Bachelor of Laws
Swinburne Online - online delivery only
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.
Graduates will be equipped with the skills to work in commercial and general legal practice and in a range of industries, including media and entertainment, design, branding and advertising.
Are you in high school?
Get an early taste of university with a series of events just for you: A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student. Save my spot
Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Intakes
Online (March, July, November) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Online
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
As part of this course, students are required to undertake law-related professional experience placements and participate in a practical legal skills program. Professional experience placements may be found in law firms, law-related organisations or legal departments of companies or organisations within Australia or overseas, among a range of possibilities. The skills program introduces students to the practical aspects of legal practice through participating in tasks that mimic legal practice, including moots and advocacy exercises.
Course structure
To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws, students must complete 400 credit points comprising:
- 20 Core Law Units (250 credit points)
- 1 online core unit of study (Swinburne Online) (12.5 credit points)
- 4 Law Electives (50 credit points)
- 7-8 units of Secondary Studies, comprising a co-major, minors and/ or electives (87.5 - 100 credit points)
- 3 Professional Experiences in Law (0 credit points)
Professional Placements
Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a Professional Placement where a relevant Professional degree exists. International students who successfully gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant Professional degree, in order to complete a placement and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.
Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 475 credit points comprising:
- 20 Core Law Units (250 credit points)
- 1 online core unit of study (Swinburne Online) (12.5 credit points)
- 4 Law Electives (50 credit points)
- 5-6 units of Secondary Studies, comprising a minor and/or electives (62.5 – 75 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 437.5 credit points comprising:
- 20 Core Law Units (250 credit points)
- 1 online core unit of study (Swinburne Online) (12.5 credit points)
- 4 Law Electives (50 credit points)
- 6-7 units of Secondary Studies, comprising a minor and/or electives (75-87.5 credit points)
- 2 units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points);
If students select the Law Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are waived
Maximum Academic Credit
Units of study
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- 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.

Graduate skills
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace, or community
- effective and ethical in work and community situations
- adaptable and able to manage change
- aware of the local and international environments to which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural).
Professional recognition
- Students must be informed before enrolment and on their application forms that their admission is subject to final VLAB approval.
- We will have to defer their start dates if approval has not yet come through by the first teaching period.
- They will have to be withdrawn if approval is refused. We cannot teach an unaccredited law degree.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
2023 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
---|---|---|---|
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$60,568 | $15,142 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
- 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.
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
How to apply
Find out more
Submit an online enquiry
Tel: 1300 069 765
Email: enquiries@swinburneonline.com