Overview

The Bachelor of Laws focuses on commercial law with an emphasis on intellectual property law. 

You'll learn about trademarks, patents and designs, copyright, the prohibition of misleading or deceptive conduct and competition law. 

Upon completion, you'll feel confident protecting the rights of those who innovate or create.

View Bachelor of Laws course handbook

Your industry experience

All our bachelor degrees include a guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity, which could be a placement, internship or industry-linked project. In this degree, you'll complete a law-related professional experience placement at an organisation in Australia or overseas. You'll also be introduced to the practical aspects of legal practice through moot court scenarios and advocacy exercises.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Navigate the Australian legal system
  • Analyse legal issues and disputes
  • Persuasive communication
  • Legal research and writing
  • Design technologies transforming legal practice
  • Ethical and professional responsibility

Your career opportunities

  • Solicitor
  • Legal counsel
  • Lawyer
  • Policy adviser
  • Legal adviser
  • Human rights advocate
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

Ranked Top 150 in Law

ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022

Ranked Top 200 in Law

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023 

The median income for graduates 1 year out is $54.5K (second highest in Melbourne / Victoria)

  • Side view head shot of a smiling mixed race female wearing a headset, with laptop communicating via video chat.

    Study with Swinburne Online

    With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.

Qualifications

Successful completion of: 

  • the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.

  • completion or partial completion of a degree.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne.

Course prerequisites

VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent 

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws, students must complete 400 credit points.

20
Core units
+
1
Online core unit
+
4
Law elective units
+
7-8
Elective units
+
3
Professional Experiences in Law units
=
4-year bachelor degree

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Introduction to Australian Law and Statutory Interpretation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW10010
Contract Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW10011
Commercial Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW10013
Torts 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW10014
Database, Analysis and Design
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
INF10002
Criminal Law and Procedure
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW10015
Torts 2
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW10025
Legal Writing
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW10026
Evidence
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW20009
Administrative Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW20010
Trade Marks and Related Rights
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW20011
Federal and State Constitutional Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW20012
Property Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW20013
Land Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW20014
Legal Technology and Innovation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW20040
Copyright
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW20043
Patents and Designs
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW30011
Equity and Trusts
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW30012
Company Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW30013
Legal Practice and Professional Conduct
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW30015
Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
LAW30029
Learning and Communicating Innovative Business Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
COM10011
Professional Experience in Law 1
Core unit
LAW10016
Professional Experience in Law 2
Core unit
LAW20018
Professional Experience in Law 3
Core unit
LAW30016
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$16,992

Total fee* ($AUD)

$67,968

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$43,280.00

Fees are estimates only

Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front. 

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Financials
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
BA-LAWS
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Please note: This online course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Teaching Period 1
Location
Online
Last date to apply
05-March-2025
Start dates
10-March-2025
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Last date to apply
02-July-2025
Start dates
07-July-2025
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Last date to apply
29-October-2025
Start dates
03-November-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Teaching Period 1
Location
Online
Start dates
10-March-2025
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Start dates
07-July-2025
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start dates
03-November-2025
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