Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics / Law

6 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics / Law at University of New South Wales is an intellectually rigorous six-year double degree that combines legal education with interdisciplinary study in political systems, ethical reasoning, economic analysis, and public policy. Campus: Kensington Campus, Sydney, Australia — the program is ideal for students who want to understand how law, governance, economics, and philosophy shape societies while developing advanced analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills for global careers.

This degree suits students interested in law, public policy, international relations, economics, government, diplomacy, consulting, or social advocacy. Students study legal systems alongside political theory, ethical philosophy, and economic frameworks, gaining the ability to analyse complex global challenges from multiple disciplinary perspectives while building strong research, communication, and decision-making capabilities.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

In the first year, students establish foundational knowledge in politics, philosophy, economics, and legal studies while developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Courses such as Foundations of Law, Introduction to Political Analysis, and Microeconomics 1 introduce students to legal reasoning, political institutions, economic systems, and ethical inquiry. Students also begin learning how social, economic, and legal frameworks interact in shaping public policy and governance.

Second Year

Second-year study deepens students’ understanding of legal principles, political systems, and economic analysis through interdisciplinary learning. Students may study subjects such as Political Ideas and Ideologies, Macroeconomics 1, and Moral and Political Philosophy alongside law courses including Contracts, Torts, and Criminal Law. The year focuses on evaluating institutions, interpreting policy decisions, and understanding the ethical and legal dimensions of economic and political systems.

Third Year

By third year, students engage with more advanced legal concepts and specialised PPE coursework connected to governance, justice, and international affairs. Courses such as International Political Economy, Public Choice and Economic Policy, and Ethics and Public Policy strengthen students’ analytical and policy evaluation skills, while law subjects including Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Equity and Trusts deepen understanding of legal institutions and public administration. Students also participate in research projects and policy discussions addressing contemporary global challenges.

Fourth Year

Fourth year combines advanced legal education with applied political, economic, and philosophical analysis. Students study law courses such as Corporations Law, Evidence, and Private International Law while exploring higher-level PPE electives related to governance, democracy, international relations, development economics, or justice theory. Collaborative projects and policy-based assessments encourage students to apply interdisciplinary thinking to real-world legal and societal issues.

Fifth Year

In fifth year, students continue refining their expertise through advanced electives and interdisciplinary research opportunities aligned with their professional interests. Students may study areas such as Human Rights Law, International Law, Political Economy, or Ethics of Global Justice while developing sophisticated policy analysis, legal advocacy, and strategic communication skills. Coursework emphasises leadership, negotiation, and evidence-based problem-solving within complex institutional environments.

Sixth Year

The final year allows students to tailor the degree toward specialised legal and policy pathways through advanced law and PPE electives. Students may undertake independent research projects, policy analysis work, or specialised studies in constitutional law, international governance, economic regulation, or political philosophy while strengthening professional advocacy and leadership capabilities. By graduation, students possess a highly versatile combination of legal expertise and interdisciplinary analytical skills suited to leadership roles across government, law, diplomacy, and international organisations.

Focus areas

Public policy, political theory, economics, philosophy, governance, constitutional law, international relations, ethics, political economy, human rights law, economic regulation, diplomacy, public administration, legal analysis, and global justice.

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop advanced legal reasoning, economic analysis, ethical evaluation, policy interpretation, communication, negotiation, and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills. Students learn to critically assess political and legal institutions, analyse economic systems, evaluate public policy decisions, and apply evidence-based reasoning to complex global and societal challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Law component is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). The Politics, Philosophy and Economics component provides strong preparation for careers in government, diplomacy, policy development, consulting, international affairs, and economic analysis.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UNSW Law & Justice is internationally recognised for academic excellence, employer reputation, and graduate employability, while UNSW’s social sciences and economics disciplines are highly regarded for research strength, policy engagement, and interdisciplinary education. UNSW is consistently recognised as one of Australia’s leading universities for graduate outcomes, innovation, and global industry relevance across law, politics, and economics.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics / Law at the University of New South Wales gain practical experience through policy analysis projects, legal clinics, debate-based learning, interdisciplinary research activities, and collaborative problem-solving exercises. The program combines rigorous legal education with applied study in politics, economics, and philosophy, allowing students to examine real-world governance challenges, ethical issues, economic systems, and public policy decisions through practical and research-driven learning environments.

UNSW’s experiential learning approach gives students access to legal practice opportunities, policy research centres, collaborative learning spaces, and industry-connected activities that prepare graduates for careers across government, law, diplomacy, consulting, public policy, and international affairs:

