Why Study / Key Benefits

• Combines two professional fields: law and engineering.
• Develops knowledge of Australian law alongside engineering principles, technical problem-solving and professional engineering practice.
• Provides preparation for work involving engineering, technology, regulation, contracts, intellectual property, compliance and legal services.
• Students develop legal analysis, persuasive communication, problem-solving and analytical engineering skills.
• Engineering study includes practical projects and professional experience.
• The engineering component is designed to develop technological skills and knowledge expected of professional engineers.
• Law students undertake professional experience and can undertake Practical Legal Training through the Leo Cussen Centre for Law Swinburne Program.
• Engineering graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia, subject to the relevant professional requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme combines the complete Law component with an Engineering (Honours) component.

Law component

Examples of current core Law units include:

• Introduction to Australian Law and Statutory Interpretation – LAW10010
• Torts 1 – LAW10014
• Criminal Law and Procedure – LAW10015
• Torts 2 – LAW10025
• Legal Writing – LAW10026
• Contract Law 1 – LAW10028
• Contract Law 2 – LAW10029
• Evidence – LAW20009
• Administrative Law – LAW20010
• Trade Marks and Related Rights – LAW20011
• Federal and State Constitutional Law – LAW20012
• Property Law – LAW20013
• Land Law – LAW20014
• Legal Technology and Innovation – LAW20040
• Copyright – LAW20043

Engineering component

Common Engineering core subjects include:

• Preliminary Mathematics – MTH00007
• Introduction to Programming – COS10009
• Humanitarian Engineering Design Project – ENG10001
• Engineering Materials – ENG10002
• Engineering Mechanics – ENG10003
• Engineering Technology with Indigenous Context – ENG10006
• Calculus and Applications – MTH10012
• Linear Algebra and Applications – MTH10013
• Energy and Motion – PHY10001
• Professional Experience in Engineering – EAT20008. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

Students choose an Engineering major from:

• Architectural
• Biomedical
• Civil
• Electrical and Electronic
• Mechanical
• Product Design
• Robotics and Mechatronics
• Software.

Examples of the focus of these areas include:

• Architectural: structural/environmental engineering combined with architectural design.
• Biomedical: electrical, electronics and systems engineering applications in medicine and biology.
• Civil: construction, infrastructure and civil engineering.
• Electrical and Electronic: power systems, electronics, control, signal processing and embedded systems.
• Mechanical: mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and energy.
• Product Design: industrial design, engineering science and innovation.
• Robotics and Mechatronics: mechanical, electronics and software disciplines.
• Software: advanced software engineering, teamwork and practical software development.

Programme Highlights

• Combined Law and Engineering qualification.
• 6.5-year full-time structure.
• 650 credit points.
• Eight Engineering major options.
• 450 hours of Law professional experience.
• 480 hours of Engineering professional experience.
• Engineering capstone/project work.
• Legal Technology and Innovation included within the Law curriculum.
• Practical engineering experience and industry-focused learning.
• Opportunity to undertake professional placement arrangements.
• Graduates of the Engineering component are eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia.
• Law graduates must complete Practical Legal Training before applying for admission to practise as a lawyer.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne lists potential career opportunities including:

• Solicitor
• Legal counsel
• Lawyer
• Civil engineer
• Electrical engineer
• Industrial engineer.

Depending on the selected Engineering major and additional professional requirements, graduates may also work in areas where engineering and legal knowledge overlap, including:

• Engineering and construction contracts
• Infrastructure and development
• Technology and intellectual property
• Regulatory and compliance work
• Engineering consulting
• Corporate/legal services
• Technology-related commercial practice.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: BB-LAWENG1.
• CRICOS code: 107342M.
• Current duration: 6.5 years.
• Current location: Hawthorn.
• 2027 starts: 1 March and 2 August.
• 2027 application deadlines: 24 February and 28 July respectively.
• Total study requirement: 650 credit points.
• Students normally complete 100 credit points per full-time year.
• Mathematics prerequisite is mandatory unless an approved equivalent or bridging arrangement applies.
• Students who do not meet the mathematics prerequisite must successfully complete MathsLink Methods.
• Law professional experience requirement: 450 hours.
• Engineering professional experience requirement: 480 hours.
• Maximum academic credit that may be granted is 375 credit points, subject to Swinburne's credit rules and assessment.
• Law graduates must complete Practical Legal Training before applying for admission to legal practice.
• Engineering graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant visa for an international student undertaking this on-campus degree in Australia is generally the Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

The Student visa permits an eligible student to study in Australia, travel in and out of Australia and work up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session. The exemption from the 48-hour limit applies to students undertaking master's by research or doctoral degrees; it does not apply to this undergraduate double degree.

Key Student visa requirements can include:

• Valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Genuine Student requirement.
• Financial-capacity evidence where required.
• Valid identity/passport documentation.
• Health and character requirements where applicable.
• Any additional documents identified by the Department of Home Affairs' Document Checklist Tool.