This course is designed for students seeking a broader education and an international edge. The course is based around an international orientation; students make a commitment to studying at an overseas university or taking up an internship with an overseas organisation.
This course will enable students to: develop their understanding of the international forces shaping government, business and community life in contemporary Australia; analyse and interpret these forces; develop cross-cultural competencies through an internationally oriented curriculum; participate in an international study experience; and learn the principles of 'the internationalisation of the law'.
Indicative student workload
As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Professional recognition
Deakin’s Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the university component of the requirements to become an Australian Lawyer set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to completing an approved LLB degree, a person seeking entry is required to work for one year as a legal trainee, or to undertake a practical legal training (PLT) course.
Career opportunities
A Law degree, especially when combined with another degree, such as Arts, Commerce, Management or Science, is a qualification that offers unequalled career opportunities. As an alternative to practising as a barrister or solicitor, you may enter many areas of work including business and management roles in a wide range of organisations, government services, and industrial relations. You may find a role in research, public administration, diplomatic service, the media, legal aid, law reform or teaching either in schools or universities.
For further information on career outcomes for this combined course, see the entries for Bachelor of International Studies and Bachelor of Laws.
To complete the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Studies, students must attain a total of 40 credit points consisting of 24 credit points from the Faculty of Business and Law and 16 credit points from the Faculty of Arts. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Laws (M312) and the Bachelor of International Studies (A326) must be satisfied. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake 2 trimesters each year.
The 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws include:
16 credit points of core units
8 credit points of elective units
For students who commenced from 2014 onwards, the 16 credit points from the Bachelor of International Studies include:
6 credit points of core units
an 8 credit point major sequence
an approved international experience (2 credit points minimum) to be completed in the third or fourth year of the course
* MLP119 and MLP219 replaced MLL111 Contract and MLL215 Commercial Law from T1 2022. MLL215 will remain as a core only for students who commenced prior to T1 2022 and have completed MLL111 but not MLL215. Students who have completed both MLL111 and MLL215 are not required to complete MLP119 and MLP219.
^Note: MLP codes replaced some MLL codes to denote Priestley units, which teach the academic areas of knowledge prescribed for admission to legal practice.
Select a minimum of 8 credit points of law course elective units:
Note: not all units will be offered every year. Units not offered in 2025 may be offered in 2026 or 2027. From time to time the Law School may develop new units to strengthen the law elective list.
All students must complete at least 2 credit points of international experience, selected from one or more of the following:
trimester of study at an overseas university exchange partner
international internship (AIS330 or AIS331)
in-country language program (in Chinese, Indonesian, Arabic, or Spanish)
approved study abroad program or approved study tour (AIS203 or other)
approved onshore internship with an international organisation (available for AIS330 only).
2 credit points of consecutive language units other than an in-country language program can be taken to achieve one credit point of the international experience requirement
Immersion Program: Japanese Politics, Society and Culture
AIS330, AIS331 - Internship units are normally undertaken in third year (or equivalent) and are subject to completion of specified prerequisite units and special application requirements, including Unit Chair approval of their planned placement.
For further information regarding the in-country language programs, refer to the major sequences in Indonesian, Chinese and Arabic.
For further information on the international student experience and on previous students' overseas internships, explore Arts and Education WIL opportunities.
Non law open electives
Students must complete a minimum of 4 credit points of non law open electives (these may be selected from any undergraduate units offered by the University, subject to eligibility).
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.
