Laws and Science

With the growth in scientific research and the commercialisation of new technologies, graduates with knowledge in both science and law are increasingly sought after.

This double degree course provides practical legal skills and an awareness of the complex interaction between science and society.In an age of increasing technological advancements, the link between science and the law will only become stronger.

This means as a graduate with a double degree in science and law you will have the power to choose which career you follow.With a choice of twenty-five majors in science and a rich repertoire of law electives, the course can be tailored to meet your individual interests.

Double degree courses allow you to study towards two different degrees at the same time, and graduate with two separate qualifications. And because a required subject in one course can count as an elective in the other, our double degrees take two years less than if you studied for the two degrees separately.

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) course is a specialist course that develops through themes: legal methodology and legal practice; public law; and private law. The specialised knowledge and advanced skills are imparted in later year elective units, including a final year project involving intensive research and writing.

A. Legal methodology and legal practice

This theme includes the nature of law, and particularly statute law enacted by Parliaments and common law developed by courts. It also includes the key concepts, principles and methods of research and reasoning that enable lawyers to identify and interpret law and apply it to relevant facts in order to provide legal advice. It covers the law of procedure and evidence that governs judicial proceedings, alternative methods of resolving legal disputes, and the code of ethics that regulates the professional conduct of legal practitioners.

B. Public law

Public law includes constitutional law, administrative law and criminal law. It concerns the powers and procedures of the legislative, executive and judicial organs of government, and how they are regulated and controlled by "the rule of law". It also concerns the legal relationship between government and individuals, including the protection of the individual rights.

C. Private law

Private law deals with legal relationships between legal persons, including corporations as well as individuals. It includes the study of property rights, contractual rights and obligations, wrongs (called "torts") such as trespass and the negligent infliction of injury, and the law of equity and trusts.

D. Extending specialized knowledge and advanced skills: Law electives

In later years of the course, you will be able to choose from a broad range of elective law units. High achieving students may also include one or two Master's units in their final year of study. Elective law units enable you to develop specialised knowledge and advanced skills in areas of law that suit your own interests, skills and career goals. In addition to public and private law, these include international law, commercial law and human rights law. You will have opportunities to study overseas, and to undertake work-based learning, for example, in our clinical legal education program and in local and international internships.

The Bachelor of Science is a comprehensive course, structured in three equal parts. In the double degree course you complete:

A. Science specified study

This will provide you with the mathematical or statistical foundation for your study of science and address the nature of science and its communication. It will also expose you to several science disciplines contributing breadth to your understanding of science and giving you the opportunity to learn about several disciplines before finalising your choice of major.

B. Science listed Major

This will provide you with a focused program of study that will develop your expertise in one discipline area. You will learn to develop, apply and communicate an advanced level of understanding of the concepts and theoretical frameworks that constitute the knowledge base of the discipline.

Qualifications

Equivalent Australian Year 12

Recent secondary education

ATAR requirements

ATAR

98

Note Lowest Selection Rank to which an offer was made

94

Note Monash guarantee for 2021 entry

93.15

Note Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made ATAR Calculator Monash is committed to admissions transparency. View the ATAR and student profiles for this course.

Subject prerequisites

All applicants must satisfy the following prerequisites or their equivalents.

Australian VCE subjects

English

Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 35 in English (EAL) or 30 in English other than EAL

Maths

N/A

Sciences/Other

Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Mathematical Methods (Any), Specialist Mathematics, Physics or Psychology

IB subjects

English

At least 5 in English SL or 4 in English HL or 6 in English B SL or 5 in English B HL

Maths

N/A

Sciences/Other

One of Biology (any), Chemistry (any), Geography (any), Mathematics SL, Further Mathematics SL, Mathematics HL, Physics (any) or Psychology (any)

VET Study

Applicants will not be admitted to this course solely on the basis of a VET qualification.

This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites.

Higher education

Non- school leavers

Applicants who have partially completed an undergraduate degree must have completed the equivalent of one year of full time study (a minimum of 48 credit points) and a maximum of two years (96 credit points) of a recognised university degree; and achieved a distinction average or better across all the university units, irrespective of discipline. It is important to note that achieving a distinction average does not guarantee a successful application. The distinction average is a minimum entry criteria to be eligible for admission, and the average will then be the basis for ranking candidates. Selection is competitive due to limited places available.

Graduate entry requirements

Students with a completed undergraduate degree are not eligible to apply for this course. Non-law graduates considering a career in the law are only eligible to apply for the Juris Doctor.

The Faculty of Law does not accept single unit enrolments for undergraduate studies, except for cross institutional enrolments or for law graduate returning to complete units in order to practise in Victoria.

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites.

Entire academic recordThis course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Work and life experience

Multiple pathways to this course

Applicants who have successfully completed Year 12 are eligible to apply for this course.

Applicants with no formal secondary or tertiary qualifications are not eligible to apply for this course. This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Domestic Students:

We recognise that some applicants may have experienced difficulties that have disadvantaged them when applying for university. We offer a range of special admissions schemes that may help you gain entry to your chosen course, provided you meet the course prerequisites above. More about special admissions schemes...

If you don't meet the initial entrance requirements, you'll be able to gain entry to this course by transferring to Monash Law from a recognized undergraduate course at Monash or from another university. Please refer to the requirements for non-school leavers above.

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites.

Alternative qualifications and prerequisites

For other domestic and international qualification entry requirements and scores for this course based on your prior studies, use the study credit and admissions eligibility search.

English requirements

• IELTS 7.0 (no band lower than 6.5); or
• TOEFL Paper-based test: 587 with a TWE of 4; or
• TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 94 overall with Writing: 24, Listening: 20, Reading: 19, Speaking: 20; or
• Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

Learning outcomes

Students in the double degree course achieve the Course Learning Outcomes of the two partner courses.