Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Macquarie University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University is a flexible double degree that combines legal training with a broad humanities education, allowing students to understand law within cultural, political, and social contexts. Delivered at the Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde), it suits students who are interested in law alongside disciplines such as politics, international relations, history, languages, or sociology.

Curriculum structure

First Year

In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in legal studies while also exploring chosen arts disciplines. Core law units such as Foundations of Law, Contracts, and Criminal Law are studied alongside introductory arts units like Politics and Governance or Introduction to Sociology, developing strong critical thinking and communication skills.

Second Year

In the second year, students deepen their understanding of core legal principles while expanding their arts specialisation. Law units such as Torts, Constitutional Law, and Property Law are complemented by arts subjects like International Relations or Cultural Studies, helping students connect legal frameworks with broader social and global contexts.

Third Year

The third year focuses on more advanced legal study including Administrative Law, Equity, and Corporations Law, while students continue their arts major with more specialised units in their chosen discipline. This combination strengthens analytical ability, research skills, and interdisciplinary thinking across law and humanities.

Fourth Year

In the fourth year, students engage with complex legal systems through units such as Evidence, Jurisprudence, and advanced electives, while also completing higher-level arts subjects such as Global Politics or Philosophy. This year emphasises critical analysis, ethical reasoning, and applied understanding of law in society.

Fifth Year

The final year integrates advanced legal electives with capstone arts studies, allowing students to specialise further in both disciplines. Units such as International Law, Advanced Legal Research, and advanced humanities topics prepare students for professional practice, postgraduate study, or careers requiring strong legal and analytical expertise.

Focus areas

Criminal law, constitutional law, international law, administrative law, corporate law, legal theory, politics, sociology, philosophy, global studies, cultural analysis, legal research, ethics

Learning outcomes

Develop advanced legal reasoning and critical thinking skills, apply legal principles in social and global contexts, conduct interdisciplinary research across law and arts, communicate effectively in academic and professional environments, demonstrate ethical judgment, and understand the relationship between law, society, politics, and culture.

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) through an approved provider. The program aligns with national legal education standards for progression into the legal profession.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Macquarie University is recognised internationally for its strong graduate outcomes and interdisciplinary teaching approach. It consistently features in global rankings such as the QS World University Rankings, with strong performance in Law & Legal Studies and Arts & Humanities disciplines.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University is designed to help students build real professional capability by combining legal training with hands-on humanities-based learning. Students actively develop practical skills through problem-solving exercises, communication-focused assessments, and applied legal analysis, while also exploring how law interacts with society, culture, politics, and global issues. At the Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde), students learn in collaborative environments supported by advanced learning spaces, legal research tools, and access to university-wide academic support systems that mirror real professional practice:

Macquarie Law Clinics & Practical Legal Exposure: Students gain real-world legal experience through clinical legal education opportunities, working on supervised legal matters and developing client-facing skills.
Moot Courts & Advocacy Training: Structured mooting programs help students practise courtroom argumentation, legal reasoning, and oral advocacy in simulated legal environments.
Legal Research Databases: Training in professional legal platforms such as case law and legislation databases used in Australian legal practice to develop strong research and analysis skills.
Interdisciplinary Project Work: Group-based assignments combining arts disciplines (such as politics, international relations, or sociology) with legal analysis to explore real-world legal and social issues.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL): Opportunities to engage with industry-style projects and applied learning experiences that connect academic study with professional practice.
Macquarie University Library Resources: Access to extensive legal collections, humanities archives, digital journals, and research support services tailored to law and arts students.
Guest Lectures & Industry Engagement: Interaction with practising lawyers, policy experts, academics, and public sector professionals through seminars and networking events.
Flexible Learning Technologies: Use of digital learning platforms, collaborative tools, and online legal research systems that support independent and group-based learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University are equipped with a powerful combination of legal expertise and broad humanities knowledge, allowing them to work across law, government, media, policy, and international organisations. This double degree develops adaptable professionals who can interpret law, understand society, and communicate effectively in complex environments. Typical career pathways include solicitor, policy adviser, legal researcher, human rights officer, and corporate consultant.

Career progression is strongly supported through Macquarie University’s industry-focused ecosystem and employability services:

Macquarie University Career and Employment Service: Provides personalised career coaching, internship support, resume and interview workshops, employer networking events, and access to graduate recruitment programs.
Industry and Community Engagement: The law program is connected with legal firms, government agencies, NGOs, and policy organisations, giving students exposure to real-world legal and social justice environments.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Range: Law graduates in Australia typically begin with salaries around AUD $65,000–$90,000 per year, with significant growth potential in legal practice, policy leadership, and senior advisory roles.
Professional Accreditation Value: The law component meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training), ensuring long-term professional recognition.
Graduate Outcomes: Students graduate with strong analytical, research, and communication skills that are highly valued across legal, public sector, media, and international career pathways.

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 studies such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of International Relations, Master of Public Policy, Master of Arts in specialised humanities fields, or research degrees (Honours, MPhil, or PhD) depending on their career direction.