Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of International Studies

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Macquarie University

Program Overview

This double degree gives you the best of both worlds. You’ll build a solid foundation in business—things like management, marketing, economics, and strategy—while also developing strong global awareness through international studies. It’s perfect if you’re someone who enjoys the business side of things but is equally curious about cultures, languages, and what’s happening around the world.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Your first year sets you up with the essentials. On the business side, you’ll take core units that introduce you to how organisations work and how economic systems operate. At the same time, you’ll begin exploring international studies through units that help you understand cultural differences, global communication, and how societies interact. These early subjects give you a great foundation to understand both the business landscape and the global context in which businesses operate.

Year 2

In your second year, things become more specialised. If you choose the International Business major, you’ll dig deeper into how companies operate across borders and how global markets function. On the international studies side, you’ll explore topics like citizenship, identity, social change, and the cultural forces shaping our world today. This year is often where students start to see how business and global studies really complement each other.

Year 3 (and beyond)

Your later years are all about applying what you’ve learned. International studies includes an in-country program, where you spend a semester overseas immersed in another culture—an unforgettable experience that builds independence and global understanding. There’s also the option to complete an internship focused on international or intercultural work, giving you practical, real-world experience.
On the business side, your upper-level subjects help you pull everything together through strategic, project-based work that prepares you for careers in international organisations.

Focus Areas

Business administration and leadership
International business strategy
Global studies and cultural understanding
Language skills and real-world in-country experience
Professional internships with an international or cross-cultural focus

Learning Outcomes

By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to:

Think strategically about business in a global setting
Communicate effectively across cultures
Apply your learning through real international experiences
Make ethical and sustainable decisions with a global perspective

Professional Alignment & Practical Experience

The business side of this degree prepares you for roles in international markets, giving you practical insights into how global organisations operate.
Through the international studies internship program, you’ll get hands-on experience working with organisations that operate across cultures or borders.
Macquarie’s broader experiential learning framework also ensures you build workplace skills that employers genuinely care about.

Reputation & Employability

Macquarie has consistently strong graduate employment outcomes, and this double degree gives you a unique edge. Because you’ll graduate with both business capability and global cultural understanding, you’ll stand out to employers in multinational companies, government departments, NGOs, global trade organisations, and more.

Why this degree might be perfect for you

If you want a career that blends business with international engagement—anything from global strategy to foreign affairs to cross-border business development—this program gives you exactly the toolkit you need. You’ll walk away with real experience, a powerful mix of business and global awareness, and the confidence to step into roles that require both analytical thinking and cultural intelligence.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of International Studies at Macquarie University, you’re not just sitting through lectures — you’re stepping into real workplaces and real communities where your learning genuinely comes to life. Through Macquarie’s well-known Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) program, you’ll have the chance to work directly with organisations across different sectors, tackling real business and social challenges. Because PACE is fully built into your degree, these experiences aren’t optional extras — they’re an essential part of how you learn, grow, and prepare for your global career.

As a Business + International Studies student, you’ll draw on Macquarie Business School’s strong industry partnerships and dedicated work-integrated learning support. You might find yourself contributing to cross-cultural research, helping shape a market-entry strategy for an organisation, or exploring global policy through practical projects. Throughout these experiences, you’ll have access to professional mentors, structured feedback, and moments to reflect on what you’re learning. It’s a deeply supported environment designed to build your confidence, leadership, communication and problem-solving skills — especially in multicultural and international contexts.

Here are some of the ways you’ll gain hands-on experience:

• Completing a PACE unit, where you might take part in internships, industry projects, community development work, research activities, or fieldwork — all guided and academically supported.

• Working with one of Macquarie’s thousands of PACE partner organisations, including businesses, government bodies, and community groups, to deliver meaningful outcomes that make a difference.

• Taking part in paid or vocational internships for credit, giving you valuable workplace experience while still progressing toward your degree.

• Joining industry-project teams, collaborating with external partners to solve real organisational challenges and building the teamwork and leadership skills employers value.

• Engaging in cross-cultural research or global fieldwork through the International Studies component of your degree, giving you a deeper understanding of global systems, cultures, and mobility.

• Participating in the Global Leadership Program (GLP), where you can build leadership capability, develop intercultural insight, and expand your professional network through workshops, internships, study tours and more — all alongside your main degree.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this double degree step out of Macquarie with a truly global outlook and a solid business foundation. They’re confident navigating international markets, comfortable working across cultures, and highly employable thanks to the strong industry connections and hands-on experience built into the program.

Typical job roles:
Many graduates move into roles such as:

International Business Analyst or Trade Advisor
Market or Investment Analyst focusing on global markets
Export/Import Manager or Logistics Coordinator
Policy or Development Officer within international organisations

University services and employability support

Careers and Student Employment:
Macquarie’s dedicated careers team provides personalised guidance, including resume support, mock interviews, job application help, and professional skills development.
Employability Connect & MQSE:
These platforms give students easy access to part-time jobs, internships, casual work, and graduate roles — often while they’re still studying.
International student support:
International students receive tailored services such as CV reviews (including automated CV360 feedback), English-speaking clubs, and networking opportunities so they can confidently build a global career profile.
Entrepreneurial pathways:
The Macquarie Incubator offers supportive spaces and expert mentoring to help students test, develop, and even launch their own start-up or social enterprise.

Internships & Work-Integrated Learning

Paid internships through the Industry Partnership Program (IPP):
Students can undertake 3- or 6-month internships with real companies — sometimes for academic credit — gaining hands-on experience in business, international trade, and related fields.
Strong industry partnerships:
Macquarie Business School collaborates with more than 29 partners in its IPP, opening pathways to internships, traineeships, mentorships, and industry-recognised awards.
Professional & Community Engagement (PACE):
The PACE initiative connects students with meaningful, real-world projects. In 2023 alone, nearly 6,000 students worked with over 1,400 industry and community partners.

Employment outcomes & statistics

According to recent Graduate Outcomes Survey results, a very high proportion of Macquarie graduates seeking work secured employment within four months.
Roughly 70% of employed graduates reported moving directly into managerial or professional positions.
With more than 4,000 partner organisations worldwide, Macquarie gives students access to one of the broadest professional networks in Australia.

Accreditation, recognition & industry value

Because the Business School is deeply connected with industry through the IPP and its employer networks, students graduate with job-ready skills and real, recognised experience.
Macquarie is consistently rated highly by employers, reflecting the university’s focus on practical learning and alignment with industry needs.

Graduate outcomes & potential

Graduates often progress quickly into leadership, analytical, or globally focused positions. This degree positions you strongly for careers in multinational companies, international organisations, global trade sectors, and policy environments. If entrepreneurship is your path, the support available at Macquarie makes starting your own venture a realistic and exciting option.

Further Academic Progression

After finishing the double degree, you’ll have several pathways to continue your studies — from Honours in business or international studies, to postgraduate degrees like the Master of International Business or Master of Global Management. You could also pursue professional certifications in areas like finance or international trade, or take the academic route by moving into research programs such as an MPhil or PhD.