Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Studies

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

This double degree is ideal for students who want to combine legal expertise with a deep understanding of international politics, global development, cultures, and international relations. You will develop strong legal reasoning and advocacy skills while also exploring how global issues, diplomacy, policy, and intercultural communication shape today's interconnected world. Deakin University – Burwood (Melbourne), Victoria, Australia, Waterfront – Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building Legal and Global Foundations

Your first year introduces the core principles of both law and international studies. You begin developing legal research, communication, and analytical skills through units such as Legal Research and Statutory Interpretation (MLL110) and Resolving Disputes and Legal Communication (MLL113), while gaining a global perspective through Intercultural Communication (AIS101) and Working in International Contexts (AIS102). These units establish the foundations for understanding legal systems and cross-cultural engagement.

Year 2 – Understanding Law, Society and Global Systems

In the second year, you explore how legal frameworks operate within society while examining international political and economic structures. Through subjects such as Criminal Law (MLP114), Contract A (MLP119), and Torts (MLP213), you develop substantive legal knowledge. At the same time, units including Global Capitalism and Power (AIR200) and Gender, Globalisation and Development (AIS204) help you analyse contemporary global challenges from multiple perspectives.

Year 3 – Expanding Professional and International Expertise

By third year, your studies become increasingly applied and specialised. Legal units such as Criminal Procedure (MLP218), Contract B (MLP219), and Legal Practice and Ethics (MLP235) strengthen professional legal capabilities, while your chosen International Studies major allows you to deepen expertise in areas such as international relations, politics and policy studies, Middle East studies, or languages. Students are also encouraged to undertake their approved international experience during this stage of the course.

Year 4 – Advanced Legal Analysis and Global Engagement

Fourth year focuses on complex legal concepts and international engagement. You study advanced law subjects including Constitutional Law (MLP323), Land Law (MLP325), and Property (MLP327) while applying international studies knowledge through global projects, exchange opportunities, study tours, or international internships. This combination develops both professional legal competence and international awareness.

Year 5 – Professional Practice and Career Preparation

Your final year prepares you for professional practice and leadership roles. Advanced subjects such as Corporate Law (MLP331), Evidence (MLP334), Administrative Law (MLP424), and the capstone unit Advanced Legal Problem Solving and Persuasion (MLL427) challenge you to apply legal knowledge to complex scenarios. You also complete the International Studies Capstone Portfolio (AIS303) and International Futures (AIS304), bringing together your global, legal, and professional skills for future careers.

Focus Areas (in a string):

Legal research, dispute resolution, criminal law, constitutional law, international relations, globalisation, intercultural communication, global development, international policy, diplomacy, international internships, cross-cultural leadership, legal advocacy, global citizenship.

Learning Outcomes (in a string):

Develop advanced legal reasoning, research, advocacy, and problem-solving skills; analyse international political and social issues; communicate effectively across cultures; apply legal and international studies knowledge in professional contexts; evaluate global challenges using critical thinking and interdisciplinary perspectives; build professional and intercultural competency for international careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The law component includes the Priestley 11 prescribed areas of knowledge, which are required academic qualifications for admission to legal practice in Australia. Graduates can progress toward legal admission through further practical legal training requirements.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Deakin University is recognised as the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, reflecting strong graduate outcomes and industry readiness. The combination of legal training, international experience, and work-integrated learning provides graduates with a competitive advantage across legal, government, policy, international affairs, and corporate sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This double degree is designed for students who want to combine legal expertise with a global perspective. At Deakin, learning extends well beyond lectures through practical legal experiences, international immersion opportunities, internships, advocacy training, and cross-cultural projects. You gain hands-on exposure to real legal environments while also developing international communication skills through overseas study, international internships, and global engagement programs.

