Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication

Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication

UNDERGRADUATE

Gain a diverse skill set and an advanced understanding of both communication and law to boost your career prospects.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Guaranteed ATAR: 90.00*

Duration:
Full-time 5 years
Part-time 10 years
Fees:

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

Next intake:
February
Location:
Melbourne City
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 5 years
Fees:

AU$XX,XXX (2025 annual)

Next intake:
February
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

This double degree equips you with knowledge and skills related to law and legal practice and professional communication, with a sound understanding of ethical requirements in both disciplines.

The Bachelor of Professional Communication provides you with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills relevant to the global communication landscape. This complements the legal knowledge gained in the Bachelor of Laws, allowing you to approach legal issues with a nuanced understanding of how communication dynamics influence legal contexts.

Once you graduate, you will have access to traditional legal careers requiring admission to practice. This degree will develop the skills to be successful in the legal industry, such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills.

Why study law and professional communication at RMIT?

Two areas of expertise

Expand your career options with two degrees and build highly transferable skills for roles in both legal and non-legal fields.

Hands-on learning

Undertake clinical legal education and industry placement opportunities or projects to ensure you develop the requisite skills for the future of work.

Solve real-world issues

You'll work on actual cases and problems, allowing you to gain practical skills and experience while building applicable legal knowledge.

Choose your major in communication and be an expert

In the Bachelor of Professional Communication component of this double degree, you can choose one major and one minor in Media and Communication. Major options include:

  • Advertising 
  • Public Relations
  • Digital Communication 

Details

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Learning and teaching

The subjects will be predominantly face-to-face with online learning components, while others will be mostly online, with some campus-based classes. A range of blended teaching strategies will be used to enhance the effectiveness of delivery and tailor your learning experience. This double degree gives you an opportunity to build workplace experience through internships and other practice-based subjects. For each degree there is a capstone subject where you will showcase the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout the degree. You will propose and work on a project of your choice (individually or collaboratively).

Assessment methods

In the Bachelor of Laws, assessment methods incorporate diverse approaches to gauge comprehension and skills development.

  • Classroom teaching integrates lectures, guest talks, group discussions and hackathons, fostering a dynamic learning environment. 
  • Problem-based learning immerses students in simulated legal scenarios, promoting practical application of knowledge. 
  • Assignments and projects, both individual and team-based, emphasise legal research, writing proficiency and oral presentation skills. 
  • Participation in moots sharpens advocacy and negotiation abilities through mock court experiences.

Similarly, the Bachelor of Professional Communication emphasises independent learning, blending lectorials, seminars, workshops and practical sessions.

Assessment in both courses encompasses real-world tasks tailored to course objectives, including quizzes, essays, presentations, projects and reflective journals. 

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication integrates industry experience in diverse forms, including Work Integrated Learning (WIL) subjects blending academic study with practical industry activities. 

Throughout the course, you will engage with industry stakeholders in a variety of ways, work with industry partners and explore different discipline contexts. This program includes a range of embedded Career Development Learning and assessment activities aimed at enhancing your knowledge, capabilities and career awareness to prepare for and manage your career throughout your life.

In addition, the College of Business and Law has established Industry Advisory Committees comprising of high-profile industry representatives. The role of the committees ensures the College of Business and Law's links with industry standards and practices remain current.

Global work, exchange and study experiences

RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through global work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

In the Bachelor of Laws, you may also be given the opportunity to undertake study tours with partners in countries including Vietnam and New Zealand.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree/diploma and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

To graduate from Bachelor of Professional Communication/Bachelor of Laws, you must complete the following:

  • 24 subjects totalling 288 credit points in Law including 19 core subjects and 5 approved law options
  • 16 subjects totalling 192 credit points in Professional communication including 4 foundation subjects, 1 major and 4 subjects from your selected Media and Communication minor or university electives.

Year 1

In your first year of study, you will undertake core subjects that shape the foundation of both of legal and professional communication discipline. You will learn about becoming a lawyer in a globalised world, contract law, criminal law and procedure, advertising, digital communication and public relations.

Year 2

In your second year, you will delve deeper into the legal discipline with mid-level subjects. You will also choose major subjects and Media and Communication minor subject in professional communication.

Year 3

In your third year, you will study Justice Innovation where you will work in partnership with industry and with your peers to develop an innovative justice solution to a current social problem. In addition to other law students, you will also have the opportunity to select major subjects in professional communication.

Year 4

In your fourth year, you will undertake a technology and law subject that is combined with legal ethics and lawyers’ practice (Technology, Ethics and the Law) and other law subjects. You will also get to choose approved law subjects and Media and Communication minor list or university electives.

