Bachelor of International Relations/ Bachelor of Laws

Where will your degree take you?

The Bachelor of International Relations / Bachelor of Laws enables you to graduate with two undergraduate degrees. The combined degrees provide you with the professional outcomes and opportunities of both individual degrees.

Completing these combined degrees will provide opportunities for a range of careers in the legal industry, private and international organisations, government and not for profit sectors.

To become a legal practitioner, you are required to complete a practical legal training program such as the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) or a traineeship following the completion of the Bachelor of Laws degree. Graduates may seek to practise law whilst utilising an understanding of the global environment or employ their understanding of law to work in industries with a global perspective such as diplomacy, foreign affairs, or international business with a background in compliance, regulation, and intellectual property.

Solicitor

Upon being admitted to legal practice, you can work as a solicitor in a law firm, government organisation or a community legal centre. You can choose to specialise in a particular area of practice or be a generalist.

You may also choose to work as an in-house counsel, where you will use your legal skills for the benefit of a particular organisation. You will often be involved in a range of areas of law particular to the needs of the organisation and therefore not specialise in one area of law.

Working as a diplomat

Government embassies, high commissions, consulates, multilateral missions, and representative offices exist globally and offer a range of careers, from diplomacy to policy to communication and as a legal counsel.

Government agency

Graduates of international relations with a background in law are commonly recruited for Project and Program related roles within Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT), Department of Defence, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Secret Intelligence Service, Australian Public Service, Tourism Australia, and others.

Charity organisations

Graduates with an understanding of law, international affairs, globalisation, politics, and societal issues are sort after in most global offices with international outreach, for example UNHCR and UNICEF.

Professional accreditation

Admission to legal practice

If you want to be admitted as a legal practitioner in Australia, you are required to complete a practical legal training program (such as the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) or a traineeship) following the completion of your Bachelor of Laws degree.

The accrediting body in Queensland is the Legal Practitioners' Admission Board (LPAB). