Bachelor of Arts(Politics) and Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Sydney

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (Politics) and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney is a five-year combined degree that blends a deep understanding of political systems with comprehensive legal training. It’s perfect for students who are passionate about politics and law, and who want to build a career in public policy, government, international affairs, or legal practice.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 – Foundations in politics and law
Your first year introduces you to the essentials of both disciplines, with units like Introduction to Politics, Introduction to International Relations, Foundations of Law, and Lawyers, Justice and Ethics. These courses help you develop critical thinking, legal reasoning, and analytical skills while gaining a broad understanding of how political and legal systems operate.

Year 2 – Building analytical frameworks
In the second year, you’ll take intermediate Politics units alongside compulsory law subjects such as Torts and Contracts. This combination helps you see how law and politics intersect, giving you the tools to analyse public policy and understand how legal frameworks shape society.

Year 3 – Deepening knowledge
Your third year allows you to explore more specialised Politics units in areas like comparative government and international relations, while continuing with advanced law subjects. This year strengthens your ability to think critically about governance, legal systems, and global issues.

Year 4 – Focus on law practice and political insight
The fourth year shifts more towards law, with subjects such as Administrative Law, Federal Constitutional Law, Property and Commercial Law, and The Legal Profession. At the same time, your Arts units continue to broaden your perspective on political systems and public affairs, helping you connect theory with real-world applications.

Year 5 – Advanced law and electives
In your final year, you’ll complete challenging law units like Corporations Law, Equity, Evidence, and Real Property, along with elective courses that let you specialise in areas that interest you. By the end of this year, you’ll have a strong foundation in both law and politics, fully prepared for professional or further academic pathways.

Focus areas

Politics and International Relations, legal reasoning, administrative law, constitutional law, commercial law, legal ethics, comparative governance

Learning outcomes

Develop critical thinking and legal analysis, understand political and legal systems, communicate effectively, conduct high-level research, and apply law to societal and policy challenges

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The law degree meets the academic requirements for legal practice in Australia, giving you a pathway to admission to practice once you complete the required practical training. Meanwhile, the Politics component equips you with insights and skills that are valuable in government, policy, and public sector roles.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Sydney is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities and is recognised for excellence in both Law and Arts, giving graduates strong employability and a reputation for high-quality education in legal and political fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Arts (Politics) and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney gives you plenty of opportunities to gain practical experience while you study, helping you turn theory into real-world skills. From internships and placements to research projects and collaborative work, the program is designed to prepare you for professional life. You’ll also have access to world-class libraries, digital research tools, and expert support services that make learning hands-on and connected to the real world:

Internships and placements: You can complete credit-bearing placements with government departments, policy research teams, advocacy groups, or private organisations. These experiences allow you to apply your research, communication, and analytical skills in professional settings.
Politics and law-focused opportunities: Your studies in politics and law equip you for practical work like policy research, campaign support, or legal project work, helping you bridge classroom learning with real-world application.
Career support services: The Faculty of Arts and the Careers Centre provide guidance, workshops, and networking opportunities to help you prepare for internships, graduate roles, and your long-term career.
Libraries and research facilities: You’ll have access to Sydney’s extensive library collections, digital databases, and study spaces to support independent research and advanced learning in both law and politics.
Professional experiences in law: The Law School shares internship and summer clerkship opportunities, giving you a chance to gain hands-on legal experience and understand the workings of the profession.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing the Bachelor of Arts (Politics) and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney opens the door to a wide range of rewarding careers where legal knowledge and political insight are highly valued. Many graduates move into roles such as policy adviser, corporate lawyer, government administrator, or legal consultant, using their combined skills to tackle complex problems and make an impact in their workplaces. The combination of law and politics gives you both practical expertise and a broader understanding of society, making you well-prepared for professional challenges:

Career support: The University’s Careers Centre and Sydney Law School provide personalised guidance, professional development workshops, and access to networks, helping you secure internships, clerkships, and graduate roles in law, government, and public policy.
Employment outcomes: Around 81 per cent of University of Sydney undergraduates secure full-time employment soon after graduating, with employers consistently praising the skills and readiness of Sydney graduates.
Industry partnerships: Through placements and internships, you can gain experience with organisations such as the Australian Government Solicitor, Amnesty International Australia, and the Aboriginal Legal Service, giving you practical exposure and professional connections.
Long-term career value: The law degree meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia once you complete practical legal training, while the politics component strengthens your ability to work in government, policy, advocacy, consulting, or international roles.
Graduate opportunities: Employers in law firms, government departments, policy organisations, NGOs, and corporate sectors value the analytical, research, and communication skills you develop through this combined program, making you a versatile and sought-after professional.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you could continue your studies with a Master of Laws (LLM), or specialise in areas like public policy or international relations with a Master of Public Policy or Master of International Relations. If you plan to practise law, completing Practical Legal Training (PLT) is the next step before admission, and research or specialised postgraduate programs are also available to further expand your career options.