Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Business

This double degree pairs a Bachelor of International Studies with a Bachelor of Business, and takes four years of full-time study. You graduate with two awards, not one. That matters when you are applying for jobs in trade, foreign affairs, global logistics or international marketing, because you can point to language and cultural training alongside accounting, management or economics units.

What you actually study

International Studies covers international relations, global politics, history, languages and regional studies. Business covers the core disciplines: accounting, economics, management, marketing, business law and statistics. You choose a business major and an international studies major or language sequence, and the two halves are timetabled so you are not doubling up on generic units. Teaching runs across semesters, and each unit carries a set credit point value. You need to accumulate the required credit points in each degree, plus any majors, minors and electives, before you can graduate. The exact unit list and credit point totals are set out in the official course structure, so check that page before you enrol.

Structure, honours and work experience

Four years full-time is standard for a double degree. Most students take eight semesters, with the option to spread it over more. Western Sydney University also offers honours in some disciplines, which usually adds a further year of research and a thesis. Work-integrated learning is built into many business and international studies units, through internships, industry projects and placements with organisations in Western Sydney and the wider Sydney area. If your major includes a language, you may have the option of an overseas study component, subject to approval and travel arrangements.

Skills and who it suits

You come out able to read a trade agreement, analyse a market, write a briefing, present to a room and work across cultures. You also learn to handle data and financial statements, which is what separates this degree from a straight arts or international relations program. It suits school leavers who want a career with an international dimension but also want a practical business skill set. It also suits people already working who want to move into export, procurement or policy roles. The Australian government, banks, consultancies, logistics firms, manufacturers with overseas supply chains and not-for-profits all hire from this pool.

Practical matters for international applicants

English proficiency is required for admission. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common undergraduate standard, with higher scores for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so you may need to meet both. On a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 089212G. Confirm fees, intakes, unit rules and English requirements on the official university and CRICOS pages before you apply.

• International trade officer or export coordinator with manufacturers, agribusinesses and government trade agencies
• Policy or program officer in federal and state government departments, including foreign affairs, trade and immigration portfolios
• Business analyst or management consultant in professional services firms working with cross-border clients
• Marketing or business development coordinator for companies entering Asian, European or North American markets
• Supply chain and logistics analyst in freight forwarding, shipping and procurement
• Account officer or relationship manager in banks and financial institutions with international operations
• Project officer in international development and not-for-profit organisations
• Language and cultural liaison roles in tourism, education and community services