Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Integrate conceptual understandings of the Australian legal system, fundamental areas of legal knowledge and relevant specialist bodies of knowledge within the disciplines of law and humanities.
2. Review, analyse, adapt and apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of law and underlying principles and concepts in diverse contemporary local and international comparative contexts.
3. Identify, articulate and respond to legal and humanities issues by analysing and applying information with initiative and judgement in order to both anticipate and creatively solve problems and promote justice in authentic/contemporary professional, community and global settings.
4. Exhibit professional accountabilities and ethical judgement, by evaluating, synthesising and adapting knowledge, skills, legal reasoning and research to make appropriate responses to legal issues that reflect the legal, social, political and contextual factors.
5. Communicate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and skills appropriate for legal and non-legal audiences, in both oral and written form.
6. Reflect on personal learning and skills in relation to career goals and implement effective, creative strategies to promote lifelong learning and pathways to further learning including a commitment to ongoing professional development.
7. Apply personal and interpersonal competencies including organisational and collaborative skills, necessary to operate in the immensely divergent and complex global and Australian cultures.
8. Contribute effectively, with personal accountability for outcomes in a dynamic 21st century work team, working in an ethical and socially responsible manner.
9. Critically review theory and research in chosen areas of study.
10. Critically reflect on the patterns of social, cultural and political experience of society in general and share insights into their own lives.
11. Initiate, organise, undertake, and communicate research into the lives of their communities, including 'creative works as research' for students completing creative arts disciplines.
12. Exhibit interpersonal skills consistent with professional practice.

We offer valuable opportunities to network and learn through industry partnerships, and international collaborations with exchange partners.

Our partnerships with Magistrates’ Courts and community legal services let you apply your legal knowledge while you study. Our arts degree extends those opportunities to local councils and the Parliament of Victoria, as well as media organisations.

Some of our major clients, partners and industry associations:

• ABC
• Department of Justice, Victoria
• Law Institute of Victoria
• Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria
• Migration Institute of Australia
• Penguin Books
• Stary Norton Halphen Lawyers
• SBS
• St Vincent de Paul.

Our lecturers and research staff are all experts in their fields. We provide additional guidance from adjunct professors – honorary staff who hold positions in the legal and arts communities.

VU’s adjunct professors include Hon. Michael Kirby, retired High Court Judge.

Our Queen Street law hub on our City Campus is in the heart of Melbourne's legal district.

Our dedicated law building features:

• specialised law library
• legal research centres including the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre
• mooting court
• computer labs, student lounges, study spaces and a prayer room.

You’ll gain real insight into legal practice and start building networks for your future career.