Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Macquarie University

Program Overview

The Macquarie University Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws is a prestigious double degree that combines economic analysis with legal expertise, preparing you to understand how laws shape economies and global systems. It is ideal for students aiming for careers in law, policy, finance, or consulting, where both legal knowledge and economic insight are essential and Delivered at the Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde).

Curriculum structure

Year 1
In your first year, you build strong foundations in both disciplines, studying introductory units such as Economics and Business Strategy (ECON1020) and foundational law subjects like Law, Lawyers and Society. Alongside this, you develop core academic skills including legal reasoning, research, and economic problem-solving, giving you a solid base in both fields and Delivered at the Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde),

Year 2
In the second year, your knowledge expands into intermediate concepts. You will explore Microeconomic Analysis and Applications and Macroeconomic Analysis, while progressing into legal areas such as Contracts and Torts. This stage helps you understand how economic theories interact with legal frameworks in real-world scenarios.

Year 3
In your third year, you begin to specialise further, combining advanced economics with deeper legal study. You may study units such as Public Economics, Behavioural Economics, and legal subjects like Criminal Law and Business Organisations, allowing you to analyse policy, markets, and legal structures together.

Year 4
In the fourth year, your focus shifts towards advanced applications. You will engage with higher-level economics topics such as International Economics or Economic Policy, alongside complex legal areas like Evidence, Equity and Trusts, and Administrative Law, developing strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Year 5
In your final year, you complete advanced law units and electives, refining your expertise in areas such as jurisprudence, legal ethics, and specialised economic fields. This stage prepares you for professional pathways, including legal practice (with further training) or roles in policy, consulting, and finance.

Focus areas (in a string):

Economic theory, econometrics, policy analysis, legal systems, corporate law, public law, international economics, regulatory frameworks, interdisciplinary decision-making

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Develop strong analytical and legal reasoning skills; apply economic theory to legal and policy contexts; interpret complex economic and legal data; understand regulatory and global economic systems; build critical thinking and problem-solving abilities for professional practice

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The law component is designed to meet academic requirements for legal practice in Australia (subject to further Practical Legal Training), while the economics component prepares graduates for careers in policy analysis, finance, consulting, and government sectors

Reputation (employability rankings):

Macquarie University is globally recognised for strong industry connections and employability outcomes, with a focus on practical learning and developing job-ready graduates across business, economics, and law disciplines

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in the Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University is designed to build real-world capability by combining legal reasoning with data-driven economic analysis. Students don’t just learn concepts in isolation — they actively apply them through industry-engaged learning, case-based assessments, and practical training environments supported by Macquarie’s Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde). The program also gives students access to professional-grade tools and collaborative spaces that reflect how law, policy, and economics operate in real organisations:

PACE (Professional and Community Engagement): Macquarie’s flagship program gives students opportunities to work on real projects with industry partners, community organisations, and government bodies, applying both legal and economic skills in practical settings.
Moot Court & Legal Skills Training: Students develop advocacy and legal argumentation skills through structured moot court sessions and simulated legal proceedings within Macquarie Law School.
Macquarie Law Clinics: Practical exposure to legal work through clinic-style experiences where students engage with real legal issues under supervision, strengthening applied legal understanding.
Economics Data & Analytics Tools: Training in industry-relevant software and methods such as econometrics tools (e.g., R and Stata) and economic modelling techniques used for policy and financial analysis.
Bloomberg and Financial Data Access: Exposure to financial market data systems used in economics and finance-related analysis, supporting real-time economic decision-making skills.
Macquarie University Library & Legal Resources: Access to extensive legal databases, economic journals, research support services, and specialist collections supporting both disciplines.
Collaborative Case-Based Learning: Group-based assignments and simulations where students analyse legal disputes and economic policy problems in integrated, real-world scenarios.
Industry Guest Lectures & Networking Events: Direct engagement with legal professionals, economists, policymakers, and corporate leaders through seminars and university-hosted events.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University are well prepared for high-impact careers that combine legal expertise with economic and policy analysis. This dual skill set supports pathways into roles across government, financial services, regulatory bodies, consulting firms, and international organisations. Typical career outcomes include policy analyst, corporate lawyer, economic consultant, regulatory compliance officer, and legal adviser.

Progression into these careers is strongly supported through Macquarie’s employability-focused ecosystem and industry connections:

Macquarie University Career and Employment Services: Offers career planning support, interview preparation, resume development, networking events, employer presentations, and access to internship and graduate opportunities across law, economics, and public policy sectors.
Industry Partnerships: Strong links with government agencies, financial institutions, consulting firms, and legal organisations provide students with exposure to real-world professional environments and potential employment pathways.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Insights: Graduates in law, economics, and policy-related fields in Australia typically start with salaries in the range of AUD $70,000–$100,000 per year, with significant growth potential as they progress into specialist, advisory, or senior policy roles.
Long-term Accreditation Value: The law component meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training), while the economics component supports strong professional recognition in finance, policy, and economic advisory fields.
Graduate Outcomes: Students develop advanced analytical, quantitative, and legal reasoning skills, making them highly competitive in sectors such as government policy, economic research, corporate advisory, and legal services.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, graduates may undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. They can also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Economics, Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Public Policy, Master of Applied Finance, or research degrees in economics, law, or interdisciplinary policy studies to advance into specialist or leadership roles.