The course places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, helping students apply legal knowledge and international studies theory in real-world settings through professional practice units, international experiences, and industry-connected learning opportunities:

Deakin Law Clinic: work on real legal matters under the supervision of qualified solicitors, conduct legal research, assist with legal advice, and observe courtroom proceedings
Mooting and Advocacy program: develop courtroom advocacy, legal argumentation, negotiation, and public speaking skills through simulated legal proceedings and competitions
Community Legal Internship (MLL351): gain practical experience in community legal settings while applying legal knowledge to real client-focused situations
Legal Professional Practice unit (MLL338): industry-focused learning that strengthens professional legal skills and workplace readiness
Mandatory Work Integrated Learning (WIL) component within the law degree, providing structured professional experience before graduation
International internship opportunities (AIS330/AIS331) with international organisations, allowing students to gain global workplace experience and cross-cultural professional skills
Study abroad and overseas exchange programs at Deakin partner universities, forming part of the required international experience component of the degree
Approved international study tours that provide direct exposure to international institutions, global issues, and intercultural environments
In-country language programs in languages such as Chinese, Indonesian, or Arabic, helping students build professional language capability alongside legal and international studies knowledge
Cross-cultural and international policy projects through International Studies units focused on globalisation, international relations, development, and intercultural communication
Deakin Library services and digital legal databases providing access to case law, legal research resources, international policy publications, journals, and academic databases
CloudDeakin digital learning environment for collaboration, legal research activities, international studies projects, online discussions, and portfolio development
International Studies Capstone Portfolio (AIS303) allowing students to showcase academic, intercultural, and professional development achievements in a career-focused format
Access to Deakin Law School's professional learning environment, taught by academics and practising lawyers with strong industry engagement

Progression & Future Opportunities

This double degree prepares graduates for careers that cross borders, combining legal expertise with international awareness, intercultural communication, and global policy knowledge. Students graduate with the ability to navigate legal systems within international contexts, making them highly valuable in government, diplomacy, international organisations, legal practice, and policy development. Career pathways include corporate lawyer, diplomat, foreign affairs officer, legal adviser, law reform officer, and NGO policy officer: creating opportunities across both legal and international sectors.

Future progression and career development are supported through Deakin’s strong employability focus, practical learning experiences, and professional recognition:

Deakin Careers and Employability services provide career coaching, employability workshops, networking opportunities, resume support, interview preparation, and employer engagement programs
Graduate from Deakin’s #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, giving students strong career outcomes and employer recognition after graduation
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) requirement within the law degree allows students to gain professional experience through units such as the Deakin Law Clinic, Community Legal Internship, Legal Professional Practice, or Mooting and Advocacy
International internship and overseas experience opportunities are embedded within the International Studies component, including international exchanges, study tours, and internship placements with international organisations
Deakin Law Clinic partnerships allow students to work under qualified solicitors, conduct legal research, assist with legal advice, and observe real legal proceedings
Professional recognition through the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) ensures the law degree satisfies the academic requirements needed for admission to legal practice in Victoria (subject to practical legal training requirements)
Global career value through international studies training in intercultural communication, globalisation, international policy, and international relations, helping graduates work across multinational environments
Strong graduate outcomes in law, diplomacy, government agencies, international policy organisations, foreign affairs departments, legal consultancy, and advocacy sectors

Median Salary:

Graduate Lawyer / Legal Adviser: approximately AUD $75,000 – $110,000+ depending on employer and admission status
Foreign Affairs Officer / Policy Officer: approximately AUD $85,000 – $130,000+
Diplomatic, international policy, and government advisory careers: often AUD $90,000 – $140,000+ with experience
Corporate legal and international regulatory roles: can exceed AUD $150,000+ at senior levels

The combination of law and international studies provides long-term earning potential because graduates can move across legal practice, government, international relations, diplomacy, compliance, and multinational corporate sectors.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, students can continue into Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify as a solicitor in Australia. Graduates may also pursue advanced study through a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of International Relations, Master of International and Community Development, Master of Public Policy, or research-based postgraduate programs focused on international law, diplomacy, human rights, global governance, or public policy. These pathways can further strengthen expertise and open opportunities in senior legal, governmental, and international leadership roles.