Year 5

In your fifth year, you will undertake a capstone subject which is a mid-level problem-based learning subject dealing with setting up new start-ups that includes a “design thinking in law” approach to solving legal problems (Enterprise Law: Designing Legal Solutions). You will also study constitutional law, trusts, and law of evidence, as well as approved law, major subjects, and Media and Communication minor list or university electives.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication
Program code: BP360
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication
City Campus
5 years Full-time, 10 years Part-time
BP360BLDD
Location
City Campus
Duration
5 years Full-time, 10 years Part-time
Plan code
BP360BLDD
CRICOS
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

Bachelor of Laws graduates have the foundational legal knowledge required for a career as a legal practitioner, or in both legal and non-legal roles in a variety of law-related fields. Combined with professional communication skills, this prepares you for a range of careers in areas including legal firms, corporate counsel roles and government as well as legal aid and community law, diverse NGOs, in-house (with corporates, unions, etc), business, the media, politics and academia.

The Bachelor of Professional Communication component of this double degree prepares you for a career in the communication industry by providing diverse opportunities to engage in the different aspects of the field. 

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This program is currently not accredited.

Admissions

You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification).

Prerequisites

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4:

  • a study score of at least 25 in English other than EAL; or
  • a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL)

or equivalent studies.

Guaranteed ATAR

This course has a Guaranteed ATAR (excluding adjustment factors).

This means that if you receive an ATAR equal to or above this and meet the course pre-requisites, we will guarantee you an offer in this course.

If you receive an ATAR below this guarantee, you may still receive an offer, depending on the availability of places in this course and whether you are eligible to receive any adjustment factors.

Please note: For VTAC applicants to receive an offer, this course must be your highest eligible preference.

Rankings and adjustment factors

Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement plus any adjustment factors.

You may be eligible to receive adjustment factors which include equity access schemes and/or subject adjustments to a maximum of 28 aggregate adjustment points. For more information about what adjustment factors RMIT considers visit Admission to RMIT.

We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked.

Selection criteria by applicant type

Please select the highest level of education you have or will be completing in order to find out the selection criteria that applies to you, in addition to meeting the above entry requirements.

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Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement. You will be ranked on your ATAR plus any adjustment factors.

Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12

School Network Access Program (SNAP)

The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary participation by giving priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to eligible applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.

Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12.

Subject adjustments

  • A study score of 25 in Legal Studies equals 1 aggregate point per study.
  • A study score of 35 in any English equals 2 aggregate points per study. 
  • Overall maximum of 3 points.

Regional adjustments

  • RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all programs that select primarily on ATAR. 
  • Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Professional Communication is not available to applicants whose highest level of education is Vocational Education and Training study.

Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., GPA (including any adjustment factors).

We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. Previous fail grades in similar courses may affect your eligibility. You will be assigned a selection rank (comparable to an ATAR) based on your GPA.

  • successful completion of an Australian associate degree (or equivalent) and no double-fail in any required course of the receiving degree; or
  • successful completion of at least four courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or equivalent) and no double-fail in any required course of the receiving degree.

Personal statement

If you have been excluded from a program due to academic progress you are encouraged to submit a personal statement outlining the strategies you will adopt to ensure academic success.

If you are applying to RMIT through VTAC you can complete and submit the VTAC personal statement via your online VTAC account.

If you are applying direct to RMIT you can upload your completed personal statement via your online direct application.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) score (including any adjustment factors).

You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification) and meet the stated prerequisites. 

Work and life experience does not provide any additional consideration for entry to this program. You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

Additional information

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This degree is new for semester 1 2025, so no ATAR profile information is currently available.

This degree is new for semester 1 2025, so no student profile information is currently available.

*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent Year 12 applicants.

RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options. Find out more about admission to RMIT.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 90% (see calculator below).

Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.

Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.

Pathways

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Understanding pathways

Even though there are no formal pathways into this course, there are often other ways you can gain entry. For more information, use our Pathways finder or contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.

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Even though there are no formal pathways into this course, there are often other ways you can gain entry.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

When you successfully complete this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Honours or Postgraduate degree.

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You can gain entry to this degree from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study programs.

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Honours or Postgraduate degree.

Fees

Fees provided below are indicative only and are based on the fees for 2024 Commonwealth supported places. Fees for 2025 will be available later in the year.

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2024 indicative fees

In 2024, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$4,445 to AU$16,323*.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$351 maximum fee for 2024.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.

Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.

Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.

How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?

The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package. 

The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2024. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.

Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.

You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2024 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)

Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2024
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture $4,445 per standard year
$555 per standard (12 credit point) course
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology $8,948 per standard year
$1,118 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science $12,720 per standard year
$1,590 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $16,323 per standard year
$2,040 per standard (12 credit point) course

Student Learning Entitlement

On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).

  • The SLE allows students 7 years of full-time subsidised study in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).
  • Your total SLE amount will be reduced in accordance with your overall study load in a CSP. 
  • Once you have utilised all your SLE, you can not longer study in a CSP.

For more information about SLE, visit Study Assist.

HECS-HELP Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2024 is $351.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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The annual tuition fee for 2025 is AU$XX,XXX.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2025 commencement is AU$XX,XXX.

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2024 is $351.

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Sorry, this program is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information