Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Arts - Ethics and Social Justice (Dual Degree)

at La Trobe University - Melbourne Campus Australia

For thousands of years, human societies have grown, prospered and warred through diplomacy and trade. In today’s hyper-connected global markets and diplomatic arenas, we need highly skilled professionals who can navigate this complex global landscape and make the most of evolving business structures.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Global Studies gives you the expertise to build a rewarding career in global politics, human rights and international business. Gain strong foundations in international trade and diplomacy, as well as a well-rounded business skillset.

Explore the complex social, commercial and sustainability challenges faced by corporations and diverse communities. Understand how to analyse problems, develop forward-thinking solutions, and negotiate with stakeholders to turn your ideas into action.

Grow as a leader and a thinker. Challenge your ideas and preconceptions. Expand your networks and your horizons. You'll be prepared for the rapidly evolving world of international trade and the complex web of relationships negotiated by governments and multinational organisations every day. Develop the creative and analytical skills to work across a wide range of industries, and build the resilience to face real-world challenges.

We understand that global experiences are vital for your studies. You'll have the opportunity to get out of the classroom and build both your skills and your professional network at one of our overseas partner universities. You'll also have the opportunity to do an internship, either in Australia or overseas, that's tailored to your career goals.

Whatever your ambition, tailor your degree with specially curated majors and minors that allow you to explore the various business, economic, geopolitical and humanitarian forces shaping our world.

Graduate ready for a rewarding career in trade, diplomacy, politics, government, business, economics and finance.

Government and policy

Analyse how governments use power to frame, develop and implement policy across the world.

In this major you'll explore the different institutions and processes through which citizens' identities and interests are represented in policy making in a variety of key areas ranging from foreign policy to cyber law. You will learn to analyse different policy making contexts and understand the crucial role of government policy making in solving the big global problems of our time.

This major will connect you to experts in public policy, democracy and democratisation, political theory, cyber law and policy, Australian foreign policy, and the history of Australian Aboriginal policy.

If you can't let go of unanswered questions. If you love learning. If you're passionate about the world around you. Then it's time to start your journey at La Trobe.

With our flexible Bachelor of Arts, you can choose from an incredible array of majors and minors. You'll have access to around 50 majors and minors from humanities, social sciences, business, health and science, keeping your career options open. Pursue your passion and your profession.

Shape your own future with this interdisciplinary degree. You'll choose one arts major, then explore your interests or build an essential skill when you choose secondary majors, minors and electives from across the university. You'll graduate with your primary major on your academic transcript, so future employers can recognise your expertise.

Create your own path. Want to major in sociology, with a second major in psychology, then take Chinese as an elective? Go for it. Or perhaps you'd like to pair economics and English. Or crime, justice and legal studies with linguistics. Build your own future – we're here to help you achieve your dream. No matter which path you choose, you'll learn from world-class academics and leading researchers.

In your first year, you'll explore your interests and passions. Try a language; or get a taste for history, English, politics or creative writing. In your second and third years, you'll delve deeper while also choosing electives and minors that broaden your skills and knowledge. You may also choose to develop professional skillsets in areas like psychology, public health, marketing, science, sport management and more.

This flexible degree also offers a range of study options. You can choose to study face-to-face at our Melbourne Campus and enjoy our on-campus facilities, or you can study online – knowing your experience will mirror on-campus students, with tutorials delivered in a synchronous manner. Unlike many other online degrees, at La Trobe you can login to live sessions and engage directly with academics and your fellow students in real time.

Gain real-world experience and build valuable connections that will shape your career. Take on an industry placement at organisations like SBS Radio, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre or the United Nations Association of Australia or travel overseas for an international sustainability experience.* Many of our exchange programs are financially supported. Your dedicated course advisor will help you to find your path and explore new opportunities.

The world is waiting for you. Step into it.

The Sociology major is concerned with the study of social life: the structural arrangements and cultural patterns that shape social action at the individual, group, and institutional levels. It examines the forces that shape individual character and the interactions between the individual and society from diverse socio-cultural, national and global perspectives. A Sociology major will provide you with the analytical and conceptual skills needed to diagnose today’s complex social problems, considering ethical implications and multiple perspectives.

