Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Innovation and Design
available 2017 only – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
This course has been discontinued - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.
The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Innovation and Design 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, copyright, the prohibition of misleading or deceptive conduct and competition law.
The course also integrates the principles and theories of design in a business and innovation management context. Students learn about the relationship between innovation, design, entrepreneurship and creativity.
Students complete law-related professional experience placements 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 the design industry and as entrepreneurs.
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.
Ready to tech on the New Year?
Did you know that many of our degrees have real industry experience built into them so you can face your tech-rich future with confidence? We've put all your application, loan, campus and course info in one place so you can find your way at Swinburne.
Find your way.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 27 February 2017
- Semester 2 - 31 July 2017
Duration
5 years full-time
Full-time
VTAC codes
- 3400210521 (CSP)
- 3400210523 (IFP)
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
CRICOS code
087851D
Fees
A$27090 (annual for 2017)*
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.
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Innovation and Design [available 2017 only] 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
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Placement
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 |
+
Other studies
1 unit (12.5 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 12.5 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
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Laws 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.
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Innovation and Design will be able to:
- Knowledge and cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge in the field of Product, System and Service design and apply this with initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision-making in professional practice and/ or scholarship.
- Define and integrate theoretical principles applicable to entrepreneurship and innovation and apply those principles in a range of practices.
- Systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources in order to make informed judgements on options for innovatively solving a range of problems that arise in business contexts.
- Knowledge and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of Product, System and Service design knowledge with depth in product development, digital CAD, manufacturing knowledge and ideation and manual sketching skills.
- Knowledge and cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving Product System and Service design problems independently and collaboratively, in diverse contexts.
- Cognitive and technical skills to know and apply principles of sustainability and respectful design to their knowledge of Product System and Service design and development of their design solution with responsibility and accountability.
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides opportunities to gain invaluable skills and confidence in knowing that you have what it takes to land a job in your field by graduation. You can also earn credit towards your degree. Choose from six- or 12-month professional placements, professional internships, industry-linked projects, industry study tours and accreditation placements. Find out more.
Choose a professional placement option:
12 months Six monthsDouble degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Business
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A | BUS20010 | 25 |
Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement B | BUS20011 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Law
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Integrated Professional Placement A – Law | LAW20021 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement B – Law | LAW20022 | 25 |
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
Double degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Business
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Business | BUS20010 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Law
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A – Law | LAW20021 | 25 |
Note: Some Work Integrated Learning opportunities are not available to international students due to visa restrictions.
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 studies in design and the specialisation in intellectual property law equip 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.
Graduates may also find careers in research and development, and new product development.
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.
Bachelor of Innovation and Design graduates may be eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA).

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
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.