Key facts
5 years full-time
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Gain a broad understanding of all major areas of the law while exploring the underlying drivers behind criminal behaviour. As a graduate of Deakin's Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws you will earn two in-demand degrees that complement each other and the dual expertise to see crime and law from a unique perspective.
Learn from leading academics who are experts in their field. Explore the latest concepts, ideas and approaches from inside the industry and benefit from networking with and learning from real-world connections.
A distinctive feature of Deakin's accredited Bachelor of Laws is its focus on practical learning. In addition to being guided through the latest theory and topical case studies by criminology and law academics who are true subject matter experts, you will also be challenged to apply your skills in real-world settings at the Deakin Law Clinic. Working on real cases, you will address criminal justice issues alongside industry professionals.
Want a significant career advantage with combined knowledge in law and criminology?
Study criminology and law and gain broad theoretical and applied knowledge and skills relevant to the forms, causes, meaning and prevention of crime. This directly relates to policy development and policing matters.
Through the combination of sound legal training with real-world experience and work-integrated learning, you will develop key skills, such as problem solving and analytical thinking, in studying all major areas of law, including:
- contract law
- tort law
- property law
- constitutional law
- equity and trusts
- criminal law and procedure
- administrative law.
In the criminology stream, study the relationship between criminal behaviour and sociology, the impact of mental health, education and substance abuse. Find out what drives criminal behaviour, and how to develop systems and programs to prevent it from happening.
Interested in studying through an international lens? Take advantage of our global study itinerary, which includes the prestigious Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong and Vienna, and options to study one or more elective units at an overseas institution.
Course information
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws, you must pass 40 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Criminology
- 6 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points of course elective units (criminology units)
- 4 credit points of course elective units (from the Bachelor of Arts major sequences)
- a minimum of 6 credit points of Faculty of Arts units at level 3
- 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws
- 18 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or practical course elective units (as outlined in the Bachelor of Laws)
- 5 credit points of course elective units
- a minimum of 14 credit points at levels 2 and 3
- course requirements for both the Bachelor of Criminology (A329) and Bachelor of Laws (M312) must be satisfied.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
16
Credit points from the Faculty of Arts and Education
24
Credit points from the Faculty of Business and Law
40
Total credit points
- Core units
- Compulsory 0-credit point unit
- Course Electives
- WIL/Practical course elective units
- Open Electives
Core units
Students must complete 6 credit points from the Bachelor of Criminology
- Introducing Crime and Criminology
- Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice
- Issues in Criminal Justice
- Explaining Crime
- ACR301
- Criminology Research
Students must complete 18 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws
- Legal Research and Statutory Interpretation
- Resolving Disputes and Legal Communication
- Criminal Law
- Misleading Conduct and Economic Torts
- Contract A
- Torts
- Criminal Procedure
- Contract B
- Legal Practice and Ethics
- Constitutional Law
- Land Law
- Property
- Corporate Law
- Evidence
- Civil Procedure and Dispute Resolution
- Equity and Trusts
- Administrative Law
- Advanced Legal Problem Solving and Persuasion (Capstone)
Note: MLP code denotes Priestley units, which teach the academic areas of knowledge prescribed for admission to legal practice.
Compulsory 0-credit point unit
Course Electives
Students must complete 6 Criminology electives from the following list:
- Crime, Victims and Justice
- Crime, Media and Justice
- Criminology in Action
- Crime Prevention and Security
- Inequality, Power and Justice
- Surveillance and Social Justice
- Crime, Terrorism and Security
- Careers in Criminal Justice
- Black Market Economics: Exploring the Underworld of Illicit Trade
Students must complete 5 Law electives from the following list:
- Commercial Law
- Personal Injuries Compensation Schemes
- Alternative Dispute Resolution: Principles and Practice
- International Law
- Business Tax Law
- Human Rights Law
- Corporate Insolvency Law
- Sentencing Law and Practice
- Family Law
- Financial Services Regulation
- Health Law
- International Arbitration
- International Commercial Law
- Legal Professional Practice
- Corporate Governance and Sustainability
- Workplace Law
- Community Legal Internship
- Succession Law
- Animal Law
- Migration and Refugee Law and Policy
- Transnational Study Tour ^
- Taxation
- Competition Law and Policy
- Intellectual Property
- Contemporary International Legal Challenges (Intensive)
- Deakin Law Clinic
- Environmental and Climate Law
- Mining and Energy Law
- Data Law, Privacy and Cybercrime
- Mooting and Advocacy
^MLT324 does not count as one of the WIL/Practical course elective units (listed above) required for the Bachelor of Laws.
Note:
Not all units will be offered every year.The Law School might from time to time develop new units to strengthen the law elective list.
WIL/Practical course elective units
Students must complete 1 of the following experiential/practice units as one of their Law Elective units:
- Legal Professional Practice
- Community Legal Internship
- Deakin Law Clinic
- Mooting and Advocacy
Further details can be found at WIL Opportunities for law students
Open Electives
Students may select 4 credit points of open elective units offered across many courses. In some cases, you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).
It is important to note that some elective units may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
Trimester 2 - July
Students enrolled in this combined course at Geelong will be required to undertake units of study at both Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and the Waterfront (Geelong).
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.
Academic requirements
Current or recent secondary education
If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
Year 12 prerequisite subjects
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection consideration.
Higher education
If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- successful completion of at least four credit points in an equivalent (AQF Level 7) bachelor degree with a minimum WAM of 60 or equivalent
Vocational education
This course does not accept VET study for entry, please check for alternative entry requirements or visit the pathways finder for alternate pathways into this course.
Work and life experience
This course does not accept work, volunteer and/or life experience for entry. Please check for alternative entry requirements or visit the pathways finder for alternate pathways into this course.
English language proficiency requirements
Selection adjustments
Admissions information
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
RPL will generally be granted for a Priestley 11 unit where a student completed the unit within 5 years of the date on which they will commence their Law degree at Deakin University. Whether RPL is granted for a Priestley unit that a student completed more than 5 years before that date will depend on an assessment of the particular unit, including whether its content remains current and it is substantially equivalent to the relevant unit in the Deakin Law course for which RPL is sought. It is possible that RPL may not be granted where the coverage of Priestley 11 knowledge areas across units of study is structured differently in the Law course at Deakin University compared to the Law course at the university where the student previously studied.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about international student fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
If you are an international student completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas, you should submit an application through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), in addition to applying directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's international student application service.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, visit the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
Alternative exits
Articulated courses
Careers
Career outcomes
As a graduate, you can choose to pursue a career as a lawyer, or take on business and management roles in a range of corporate and private organisations and government agencies. Upon completion of your degree and the additional practical legal training, you will be qualified to work as a solicitor or barrister in a variety of legal fields.
With criminology expertise, opportunities also exist within state and federal police, ASIO (Australia’s national security service) and various correctional services, community services and private security industries.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the academic qualifications necessary for admission to the legal profession. In Victoria these have been set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying the academic qualifications, a person seeking admission to the legal profession in Victoria is required to have satisfactorily completed certain practical legal training requirements and must be considered a fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession.
Requirements for admission in jurisdictions outside Australia vary. Please check the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
Matched with criminology, you will have a broader understanding of the criminal justice system than most other graduates, making you a highly desirable candidate when entering the legal sector.
Course learning outcomes
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