Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Arts
with a major in Criminology – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts offers students a course focused on commercial law with emphasis on intellectual property law. As the only double degree in Victoria with this specialisation, students learn about trademarks, patents and designs, copyright, the prohibition of misleading or deceptive conduct and competition law.
The course also provides a general understanding of contemporary social and cultural developments. Students choose from a range of Arts majors, enabling specialisation in a series of study areas depending on their field of interest.
Students complete law-related professional experience placements at organisations in Australia or overseas and are introduced to the practical aspects of legal practice through moot court scenarios and advocacy exercises.
The combination of degrees equips students with the skills to work in commercial and general legal practice, in government, and in arts- and humanities-based organisations.
Selected major: Criminology
Gain an understanding of why crimes are committed and how they impact society. Examine the motivations behind criminal activity, and learn how to analyse trends, formulate policies and create systems to help prevent it.
Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 75% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
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Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 1 March 2021
- Semester 2 - 2 August 2021
Duration
5 Year/s
Full-time
VTAC codes
- 3400210431 (CSP)
- 3400210433 (IFP)
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
CRICOS code
085632J
Fees
A$34000 (annual for 2020)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search 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. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
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.
I am a proud Jaara, Wemba Wemba and Yorta Yorta woman. I chose Swinburne law as I wanted to involve myself in the discourse that surrounds Indigenous people, to empower community and make positive changes. Currently, I am an Associate to Judge Purcell at the County Court. I plan to write a dissertation on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.
Neane
Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Politics and International Relations, minoring in Philosophy)
Course details
- Course structure, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Arts requires students to complete units of study to the value of 500 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Australian Law & Statutory Interpretation | LAW10010 | 12.5 |
| Contract Law - # Priestley unit | LAW10011 | 12.5 |
| Commercial Law | LAW10013 | 12.5 |
| Torts 1 - # Priestley unit | LAW10014 | 12.5 |
| Criminal Law & Procedure - # Priestley unit | LAW10015 | 12.5 |
| Legal Writing | LAW10026 | 12.5 |
| Torts 2 - # Priestley unit | LAW10025 | 12.5 |
| Evidence - # Priestley unit | LAW20009 | 12.5 |
| Administrative Law - # Priestley unit | LAW20010 | 12.5 |
| Trade Marks and Related Rights * | LAW20011 | 12.5 |
| Federal and State Constitutional Law - # Priestley unit | LAW20012 | 12.5 |
| Property Law - # Priestley unit | LAW20013 | 12.5 |
| Land Law - # Priestley unit | LAW20014 | 12.5 |
| Copyright * | LAW20043 | 12.5 |
| Patents & Designs * | LAW30011 | 12.5 |
| Equity and Trusts * - # Priestley unit | LAW30012 | 12.5 |
| Company Law * - # Priestley unit | LAW30013 | 12.5 |
| Legal Practice and Professional Conduct * - # Priestley unit | LAW30015 | 12.5 |
| Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution - # Priestley unit | LAW30029 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Placement for Bachelor of Laws
3 units (0 credit points)
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Experience in Law 1 | LAW10016 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in Law 2 | LAW20018 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in Law 3 | LAW30016 | 0 |
+
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Challenges: Dystopian Present-Utopian Futures | ART10002 | 12.5 |
| Grand Challenges: Skills and Strategies for Social Change | ART20001 | 12.5 |
| Grand Challenges: Making a Difference | ART30001 | 25 |
+
Selected major: Criminology
Gain an understanding of why crimes are committed and how they impact society. Examine the motivations behind criminal activity, and learn how to analyse trends, formulate policies and create systems to help prevent it.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Criminology | CRI10002 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Forensic Psychology | FOR10001 | 12.5 |
| Policing: Systems and Practice | CRI20001 | 12.5 |
| Global Crime * | CRI20002 | 12.5 |
| Corrections: Systems and Practice * | CRI30002 | 12.5 |
| Deviance Difference & Conformity | SOC20020 | 12.5 |
| Youth Justice and Crime * | CRI30010 | 12.5 |
| Cyber Crime and Security | POL30018 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Other studies
9 units (112.5 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 112.5 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Laws, students will 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 successfully completing the Bachelor of Arts, students will be able to:
- 1systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in the humanities and/ or social sciences
- formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of disciplinary expertise
- critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences
- define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
- apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
- interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
- coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts.
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 and corporate 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.
Depending on their chosen major, graduates may find employment as journalists, interpreters, sociologists, publishers, writers and in the games industry, particularly in areas focusing on interactive content creation, game design, interface design and rapid prototyping.
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.
Depending on the choice of Arts major, graduates may be eligible to apply for membership of the following professional societies:
- Students enrolled in the Journalism Major may be eligible for student membership of the Melbourne Press Club. Graduates who complete the Journalism Major will be eligible to apply for membership of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA)
- Swinburne’s Philosophy program is recognised by the Australasian Association of Philosophy.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements and English language requirements.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.