Laws and Science - L3007

With the growth in scientific research and the commercialisation of new technologies, graduates with knowledge in both science and law are increasingly sought after. This double degree course provides practical legal skills and an awareness of the complex interaction between science and society.

In an age of increasing technological advancements, the link between science and the law will only become stronger. This means as a graduate with a double degree in science and law you will have the power to choose which career you follow.

With a choice of twenty-five majors in science and a rich repertoire of law electives, the course can be tailored to meet your individual interests!

This course leads to two separate degrees:

  • the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and
  • the Bachelor of Science.

You will gain all the benefits of each degree course and be fully equipped to pursue a career in either field separately or to combine the two in your chosen work.

As both degrees are internationally recognised, you will have no problem applying for work abroad. Depending on your area of specialisation, you may work in the space industry, biotechnology, intellectual property, mining or forensic law to name just some career paths.

There is high demand for legal professionals with expertise in science - and scientists who are qualified in law. From the law-makers dealing with legislation relating to climate change, genetically modified crops and stem cell research to the scientists needing to navigate complex legal and political approval processes to further their research.

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At a glance

Subject prerequisites
English Maths Sciences / Other
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Course Details

Location
  • On-campus at Clayton: Full time & part time
Duration
 This course is equivalent to 5.25 years of full-time study and offered only in accelerated mode to complete in 5 years.

Part-time study is also available.
Start date
 First Semester (February)
Fees

Information about fees

Course Handbook

A Monash Law degree offers the idealistic person a realistic way to make a difference in the world.

Whether you aspire to work in a top-tier law firm, commercial or international law, a community legal centre or as an advocate for justice, a Monash Law degree lets you take the first step.

You will be building a solid foundation for a legal career, with your training beginning on day one.

In this practical Bachelor degree course, you'll also have the option of studying overseas, taking one of many different double degrees and gaining applied legal experience.

In your first year, you'll begin mastering the concepts, procedures and reasoning underpinning the Australian legal system.

Alongside this rigorous training in the basics, throughout your degree you'll also be able to pursue the areas of the law that interest you. You'll benefit from a range of specialist law electives as diverse as 'Negotiation and Conflict Resolution,' 'Media Law' or 'Animal Law.'

This freedom to craft a course that perfectly matches your interests and aspirations extends to a choice of non-law electives across the University, and the option of double degrees in fields as diverse as Arts, Music or Science.You'll have a degree that is recognised by the Council of Legal Education and includes the prerequisite studies to prepare you for admission to practice as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Factor in significant opportunities for hands-on practical experience (including our clinical legal education program); international study (including at the Prato Centre in Italy); a supportive and industry-focused community (including a dynamic Law Students' Society); and the prestige that comes with a degree from a leading law school and you'll have the ideal foundation for a lifelong career.

View details specific to degree:

Please select a specialisation for more details:

Majors, extended majors and minors

In this course, you can choose from the following majors, extended majors and minors. Some are only available as minors or only in certain locations, so click through to see the full details.

"I love the opportunities Monash gives you. I belong to lots of clubs and societies and it opens you up to new ideas, new people and new adventures." - Lucinda Mullins, Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Laws student

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements (Domestic students)

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

Qualifications

Equivalent Australian Year 12

Alternative qualifications and prerequisites

For other domestic and international qualification entry requirements and scores for this course based on your prior studies, use the study credit and admissions eligibility search.

English requirements

  • IELTS 7.0 (no band lower than 6.5); or
  • TOEFL Paper-based test: 587 with a TWE of 4; or
  • TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 94 overall with Writing: 24, Listening: 20, Reading: 19, Speaking: 20; or
  • Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

Extra Requirements

Extra requirements for Laws:

Not applicable


Extra requirements for Science:

Not applicable

Double degree courses allow you to study towards two different degrees at the same time, and graduate with two separate qualifications. And because a required subject in one course can count as an elective in the other, our double degrees take two years less than if you studied for the two degrees separately.

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) course is a specialist course that develops through themes: legal methodology and legal practice; public law; and private law. The specialised knowledge and advanced skills are imparted in later year elective units, including a final year project involving intensive research and writing.

A. Legal methodology and legal practice

This theme includes the nature of law, and particularly statute law enacted by Parliaments and common law developed by courts. It also includes the key concepts, principles and methods of research and reasoning that enable lawyers to identify and interpret law and apply it to relevant facts in order to provide legal advice. It covers the law of procedure and evidence that governs judicial proceedings, alternative methods of resolving legal disputes, and the code of ethics that regulates the professional conduct of legal practitioners.

B. Public law

Public law includes constitutional law, administrative law and criminal law. It concerns the powers and procedures of the legislative, executive and judicial organs of government, and how they are regulated and controlled by "the rule of law". It also concerns the legal relationship between government and individuals, including the protection of the individual rights.

C. Private law

Private law deals with legal relationships between legal persons, including corporations as well as individuals. It includes the study of property rights, contractual rights and obligations, wrongs (called "torts") such as trespass and the negligent infliction of injury, and the law of equity and trusts.

D. Extending specialized knowledge and advanced skills: Law electives

In later years of the course, you will be able to choose from a broad range of elective law units. High achieving students may also include one or two Master's units in their final year of study. Elective law units enable you to develop specialised knowledge and advanced skills in areas of law that suit your own interests, skills and career goals. In addition to public and private law, these include international law, commercial law and human rights law. You will have opportunities to study overseas, and to undertake work-based learning, for example, in our clinical legal education program and in local and international internships.

The Bachelor of Science is a comprehensive course, structured in three equal parts. In the double degree course you complete:

A. Science specified study

This will provide you with the mathematical or statistical foundation for your study of science and address the nature of science and its communication. It will also expose you to several science disciplines contributing breadth to your understanding of science and giving you the opportunity to learn about several disciplines before finalising your choice of major.

B. Science listed Major

This will provide you with a focused program of study that will develop your expertise in one discipline area. You will learn to develop, apply and communicate an advanced level of understanding of the concepts and theoretical frameworks that constitute the knowledge base of the discipline.

Making the application

Future students

Semester one (February)

Applications for on campus studies should be made online through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre

Apply through VTAC

Current Monash students

You may apply to transfer from another Monash course. Transfers are a competitive process. You may apply mid-year for available courses however consideration will be given as to whether you will be able to follow your course progression.

Please note that if you apply for a course transfer, you should still enrol in your current course as if you were continuing so as not to jeopardise your enrolment in the Faculty if your transfer application is unsuccessful. More about Course Transfer...

Self assess for credit eligibility

Check for study credit using the "Credit search" link on the Credit for prior study page

Fees

Fees are subject to change annually.

Commonwealth supported place (CSP)

The average annual student contribution amount is:

A$12,000

Note: see information on how average fee is calculated.

Fee assistance

As a Commonwealth supported student, you may be able to either:

Full fee

Fees are per 48 credit points which represents a standard full-time course load for a year.

A$41,000

Scholarships

We offer over 360 types of scholarships, valued at up to $280,000. Some scholarships offer one-off payments while others continue for the length of your course. Learn more about Monash Scholarships.

Other fees

The Student Services and Amenities Fee applies to some students each calendar year.