Overview

Overview

> Launch a career investigating and prosecuting crime, or defending the criminally accused, with a law and criminology degree from VU.

> Our Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology will give you broad knowledge of the causes and consequences of crime. You'll gain expertise in criminal investigation, sentencing, and security, at national and international levels.

> You will also develop practical skills in investigating and providing strategic advice in relation to crime and crime management.

> The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements to become an Australian Lawyer, as required by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In order to become an Australian Lawyer, you'll also need to complete Practical Legal Training or an equivalent.

Learning Outcome

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

*Integrate conceptual and practical understandings of criminology, the Australian legal system, and fundamental areas of legal knowledge and relevant advanced specialist bodies of knowledge within the discipline of law;

*Critically review, analyse, adapt and apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of law and criminology and underlying principles and concepts in diverse contemporary local and international and comparative contexts;

*Identify, articulate and respond to legal and criminological issues by critically 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;

*Exhibit professional accountabilities and ethical judgement, by evaluating, synthesising and adapting knowledge, skills, criminological and legal reasoning and research to make appropriate responses to legal issues that reflect the social, political and contextual factors

*Communicate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and skills appropriate for legal and non-legal audiences, in both oral and written form;

*Integrate conceptual understandings of the Australian legal system, fundamental areas of legal knowledge and relevant advanced specialist bodies of knowledge within the discipline of law. 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;

*Critically 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 and comparative contexts;

*Contribute effectively, with personal accountability for outcomes in a dynamic 21st century work team, working in an ethical and socially responsible manner.

Course structure

To attain the awards of Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Criminology students will be required to complete in total 432 credit points consisting of:

*96 credit points of First Year Core studies

*156 credit points of Professional Core Law study

*120 credit points of Professional Core Criminology studies

*60 credit points of Elective studies

To attain the award of Bachelor of Law (Honours) students will be required to transfer in Year 5 to LHLW Bachelor of Laws (Honours) based on eligibility and must complete:

*24 credit points of Honours units in the final year of study

Careers

When you graduate from a Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminology at Victoria University, you’ll be in high demand because we’ll make sure you’re job-ready.

You could work as a lawyer or in legal practice in areas including criminal law, family law, commercial law and business. Many of our graduates choose to work in community legal centres providing legal access to disadvantaged groups, and in not-for-profit organisations.

Roles in the legal field include:

*solicitor

*lawyer

*policy adviser

*legal adviser

*human-rights advocate.

Your qualification will be widely recognised in areas including:

*forensic work

*police work

*community legal settings

*legal aid

*security and intelligence organisations

*paralegal work

*youth justice

*correctional services

*community services.