Kingsford Legal Centre : Law students gain hands-on legal experience through the Kingsford Legal Centre, where they work with real clients under professional supervision. Students assist with legal interviews, case preparation, legal research, and community outreach while building advocacy and professional communication skills.
Moot Courts & Legal Advocacy Training : Students strengthen legal reasoning, negotiation, public speaking, and advocacy skills through mooting competitions, simulated court proceedings, legal debates, and case-based law exercises hosted by UNSW Law & Justice.
Policy Analysis & Research Projects : PPE students participate in collaborative policy analysis projects examining issues such as international relations, governance, democracy, economic policy, ethics, global justice, and public administration. Many subjects involve research papers, presentations, and evidence-based policy recommendations connected to contemporary global challenges.
Debates, Simulations & Political Engagement Activities : Students engage in debates, model diplomacy exercises, political simulations, and public policy discussions that strengthen critical thinking, leadership, strategic communication, and decision-making abilities.
Research Institutes & Policy Centres : Students benefit from exposure to UNSW research centres and institutes including the Centre for Ideas, Social Policy Research Centre, Australian Human Rights Institute, and policy-focused academic initiatives connected to governance, economics, international affairs, and social justice research.
Economic & Data Analysis Tools : Students develop practical analytical skills using economic modelling resources, policy analysis frameworks, research databases, and quantitative tools that support evidence-based economic and political decision-making.
Industry & Government Engagement : UNSW’s strong links with government agencies, think tanks, NGOs, international organisations, and policy institutions provide opportunities for internships, networking events, public lectures, and policy engagement activities.
Collaborative Group Projects : Many PPE and law subjects involve interdisciplinary teamwork, group presentations, case discussions, and policy proposal development that replicate professional environments in government, consulting, law, and diplomacy sectors.
Legal & Academic Research Databases : Students access professional legal databases including LexisNexis, Westlaw, and HeinOnline alongside economic journals, political research collections, and philosophy archives used in legal practice and policy analysis.
Libraries & Collaborative Learning Spaces : Students use specialised law and social sciences libraries, digital learning hubs, research collections, multimedia study spaces, and collaborative classrooms designed to support interdisciplinary legal and policy education.
Global Learning Opportunities : Students may participate in international exchange programs, Model United Nations activities, overseas study experiences, and global policy initiatives that strengthen intercultural communication and international governance understanding.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics / Law at the University of New South Wales develop a rare combination of legal expertise, economic reasoning, ethical analysis, and political understanding that is highly valued across government, corporate, legal, and international sectors. The degree prepares students for leadership and policy-focused careers by equipping them with advanced analytical, communication, negotiation, and strategic decision-making skills applicable to complex global and institutional challenges. Typical career pathways include lawyer, policy adviser, diplomat, political consultant, economic analyst, public sector strategist, international relations specialist, and governance consultant.

UNSW strengthens graduate employability through professional legal education, industry engagement, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and strong employer networks across law, government, and policy sectors:

Dedicated Career & Employability Support : UNSW Law & Justice and UNSW’s social sciences and economics disciplines provide tailored career services including clerkship preparation, internship guidance, networking events, résumé workshops, interview coaching, mentoring programs, and leadership development opportunities connected to law, public policy, consulting, and government careers.
Government & Policy Industry Connections : Students benefit from UNSW’s strong relationships with government agencies, public policy institutes, NGOs, international organisations, consulting firms, and legal employers that support internships, research collaborations, public policy engagement, and graduate recruitment opportunities.
Professional Legal Qualification : The Law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). This provides graduates with long-term professional flexibility across legal practice, governance, diplomacy, and regulatory careers.
Strong Graduate Employability Reputation : UNSW is consistently recognised as one of Australia’s leading universities for graduate employability and employer reputation across law, politics, economics, public policy, and social sciences disciplines. Employers value UNSW graduates for their critical thinking, interdisciplinary analysis, and leadership potential.
Median Graduate Salary : Based on Australian graduate outcomes data across law, economics, and public policy-related fields, graduates commonly achieve median full-time salaries ranging between approximately AUD $80,000–$95,000 depending on professional sector, specialisation, and career pathway.
Global Career Opportunities : The interdisciplinary structure of the degree creates opportunities in multinational corporations, international organisations, diplomatic services, public administration, legal firms, think tanks, consulting companies, and global policy institutions.
Research & Policy Engagement : Students graduate with exposure to contemporary policy debates, governance challenges, economic analysis, legal reform discussions, and ethical decision-making through research projects, policy simulations, and interdisciplinary coursework connected to real-world issues.
Graduation Outcomes : Graduates leave the program with advanced legal research capability, policy analysis expertise, economic reasoning skills, ethical evaluation ability, persuasive communication strengths, and leadership experience developed through legal clinics, collaborative projects, research activities, and policy-focused learning.
Leadership & Strategic Thinking Preparation : The PPE and Law combination develops graduates who can critically assess institutions, evaluate complex policy challenges, negotiate competing interests, and lead strategic decision-making processes across professional environments.
Long-Term Career Flexibility : Graduates are equipped to transition across legal practice, diplomacy, public administration, corporate strategy, consulting, international relations, governance, economic policy, and executive leadership roles throughout their careers.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, graduates may continue into postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Public Policy, Master of International Relations, Master of Economics, Master of Political Science, or specialised postgraduate studies in human rights law, international law, governance, diplomacy, economic policy, or political philosophy. High-achieving graduates may also pursue research-focused programs including Honours or PhD studies in Law, Politics, Economics, Philosophy, International Relations, or Public Policy, leading to careers in academia, advanced policy research, diplomatic service, governmental advisory roles, or international governance institutions.