Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

VU course code:LHWPLevel of study:Undergraduate

Domestic only

ATAR

Lowest selection rank: 66.20*

Duration

6 years full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

In Person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

Footscray Park Campus

Intakes

View all intakes

Overview

Explore the intersection of our legal system and the human mind with a unique double degree from Victoria University: the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Psychology (Honours).

Over six years, this program allows you to blend a comprehensive law education with in-depth psychological study.

You'll gain insights into human behaviour, motivation, relationships, communication, and cognitive processes while developing a strong foundation in legal knowledge and analytical skills. The honours program in law and psychology further enriches your understanding, preparing you for diverse career paths where law, psychology, and mental health intersect.

Victoria University is the only provider of this combined degree in Victoria. We offer specialised training that positions you for roles requiring expertise in both fields. Whether your ambition is to practise law, pursue psychology, or navigate the complex interface between the two, this program equips you with the skills and knowledge to succeed.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge of psychology theories and relevant advanced specialist bodies of knowledge within the discipline of law.
Critically review, analyse, adapt and apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of law and psychology and underlying principles and concepts in diverse contemporary international and comparative contexts.
Identify, articulate and respond to complex issues related to the two disciplines by critically analysing and applying information with initiative and judgement in order to both anticipate and creatively address them as relevant to authentic/contemporary professional, community and global settings.
Exhibit professional accountabilities and ethical judgement, by adapting knowledge, skills, professional reasoning and research in responding appropriately to issues that reflect the social, political and contextual factors.
Communicate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and skills appropriate for professional and non-professional audiences.
Reflect on personal learning and skills in relation to career goals and implement effective, creative strategies to promote lifelong learning and pathways to further learning including a commitment to ongoing professional development.
Apply personal and interpersonal competencies including organisational and collaborative skills necessary to operate within broad parameters in the immensely divergent and complex global and Australian cultures.
Contribute effectively, with personal accountability for outcomes in a dynamic 21st century work team, working in an ethical and socially responsible manner.
Plan and execute a research project, professional project or piece of scholarship which demonstrates intellectual independence and integrates and contributes to the evidence bases of the two disciplines.
: You will benefit from the Victoria Law School's many industry connections. These include partnerships and programs with:
Victoria Police
Magistrates’, County and Supreme Courts
community legal centres
Werribee Community Legal Services and the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department.
The Bachelor of Laws enables you to take advantage of law internship programs.
The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) also offers practical experience through placements.
This real work experience in your chosen field may lead directly to future career opportunities.
: This course includes the Priestley 11 units, as set out by the Council of Legal Education.
Completing these units will satisfy the academic component for students aiming to be admitted as an Australian lawyer in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
: Our Queen Street law hub on our City Campus is in the heart of Melbourne's legal district.
Our dedicated law building features:
specialised law library
legal research centres including the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre
mooting court
computer labs, student lounges, study spaces and a prayer room.
You’ll gain real insight into legal practice and start building networks for your future career.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

Minimum ATAR: 66.20*

ATAR related adjustments

A study score of 35 in English (EAL) equals 5 aggregate points. A study score of 30 in English other than EAL, any Humanities or Legal Studies equals 5 aggregate points per study. A study score of 25 in any Business, any History, any LOTE, Philosophy, Australian Politics, Global Politics, Psychology, any Science or Sociology equals 5 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 20 points.

This course has a minimum ATAR entry requirement. This means you’ll need to achieve a certain ATAR, along with other criteria, to be considered for this course.

The following table shows the ranking results of our current student intake and is an indication of the ATAR you’ll need to successfully apply.

*Minimum ATAR is based on the lowest selection rank (ATAR plus adjustments) that received an offer for the Semester 1 2026 intake. Use as a guide only,

VU course code: LHWP

VTAC course code: 4300210461

Campus: City Campus

ATAR profile of people who received an offer for the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors)	Selection Rank (ATAR including adjustment factors)
Highest rank to receive an offer	96.75	98.25
Median rank to receive an offer	76.20	76.35
Lowest rank to receive an offer	65.95	66.20

Learn more about ATAR

What is ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) compares the results of final-year school students, with adjustments made for factors such as hardship. The ranking is expressed as a number between 0 and 99.95. ATAR minimum entry requirements are not usually essential entry criteria for applicants who have completed secondary education more than 2 years ago.

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:
Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)
an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE
an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one or Economics, and History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics, Global Politics, Psychology or Sociology.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).
Admission criteria
N/A.
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.
Admission criteria
Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent) with a Distinction average.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English (or equivalent).
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Economics, any History, Legal Studies, Australian Politics, Global Politics or Psychology.

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a:

guide for your learning during the course
way for you to identify challenges you may have in studying this course.

Learn more about inherent requirements

Additional information

All applicants are encouraged to complete the law supplementary form which may be used to adjust an applicant’s Selection Rank.

The form will be available at: https://www.vu.edu.au/current-students/your-course/forms/supplementary-admission-forms

Students enrolled in LHWP will be required to provide an outline of their proposed thesis topic and availability of a college based or college affiliated supervisor. Students will enrol in their last year of law studies in both Advanced Research Legal Methods and Advanced Legal Research Dissertation instead of 24 credit points of law electives.

In order to be eligible to advance to the Psychology Honours year of the course, students must achieve the stringent academic admission criteria that are required for Honours programs in Psychology. Academic admission standards are based on the average grade across all core second and third year psychology units. Students who have successfully completed the first five years of study but have not met the academic admission requirements for the Honours year will be eligible to apply to graduate with a Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Psychological Studies degree. In the Psychology Honours year of study students must complete an additional six units of study (96 credit points).

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) will be required to complete 576 credit points in total consisting of:

96 credit points of First Year Core units;
192 credit points of Professional Core Law units;
264 credit points of Professional Core Psychology units;
24 credit points of Psychology elective units.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (For students enrolled post 1 January 2015): Students enrolled in LHWP will be required to provide an outline of their proposed thesis topic and availability of a college based or college affiliated supervisor. Successful applicants Students will enrol in their last year of law studies in both Advanced Research Legal Methods and Advanced Legal Research Dissertation instead of 24 credit points of law electives.

After you are accepted into your course, you will need to enrol in your course units.

During enrolment, use your course delivery plan to understand the structure and requirements of your course.

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Careers

Upon graduation from the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), you’ll meet the academic requirements as required by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. Admission as an Australian lawyer can be obtained after successful completion of the Practical Legal Training requirements.

This course also provides a pathway towards a profession in psychology, in fields such as clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology or organisational psychology. You’ll be eligible to apply for Provisional Registration as a psychologist by the Psychology Board of Australia.

With this double degree you'll be able to pursue careers in law, justice and the courts. You could also work in legal community centres, community services or human resource management, or other fields where there is an interaction between the law, psychology and mental health.

Example job titles are:

human resources consultant
mediator
industrial relations adviser
legal practitioner (barrister or solicitor)
talent management executive
in-house legal counsel
psychologist
social researcher.

Salary

Visit Jobs and Skills Australia see the average salaries for various law/psychology professions in Australia.

Intakes

Melbourne

On campus – Melbourne Footscray Park Campus

Semester 1 - Block 1

Course starts 15 February 2027

Applications close07 February 2027

Semester 2 - Block 1

Course starts 26 July 2027

Applications close18 July 2027

Apply via VTAC if you are:

in Year 12 or
applying to multiple universities

VTAC course code 4301010461

VTAC very late applications are due by 22 January 2027

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this page, please note that dates are subject to change. Some courses may close early due to an earlier start date or there being limited places available.

Professional accreditation/Industry recognition

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB)

This course is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) as satisfying the Board's academic requirement for admission.

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