About the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Science
In La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws(Honours)/Bachelor of Science, you can pursue multiple interests and gain a powerful combination of legal skills and cutting-edge scientific knowledge.
From stem cell research to how personal information is collected, stored and shared, advances in science and technology have real human impacts. This double degree uniquely prepares you to address contemporary challenges from a scientific, legal and ethical perspective.
Benefit from our progressive approach to legal education with a law degree you can shape to your own career goals. You'll get a solid grounding in the basics of law and hone your expertise in advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution – skills valued by employers across industries.
Your science degree offers you huge flexibility, with an extensive range of majors to choose from. Follow your interests in emerging areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data science or traditional fields including chemistry, botany and genetics. Bring knowledge to life in world-class facilities, including the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), and learn from academics who are leaders in their fields.
Take your skills into the real world while you study. You'll have the opportunity to do placements in a range of legal settings, including community legal centres, law firms, government agencies, and judges and magistrates (subject to availability). On the science side, you could complete a placement with one of our industry partners – previous students have worked with CSIRO, Bayer Crop Science, and various government departments.
International entry requirements
Nepal: 90%
Subject prerequisites
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any Mathematics.
English language requirement
6.5 IELTS (Academic) with no individual band less than 6.0.
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Science intended learning outcomes
Demonstrate appropriate understanding and competence in the prescribed areas of knowledge required for admission into legal practice in Victoria, Australia, as determined by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board.
Apply broad knowledge of science across a range of fields, with an in-depth understanding of at least one scientific discipline, to analyse and evaluate investigations into real-world problems.
Critically evaluate information from different sources to effectively communicate scientific reasoning and results to diverse audiences.
Employ academic and professional integrity and scientific rigour in the conduct, evaluation and reporting of scientific research and practice.
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of Australian legal systems, institutions and procedures, including fundamental legal principles and concepts in substantive areas of law.
Apply analytical and professional judgement in identifying legal issues, critically evaluating legal doctrine and providing innovative solutions to complex legal problems.
Coherently communicate legal knowledge, research, and analysis using a variety of modes to both legal and non-legal actors.
Demonstrate an advanced capacity to learn and work independently, self-manage workload, foster personal and professional development, and collaborate effectively in a team environment.
Critically analyse, synthesise relevant legal sources and conduct research independently using technologies where appropriate.
Demonstrate awareness of and critically reflect on lawyers' professional and ethical responsibilities and the importance of integrity and service in legal analysis and practice.
Demonstrate awareness of and critically reflect on the historical, social, economic and cultural contexts and implications of laws and the role of lawyers in promoting justice and equity.
Explain the nature and methods of contemporary scientific practice, and the interrelationship between science and society.
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Science career opportunities
La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours) satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practise law in Victoria. After graduation from this double degree, you could pursue a range of roles across law and science.
With the blend of legal and scientific expertise you'll build in this degree, your potential roles include:
Research and development manager
Plan, organise and coordinate an organisation's research and development activities, then monitor their success to find improvements for the future.
Intellectual property lawyer
Work for companies at the cutting edge of scientific development to protect their intellectual property rights, negotiate and prepare licence agreements, and represent them in claims.
Compliance manager
Ensure companies comply with laws and regulations, such as the Therapeutic Goods Act and Australian Consumer Law. Develop and implement compliance policies, oversee compliance-related activities, deliver employee training and provide reports to senior management and external regulatory bodies.
Barrister or solicitor
Advocate for justice as you prepare cases, represent clients in court, assist in creating and reviewing contracts, and provide advice on legal issues.
Estimated course fees for international students
Estimated fees per year (2025):
A$40 600 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.
International scholarships
Destination Australia – an Australian Government initiative
The Destination Australia scheme supports new international students to study in regional Australia and offers students a high-quality learning experience. For eligible applicants, these scholarships are worth up to A$15 000 per annum for up to four years.