Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Laws

This double degree pairs a Bachelor of International Studies with a Bachelor of Laws. You graduate with two qualifications in four years of full-time study. The law component covers the areas you need for legal practice in Australia: contracts, torts, criminal law, constitutional law, property, equity, evidence, civil procedure and professional responsibility. Alongside that, international studies takes you through international relations, politics, history, languages and regional studies, so you finish with a law degree that has a global outlook rather than a purely domestic one.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You need a certain total to graduate. The academic year usually runs in semesters or trimesters, and you enrol in units each teaching period. In a double degree, the two programs share some core units and you take the rest from each discipline. The law units build in sequence, so you generally complete the foundational subjects before moving to advanced ones. International studies units include language study and a regional or thematic specialisation. Near the end, you may have a capstone unit or a research project that pulls the two sides together. Western Sydney University publishes the exact unit list, credit point totals and any majors on its course page.

Work-integrated learning and practical experience

Law is a field where practical experience matters, and Australian law degrees typically include work-integrated learning. That can mean a placement with a community legal centre, a law firm, a government department or an international organisation, or it can mean participating in a clinical legal education unit where you work on real matters under supervision. International studies may offer internships or study abroad options that count towards your degree. These experiences let you apply what you learn in the classroom and build a professional network before you graduate. Exact placement requirements and availability are set by the university, so check the official course page.

Skills you gain

You learn to read and interpret legislation and case law, research legal questions, write advice and submissions, and argue a position clearly. The international studies side adds another layer: understanding how governments, international organisations and non-state actors interact, how to analyse policy, and how to communicate across cultures. If you take a language, you build real proficiency. The combination suits work that crosses borders, whether that is trade law, human rights, diplomacy, migration or international business.

Who this course suits

This degree is for students who want to practise law but do not want a purely local career. It suits people who are interested in global affairs, who enjoy reading and argument, and who are willing to put in the hours that law study demands. It also works for those who are not certain they want to be a lawyer but want a qualification that opens doors in policy, government, NGOs or business. The double degree takes four years rather than the three years of a single bachelor degree, and it sits at level 7 on the Australian Qualifications Framework.

English language and visa notes

International applicants need to show English proficiency. For law, the published requirement is usually higher than for many other fields, often IELTS Academic 7.0–7.5 overall, though you should confirm the exact score for this course on the official page. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programs are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. If you hold 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 let you stay and work in Australia, provided you meet the requirements.

Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Always check the official Western Sydney University course page and the CRICOS entry for the current unit structure, fees and entry requirements.

• Solicitor or barrister – after completing the practical legal training required for admission in an Australian state or territory.
• Legal officer in government – departments such as foreign affairs, trade, immigration or attorney-general's offices.
• Policy adviser – in federal or state public service, think tanks or international organisations.
• In-house counsel – for companies with cross-border operations, trade or compliance needs.
• Human rights or refugee advocate – in NGOs, community legal centres or international bodies.
• Diplomat or foreign service officer – through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and similar agencies.
• Compliance or regulatory analyst – in banking, finance, mining, agriculture or export industries.
• Journalist or researcher – covering law, politics and international affairs.

Australian employers in these fields include law firms, community legal centres, the public service, universities, NGOs, multinational companies and industry bodies. Some roles require further study or admission to practice.