You will study a wide range of topics in this major, including contemporary society and Australia in its global context, social policy, popular culture, inequality, migration and mobility, ethnicity and identity, relationships and emotions, health and mental illness, education and work, and urbanisation. These topics will develop your ability to examine social relationships and institutions, analyse inequality, conduct social research and interpret social policy. These skills will prepare you for a range of careers in the government and community sector, in research and education, and in media and communications.

The rapid globalisation of our society means international relations are more important – and more complex – than ever. Want to be a leader in this evolving world? Combine a global perspective with in-depth legal expertise.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Global Studies is an immersive and flexible double degree giving you the skills and knowledge to succeed.

Become a legal expert with valuable expertise in global affairs. You'll develop your legal knowledge and skills as you build a deep understanding of global issues, diplomacy, politics, and international trade.

Your law degree will introduce you to the fundamentals of legal practice and build your skills in advocacy, negotiation, and dispute resolution – all highly valued by employers across a range of industries.

At the same time, your global studies degree will immerse you in a wide range of global issues, including international relations and geopolitics, contemporary security issues, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and contemporary armed conflict and terrorism. Tailor your studies to your interests with a choice of five curated majors – international relations, conflict and negotiation, Asian politics and security, government and policy, and human rights.

When it comes to learning, there's no substitute for hands-on experience. You'll have the opportunity to take on real-world work placements in settings such as community legal centres, law firms, government agencies, and with judges and magistrates (subject to availability) and bolster your education with a practical global studies placement subject. You could also put your legal skills to the test in law competitions, both locally and internationally.

Greek studies intermediate

The Greek Studies major offers you the opportunity to study aspects of Greek language, culture, history and politics from the ancient world to contemporary Greece. In this major you will develop a critical understanding of the evolution of Greek culture in its original homeland and the diaspora, including multicultural Australia. Melbourne’s large Greek community provides you with a stimulating cultural and social environment in which to observe and practice what you learn. You can pair language subjects at a variety of levels with cultural subjects focussed on ancient and modern Greek literature, history and society. The skills obtained in this major will prepare you for a variety of work opportunities including teaching, translating, interpreting, health, banking, tourism, and related industries in Australia and overseas. You will also be encouraged to study in Greece or Cyprus through exchange programs or La Trobe’s overseas short study program “Connecting with Language and Culture in Greece.” (Please note: overseas programs may be impacted by travel restrictions.) Depending on your prior knowledge and/or qualifications in the Greek language, you may commence at Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced (post-VCE) or Extended levels.

More than ever, employers are searching for professionals with advanced STEM skills.* With job growth expected in this area* – including in areas that don’t even exist yet – there’s no better time to build the scientific skills you need to create a successful, interesting and satisfying career.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Science offers you foundational skills in science and the freedom to delve into your passions. Whether it's protecting endangered animals, developing new ways to treat disease or fighting climate change, you'll be ready to pursue your dream journey in science by tailoring your degree with a mix of majors and minors.

As you learn from leading academics and researchers, you'll take a deep dive into science – not only scientific concepts, but also how scientists think, work and share their findings.

Build skills in problem-solving, communication and collaboration – all highly sought after by employers – then use these skills to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Personalise your learning so you can spend time focusing on the areas that really interest you. Choose from majors in a range of fields, including botany, statistics, microbiology, genetics, data science and more, and learn from academics who are leaders in their fields.

You'll have opportunities to put theory into practice through work placements with our industry partners. Previous students have undertaken placements with CSIRO, Bayer Crop Science and various State and Federal Government departments.

