Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of International Relations

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of International Relations combines professional legal education with a deep understanding of global politics, diplomacy, international systems, and public policy. Designed for students who are interested in law, international affairs, human rights, and global governance, this five-year double degree develops the legal, analytical, negotiation, and policy skills needed to address complex international challenges. Campus: Adelaide City Campus, Adelaide, South Australia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin by building foundations in both law and international relations. Legal studies introduce the nature and operation of legal systems through How Law Works, Torts, and Law, Government and Community, while international relations subjects such as Introduction to Global Politics, Introduction to Comparative Politics, and Australia's Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific provide insight into political institutions, diplomacy, and global affairs.

Year 2

In the second year, students deepen their understanding of constitutional and international legal frameworks while exploring key global issues. Courses including Constitutional Law, Contract, and International Law are complemented by international relations subjects such as Approaches in International Relations, Global Environmental Politics, and Ethics of War and Peace, helping students analyse legal and political issues from both domestic and international perspectives.

Year 3

Third year focuses on developing advanced legal reasoning and public administration knowledge. Students study Property Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts, and Administrative Law, while also completing university core studies and professional development subjects that strengthen research, communication, and career-readiness skills.

Year 4

Students begin integrating legal expertise with global policy analysis through subjects such as Global Political Economy, Corporate Law, and Becoming a Lawyer. Professional learning is enhanced through the Internship: Society and Culture course and elective studies, providing valuable exposure to real-world policy and legal environments.

Year 5

The final year emphasises advanced legal practice and independent problem-solving. Students complete Civil Dispute Resolution, Evidence, and the capstone Future Law Project, while selecting electives that may include areas such as Human Rights Law, Climate Change Law, Environmental Law, or Intellectual Property Law, allowing them to tailor their studies to specific international or legal interests.

Focus Areas:

Australian Law, International Relations, Global Politics, International Law, Human Rights, Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, Global Governance, Political Economy, Conflict Resolution, Public Policy, Legal Research and Advocacy.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal knowledge and professional legal skills; analyse international political systems and global governance structures; evaluate international policy challenges; conduct legal and policy research; communicate effectively in complex legal and diplomatic settings; apply ethical reasoning and negotiation skills to national and international issues.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). The international relations component provides specialised preparation for careers in diplomacy, government, international organisations, policy development, and global advocacy.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

The University of Adelaide is a member of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight universities and is internationally recognised for excellence in teaching and research. Its strong global reputation, extensive industry connections, and focus on graduate employability make it a highly regarded destination for students pursuing careers in law, government, international relations, and policy.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of International Relations at University of Adelaide develop practical skills through a combination of legal training, policy analysis, research activities, and international affairs studies. The program encourages students to engage with real-world legal and global issues through collaborative projects, case studies, research-led teaching, and interaction with academics who are active in law, diplomacy, international security, and public policy research. Students also benefit from access to world-class learning spaces, extensive legal resources, and internationally recognised research institutes that enrich both the law and international relations components of the degree:

Moot court and advocacy experiences: Law students develop legal reasoning, negotiation, and advocacy skills through simulated court proceedings, legal problem-solving exercises, and case analysis activities.
Research-led learning: Students engage with contemporary international issues through research projects and policy analysis informed by the University's globally recognised expertise in international relations, security, and governance.
Group-based policy and legal projects: Many courses involve collaborative projects, debates, presentations, and policy evaluations that reflect real workplace practices in legal and international affairs settings.
Legal research databases: Access to professional legal research platforms and extensive digital legal resources used by practising lawyers and legal researchers.
Barr Smith Library: Students have access to one of Australia's largest academic libraries, offering specialised law collections, international relations resources, research support services, and extensive online databases.
Stretton Institute: Opportunities to engage with research and policy discussions through the University's interdisciplinary institute focusing on public policy, governance, and societal challenges.
Institute for International Trade: Access to expertise and events relating to international trade, diplomacy, economic policy, and global governance issues.
Internship and global opportunities: Eligible students may access internship, exchange, and international study opportunities that provide exposure to global legal and political environments.
Digital learning technologies: Students utilise advanced online learning platforms, digital collaboration tools, research databases, and legal information systems throughout their studies.
World-class research environment: Learning is supported by internationally recognised academics and research centres working across law, international relations, public policy, and global affairs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of International Relations at University of Adelaide gain a distinctive combination of legal expertise and global political insight, preparing them to address complex international challenges across government, diplomacy, and multinational organisations. The honours component develops advanced research and analytical capabilities, while international relations studies provide a deep understanding of global governance, foreign policy, and international cooperation. Graduates commonly pursue careers as international lawyer, diplomatic officer, policy advisor, and international relations consultant.

By combining legal training with a global perspective, graduates are well positioned to build careers in both domestic and international environments:

University employability services: The University of Adelaide’s Career Services team supports students through career planning consultations, employability workshops, networking events, mentoring programs, internship assistance, and graduate recruitment initiatives that enhance professional readiness and industry connections.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates entering law, international affairs, and policy-related professions in Australia typically achieve starting salaries ranging from AUD $75,000 – $120,000, with median earnings commonly between AUD $95,000 – $115,000, depending on their role, organisation, and level of experience.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from strong relationships with law firms, government departments, international organisations, diplomatic networks, policy institutes, and research centres through internships, professional placements, guest lectures, and industry engagement activities.
Long-term accreditation value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) fulfils the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, while the International Relations qualification provides specialised expertise valued in diplomacy, international development, public policy, and global governance sectors.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced capabilities in legal analysis, policy evaluation, negotiation, cross-cultural communication, and international governance, making them highly competitive in both legal and international careers.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this degree, graduates may undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner or continue their studies through postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of International Relations, Master of Public Policy, Master of International Security, or research-focused MPhil and PhD programs in law, international relations, diplomacy, public policy, or global governance.