Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Supplementary Information
Students and Applicants to Geelong Waterfront Campus Travel between campuses will be required to complete this combined degree. The Bachelor of Laws degree will be taught at Waterfront campus and the Bachelor of International Studies degree will be taught at the Waurn Ponds Campus.
Build an international legal career and develop competitive skills with cross-cultural relevance in Deakin's Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Studies. This combined course brings together two complementary areas of study, developing your intercultural communication skills and legal expertise to prepare you for a global career.
Deakin's practical approach to study includes options such as study abroad programs and involvement with the Deakin Law Clinic, where you will conduct research, provide legal advice and observe courtroom proceedings under qualified supervision. Graduate from this accredited program with two degrees, designed to meet employer needs worldwide.
Want to take your legal career to the world stage?
Ranked the #3 law school in Victoria*, Deakin law school provides you with a strong foundation across major areas of law, including:
contract law
criminal law and procedure
torts
property law
equity and trusts
constitutional law
administrative law.
Learn from academics who are active researchers and connected to industry, giving you access to the latest ideas, global insights and professional networks in law and international fields. You can also complement your studies by taking a study abroad opportunity such as international study tours or exchange programs. Experience first-hand foreign legal systems and learn how law is applied within these jurisdictions, as well as across borders, again giving you an edge upon graduation.
Through the Bachelor of International Studies, choose from nine majors that align with your career interests. Build an understanding of globalisation, power and capitalism, and develop practical communication and intercultural skills. You can also complement your studies with a study abroad experience or international exchange, learning how law is applied across different jurisdictions and boosting your employability. Graduate as a well-rounded thought leader with practical global knowledge and cross-cultural skills sought by employers worldwide.
*AFR BOSS Best Business Schools 2024
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. 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 theacademic qualifications necessary for admission to the legal profession. In Victoria these have been set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying the academic qualifications, a person seeking admission to the legal profession in Victoria is required to have satisfactorily completed certain practical legal training requirements and must be considered a fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession.
Requirements for admission in jurisdictions outside Australia vary. Please check the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
Career opportunities
Graduate from the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment and step confidently into your career. Once you complete your degree and the additional practical legal training, you will be qualified to work as a solicitor or barrister across a range of legal fields.
Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Studies graduates are suitable candidates for a wide range of career opportunities, including:
ASIO officer
corporate lawyer
criminal lawyer
diplomat
federal police officer
foreign affairs officer
law reform officer
law academic
legal adviser
mediator
NGO policy officer
politician
trade agreements negotiator.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of International Studies (A326)
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
Demonstrate an understanding of the Australian legal system and the fundamental areas of knowledge required for legal practice as situated within international contexts and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise.
Review, analyse and apply key concepts in International Studies relating to international politics and society, globalisation and development, intercultural competency, global citizenship and professional development with reference to one or more Social Science disciplinary perspectives and appropriate theories and technical knowledge.
Communication
Communicate legal knowledge effectively to legal and non-legal audiences, both verbally and in writing.
Apply learnings from personal and professional development in diverse organizational contexts to effectively communicate cross-cultural ideas, arguments and analyses to diverse audiences using a range of different mediums.
Digital literacy
Use a range of digitally-based technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate information.
Employ a range of digital technologies and platforms to conduct research, engage in discussion and debate, document personal and professional skills and attributes, communicate effectively with and deliver reports and presentations to a diverse range of audiences within and outside the field of International Studies.
Critical thinking
Exercise critical thinking, judgment and intellectual independence to evaluate, consolidate and synthesise knowledge relevant to legal doctrine and legal practice.
Analyse and critically evaluate conceptual and theoretical approaches to issues of international politics and society, intercultural competency, global citizenship, and professional development in the context of an increasingly complex globalised world that requires appreciation of local, national, regional and international dynamics and their interactions.
Problem solving
Apply legal reasoning and critical analysis to generate and articulate accurate and relevant responses to legal issues.
Employ initiative and creativity in conjunction with appropriate Social Science methods of research and analysis to systematically investigate and generate context-sensitive and pragmatic solutions to complex real-world problems.
Self-management
Exercise responsibility and accountability for own learning, and possess abilities to reflect on own capabilities, performance and feedback to support personal and professional development.
Exercise autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a sustained and ongoing commitment to learning and skill development in International Studies contexts including but not limited to communities of practice and scholarship.
Teamwork
Collaborate effectively in a team environment demonstrating constructive engagement and contribution to the team and the ability to draw on strengths of others.
Work and learn collaboratively and productively with others in the field of International Studies and with stakeholders from other disciplines and backgrounds to achieve shared goals.
Global citizenship
Reflect on the ethical and professional behaviours and responsibilities of legal professionals and demonstrate an understanding of the impact that different social, ethical, global or environmental perspectives have on exercising legal practice in the community.
Analyse and respond appropriately to issues of cultural, social and political inequity; the transferability of knowledge and skills in different geographic, knowledge and organisational contexts as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and adherence to professional and academic ethical standards.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Studies students must pass 40 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
(i) Students enrolled in D338 or D323 are not able to accommodate AIS331 International Internship B (4 credit points) within the 16 credit points allocated to the Bachelor of International Studies. However, AIS330 International Internship A (2 credit points) placements can be for up to 12-weeks if desired. Please contact the Unit Chair for further information.
^(ii) It is envisaged that students would complete the international experience in the third or fourth year of their course.
Majors
Course Major Sequences
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Students must complete 2 credit points of an international experience, selected from one or more of the following:
Trimester of study at an overseas university exchange partner
International internship (AIS330,AIS331^) *in-country language program (in Chinese, Indonesian or Arabic)
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
This course requires students to complete a work integrated learning unit (Bachelor of Laws) and a 2 credit point international experience (Bachelor of International Studies).
Note:
(i) Students enrolled in D323 are not able to accommodate AIS331 International Internship B (4 credit points) within the 16 credit points allocated to the Bachelor of International Studies. However, AIS330 International Internship A (2 credit point) placements can be for up to 12-weeks if desired. Please contact the Unit Chair for further information.
(ii) It is envisaged that students would complete the international experience in the third or fourth year of their course.
International Students:
This course includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) formally registered as part of the course on the CRICOS register. The total work integrated learning hours will differ depending on the WIL unit you choose. For more information about WIL hours, please check the unit information in the handbook or the unit guide.
For information about how WIL units may impact student visa holder work rights, please visit Home Affairs. See 8105 Work limitation.
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.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin.