Applied cybersecurity

Cybercrime continues to pose a major threat, not only to individuals, but also to corporations and governments worldwide. This threat can only be combated by highly skilled specialists with the technical expertise to adapt to new challenges. Our applied cybersecurity major gives you the skills and knowledge to face these challenges, which include safeguarding data and critical infrastructures against malicious cyber-threats. It opens up a world of opportunities, addresses the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals and prepares you with diverse skills across network engineering, forensics and strategic communication. In this major, you’ll be introduced to the basic principles of cybersecurity, look at current practices used to protect organisations from threats, explore models and architectures of the internet and other networks, and study strategies for effective crisis communication. You’ll also build specialist knowledge in information and data security and learn how digital forensic investigation techniques are employed across different scenarios. The skills you build in this major will prepare you to appraise cybersecurity problems, construct cyber-attack defences such as firewalls, examine the roles of protocols and services in different operating environments and perform forensic analysis in a digital environment. Importantly, you’ll be equipped to respond to and manage emerging crisis situations, such as cybercrime and terrorism. Graduate with a broad portfolio of valuable and practical cybersecurity knowledge and expertise. You’ll understand current practices in cyber defence, be able to adapt to evolving real-world cybersecurity problems and have the knowledge to solve those problems. Cybersecurity is one of the most rapidly expanding global industries and experts are sought after in a range of different roles.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Global Studies gives you a strong grounding in the issues facing key regions and countries around the world. We've designed this degree to introduce you to global problems and their policy responses, so you'll develop the tools to tackle the challenges of the future.

Study core subjects examining the history of international relations and geopolitics, contemporary security issues – such as American power, the rise of China, contemporary armed conflict and terrorism – and the emerging challenges of human and environmental security.

Look at international cooperation and conflict. Analyse the dynamics of power, sovereignty and security, exploring transformational changes in 21st century international relations. Investigate the powerful role of international law – including humanitarian, environmental and refugee law.

Whatever your ambition, tailor your degree with specially curated majors and minors that allow you to explore the geopolitical and humanitarian forces shaping our world. Choose from majors such as international relations, human rights, conflict and negotiation, Asian politics and security, government and policy, sustainability and development, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Spanish, Greek, French and Italian.

Global experiences are a vital part of global studies. Get out of the classroom and into the real world with a study experience at one of our overseas partner universities and build both your skills and your professional network. You'll also have the opportunity to do an internship, either in Australia or overseas, that's tailored to your career goals.

Spanish Studies Advanced

In the Spanish studies major you will learn the Spanish language and about Spanish and Latin American history and cultures. Spanish is one of the world's major languages and the first language of more than 400 million people. As well as developing your language skills, you can take subjects in Spanish and Latin American culture, linguistics, translation, literature and film. Learning Spanish will give you highly employable communication skills in a competitive globalised labour market. It is also important in international development and diplomatic contexts as an official language of the United Nations and the World Bank. As part of this major, you are encouraged to apply to do in-country study programs in Spanish through the University’s exchange programs. These are available in Spain and in various Latin American countries. (Please note overseas programs may be impacted by travel restrictions.) You can major in Spanish Studies whatever your skill level. Depending on your prior knowledge of and/or qualifications in the Spanish language you will start at Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced level or Extended.

Growing minds need guidance and inspiration. As the bridge between childhood and adult life, teachers offer a unique opportunity to help shape our next generation of thinkers, doers and dreamers. And with young people growing up in a rapidly changing world, we need educators who understand the challenges they face and are skilled to guide them to become their best selves.

If you're passionate about helping young people to flourish, La Trobe's accredited Bachelor of Education offers your best path to a rewarding career in teaching. Carefully designed by expert teachers and leaders in the learning sciences, our Bachelor of Education will give you the skills, experience and confidence to make a difference from your first day as a qualified teacher.

Take your time and find out what area of teaching you'd like to specialise in. You won't have to decide what you'll teach – secondary, primary, or early childhood and primary – until the end of your first year. Then, you'll dive deep into your area of specialisation and develop unique and comprehensive skills.

Offered at every La Trobe campus in Victoria, our Bachelor of Education is extremely flexible. Learn in blended mode (online, in schools, in community and on campus), making it easier to balance study and life commitments.

You'll seamlessly integrate theory and practice through a careful blend of learning experiences. Learn the most up-to-date and proven approaches to teaching, then put them into practice. You'll spend at least 80 days in schools and education centres, learning how to manage classrooms, design class plans and guide students.

