Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Science - Chemistry (Dual Degree)

at La Trobe University - Melbourne Campus Australia

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.

In the English major you will encounter a variety of literary forms, from the short story to the novel, plays, poetry and memoir and read a wide range of texts spanning some 500 years of literary history from Shakespeare to Alexis Wright. The subjects available to you in this major will help you develop ideas in literary history, literary theory and contemporary critical approaches while also providing a focused study of literary genres, periods and regions. Critical and creative practices are often linked in the English discipline, with understanding gained through one mode sustaining the other. By delving deeply into texts, you will discover some of the complexities of language and the ways in which culture, thought and writing have shaped and continue to shape each other.

In this major you will be taught to analyse literature in English from around the world, addressing key issues of identity, representation, conflict, desire, authorship and ethics. You will be encouraged to reflect on your own reading habits and to travel beyond the limits of lived experience, extending the capacity for empathy or learning to sit with difference. Reading in this way is a vital means of knowing ourselves as individuals and as part of our wider community.

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 Hindi studies major introduces you to one of the most widely spoken languages in the world—a language with around half a billion speakers, the language of Bollywood cinema, and one of the fastest growing languages in Australia. Hindi is the ideal subject for students who want to study Indian culture, religion, media or politics. Hindi also gives you access to the larger linguistic world of South Asia, including competence in Urdu. Knowledge of Hindi is welcome in many professional fields, including media, diplomacy, and healthcare. India is Australia’s 5th largest trading partner, and one of the world’s fastest growing economies, making Hindi crucial for international trade and business. Opportunities are available for you to study in India, where you take courses on Indian politics, society, and history, as well as improve your language skills. Students with no prior knowledge of the language should enrol in beginners Hindi, where they develop competence in speaking, reading, writing and understanding Hindi in everyday social contexts. Students with prior knowledge of Hindi should consult with the instructor to determine which of the intermediate or advanced subjects are appropriate.

Technology is evolving at breakneck speed. With so many opportunities to innovate, organisations need business leaders who can harness the immense power of data analytics – and turn their insights into meaningful business solutions that keep them ahead of the competition.

Build a career at the forefront of the digital revolution with La Trobe's Bachelor of Business Analytics. In this forward-thinking degree, you'll learn how to solve today's most pressing business challenges and take advantage of cutting-edge data analytics tools, techniques and software.

Designed in partnership with industry leaders, this practical course gives you solid foundations in business fundamentals, with the opportunity to specialise in your business discipline of choice. You'll choose from a wide range of optional majors and minors, so you can extend your expertise in your area of interest.

Learn from brilliant minds who are pioneering research in artificial intelligence, machine learning and digital disruption. Then gain real-world experience through our wide range of work based learning opportunities at leading industry partners – where you'll develop your professional networks and plan for your first steps in the industry.

As you progress, you'll develop a combination of problem-solving, critical-thinking and communication skills across business, marketing, commerce and technology. You'll gain valuable experience with industry-standard programs, so you'll have the skills and adaptability to succeed in a wide variety of workplaces.

Learning from industry experts, you'll develop advanced analytical skills while building your knowledge in programming, data engineering, smart supply chains, artificial intelligence and cloud-based data management.

When you graduate, you'll be ready to succeed in the rapidly evolving world of business. Use the latest tools and techniques to analyse data, turn it into insights and then create innovative and competitive solutions for businesses around the world.

To create an optimal legal system, we need to understand human behaviour and what clients need. More than ever, employers are searching for experienced professionals with expertise in law and psychology who can create innovative solutions to our most pressing legal challenges.

In La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Psychological Science, you'll build an adaptable skillset that combines skills-based legal training with expertise in psychological teaching, preparing you for a rewarding career.

As you study law, you can tailor your degree to your personal career aspirations with a wide range of elective subjects and opportunities for hands-on professional experience. We combine outstanding legal training with a progressive approach that prepares you for employment. You'll build legal expertise in key areas of law and develop skills that are highly valued by all employers, like advocacy, negotiation, and dispute resolution.

In your accredited psychological science degree, you'll enjoy the full benefits of having access to academics who are experts in their fields. Explore the environmental factors that affect our mental health and understand how community members cope with mental and physical disorders. Thanks to our electives and specialised minors, you'll be able to further ensure your study meets your specific career goals.

