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Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Undergraduate degree

Analyse complex social and economic issues and develop the skills to create policy to address them. Complement your legal education with expert knowledge on how societies are governed.

Key facts

Duration

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

Complement an industry-leading legal education at one of Australia’s top law schools* with an in-depth understanding of how power, incentives and ethics influence real-world decisions by studying Deakin's Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Your knowledge of political systems, economic ways of thinking, and ethical and moral principles, alongside a solid foundation of legal skills from Deakin Law School, will open up a range of exciting career opportunities.

Tackle the global problems experienced by business, government and society with your understanding of political issues ranging from inequality to environmental sustainability and beyond. Develop specialised knowledge of how law, business, government and consumers shape society and graduate with a unique, practical skill set to enact change.

Want to start your career in law with enhanced knowledge and skills?

Graduate with real-world experience for a professional edge. In the law stream, you can work with clients on real cases under the supervision of qualified solicitors at the Deakin Law Clinic – our community legal service that offers free legal advice. In the politics, philosophy and economics stream, you can augment your understanding of how societies govern and determine values with practical experiences – including internships, volunteer placements and study tours. Through both streams, there’s the opportunity to collaborate on team-based industry and community projects, and to take part in our global experiential learning programs.

The law is influenced by many social, economic, environmental and political factors. A combined Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics course gives you the knowledge and skills to understand these factors, along with the skills to use this knowledge in a professional context.

Deakin Law School provides a strong foundation in all major areas of law, including:

  • contract law
  • criminal law and procedure
  • torts
  • property law
  • equity and trusts
  • constitutional law
  • administrative law.

 

With an emphasis on developing analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, this unique course will teach you to address complex legal issues experienced in areas including, but not limited to:

  • environment
  • climate change
  • sustainability
  • population
  • ageing
  • health/mental health
  • international trade
  • economic strategy
  • the economic and institutional drivers of inequality, poverty and conflict.

 

This combined course gives you the opportunity to complement your studies in law with a focus on two streams chosen from the disciplines of:

  • philosophy
  • politics and policy studies
  • economic policy.

 

Learning from leading academics and researchers, these streams of study allow space for deep and creative thinking while building tangible skills that enable you to make an impact on society.

You will understand the nature of public decision-making, explore resource management issues, and get the skills to analyse business problems in line with social justice. This course balances the big picture view of public problems while developing your professional and work skills.

Graduate ready to pursue roles in the public or private sector with the added knowledge, expertise and practical skills to succeed in a range of areas involving government policy, strategy, consulting or business management.

*Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022

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Course information

Award granted
Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Year

2025 course information

VTAC code
1400512133 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
Deakin code
D334
CRICOS code?
115517D Burwood (Melbourne)
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 Politics, Philosophy and Economics, students must attain a total of 40 credit points consisting of 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws and 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. Typically, full-time students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake 2 trimesters each year.

24

Credit points from the Bachelor of Laws

16

Credit points from the Bachelor of Politics PhilosophyandEconomics

40

Total credit points

Compulsory 0-credit point unit (to be completed in first trimester of study):-

  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin
  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

The 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws (M312) 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

The 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (A336) include:-

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:

    Online

Trimester 2 - July

  • Start date: July
  • Available at:

    Online

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.

Work experience

This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more work-integrated learning units.
More Information: WIL Programs

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

Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent.

Higher education

If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

  • successful completion of 4 credit points or more at an accredited higher education institution with a minimum WAM of 60 or equivalent
  • achieve at least 60 in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) - Multiple Choice

Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test results for entry into Deakin University.

Vocational education

If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

  • achieve at least 60 in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) - Multiple Choice

Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test results for entry into Deakin University.

Work and life experience

If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and haven’t undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.

To be considered for this course you will need to achieve at least 60 in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) - Multiple Choice. Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test results for entry into Deakin University.

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 of 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 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)

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

Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

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

Apply directly to Deakin

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.

Apply through VTAC

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.

Need more information on how to apply?

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.

Careers

Career outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics have the qualifications and experience to work in a wide range of career areas, including:

  • business
  • community legal centre consulting
  • diplomacy
  • economics
  • education (a law academic or legal studies teacher)
  • government lawyer or policy advisor
  • industrial relations
  • in-house lawyer for businesses and corporations, including start-up companies
  • international relations
  • media/journalism 
  • police prosecutor 
  • private legal practice
  • policy analysis
  • politics
  • research.

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 or barrister in all legal fields.

Professional recognition

Deakin's Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the academic requirements necessary for admission to the legal profession set in Victoria by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying these academic requirements, a person seeking admission to the legal profession in Victoria is required to have satisfactorily completed practical legal training requirements also specified by VLAB and must be considered a fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession.

A person seeking admission in a jurisdiction outside Australia will likely be required to satisfy additional requirements. Please consult the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic requirements, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.

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.