Learn from currently practising teachers and get valuable knowledge that no textbook (or YouTube video) can give you. Study in a supportive learning environment, mentored by our experienced and dedicated teaching staff. You'll also learn from leading researchers who are changing the way people learn to read.

Become a strong, independent learner and develop your identity as a teacher. At La Trobe, you'll gain a thorough understanding of the important ethical and technical requirements for being a teacher. You'll graduate classroom ready, equipped to become the best teacher you can be.

If you decide to pursue primary or secondary teaching, you'll develop discipline specialisations that you'll take straight into the classroom when you graduate. But no matter which path you choose, you'll learn alongside students working across all age groups, so you'll constantly learn about all stages of a child's education journey.

We are embedded within communities. This means you'll be connected to the communities you serve and have strong professional networks. And with campuses across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria, we collaborate with a huge range of communities.

You'll build classroom skills in challenging and diverse placements. Learn how to be an adaptable teacher and discover how to design learning environments that meet the needs of a wide range of students inclusive of race, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. You'll focus on Indigenous knowledge and learn how to meet the needs of diverse individuals and communities.

Be prepared to teach in any school. At La Trobe, you'll learn the most up-to-date skills needed for the modern classroom. Graduate feeling completely prepared and confident from the first day you step into the classroom.

Primary 

Gain the skills to artfully guide children through this important phase, with a focus on ages 5 to 12.? 

Get the skills, experience and confidence to make a difference from your first day as a qualified teacher. You'll learn proven approaches as you gain an in-depth understanding of child psychology and how this important age group learns. Get experience teaching across all primary curriculum areas, including how to read, how to use numbers, the creative arts and sciences, and how to care for your body.? 

You’ll build the practical skills you’ll use every day in your career. Learn to plan and provide lessons, understand how to engage with a diverse range of learners, discover how to provide assessments, and get practise engaging with parents, other teachers and the school community.?? 

With extensive practical experience woven into the course, you’ll graduate ready to make a real and lasting difference for our growing children.  

The rapid globalisation of our society means international relations are more important – and more complex – than ever. Want to be a leader in this evolving world? Combine a global perspective with in-depth legal expertise.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Global Studies is an immersive and flexible double degree giving you the skills and knowledge to succeed.

Become a legal expert with valuable expertise in global affairs. You'll develop your legal knowledge and skills as you build a deep understanding of global issues, diplomacy, politics, and international trade.

Your law degree will introduce you to the fundamentals of legal practice and build your skills in advocacy, negotiation, and dispute resolution – all highly valued by employers across a range of industries.

At the same time, your global studies degree will immerse you in a wide range of global issues, including international relations and geopolitics, contemporary security issues, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and contemporary armed conflict and terrorism. Tailor your studies to your interests with a choice of five curated majors – international relations, conflict and negotiation, Asian politics and security, government and policy, and human rights.

When it comes to learning, there's no substitute for hands-on experience. You'll have the opportunity to take on real-world work placements in settings such as community legal centres, law firms, government agencies, and with judges and magistrates (subject to availability) and bolster your education with a practical global studies placement subject. You could also put your legal skills to the test in law competitions, both locally and internationally.

Spanish studies extension

In the Spanish studies major you will learn the Spanish language and about Spanish and Latin American history and cultures. Spanish is one of the world's major languages and the first language of more than 400 million people. As well as developing your language skills, you can take subjects in Spanish and Latin American culture, linguistics, translation, literature and film. Learning Spanish will give you highly employable communication skills in a competitive globalised labour market. It is also important in international development and diplomatic contexts as an official language of the United Nations and the World Bank. Alongside this major, you are encouraged to apply to do in-country study programs in Spanish through the University’s exchange programs. These are available in Spain and in various Latin American countries. (Please note overseas programs may be impacted by travel restrictions.) You can take a major in Spanish Studies whatever your skill level. Depending on your prior knowledge of and/or qualifications in the Spanish language you will start at Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced level or Extended.

Politics, philosophy and economics degrees have produced political and community leaders who have shaped our world, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, journalist and film activist Tariq Ali, and former Australian Prime Ministers Malcolm Fraser and Bob Hawke.

