What VCE Subjects Should You Choose for a Law Degree?
If you're aiming to study Law at university, choosing the right VCE subjects can make your pathway smoother, boost your ATAR, and help you build the skills needed to succeed in law school.
This guide explains the best VCE subjects for Law, what universities expect, how to maximise your ATAR, and smart subject selection strategies.
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Start a Free Trial Lesson →Do You Need Specific VCE Subjects for Law?
The short answer: No — most universities do NOT require specific VCE subjects for Law.
However, some subjects strongly develop the skills needed to succeed in a Law degree, including:
- Critical thinking
- Essay writing
- Argument construction
- Reading comprehension
- Analysis of complex texts
Choosing subjects that build these skills can give you a major advantage in both ATAR performance and university readiness.
Best VCE Subjects for a Law Degree
1. English
English is the most important subject for Law.
Law involves heavy reading, essay writing, and structured argument — all skills developed in VCE English.
Recommended options:
- English
- English Language
- Literature (great for analytical thinking)
Strong English results are essential for high ATAR + Law school success.
2. Legal Studies (Highly Recommended)
While not required, VCE Legal Studies provides early exposure to:
- The Australian legal system
- Criminal and civil law
- Court processes
- Legal reasoning
This subject helps confirm whether Law is right for you and makes first-year Law much easier.
3. History (Excellent for Law Skills)
History builds:
- Argument writing
- Evidence-based reasoning
- Essay structure
- Analytical thinking
These are core skills used constantly in Law school.
Most recommended is revolutions.
4. Politics / Global Politics
Law and politics are closely connected. This subject strengthens:
- Argument construction
- Policy analysis
- Essay writing under pressure
- Understanding of governance and legal systems
5. Philosophy (Great for Logical Thinking)
Philosophy develops:
- Logical reasoning
- Argument analysis
- Critical thinking
- Structured writing
These skills are extremely valuable in legal problem-solving.
6. Mathematics (Optional but Helpful)
Maths is not required for Law, but it can:
- Improve ATAR scaling (especially Methods)
- Strengthen logical reasoning
- Keep university options open
Many Law students take Maths Methods for flexibility.
What ATAR Do You Need for Law?
Typical ATAR requirements (approximate):
- Monash Law: 90–95+
- Deakin Law: 85–92
- ANU Law: 95–98
- Melbourne (via Arts → JD): 90+
Because Law is competitive, subject selection should aim to maximise your ATAR while building strong writing skills.
How to Choose the Right VCE Subjects for Law
Ask yourself:
- Which subjects am I strongest in?
- Which subjects scale well?
- Which subjects improve writing & reasoning?
- Can I realistically achieve a high ATAR with this mix?
The best combination is one where you can score highly AND build Law-related skills.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Choosing subjects based only on scaling
- Ignoring English performance
- Taking too many difficult subjects at once
- Choosing subjects they don’t enjoy (hurts ATAR)
- Assuming Legal Studies is required (it’s not)
How KIS Academics Helps Future Law Students
At KIS Academics, we help students:
- Choose the right VCE subject combination
- Maximise ATAR performance
- Develop essay-writing and argument skills
- Prepare for Legal Studies & English
- Build strong foundations for university Law
Our tutors help students study smarter, not harder.
Check out more ATAR study guides!
FAQs
What VCE subjects are needed for Law?
Subjects such as Legal Studies, History, Politics, and Philosophy are highly recommended because they develop critical thinking, essay writing, and analytical skills that are essential for studying Law.
What ATAR is needed to study Law?
The ATAR required for Law varies by university and competitiveness each year, but Law is generally a high-ATAR course. As a guide:
- Monash Law: around 90–95+
- Deakin Law: around 85–92
- ANU Law: around 95–98
- University of Melbourne (Arts → Juris Doctor pathway): around 90+
What are the requirements for getting into Law School in Australia?
- For undergraduate law (LLB/Honours) programs: High ATAR (typically 90–99+ for top universities), strong English skills, sometimes a personal statement or interview.
- For the graduate Juris Doctor (JD): Must already hold an undergraduate degree, with required GPA (often 5.0/7 or above), strong English proficiency (often IELTS 6.5–7.0), and sometimes written responses or interviews.
- International students typically require equivalent qualifications (IB, A-Levels, plus English tests: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE).
How do I maximise my chances of getting into Law School?
- Aim for highest possible ATAR or IB score.
- Develop strong English, analysis, and writing skills in high school.
- Participate in debating, moot court, leadership, service, and other clubs.
- Secure references from teachers or principals who know the applicant well.
- Research and tailor applications to the unique requirements of each preferred university.
- For JD applicants, complete the undergraduate degree with strong grades and consider taking relevant electives.
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