With access to real-world placement opportunities in both law and psychology, you'll also have opportunities put your knowledge into practice – whether it's working at a community legal centre, law firms and government agencies, or undertaking a psychology-related field placement.

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.

Italian Studies Beginners

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.

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.

Environmental Humanities is an interdisciplinary major that allows you to explore the relationship between nature and culture, environmental values and ethics, and how humans might respond creatively, collaboratively and ethically to address global environmental crises. The Environmental Humanities, as an area of scholarship, has emerged in response to world-wide environmental crises, and brings together disciplines including Aboriginal studies, history, philosophy, literature, creative arts, geography, politics and law, in conjunction with the natural and social sciences. Rapid environmental change has become a hallmark of our contemporary world. It is accompanied by threats to global ecosystems, species extinction, and unsustainable rates of consumption of the earth’s resources. Scientists may have diagnosed these problems, but their causes are human and their solutions will also be human.

In the Environmental Humanities major, you will be taught to understand the ways in which humans are entangled in environmental change. You will also learn how to respond to climate injustices and the complex social and ecological challenges. You will also be exposed to a variety of approaches that help understand and address environmental and climate change. Throughout the major you will explore historical, cultural, political, creative, philosophical, scientific and legal understandings of environmental change and can tailor your subject selection to focus in greater depth on the historical, legal or creative disciplines. When you graduate you will have a deep and critical understanding of the contexts within which environmental crises have arisen and have the tools to evaluate and respond to environmental issues and create new ways of living with our environment.

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.

Chinese studies intermediate

A Chinese studies major will enable you to understand and use an increasingly significant world language. Chinese is spoken by nearly one-fifth of the global population, predominantly in the world’s second-largest economy, China. The Chinese Studies major will give you the opportunity to develop skills in oral and written Chinese (Mandarin), and enhance your understanding in China’s past (culture and tradition) and present (economy and technology). At more advanced levels, specialist subjects are available in Chinese for academic and professional purposes—these will help you develop your integrated communication skills to a professional level. Studying Chinese language and culture will give you an advantage in a range of industries and area of government, given that China has been Australia’s largest trading partner since 2007. You will have the opportunity to enrol in overseas programs to extend your language skills in-country. (Please note: overseas programs may be impacted by travel restrictions.) The major offers four entry-levels to cater to your standard in the Chinese language. You may enrol at beginners, intermediate, advanced or extension levels depending on your background and experience.

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.

International relations

The International Relations major will train you to analyse how power is used in relationships between states, non-governmental and international actors and its impact on people and ecosystems around the world. In this major you will explore the various institutions, processes, beliefs and cultures that shape how international conflict and cooperation is managed in a variety of key areas ranging from security to environmental protection. Given that international issues touch upon most aspects of our daily lives, you will learn how to make sense of our international connections and develop the responses necessary to solve the big global problems of our time. 

Undertaking an International Relations major at La Trobe will connect you to experts in political theory, nationalism, social movements, democracy and democratisation, climate change, international relations of the Asia-Pacific, the politics of modern China and Russia, and the history of terrorism.

Some of Australia's most important social problems are waiting to be solved. Learn how to create innovative solutions to social issues and build a safer community in our Bachelor of Criminology.

Explore crime in its broader social context. Understand how both crime and our response to it are shaped by gender, race, power and money. You will learn how to solve real problems in your community and gain a deeper understanding of various specialised areas including forensic science, victimology, family violence, international crime, youth justice, prisons and deaths in custody.

With more than 45 years' experience teaching law and criminology, La Trobe is committed to the highest levels of excellence in teaching, practice and ethics.

Gain invaluable experience with internships and work placements. In your third year, you can choose to take on an industry placement at organisations like the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Corrections, Victoria Police or the Victims of Crime Tribunal.

You can build a career that makes a positive impact on your community.

Behind every cybercrime is a human story. With technology and social networks rapidly evolving, we need highly trained cybersecurity professionals who can understand the roots of crime, stay ahead of crime trends and create innovative solutions to keep our communities safe.

Build a career at the forefront of technological advances with La Trobe's Bachelor of Cybersecurity/Bachelor of Criminology. You'll gain the knowledge and skills to combat the constantly evolving threat of cybercrime in our increasingly digital world.

In this highly complementary double degree, you'll investigate crime as a societal phenomenon and learn how to manage and protect online information and networks.

Learn from experts in world-class facilities, including our Cyber Security Research Hub – one of the largest cybersecurity research hubs in Victoria.