The world needs creative leaders to respond to society’s greatest challenges, including the global effects of the climate crisis and the social impacts of inequalities in resources, opportunity and power.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics gives you a multi-disciplinary perspective on the political and economic systems that shape the world. Develop the skills to respond to urgent problems and make a positive social impact

Through the study of politics, you'll enhance your knowledge of political institutions and their history. Analyse who is disadvantaged by existing institutions, and identify what opportunities exist for creative policy development.

Take subjects in philosophy that explore the debates around human rights and justice. Refine your critical thinking and logical reasoning skills and consider how our conceptions of self are informed by society.

Through the study of economics, you'll learn how the economy works in a world of globalised and interdependent markets, examining the relationships between economic systems, institutions, and policy.

Explore how governments can manage their economies to achieve important social objectives. Investigate competing theories of political economy, including institutional, feminist, post-Keynesian, behavioural, and ecological economics.

Equipped with these disciplinary skills, you'll discover the interconnections between philosophical thinking, the study of politics, and economics. From there, you'll apply these interdisciplinary insights to a range of policy contexts.

Tailor your degree to your interests and passions. Choose from five majors, including political economy, politics, economics, political philosophy, and philosophy. Depending on your major, you'll be able to build specialist knowledge in inequality, global institutions, climate change, human rights, political processes and behavioural science.

In your third year, you'll have the option of gaining practical experience and expanding your professional network through a work-based learning placement. Previous graduates have enjoyed internships in the public service and with the Victorian Parliament, as well as a range of non-government organisations and businesses, including Trades Hall, the Grattan Institute, and charitable organisations.

Graduate ready to tackle real-world problems, including climate change, the need for sustainable innovation, and the unequal distribution of wealth, opportunity, and power.

Political philosophy

This Political Philosophy major can only be taken by students in either the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics or the double degree with Law (Law (hons)/ PPE). The goal of this major is two-fold. First, in conjunction with PPE degree cores, the major’s core units ensure that students cover a minimum amount of Economics, Politics and Philosophy in their PPE degree overall. Second, core-choice in the major then allows students to specialise in one of three thematic modes of study in philosophy, modes that are particularly relevant to interdisciplinary analysis that also employs knowledge and skills from the disciplines of politics and economics too. In this Political Philosophy major, students can choose to study normative questions about how we should act both as individuals and as a collective (featuring debates about ethics, human rights and the nature of justice). Or students can refine their critical thinking and logical reasoning skills, and apply these skills to the social and behavioural sciences. Or students can cultivate a nuanced understanding of identity, by considering how our conceptions of self are informed by society. Equipped with one of these specialisations, you will be able to consider how our shared institutions might be designed, in view of achieving certain social objectives, supporting the broader aims of your PPE degree.

Undertaking a major in Political Philosophy will connect you with experts in philosophy, political theory, game theory, rational choice, “gender, sexuality and diversity studies,” and environmental humanities.

Explore your passions and build a rewarding career.

Today’s workplaces are rapidly evolving. Governments, businesses and law firms need passionate professionals who not only have advanced legal expertise, but also the ability to think critically, analytically and creatively.*

La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Arts lets you enrich your legal education by pursuing your interests and passions. Open doors to a diverse range of rewarding careers, while exploring how to make a difference in your community.

Learn the fundamentals of criminal, constitutional, property and company law. Explore the legal system and understand how it can be used as a powerful and positive force in society. Develop key skills in advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution.

You'll also choose from our list of arts majors and explore your area of interest. Broaden your knowledge and experience by studying areas like politics, languages, sociology, history, philosophy and media studies. Learn how to communicate effectively and think critically, analytically and creatively.

You can also choose to complete law electives that complement your arts specialisation. For example, a politics major can be matched with related subjects like public international law and human rights law. While a language or philosophy major could be augmented by subjects in areas like Indigenous Australians and the law, intellectual property law or family, society and law.

