units), 150 credit points maximum from Law discipline and 100 credit points from Media and Communication discipline.

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent.