Bachelor of Science in Psychological science

at La Trobe University - Melbourne Campus Australia

Hacking, cybercrime and defence strategies; welcome to the world of cybersecurity. Now and in the years to come, cybersecurity experts will be in high demand.

La Trobe's Master of Cybersecurity prepares you for a successful career in this fast-growing field, whether you have an IT background or not.

The degree has been carefully designed by industry leaders to first give you a strong foundation in cybersecurity, then invite you to specialise in either computer science, business operations or artificial intelligence.

Build fundamental skills in system design, implementation, testing and documentation. Develop technical expertise in pen testing, blockchain and cyber forensics, and get hands-on experience applying your knowledge in our state-of-the-art Internet of Things (IoT) and wireless labs. You'll also get to hone your networking skills in our CISCO networking and security labs.

Cybersecurity is about so much more than just technology. This degree explores the psychology of hacking and cybercrime, the legal and ethical frameworks you'll be working within, and approaches to governance and risk management.

Begin building your career while you study. Industry-based learning opportunities embedded throughout this degree give you the change to not only build practical experience, but also start developing your professional network. You'll work on a real industry project alongside our industry partners, undertake a professional placement, or, if you're working towards a research career, complete a thesis on emerging topics in cybersecurity.

Early exit points mean that every part of your degree contributes to your future career. Exit after six months with a Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Fundamentals, or after one year with a Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity.

The modern business world is changing at breakneck speed. Ongoing digital and operational disruption present unique challenges – as well as opportunities. We need new leaders who are agile, entrepreneurial and, above all, able to innovate under the toughest of conditions.

Develop solid foundations in modern business with La Trobe's Bachelor of Business. Prepare to thrive in a digitally disrupted world with this highly flexible degree and start building your dream career in business.

You'll explore multiple business disciplines in your first year and develop foundational knowledge and enterprise skills in areas such as management, organisational structures, data analytics and ethical business practices.

You'll choose from a wide range of majors, minors and optional second majors. You can also pair your major with complementary study from another discipline.

No matter how you specialise, you'll get hands-on experience and learn the latest digital skills while developing essential leadership, communication and critical-thinking skills.

You'll develop your professional business skills as you work in diverse teams, present business strategies and use the software that's essential in modern business.

You'll graduate with the perfect blend of business fundamentals and technical expertise so you can change the business world.

International business

Get ready to work in an international business.

Our major in International Business will provide you with the skills and knowledge to develop a career in businesses and organisations that operate in an increasingly globalised economy.

The multidisciplinary components of this course include economics, finance, management and marketing, from an international perspective. You will also explore key contemporary issues in digital business, smart value chains, data analytics, cultural diversity, corporate social responsibility, and the challenges of international development and sustainability.

Learn how businesses operate differently in the local and international markets. You will have opportunities to connect with industry, both in the classroom and in the field, and to internationalise your study by completing part of your degree overseas.

What are the human stories behind crime? And how can we use legal power to create a more just world? We need progressive legal professionals who understand the deeper causes of inequality in our neighbourhoods, our nation and beyond – and who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a lasting positive impact.

When you study La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Criminology, you'll be ready to build a meaningful career and fight for justice.

In your law study, you can personalise your course to your career goals with electives and opportunities for professional experience. Our outstanding legal training and progressive approach to law means you'll be ready for employment – including by building skills like advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution, which are highly valued in any workplace.

By adding criminology expertise, you'll build a broader view of how crime affects – and is affected by – our society. Explore the complex causes of crime and learn how to craft innovative responses to real-world criminal justice problems.

The program includes all the compulsory law subjects required by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board for admission to the legal profession in Victoria, as well as a wide range of law and criminology electives.

Learn from legal experts in our Law School and put your knowledge into practice with opportunities for real-world placement experiences – from working in environments including community legal centres, law firms and government agencies to building mentor relationships with judges, magistrates and coroners.

Modern business needs to be more innovative than ever. Learn to solve complex business, sustainability and ethical issues in evolving global markets with a progressive dual lens of legal and commercial innovation.

Stand out from the crowd with La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Commerce. Gain a prestigious double degree that prepares you to be a change-maker in business and law, navigating complex legal and regulatory frameworks.

Develop specialised knowledge of financial markets, economics, and accounting. Combine it with an understanding of business practice, legal process, and advanced negotiation. You'll develop financial literacy and discover the power of contemporary digital business tools.

Get ready for an exciting career. You'll be equipped to meet the challenges of a field disrupted by automation, the power of big data, and the rapid evolution of business and consumer technologies.

You'll have opportunities to learn in legal placements across government and corporate sectors.

Finance

Finance is a key business discipline because it not only provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish a successful career in the financial markets, insurance and banking sectors, it is equally fundamental to the funding and managing of all successful businesses.  So, whether you are considering a career as a financial analyst or fund manager, seeking a career in the corporate or government sectors, or intending to start your own business, the knowledge and skills of finance are an essential pre-requisite for your success.

The finance major is designed to develop the knowledge and skills sought by employers of finance graduates, through learning experiences in our financial trading room, applying the information sources and financial tools used by professionals working in the finance sector to solve financial problems. 

Politics, philosophy and economics degrees have produced political and community leaders who have shaped our world, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, journalist and film activist Tariq Ali, and former Australian Prime Ministers Malcolm Fraser and Bob Hawke.

The world needs creative leaders to respond to society’s greatest challenges, including the global effects of the climate crisis and the social impacts of inequalities in resources, opportunity and power.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics gives you a multi-disciplinary perspective on the political and economic systems that shape the world. Develop the skills to respond to urgent problems and make a positive social impact

Through the study of politics, you'll enhance your knowledge of political institutions and their history. Analyse who is disadvantaged by existing institutions, and identify what opportunities exist for creative policy development.

Take subjects in philosophy that explore the debates around human rights and justice. Refine your critical thinking and logical reasoning skills and consider how our conceptions of self are informed by society.

Through the study of economics, you'll learn how the economy works in a world of globalised and interdependent markets, examining the relationships between economic systems, institutions, and policy.

Explore how governments can manage their economies to achieve important social objectives. Investigate competing theories of political economy, including institutional, feminist, post-Keynesian, behavioural, and ecological economics.

Equipped with these disciplinary skills, you'll discover the interconnections between philosophical thinking, the study of politics, and economics. From there, you'll apply these interdisciplinary insights to a range of policy contexts.

Tailor your degree to your interests and passions. Choose from five majors, including political economy, politics, economics, political philosophy, and philosophy. Depending on your major, you'll be able to build specialist knowledge in inequality, global institutions, climate change, human rights, political processes and behavioural science.

In your third year, you'll have the option of gaining practical experience and expanding your professional network through a work-based learning placement. Previous graduates have enjoyed internships in the public service and with the Victorian Parliament, as well as a range of non-government organisations and businesses, including Trades Hall, the Grattan Institute, and charitable organisations.

Graduate ready to tackle real-world problems, including climate change, the need for sustainable innovation, and the unequal distribution of wealth, opportunity, and power.

Political economy

The major in Political Economy can only be taken by students in either the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics or the double degree with Law (LLB (hons)/ PPE). The goal of the Political Economy major is two-fold. First, in conjunction with PPE degree cores, the major’s core units ensure that students cover a minimum amount of Economics, Politics and Philosophy in the degree overall. Second, core-choice in the major then allows students to specialise in one of three different types of political economy, cultivating the knowledge and skills that you can later employ in specific types of jobs. Students may choose to hone the skills that study the political economy of inequality (analysing how economic marginalisation occurs along axes of gender, race, religion, class, and other identity categories). Or students can analyse the political economy of global institutions (analysing the impact of the behaviour of states and other global actors on the organisation of our economies). Or students can study the political economy of climate crisis (analysing how power and business interests undermine our ability to solve collective action problems, and what opportunities might exist to overcome this). This major will equip you with skills and knowledge to understand how economies might be reoriented, and how the behaviour of consumers and producers might be modified (through incentives and institutions) to achieve particular social objectives.

Undertaking a major in Political Economy will connect you with experts in economics, politics, political theory, ethics, development studies, sociology, public health, and environmental humanities. It will also prepare you for a variety of jobs (concerned with various types of inequality, global institutions, and the  climate crisis) which will require intersecting and interdisciplinary skills.

Explore your passions and build a rewarding career.

Today’s workplaces are rapidly evolving. Governments, businesses and law firms need passionate professionals who not only have advanced legal expertise, but also the ability to think critically, analytically and creatively.*

La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Arts lets you enrich your legal education by pursuing your interests and passions. Open doors to a diverse range of rewarding careers, while exploring how to make a difference in your community.

Learn the fundamentals of criminal, constitutional, property and company law. Explore the legal system and understand how it can be used as a powerful and positive force in society. Develop key skills in advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution.

You'll also choose from our list of arts majors and explore your area of interest. Broaden your knowledge and experience by studying areas like politics, languages, sociology, history, philosophy and media studies. Learn how to communicate effectively and think critically, analytically and creatively.

You can also choose to complete law electives that complement your arts specialisation. For example, a politics major can be matched with related subjects like public international law and human rights law. While a language or philosophy major could be augmented by subjects in areas like Indigenous Australians and the law, intellectual property law or family, society and law.

Enhance your classroom learning by taking advantage of optional internships, work experience, and our study abroad program*. Gain hands-on experience working with community legal centres, law firms and government agencies. Find out what it takes to interview clients, prepare legal advice and work with senior lawyers to develop legal solutions.

Graduate ready to make a positive difference. With combined expertise in law and arts, you can build a career as a solicitor or barrister, in-house counsel or corporate consultant, working in commercial law firms or community legal centres. You could also work in the public service as a government lawyer or support social justice initiatives in the not-for-profit sector.

In the Spanish studies major you will learn the Spanish language and about Spanish and Latin American history and cultures. Spanish is one of the world's major languages and the first language of more than 400 million people. As well as developing your language skills, you can take subjects in Spanish and Latin American culture, linguistics, translation, literature and film. Learning Spanish will give you highly employable communication skills in a competitive globalised labour market. It is also important in international development and diplomatic contexts as an official language of the United Nations and the World Bank. As part of this major, you are encouraged to apply to do in-country study programs in Spanish through the University’s exchange programs. These are available in Spain and in various Latin American countries. (Please note overseas programs may be impacted by travel restrictions.) You can major in Spanish Studies whatever your skill level. Depending on your prior knowledge of and/or qualifications in the Spanish language you will start at Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced level or Extended.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Global Studies gives you a strong grounding in the issues facing key regions and countries around the world. We've designed this degree to introduce you to global problems and their policy responses, so you'll develop the tools to tackle the challenges of the future.

Study core subjects examining the history of international relations and geopolitics, contemporary security issues – such as American power, the rise of China, contemporary armed conflict and terrorism – and the emerging challenges of human and environmental security.

Look at international cooperation and conflict. Analyse the dynamics of power, sovereignty and security, exploring transformational changes in 21st century international relations. Investigate the powerful role of international law – including humanitarian, environmental and refugee law.

Whatever your ambition, tailor your degree with specially curated majors and minors that allow you to explore the geopolitical and humanitarian forces shaping our world. Choose from majors such as international relations, human rights, conflict and negotiation, Asian politics and security, government and policy, sustainability and development, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Spanish, Greek, French and Italian.

Global experiences are a vital part of global studies. Get out of the classroom and into the real world with a study experience at one of our overseas partner universities and build both your skills and your professional network. You'll also have the opportunity to do an internship, either in Australia or overseas, that's tailored to your career goals.

Chinese Studies Extension

A Chinese studies major will enable you to understand and use an increasingly significant world language. Chinese is spoken by nearly one-fifth of the global population, predominantly in the world’s second-largest economy, China. The Chinese Studies major will give you the opportunity to develop skills in oral and written Chinese (Mandarin), and enhance your understanding in China’s past (culture and tradition) and present (economy and technology). At more advanced levels, specialist subjects are available in Chinese for academic and professional purposes—these will help you develop your integrated communication skills to a professional level. Studying Chinese language and culture will give you an advantage in a range of industries and area of government, given that China has been Australia’s largest trading partner since 2007. You will have the opportunity to enrol in overseas programs to extend your language skills in-country. (Please note: overseas programs may be impacted by travel restrictions.) The major offers four entry-levels to cater to your standard in the Chinese language. You may enrol at beginners, intermediate, advanced or extension levels depending on your background and experience.

The rapid globalisation of our society means international relations are more important – and more complex – than ever. Want to be a leader in this evolving world? Combine a global perspective with in-depth legal expertise.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Global Studies is an immersive and flexible double degree giving you the skills and knowledge to succeed.

Become a legal expert with valuable expertise in global affairs. You'll develop your legal knowledge and skills as you build a deep understanding of global issues, diplomacy, politics, and international trade.

Your law degree will introduce you to the fundamentals of legal practice and build your skills in advocacy, negotiation, and dispute resolution – all highly valued by employers across a range of industries.

At the same time, your global studies degree will immerse you in a wide range of global issues, including international relations and geopolitics, contemporary security issues, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and contemporary armed conflict and terrorism. Tailor your studies to your interests with a choice of five curated majors – international relations, conflict and negotiation, Asian politics and security, government and policy, and human rights.

When it comes to learning, there's no substitute for hands-on experience. You'll have the opportunity to take on real-world work placements in settings such as community legal centres, law firms, government agencies, and with judges and magistrates (subject to availability) and bolster your education with a practical global studies placement subject. You could also put your legal skills to the test in law competitions, both locally and internationally.

