Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Studies

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2025 course information

Award granted Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of International Studies
Deakin course codeD323
Faculty

Faculty of Business and Law

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)*

OnlineYes
Duration5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. 

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

CRICOS course code075600M Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

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.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

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 so you can graduate with intercultural communication skills and legal expertise.

Deakin's hands-on approach to study and practical experience includes opportunities to study abroad, and to build on your classroom learning by working on real cases at the Deakin Law Clinic. Under supervision from qualified solicitors, you will conduct research on legal issues, offer advice and sit in on real courtroom proceedings. Graduate from this accredited course with two in-demand degrees, setting yourself up for an exciting career.

Want to take your legal career to the world stage?

Our first-rate law school provides a competitive foundation in all major areas of law, including:

  • contract law
  • criminal law and procedure
  • torts
  • property law
  • equity and trusts
  • constitutional law
  • administrative law.

Gain access to the latest concepts, ideas and approaches by learning from teachers who are active in the field, and benefit from networking with their industry connections.

Through the Bachelor of International Studies you will choose from nine majors to match your unique career aspirations. You will gain an understanding of globalisation and development, global power and capitalism and build your intercultural communication skills through core units. First-hand experiences in other countries and cultures let you develop the practical and soft skills required to pursue a global career.

You will graduate as a well-rounded thought leader with the practical knowledge that organisations and future employers are looking for.

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 the academic 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

Obtaining a law degree is your first step to entering the legal profession. Upon completion of your degree and the additional practical legal training, you'll be qualified to work as a solicitor or barrister in all 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.

Alternative exits

Bachelor of International Studies (A326)
Bachelor of Laws (M312)

Course Learning Outcomes

Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of each of the single degrees.

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
  • 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws
    • 18 credit points of core units
    • 1 credit point of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or practical course elective units (as outlined in the Bachelor of Laws)
    • 5 credit points of course elective units
  • 16 credit points from the Bachelor of International Studies
    • 6 credit points of core units
    • 1 major (8 credit points)
    • an approved international experience (2 credit points minimum) to be completed in the third or fourth year of the course^
  • Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of International Studies must be satisfied

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary. 

Notes:

(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.

Course structure

Bachelor of Laws core units

MLL110Legal Research and Statutory Interpretation

MLL113Legal Communication and Ethical Decision Making

MLP114Criminal Law

MLP117Misleading Conduct and Economic Torts

MLP119Contract A

MLP213Torts

MLP218Criminal Procedure

MLP219Contract B

MLP235Legal Practice and Ethics

MLP323Constitutional Law

MLP325Land Law

MLP327Property

MLP331Corporate Law

MLP334Evidence

MLP391Civil Procedure and Dispute Resolution

MLP405Equity and Trusts

MLP424Administrative Law

MLL427Advanced Legal Problem Solving and Persuasion (Capstone)

Note: MLP code denotes Priestley units, which teach the academic areas of knowledge prescribed for admission to legal practice.

Bachelor of Laws WIL/Practical course elective units

Students must complete one of the following experiential/practice units as one of their Law Elective units:

MLL338Legal Professional Practice

MLL351Community Legal Internship

MLL420Deakin Law Clinic

MLL460Mooting and Advocacy

Further details can be found at WIL Opportunities for law students

Bachelor of Laws electives

Students must complete 5 Law electives from the following list:

MLL215Commercial Law

MLL225Personal Injuries Compensation Schemes

MLL228Alternative Dispute Resolution: Principles and Practice

MLL277International Law

MLC305Business Tax Law

MLL302Human Rights Law #

MLL318Corporate Insolvency Law

MLL319Sentencing Law and Practice

MLL320Family Law *

MLL329Financial Services Regulation

MLL330Health Law

MLL332International Arbitration

MLL336International Commercial Law

MLL338Legal Professional Practice

MLL339Corporate Governance and Sustainability

MLL342Workplace Law

MLL351Community Legal Internship

MLL362Succession Law

MLL364Animal Law

MLL394Migration and Refugee Law and Policy

MLT324Transnational Study Tour ^

MLL406Taxation

MLL409Competition Law and Policy

MLL410Intellectual Property

MLL419Contemporary International Legal Challenges (Intensive)

MLL420Deakin Law Clinic

MLL425Environmental and Climate Law

MLL426Mining and Energy Law

MLL444Data Law, Privacy and Cybercrime

MLL460Mooting and Advocacy

* Previously coded MLL210

# Previously coded MLL417, MLL211

^MLT324 does not count as one of the WIL/Practical course elective units (listed above) required for the Bachelor of Laws.

Note:

Not all units will be offered every year.
The Law School might from time to time develop new units to strengthen the law elective list.

 

Bachelor of International Studies core units

AIS101Intercultural Communication

AIS102Working in International Contexts

AIR200Global Capitalism and Power

AIS204Gender, Globalisation and Development

AIS303International Studies Capstone Portfolio

AIS304International Futures

Bachelor of International Studies Majors

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.

Anthropology

Arabic

Chinese

Indigenous Studies~

Indonesian

International Relations

Middle East Studies

Politics and Policy Studies

Spanish

~ The Indigenous Studies major sequence is offered in the online mode only. International on-campus students must first seek approval from Student Central with a course map plan to ensure they do not exceed one-third (or equivalent) of their course completed online and meet all other course and enrolment rules.

Bachelor of International Studies International Experience

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

Further details can be found at Work Integrated Learning.

Work experience

This course requires students to complete a work integrated learning unit (BusLaw) and a 2 credit point international experience (Arts).

^Note:

(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 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

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.