Enhance your classroom learning by taking advantage of optional internships, work experience, and our study abroad program*. Gain hands-on experience working with community legal centres, law firms and government agencies. Find out what it takes to interview clients, prepare legal advice and work with senior lawyers to develop legal solutions.

Graduate ready to make a positive difference. With combined expertise in law and arts, you can build a career as a solicitor or barrister, in-house counsel or corporate consultant, working in commercial law firms or community legal centres. You could also work in the public service as a government lawyer or support social justice initiatives in the not-for-profit sector.

The French Studies major enables you to participate in a dialogue with the French-speaking world by developing your proficiency in the language and your knowledge of French history, society and culture. The French Studies major will give you access to a vast network of international communication and a rich body of literary, historical and scientific knowledge. French is spoken on all continents and in various organisations such as the United Nations and Médecins Sans Frontières. The language prepares you to excel in numerous fields including education, translating and interpreting, foreign affairs and trade, international law and humanitarian work. You will be strongly encouraged to apply for an exchange program with one of La Trobe’s partner universities in France. (Please note: overseas programs may be impacted by travel restrictions.) You should enrol in the appropriate stream at first-year level: Beginners (students with little or no prior knowledge of French), Intermediate (students with Year 11 French or equivalent), Advanced (students with Year 12 French or equivalent) or Extended (native or near-native competency).

If you can't let go of unanswered questions. If you love learning. If you're passionate about the world around you. Then it's time to start your journey at La Trobe.

With our flexible Bachelor of Arts, you can choose from an incredible array of majors and minors. You'll have access to around 50 majors and minors from humanities, social sciences, business, health and science, keeping your career options open. Pursue your passion and your profession.

Shape your own future with this interdisciplinary degree. You'll choose one arts major, then explore your interests or build an essential skill when you choose secondary majors, minors and electives from across the university. You'll graduate with your primary major on your academic transcript, so future employers can recognise your expertise.

Create your own path. Want to major in sociology, with a second major in psychology, then take Chinese as an elective? Go for it. Or perhaps you'd like to pair economics and English. Or crime, justice and legal studies with linguistics. Build your own future – we're here to help you achieve your dream. No matter which path you choose, you'll learn from world-class academics and leading researchers.

In your first year, you'll explore your interests and passions. Try a language; or get a taste for history, English, politics or creative writing. In your second and third years, you'll delve deeper while also choosing electives and minors that broaden your skills and knowledge. You may also choose to develop professional skillsets in areas like psychology, public health, marketing, science, sport management and more.

This flexible degree also offers a range of study options. You can choose to study face-to-face at our Melbourne Campus and enjoy our on-campus facilities, or you can study online – knowing your experience will mirror on-campus students, with tutorials delivered in a synchronous manner. Unlike many other online degrees, at La Trobe you can login to live sessions and engage directly with academics and your fellow students in real time.

Gain real-world experience and build valuable connections that will shape your career. Take on an industry placement at organisations like SBS Radio, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre or the United Nations Association of Australia or travel overseas for an international sustainability experience.* Many of our exchange programs are financially supported. Your dedicated course advisor will help you to find your path and explore new opportunities.

The world is waiting for you. Step into it.

In the Italian Studies major you will combine the study of the language with the study of Italian culture, literature, cinema, history and translation. The primary focus of this major is on contemporary Italy, but you can explore aspects of early modern, Renaissance and twentieth-century Italy in selected subjects. A major in Italian Studies provides you with the opportunity to develop your written, spoken and comprehension skills in Italian to a high level, while enhancing your critical thinking skills, and becoming proficient at analysing texts and at presenting reasoned arguments. Studying Italian will equip you with valuable communication skills. Recent graduates of Italian studies have found employment in teaching, diplomacy, government, social work, art history and restoration, international business, publishing, journalism, tourism, and translating and interpreting. Students of Italian are encouraged to consider spending one or two semesters studying at an Italian university as part of an approved exchange program. (Please note: overseas programs may be impacted by travel restrictions.) Italian is taught at a number of levels starting from beginners. For those with prior knowledge of and/or qualifications in the language, a placement test and interview may be used to determine the appropriate stream for a student.