Bachelor of International Studies and Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Macquarie University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of International Studies and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University is a globally focused double degree that combines legal education with in-depth study of international politics, diplomacy, and global affairs. Delivered at the Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde), it is ideal for students who want to pursue careers in international law, diplomacy, global policy, or organisations working across borders and cultures.

Curriculum structure

First Year

In the first year, students develop foundational knowledge in both law and international studies, learning how legal systems interact with global political structures. Core law units such as Foundations of Law and Contracts are studied alongside Introduction to International Relations and Global Politics, helping students understand law within an international context.

Second Year

In the second year, students deepen their understanding of core legal principles while expanding their knowledge of global systems. Law units such as Criminal Law, Torts, and Constitutional Law are combined with international studies subjects like International Organisations and Global Security, enabling students to analyse how law operates across national borders.

Third Year

The third year focuses on advanced legal study including Property Law, Administrative Law, and Equity, alongside international studies units such as Foreign Policy Analysis and International Political Economy. Students begin applying legal reasoning to global governance, diplomacy, and transnational legal issues.

Fourth Year

In the fourth year, students engage with higher-level legal subjects such as Corporations Law, Evidence, and Jurisprudence, while international studies electives explore diplomacy, human rights, and global institutions. This year strengthens analytical and cross-cultural understanding of law in international contexts.

Fifth Year

The final year integrates advanced law electives with international studies capstone units, allowing students to specialise in areas such as international law, diplomacy, or global governance. Students complete advanced legal and international research projects that prepare them for careers in global legal and policy environments.

Focus areas

International law, diplomacy, global politics, human rights, constitutional law, administrative law, international relations, global governance, foreign policy, corporate law, legal theory, international security

Learning outcomes

Develop advanced legal reasoning and international analysis skills, understand global legal and political systems, conduct interdisciplinary research, communicate effectively across cultures and professional contexts, demonstrate ethical and critical thinking, and apply law and international studies knowledge to global challenges.

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 international studies component prepares graduates for roles in diplomacy, government, international organisations, and global policy environments.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Macquarie University is internationally recognised for strong graduate employability and interdisciplinary teaching. It is consistently ranked in global systems such as the QS World University Rankings, with strong subject performance in Law & Legal Studies and Politics & International Studies.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in the Bachelor of International Studies and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University is designed to help students apply legal reasoning and global policy knowledge in real-world, international contexts. Students develop practical capability through policy analysis, legal problem-solving, and cross-cultural research, supported by Macquarie’s strong global outlook and its Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde) learning environment. The program blends law with international relations training, giving students hands-on experience with global issues such as diplomacy, trade, human rights, and governance through applied assessments and industry-informed learning.

This is reinforced through Macquarie’s emphasis on real-world engagement and professional skill-building across both disciplines:

PACE (Professional and Community Engagement): Macquarie’s flagship program enables students to work with government departments, NGOs, international organisations, and community partners on real legal and international policy projects.
Moot Court and Legal Skills Training: Students develop advocacy, negotiation, and legal reasoning skills through structured simulations and mock legal proceedings within the Macquarie Law School.
International Studies Fieldwork and Exchange Opportunities: Students may engage in global learning experiences such as exchange programs, overseas study units, and international fieldwork linked to politics, diplomacy, and global systems.
Legal Research Databases & Digital Tools: Access to professional legal research platforms and international policy databases used in law, diplomacy, and global governance analysis.
Social Science & Policy Research Training: Use of qualitative and quantitative research tools for analysing global issues, including international relations datasets and policy evaluation methods.
Macquarie University Library Resources: Extensive access to legal texts, international relations journals, global policy archives, and specialised research support services.
Collaborative Case-Based Learning: Group projects simulating real-world international legal disputes, diplomatic negotiations, and global policy challenges.
Industry and Policy Engagement Events: Guest lectures and seminars with diplomats, lawyers, policy advisors, and international relations experts from government and global organisations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of International Studies and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University are prepared for careers that operate across global legal systems, diplomacy, international policy, and cross-border legal practice. With strong training in both law and international affairs, graduates can move into roles such as international lawyer, policy adviser, diplomatic officer, human rights officer, or global affairs consultant, where legal expertise and cultural understanding are both essential.

This combination of global and legal capability is highly valued in government, international organisations, and multinational sectors:

Macquarie University PACE Program (Professional and Community Engagement): Provides structured opportunities to work with real organisations in government, NGOs, and international-focused projects, applying legal and global studies knowledge in professional contexts.
Career and Employment Services: Offers career coaching, internship support, employer networking events, resume and interview preparation, and access to graduate employment pathways across law, policy, and international relations sectors.
Industry and Global Engagement Networks: Macquarie’s strong links with government bodies, international organisations, and community partners help students build real-world exposure to global policy and legal environments.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training), while international studies develops globally transferable skills for careers in diplomacy, policy, and international organisations.
Graduation Outcomes: Students graduate with strong analytical, legal, research, and intercultural communication skills, enabling them to work across legal, governmental, and international sectors with confidence and adaptability.
Employment & Salary Insights (Indicative): Graduates typically enter roles with starting salaries in the range of approximately AUD $70,000–$95,000 per year, with law-qualified professionals and international policy specialists progressing to AUD $90,000–$120,000+ as they gain experience and specialisation in legal or global affairs roles.

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 International Relations, Master of Public Policy, Master of Diplomacy and Global Governance, or research pathways including honours and PhD programs in law, international studies, or global policy.