Hindi studies beginners

The Hindi studies major introduces you to one of the most widely spoken languages in the world—a language with around half a billion speakers, the language of Bollywood cinema, and one of the fastest growing languages in Australia. Hindi is the ideal subject for students who want to study Indian culture, religion, media or politics. Hindi also gives you access to the larger linguistic world of South Asia, including competence in Urdu. Knowledge of Hindi is welcome in many professional fields, including media, diplomacy, and healthcare. India is Australia’s 5th largest trading partner, and one of the world’s fastest growing economies, making Hindi crucial for international trade and business. Opportunities are available for you to study in India, where you take courses on Indian politics, society, and history, as well as improve your language skills. Students with no prior knowledge of the language should enrol in beginners Hindi, where they develop competence in speaking, reading, writing and understanding Hindi in everyday social contexts. Students with prior knowledge of Hindi should consult with the instructor to determine which of the intermediate or advanced subjects are appropriate.

Rapid evolutions in science and technology mean our advancements sometimes outpace the law. Get the skills to stay ahead.

In La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws(Honours)/Bachelor of Science, you can pursue multiple interests and gain a powerful combination of legal skills and cutting-edge scientific knowledge.

From stem cell research to how personal information is collected, stored and shared, advances in science and technology have real human impacts. This double degree uniquely prepares you to address contemporary challenges from a scientific, legal and ethical perspective.

Benefit from our progressive approach to legal education with a law degree you can shape to your own career goals. You'll get a solid grounding in the basics of law and hone your expertise in advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution – skills valued by employers across industries.

Your science degree offers you huge flexibility, with an extensive range of majors to choose from. Follow your interests in emerging areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data science or traditional fields including chemistry, botany and genetics. Bring knowledge to life in world-class facilities, including the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), and learn from academics who are leaders in their fields.

Take your skills into the real world while you study. You'll have the opportunity to do placements in a range of legal settings, including community legal centres, law firms, government agencies, and judges and magistrates (subject to availability). On the science side, you could complete a placement with one of our industry partners – previous students have worked with CSIRO, Bayer Crop Science, and various government departments.

You will graduate ready to start your career as an expert legal practitioner, with an advanced understanding of scientific concepts or a science professional with a solid understanding of regulatory environments and how they impact scientific work.

Mathematics

Learn the universal language of mathematics. You’ll explore mathematical concepts, learn how to formulate and model abstract problems and build skills in problem solving, clear thinking and communication. Math is used for analysis, forecasting and modelling and plays a vital role in today’s information and technological age.

Explore your passions and build a rewarding career.

Today’s workplaces are rapidly evolving. Governments, businesses and law firms need passionate professionals who not only have advanced legal expertise, but also the ability to think critically, analytically and creatively.*

La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Arts lets you enrich your legal education by pursuing your interests and passions. Open doors to a diverse range of rewarding careers, while exploring how to make a difference in your community.

Learn the fundamentals of criminal, constitutional, property and company law. Explore the legal system and understand how it can be used as a powerful and positive force in society. Develop key skills in advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution.

You'll also choose from our list of arts majors and explore your area of interest. Broaden your knowledge and experience by studying areas like politics, languages, sociology, history, philosophy and media studies. Learn how to communicate effectively and think critically, analytically and creatively.

You can also choose to complete law electives that complement your arts specialisation. For example, a politics major can be matched with related subjects like public international law and human rights law. While a language or philosophy major could be augmented by subjects in areas like Indigenous Australians and the law, intellectual property law or family, society and law.

Enhance your classroom learning by taking advantage of optional internships, work experience, and our study abroad program*. Gain hands-on experience working with community legal centres, law firms and government agencies. Find out what it takes to interview clients, prepare legal advice and work with senior lawyers to develop legal solutions.

Graduate ready to make a positive difference. With combined expertise in law and arts, you can build a career as a solicitor or barrister, in-house counsel or corporate consultant, working in commercial law firms or community legal centres. You could also work in the public service as a government lawyer or support social justice initiatives in the not-for-profit sector.

A Chinese studies major will enable you to understand and use an increasingly significant world language. Chinese is spoken by nearly one-fifth of the global population, predominantly in the world’s second-largest economy, China. The Chinese Studies major will give you the opportunity to develop skills in oral and written Chinese (Mandarin), and enhance your understanding in China’s past (culture and tradition) and present (economy and technology). At more advanced levels, specialist subjects are available in Chinese for academic and professional purposes—these will help you develop your integrated communication skills to a professional level. Studying Chinese language and culture will give you an advantage in a range of industries and area of government, given that China has been Australia’s largest trading partner since 2007. You will have the opportunity to enrol in overseas programs to extend your language skills in-country. (Please note: overseas programs may be impacted by travel restrictions.) The major offers four entry-levels to cater to your standard in the Chinese language. You may enrol at beginners, intermediate, advanced or extension levels depending on your background and experience.