Bachelors of Laws (Honours) / Political Science and International Relations

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Griffith University Gold Coast Campus

Program Overview

This double degree is perfect if you want to combine a passion for law with a deep understanding of politics and global affairs. You’ll develop skills in legal analysis, public policy, international relations, and critical thinking — preparing you for careers as a lawyer, policy adviser, diplomat, or international advocate.

Campus details : Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia

Curriculum structure

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll get a solid foundation in both law and political science. Core law units like Legal Systems and Methods and Torts introduce you to how laws are applied and interpreted, while political science subjects such as Introduction to Political Science and International Relations give context for how governments and societies operate.

Year 2

Year two builds on these foundations. You’ll study law topics like Contracts and Criminal Law, while political science units like Comparative Political Institutions and Public Policy help you understand how policies are developed and implemented around the world. This year strengthens your ability to connect legal principles with political systems.

Year 3

In your third year, you’ll tackle Constitutional Law and Administrative Law, developing an understanding of governance, rights, and public authority. Meanwhile, political science courses such as Foreign Policy and Globalisation or Security, Conflict and Human Rights broaden your insight into international affairs and global issues.

Year 4

By the fourth year, you’ll engage in more advanced law units like Equity and Trusts and Legal Theory, while political science electives allow you to specialise in areas like Diplomacy and Foreign Policy or Business–Government Relations. This year also introduces hands-on experiences like field placements, internships, and parliamentary observations.

Year 5 (Final)

In your final year, you’ll refine your expertise with advanced law electives (for example, International Law or Social Justice) and complete a portfolio of legal and political analysis work. This is your chance to consolidate everything you’ve learned and prepare for your professional journey.

Focus areas

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to analyse complex legal problems, understand the role of law in society, interpret political systems, apply critical thinking to global issues, and communicate persuasively in both legal and policy contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

This degree meets the academic requirements for legal practice in many jurisdictions while also preparing you for careers in government, diplomacy, international organisations, or policy research.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Griffith University is recognised for its strong research focus, social justice orientation, and industry connections, making graduates of its Law and Political Science programs highly employable in competitive global job markets.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Griffith Gold Coast, this degree is designed so you learn by doing, not just by listening in lectures. You’ll get hands-on experience working in legal clinics, participating in internships, attending field trips, and taking part in real-world projects that connect law, politics, and global affairs. With access to modern law facilities, libraries, collaborative study spaces, and professional networks, you’ll develop practical skills that prepare you for the workplace while still at university.

Here’s how you’ll gain real-world experience during your studies:

Legal Clinics & Community Work: Join the Griffith University Law Elective Clinic at the Gold Coast Community Legal Centre, where you’ll work with real clients under supervision, building practical skills in client interaction and case management.
Internships & Work-Integrated Learning: Gain professional experience through internships, clerkships, or placements with law firms, government departments, NGOs, and community organisations.
Mooting & Field Trips: Take part in national and international mooting competitions and field trips that develop your advocacy, research, and presentation skills.
Networking & Professional Events: Attend sessions like Meet the Profession and guest lectures from judges, senior lawyers, and policy experts to make connections and learn from industry leaders.
Research & Innovation: Engage with initiatives at the Law Futures Centre, exploring innovative research in law, public policy, and international governance.
Campus Resources: Use the Gold Coast Campus’ modern libraries, study zones, and collaborative spaces to research, prepare cases, and work on interdisciplinary projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Political Science and International Relations at Griffith University graduate with a powerful combination of legal expertise, political analysis, and global affairs knowledge. This multidisciplinary qualification prepares students for careers across legal, governmental, diplomatic, and international sectors, with opportunities as lawyer, policy advisor, diplomatic officer, and international relations consultant.

With strong analytical, research, advocacy, and policy-development skills, graduates are well positioned to contribute to both national and international organisations:

University employability services: Griffith Careers and Employment Service supports students through personalised career consultations, employability workshops, internship assistance, networking opportunities, mentoring programs, and graduate recruitment events.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates entering law, government, and international affairs professions in Australia commonly achieve starting salaries ranging from AUD $75,000 – $120,000, with median earnings typically around AUD $95,000 – $110,000, depending on industry, location, and career progression.
University–industry partnerships: Griffith maintains strong connections with government departments, international organisations, legal firms, policy institutes, and non-government organisations, providing students with valuable industry engagement and professional networking opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) component fulfils the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, while the Political Science and International Relations component provides specialised expertise relevant to public policy, diplomacy, governance, and international affairs careers.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced capabilities in legal reasoning, policy analysis, negotiation, international governance, and strategic communication, enabling them to work effectively across complex legal and political environments.

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 programs such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of International Relations, Master of Public Policy, Master of International Business, or research-based Honours and PhD pathways in law, politics, international relations, or public administration.