Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Our program prepares you for a rewarding career in the public or private sectors.

Aim to work as a lawyer in a top-tier law firm, or an adviser in a community organisation. We give you the broad knowledge and professional qualifications to choose your own path.

You'll study the compulsory academic requirements to practise law, as well as areas of the law which interest you. We make sure you're work-ready through authentic experiences with public-sector authorities such as the Magistrates' Courts, and private law firms.

You'll also benefit from the guidance of professionals appointed as adjuncts to the law college. These are honorary staff who hold positions in the legal community. VU's adjunct professors include:

• the Hon. Justice Chris Maxwell QC
• Professor Robert Richter QC
• criminal law specialist, Robert Stary
• Victorian Chief Magistrate, Ian Gray
• retired High Court Judge, the Hon. Michael Kirby.

Studying honours in law indicates a strong academic ability. Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) meet the academic requirements to be admitted to legal practice in Australia.

The course prepares graduates to gain employment in the:

• legal profession
• legal sector generally
• government, non government and private sectors.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) meet the academic and professional requirements to be admitted to legal practice in Australia.

Use Labour Market Insights to find average salaries for various law-related professions in Australia.

See the average salary for solicitors in Australia via Labour Market Insights.

To attain the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) students will be required to complete 384 credit points consisting of:

• 96 credit points of First Year Core studies

• 156 credit points of Core Law studies

• 84 credit points of Law Elective students

• 48 credit points of Non Law electives

All students who complete the degree will graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), without any reference to a Class of Honours.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Laws with Honours:
Students who enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws prior to 31 Dec 2014 may apply to undertake the unit Advanced Legal Research Dissertation in their later years in this degree based on the aggregate of points attributed to the top two thirds of units so listed shall then be calculated and a grade point average determined. Students will be further assessed on an outline of a proposed thesis topic and availability of a college based or college affiliated supervisor. Students will be awarded a Bachelor of Laws with Honours (Class H1, H2A, H2B or H3) based on their aggregate of points and overall mark in Advanced Legal Research Dissertation.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (For students enrolled post 1 January 2015):Students in any Bachelor of Laws course may apply to transfer into any Bachelor of Laws (Honours) course if the selection criteria is met.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.