Overview

Experience the first law degree in Victoria with an IP specialisation and the only one with 60 days of law-related professional experience placements. Learn about trade marks, patents, designs and copyright, competition law and more. Develop skills in the technologies transforming legal practice: smart legal contracts, document automation, predicative AI and advanced chatbots.

Is your course available for Midyear entry?

Starting midyear means getting your study goals under way before the year is over. Semester 2 begins Monday 29 July, 2024.

Your industry experience

All Swinburne bachelor degrees include a guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity. Complete law-related professional placements at organisations in Australia or overseas. Be introduced to the practical aspects of legal practice, including legal drafting exercises, solving complex problems for industry, 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

Key codes

CRICOS course code
085629D
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210393
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210388
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 200 in Law

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023 

80.6% of UG graduates found employment within 4 months of completing their course

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

  • Melbourne Parliament House

    Dual award for future lawyers

    Accelerate into your legal career.

    Swinburne law students are the only students in Victoria who are eligible to be admitted to legal practice on the day they graduate.

    To accelerate your learning, you’ll be able to enrol in a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice through Leo Cussen Centre for Law during the final year of your Bachelor of Laws. This dual award program provides the requisite training to practice law, cutting months off the time it takes to become a lawyer.

Qualifications

One of the following:

  • 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 an approved degree qualification.

ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score

85.0

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements. 

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

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.

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.

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.

Apply for a pathway course

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

20
Core units
+
4
Law elective units
+
8
Elective units
+
3
Work placement units
=
4-year bachelor degree

What your course could look like

Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Introduction to Australian Law and Statutory Interpretation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW10010
Contract Law
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW10011
Torts 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW10014
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Commercial Law
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW10013
Torts 2
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW10025
Legal Writing
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW10026
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Professional Experience in Law 1
Placement unit
LAW10016
Want to see the full range of electives?

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

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Criminal Law and Procedure
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW10015
Property Law
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW20013
Your Law elective goes here
Your Law elective goes here unit, 12.5 credit points
LAWELEC01
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Evidence
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW20009
Land Law
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW20014
Legal Technology and Innovation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW20040
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Professional Experience in Law 2
Placement unit
LAW20018
Units of study Unit code
Professional placement - Major (12 months)
Integrated Professional Placement A – Law
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
LAW20021
Integrated Professional Placement B – Law
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
LAW20022
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
or
Professional placement - Minor (6 months)
Integrated Professional Placement A – Law
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
LAW20021
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001

Note: Students who undertake a professional placement in law do so in lieu of the Professional Experience in Law units. This option may change the course duration and the number of elective units required to complete the degree.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Trade Marks and Related Rights
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW20011
Federal and State Constitutional Law
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW20012
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Your Law elective goes here
Your Law elective goes here unit, 12.5 credit points
LAWELEC01
Semester 2
Administrative Law
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW20010
Copyright
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW20043
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Your Law elective goes here
Your Law elective goes here unit, 12.5 credit points
LAWELEC01
Professional Experience in Law 3
Placement unit
LAW30016
Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
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
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
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
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Your Law elective goes here
Your Law elective goes here unit, 12.5 credit points
LAWELEC01

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$16,323

Total fee* ($AUD)

$65,292

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$41,240.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply to 2024 unit enrolments for HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

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 2024.

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 in the capped amount for 2024.

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

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 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.

Professional placement fees

Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

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-LAW
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! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code
BA-LAW
Apply directly
Course code
BA-LAW
CRICOS code
085629D
Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210388
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210393
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
24-July-2024
Start dates
29-July-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
29-July-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Upcoming events
Swinburne Innovation Challenge
26-June-2024
  • female student smiling in front of GS building

    "Swinburne started my career. The compulsory internships got me out in the world and helped me gain experience and meet people in my future profession. In the end, it was because of these internships that I got a job."

    Katrina , Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business