Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Macquarie University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University is a highly career-focused double degree that combines strong legal education with core business and commerce disciplines such as accounting, finance, marketing, and economics. Delivered at the Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde), it is designed for students who want to build expertise in both law and business to pursue careers in corporate law, financial services, consulting, or government.

Curriculum structure

First Year

In the first year, students develop foundational knowledge in both law and commerce, learning how legal systems interact with business environments. Law units such as Foundations of Law and Contracts are studied alongside commerce subjects like Principles of Economics and Accounting in Organisations and Society, building essential analytical and business reasoning skills.

Second Year

In the second year, students deepen their understanding of core legal principles while expanding commerce knowledge. Law units such as Torts, Constitutional Law, and Property Law are combined with commerce subjects like Business Statistics and Marketing Fundamentals, allowing students to connect legal frameworks with commercial decision-making.

Third Year

The third year focuses on more advanced legal study including Administrative Law, Equity, and Corporations Law, alongside commerce units such as Corporate Finance and Organisational Behaviour. Students begin applying both legal and business knowledge to real-world corporate and regulatory scenarios.

Fourth Year

In the fourth year, students engage with higher-level legal subjects such as Commercial Law, Taxation Law, and Evidence, while also studying advanced commerce electives in areas such as strategy, finance, or international business. This year strengthens professional judgment and commercial awareness in legal contexts.

Fifth Year

The final year integrates advanced law and commerce study through electives and capstone units, allowing students to specialise in areas such as corporate governance, financial regulation, or international trade law. Students refine their ability to analyse complex legal and business problems and prepare for professional practice.

Focus areas

Corporate law, commercial law, finance, accounting, taxation, economics, marketing, corporate governance, contract law, constitutional law, business strategy, legal ethics, regulatory compliance

Learning outcomes

Develop integrated legal and business expertise, apply legal reasoning and commercial analysis to real-world problems, conduct advanced research across law and commerce disciplines, communicate effectively in professional contexts, demonstrate ethical and regulatory awareness, and make strategic decisions in corporate and legal environments.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). The commerce component aligns with professional pathways in accounting, finance, marketing, and business, depending on chosen majors and electives.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Macquarie University is internationally recognised for strong graduate employability and industry-connected learning. It is consistently ranked in global systems such as the QS World University Rankings, with strong subject performance in Law & Legal Studies and Business & Management.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University is built around applying legal reasoning and business knowledge in real professional contexts. Students develop practical capability not just through lectures, but through industry-linked projects, simulations, and hands-on learning experiences that reflect how corporate, legal, and commercial environments actually operate. At the Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde), students also benefit from access to advanced learning spaces, business tools, and legal resources that support both disciplines and prepare them for professional practice:

PACE (Professional and Community Engagement): Macquarie’s flagship program gives students structured opportunities to work with industry partners, government bodies, and community organisations, applying both commerce and law knowledge to real-world projects.
Moot Court & Legal Skills Training: Students participate in simulated court proceedings, negotiation exercises, and advocacy training within Macquarie Law School to build practical legal capability.
Business Case Competitions & Industry Projects: Commerce students engage in real-world case studies, strategic business problem-solving, and team-based consulting-style projects.
Bloomberg & Financial Data Systems: Access to professional financial databases and analytics platforms used in economics, finance, and corporate decision-making.
Legal Research Databases: Training in professional legal platforms for case law, legislation, and commercial legal research used in legal practice.
Macquarie University Library & Learning Resources: Extensive access to legal journals, business databases, research support, and specialist collections across both disciplines.
Collaborative Learning Spaces: Technology-enabled classrooms and group study environments designed for teamwork, presentations, and interdisciplinary learning.
Industry Guest Lectures & Networking Events: Regular sessions with lawyers, accountants, consultants, and corporate professionals providing direct insight into career pathways and industry expectations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University are highly sought after for their ability to combine legal expertise with strong commercial and financial decision-making skills. This dual capability opens doors to careers in corporate law, financial services, consulting, taxation, compliance, and government advisory roles, where professionals are expected to navigate both legal and business environments. Typical roles include corporate lawyer, commercial consultant, compliance officer, financial analyst, and business advisor.

Progression into professional careers is strongly supported through Macquarie’s industry-connected ecosystem and career development services:

Macquarie University PACE Program (Professional and Community Engagement): Provides students with hands-on experience working on real projects with industry partners, government bodies, and community organisations, applying both legal and commercial knowledge in practice.
Career and Employment Services: Offers tailored career coaching, internship and graduate program support, resume and interview preparation, employer networking events, and access to job opportunities across law, commerce, and finance sectors.
Industry Partnerships: Strong links with legal firms, accounting bodies, multinational corporations, financial institutions, and government agencies provide students with real-world exposure and networking opportunities.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Insights: Graduates entering law and commerce-related fields in Australia typically start in the range of approximately AUD $65,000–$95,000 per year, with significantly higher earning potential as they progress into professional legal practice, corporate leadership, or specialised financial roles.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The law component satisfies academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training), while the commerce component supports professional pathways in accounting, finance, and business leadership roles.
Graduate Outcomes: Students graduate with highly transferable skills in legal reasoning, financial analysis, strategic thinking, and communication, enabling careers across corporate, legal, financial, and government sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, or specialised graduate certificates in corporate law, taxation, international business, or governance to further enhance expertise and career advancement opportunities.