Course overview
Protect society from the growing threat of cybercrime with Deakin's Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Cyber Security. Be ready to explore roles from either field with the benefit of a complementary skill set or use your dual expertise to become an in-demand cyber security lawyer, capable of handling the complex issues of our evolving digital world.
Professionals with cyber security risk detection and mitigation skills are needed more than ever. It's not just everyday consumers who are facing the threat of cybercrime; government and businesses need professionals who can identify risks and protect their digital operations and assets.
This combined course puts you in a position to answer the call. With an emphasis on real-world learning, you will develop advanced skills in cyber security that perfectly complement your legal knowledge, and you will graduate with two degrees after just five years of full-time study.
Ready to go beyond the traditional with a sought-after skill set that will get you noticed?
Study Deakin's unique Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Cyber Security and cover all the major areas of law, including:
- constitutional law
- administrative law
- contract law
- criminal law
- equity and trusts
- property law.
As well as industry-relevant areas of cyber security, such as:
- computer crime and digital forensics
- database and information management
- ethical hacking
- cyber security management.
Through this broad range of units, you will build a diverse set of skills, opening the door to exciting career opportunities. You could choose to pursue a role as a cyber security lawyer, leaning on your deep understanding of privacy law and criminal law to better protect the rights of your clients. Or, you could aim to be on the front line of cybercrime, using your skills in system security to set up digital barriers between businesses and cyber threats.???
Gain real-world legal experience at the Deakin Law Clinic, a teaching law firm that gives you the opportunity to work with real clients under the supervision of qualified legal practitioners. Analyse complex legal problems and develop the drafting, communication and problem-solving skills required for a successful career in law. You will also get hands-on experience with our specialised cyber security software that allows you to simulate and respond to real cyber-attack scenarios. By practising your skills under pressure, you will feel confident and well-prepared by the time you enter the workforce.???
You will be able to leverage the extensive research, industry partnerships, and state-of-the-art facilities of Deakin's Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CCSRI). With research in areas from cyber analytics and artificial intelligence, to organisational security and information warfare, you will have direct access to some of the most progressive cyber security content in the world.
Read MoreKey dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Cyber Security
- Year
2025 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400410651 - Waterfront (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400510651 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400610651 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS) - Deakin code
- D397
- CRICOS code?
- 0100550 Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Cyber Security, students must attain a total of 40 credit points consisting of 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Cyber Security and 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Cyber Security (S334) and the Bachelor of Laws (M312) must be satisfied plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin and unit, SIT010 Safety Induction Program. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake 2 trimesters each year.
Compulsory 0-credit point unit (to be completed in first trimester of study):-
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
The 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Cyber Security include:-
- 13 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of Cyber Security capstone units
- 1 credit point of SIT coded elective unit
- SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0 credit point compulsory unit)
- STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point compulsory unit)
- Level 3 - at least 4 credit points of SIT-coded units
Note: Students undertaking this combined degree are not required to undertake SIT306 IT Placements and Industry Experience.
The 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws include:-
- 18 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of WIL/practical/experiential course elective unit (as outlined in the Bachelor of Laws)
- 5 credit points of law elective units from a specified list
16
Credit points from the Bachelor of Cyber Security
24
Credit points from the Bachelor of Laws
40
Total credit points
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study.
Units
To assist you in following the course rules:
Please see course entry for Bachelor of Cyber Security (S334) and Bachelor of Laws (M312).
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
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
Students and Applicants to Geelong Waterfront Campus
Travel between campuses will be required to complete this combined degree. The Bachelor of Laws degree will be taught at Waterfront campus and the Bachelor of Cyber Security degree will be taught at the Waurn Ponds Campus.
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Equipment requirements
The learning experiences and assessment activities within the Bachelor of Cyber Security require that students have access to a range of technologies beyond a desktop computer or laptop. Students will be required to purchase minor equipment, such as small single board computers, microcontrollers and sensors, which will be used within a range of units in this course. This equipment is also usable by the student beyond their studies. Equipment requirements and details of suppliers will be provided on a per-unit basis. The indicative cost of this equipment for this course is AUD$500.
For information regarding hardware and software requirements, please refer to the Bring your own device (BYOD) guidelines via the School of Information Technology website in addition to the individual unit outlines in the Handbook.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
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
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score greater than 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or greater than 25 in any other English
- IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 35 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics or Global Politics equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in English other than EAL, any History, any Information Technology, Legal Studies, Australian Politics or Global Politics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2024 students (PDF, 793KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
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 and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose, as each unit has its own cost. 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 time it takes to complete 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 8 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 fees and available payment options on our Current students fees website.
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 for Trimester 1, 2025 are open. We've helped over 300,000 Deakin graduates across Australia and throughout the world apply with confidence. In Year 12? Follow these how to apply steps. Completed secondary education in or prior to 2021? Follow these how to apply steps.
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Pathways
View pathways into the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Cyber Security with our pathways finder.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
Studying this combined course means you will be well placed to work in the field of law and cyber security, or in roles where both disciplines intersect. You’ll graduate with the diverse skills and practical experience required to thrive in roles including:
- business analyst
- business manager, company administrator or consultant
- corporate lawyer
- cyber security consultant
- policy adviser
- policy adviser for government departments or authorities such as the Attorney General's Department, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
- security analyst/ cyber threat analyst
- security systems manager.
Obtaining a law degree is your first step to entering the legal profession. Upon completion of your degree and the additional practical legal training, you will be qualified to work as a solicitor in legal fields, including:
- commercial law
- criminal law
- family law
- personal injury law
- public international and human rights law
- refugee law
- the law pertaining to government.
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.
The Bachelor of Cyber Security is professionally accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of each of the single degrees.