Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Laws at Swinburne University of Technology is a 3-year undergraduate law degree designed around Australian legal practice, legal technology and practical professional experience. Swinburne describes it as the first law degree in Victoria with a specialisation in intellectual property and legal technology. Students study areas including trademarks, patents, designs, copyright and competition law, while developing skills in technologies such as smart legal contracts, document automation, predictive AI and advanced chatbots.

Key benefits include:

• 60 days of law-related professional experience through the compulsory Professional Experience in Law units.
• Practical exposure to legal drafting, complex problem-solving and advocacy.
• Development of legal research, writing, persuasive communication and Australian legal-system skills.
• A strong focus on legal technology and innovation.
• Eligibility for Swinburne's dual-award pathway with the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice through Leo Cussen Centre for Law during the final year, subject to the applicable requirements. Swinburne states that this can provide the training required for legal practice.
• The course is professionally accredited through the Victorian Legal Admissions Board.
• Swinburne currently reports that 80.6% of undergraduate graduates were employed within four months of completing their course and reports a median graduate income of A$54.5K one year after graduation. These are published graduate-outcome indicators rather than guarantees for an individual student.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The current indicative 2026 sequence is organised into three years and 300 credit points. Swinburne notes that the sequence can change depending on advanced standing, exemptions and unit availability.

Year 1 includes:

• Introduction to Australian Law and Statutory Interpretation — LAW10010
• Torts 1 — LAW10014
• Contract Law 1 — LAW10028
• Criminal Law and Procedure — LAW10015
• Legal Writing — LAW10026
• Torts 2 — LAW10025
• Contract Law 2 — LAW10029
• Evidence — LAW20009
• Professional Experience in Law 1 — LAW10016, 150 hours.

Year 2 includes:

• Property Law — LAW20013
• Federal and State Constitutional Law — LAW20012
• Trade Marks and Related Rights — LAW20011
• Land Law — LAW20014
• Administrative Law — LAW20010
• Copyright — LAW20043
• Law electives
• Professional Experience in Law 2 — LAW20018, 150 hours.

Year 3 includes:

• Equity and Trusts — LAW30012
• Company Law — LAW30013
• Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution — LAW30029
• Legal Practice and Professional Conduct — LAW30015
• Legal Technology and Innovation — LAW20040
• Patents and Designs — LAW30011
• Law electives
• Professional Experience in Law 3 — LAW30016, 150 hours.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The principal specialist focus highlighted by Swinburne is:

• Intellectual property law
• Legal technology
• Technology and innovation in legal practice

Specific areas include:

• Copyright
• Trademarks
• Patents
• Designs
• Competition law
• Legal technology and innovation
• Smart legal contracts
• Document automation
• Predictive AI
• Advanced chatbots

Programme Highlights

• 300 credit points.
• 3-year bachelor's degree.
• Hawthorn campus.
• 60 days/450 hours of compulsory law-related professional experience.
• Strong intellectual-property and legal-technology focus.
• Legal Technology and Innovation is a compulsory third-year subject.
• Professional Experience in Law is embedded throughout the degree.
• Victorian Legal Admissions Board professional accreditation.
• Optional 6-month or 12-month professional placement.
• Double-degree options are available separately, including Laws/Business, Laws/Arts, Laws/Computer Science, Laws/Cyber Security and other combinations.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne lists potential career opportunities including:

• Solicitor
• Lawyer
• Legal counsel
• Legal adviser
• Policy adviser
• Human rights advocate.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The current course information has several important points for international students:

• Course code: BA-LAW2.
• CRICOS: 119074E.
• 2027 starts are 1 March and 2 August.
• International Student visa holders must study full-time and on campus.
• Professional placements and law-related activities involve professional, ethical, communication and legal-practice requirements overseen in relevant contexts by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board.
• Some course activities involve client information, legal documents, simulated client interviews, mooting, negotiation, mediation, advocacy and courtroom simulations, so students need to satisfy the relevant professional and ethical requirements.
• Swinburne's current course page states that optional 6- or 12-month professional placements can increase total course fees.
• The published study sequence is indicative and may change.