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 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 Waterfront and Waurn Ponds Campus
Prepare for a global career combining insight into the forces shaping our world with a practical legal qualification. Study at the #1 university in the state of Victoria for graduate employment and develop career-ready knowledge and skills in international law, human rights, diplomacy, policy, and cross-cultural communication. Build language capability and deep global awareness for a future working across borders and cultures.
Build an understanding of globalisation and development, power and capitalism alongside legal expertise. Choose from diverse international studies majors and explore specialised fields of law through electives. Take part in a study abroad experience or international exchange and gain up to 150 hours of supervised casework resolving real legal matters at the Deakin Law Clinic. Graduate with practical global skills, ready to make an impact in international organisations, government, diplomacy pathways, NGOs and beyond.
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 course satisfaction 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)
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.
Communicate legal knowledge effectively to legal and non-legal audiences, both verbally and in writing.
Apply learnings from personal and professional development in diverse organisational contexts to effectively communicate cross-cultural ideas, arguments and analyses to diverse audiences using a range of different mediums.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Studies you must pass 40 credit points. This includes:
DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
an approved international experience (2 credit points minimum) to be completed in the third or fourth year of the course^
a maximum of 12 credit points at level 1 across both courses.
a minimum of 10 credit points at level 3 or above across both courses.
Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Laws (M312) and Bachelor of International Studies (A326) must be satisfied.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
(i) 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.
Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Spanish majors only available to students who commenced prior to 2027
~ 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.
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 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) 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. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.
