Overview

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Computer Science provides you with an accredited qualification in law while you develop expertise in software development and computer science.

You’ll develop a well-rounded legal understanding of the role law plays in our society and how it can assist Australia as a trading nation. You’ll also learn how human factors are involved in the development, deployment and use of computer-based systems.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws, graduates should be able to:

• describe and demonstrate the application of the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system and of the principles and doctrines that underpin them
• describe and demonstrate the application of ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of the law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice
• analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues arise and the disciplines and policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law
• describe and compare the international legal order and the law and legal systems of Australia’s major trading partners
• critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
• undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
• demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences
• communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development.

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Computer Science, graduates will be able to:

• apply a broad and coherent knowledge of computer science and software development in diverse contexts and domains using critical thinking and judgement
• apply appropriate methods and contemporary tools to the scoping, analysis, design, construction, verification and operation of software systems
• communicate proficiently to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a team, and use the basic tools and practices of project management within project work
• demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, professional accountability and an awareness of professional practice in a global context
• apply problem analysis and decision-making methodologies to identify, design and implement solutions to industry relevant problems with intellectual independence
• reflect on personal performance, learning, and self-management processes as a means of continued professional development and lifelong learning.

Course rules

To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Computer Science, students must complete 500 credit points comprising:

• 20 core Law units (250 credit points)
• 4 Law electives (50 credit points)
• 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) *
• 8 core Computer Science units of study (100 credit points)
• 8 units of study from a Computer Science Major (100 credit points) 

Students complete no more than 200 credit points (16 units) at Introductory Level (i.e. Stage 1 - eg: LAW1XXXX). A unit of study can only be counted once. Where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative unit.

Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Professional Placement.

Career opportunities

Bachelor of Laws graduates will have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to operate effectively in diverse settings such as law firms and barristers’ chambers, not-for-profit organisations, government, small businesses and corporate organisations. In particular, the specialisation in intellectual property law equips graduates for careers in the new knowledge economy, giving them the skills to work in media and entertainment, design, branding and advertising, and in internet companies and firms advising information-dependent industries.

Bachelor of Computer Science graduates typically find employment in organisations engaged in medium- to large-scale software development. Initially, graduates are usually employed in technical areas such as programming and systems analysis and design, internet systems development. They are well-prepared for progression into project leadership and management positions as their experience develops.

Professional placements

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 600 credit points comprising:

• 20 core Law units (250 credit points)
• 4 Law electives (50 credit points)
• 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) * (see note below)
• 8 core Computer Science units of study (100 credit points)
• 8 units of study from a Computer Science Major (100 credit points)
• 4 units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points)

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 550 credit points comprising:

• 20 core Law units (250 credit points)
• 4 Law electives (50 credit points)
• 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) * (see note below)
• 8 core Computer Science units of study (100 credit points)
• 8 units of study from a Computer Science Major (100 credit points)
• 2 units of study from the Professional Placement co-major (50 credit points)

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practice as a lawyer in the Victorian and Australian Federal legal systems as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. Please be advised that non-academic requirements must also be satisfied for admission to practice and that no law degree allows graduates to practise straight away.

The Bachelor of Computer Science is accredited with the Australian Computer Society at the professional level.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Computer Science is 250 credit points (normally 20 units), 150 credit points maximum from Law discipline and 100 credit points from Computer Science discipline.

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

Bridging courses 

Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: Further bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than ten years are not considered to have met course requirements.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

Bridging courses 

Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: Further bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than ten years are not considered to have met course requirements.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.