Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Studies

Victoria University

About

This five-year double degree lets you combine a law qualification with psychological studies.

You’ll gain a global and social-justice perspective and an understanding of human behaviour, motivation, relationships, communication and cognitive processes.

You’ll examine how the mind works and develop broad legal knowledge, gaining the analytical skills to understand yourself and your clients.

This course prepares you for jobs where there is an interaction between the law, psychology and mental health.

You’ll also be on the pathway to work as a lawyer or psychologist.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Studies will be required to complete 480 credit points in total consisting of:

  • 96 credit points of First Year Core Law and Psychology units
  • 180 credit points of Professional Core Law units;
  • 120 credit points of Professional Core Psychological Studies units;
  • 60 credit points of Law electives;
  • 24 credit points of Psychology electives.

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.

Course structure and units

First Year

  • Psychology 1A Unit code APP1012 Credits12
  • Psychology 1B Unit code APP1013 Credits12
  • Foundations of Psychological Research Unit code APP1016 Credits12
  • Foundations of Social Science Research Unit code ASX1003 Credits12
  • Australian Legal System in Context Unit code BLB1101 Credits12
  • Contracts 1 Unit code BLB1102 Credits12
  • Legal Research Methods Unit code BLB1114 Credits12
  • Legal Interpretation Unit code LLW1004 Credits12

Year 2

  • Torts Unit code BLB1115 Credits12
  • Real Property Law Unit code BLB2125 Credits12
  • Criminal Law Unit code LLW1001 Credits12
  • Criminal Investigation, Procedure and Sentencing Unit code LLW1002 Credits12
  • Legal Writing and Drafting Unit code LLW1003 Credits12
  • Corporations Law Unit code LLW2004 Credits12
  • Constitutional Law Unit code LLW2005 Credits12
  • Commercial Law Unit code LLW2008 Credits12

Year 3

  • Psychology 2A Unit code APP2013 Credits12
  • Psychology 2B Unit code APP2014 Credits12
  • Qualitative Social Research Methods 1 Unit code APS2030 Credits12
  • Developmental Psychology Unit code HPP2001 Credits12
  • Australian Administrative Law Unit code LLW3000 Credits12
  • Equity and Trusts Unit code LLW3008 Credits12

12 credit points of Law Elective studies

12 credit points of Psychology Elective studies

Year 4

  • Fieldwork Unit code APP3028 Credits12
  • History, Theories and Practice of Psychology Unit code APP3034 Credits12
  • Clinical Aspects of Psychology Unit code APP3037 Credits12
  • Quantitative Social Research Methods 1 Unit code APS2040 Credits12
  • Lawyers' Ethics and Professional Responsibility Unit code LLW3009 Credits12
  • Civil Procedure Unit code LLW4000 Credits12
  • Evidence Unit code LLW4007 Credits12

12 credit points of Law Elective studies

Year 5

  • Psychological Issues in the Workplace Unit code APP3023 Credits12
  • Research Methods in Psychology Unit code APP3035 Credits12
  • Internships and Law Practice Unit code LLW4008 Credits12
  • Interviewing and Advocacy Unit code LLW4009 Credits12

36 credit points of Law Elective studies

12 credit points of Psychology Elective studies

Law Electives

Not all Electives will be offered every year or in every semester

  • Intellectual Property Law Unit code BLB3129 Credits12
  • Taxation Law Unit code BLB3134 Credits12
  • Family Law in Society Unit code BLB3136 Credits12
  • Australian Employment Law Unit code BLB4135 Credits12
  • Human Rights Law Unit code BLB4145 Credits12
  • Wills and the Administration of Estates Unit code BLB4146 Credits12
  • International Law Practicum Unit code LLW2002 Credits12
  • Privacy and Media Law Unit code LLW2010 Credits12
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Unit code LLW3002 Credits12
  • Australian Migration Law Unit code LLW3007 Credits12
  • Australia’s Visa System Unit code LLW3010 Credits12

Psychology Electives

Not all Electives will be offered every year or in every semester

  • Counselling Theory and Practice Unit code APP3015 Credits12
  • Group Behaviour Unit code APP3016 Credits12
  • Organisations and Work Unit code APP3018 Credits12
  • Psychobiology Unit code APP3019 Credits12
  • Psychoanalysis Unit code APP3020 Credits12
  • Cognitive Psychology Unit code APP3026 Credits12
  • Relationship and Family Wellbeing Unit code APP3027 Credits12

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Economics, any History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics, Global Politics or Psychology.

Subject adjustments

ATAR profile

VTAC course code: 4300710471

Campus: City Queen/Footscray Park

column1 column2 column3
  ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors) Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
90.85 95.55
78.80 88.05
73.30 82.00

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English (or equivalent).PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Economics, any History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics, Global Politics or Psychology.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Additional information

All applicants are encouraged to complete the law supplementary form which may be used to adjust an applicant’s Selection Rank.

The form will be available at: https://www.vu.edu.au/current-students/your-course/forms/supplementary-a...

Students in any Bachelor of Laws may apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree once they have completed a minimum 192 credit points and have attained an average mark of Distinction or above i.e. 70–100%. Applicants will be assessed on the highest grades achieved in the top 12 Law units. Students will be further assessed on an outline of a proposed thesis topic and availability of a college based or college affiliated supervisor. Successful applicants will enrol in both Advanced Research Legal Methods and Advanced Legal Research Dissertation instead of 24 credit points of law electives.

In order to be eligible to advance to the Psychology Honours year of the course, students must achieve the stringent academic admission criteria that are required for Honours programs in Psychology. Academic admission standards are based on the average grade across all core second and third year psychology units. Students who have successfully completed the first five years of study but have not met the academic admission requirements for the Honours year will be eligible to apply to graduate with a Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Psychological Studies degree. In the Psychology Honours year of study students must complete an additional six units of study (96 credit points).

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past 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 coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

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

column1 column2 column3 column4
  1. Integrate conceptual understandings of psychology theories and fundamental areas of legal knowledge and relevant advanced specialist bodies of knowledge within the discipline of law and psychological studies;  
  2. Critically review, analyse, adapt and apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of law and psychological studies and underlying principles and concepts in diverse contemporary local and international and comparative contexts,  
  3. Identify, articulate and respond to complex issues by critically analysing and applying information with initiative and judgement in order to both anticipate and creatively solve problems 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 that reflect the social, political and contextual factors;  
  5. Communicate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and skills appropriate for professional and non professional 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 within broad parameters 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.  

Institution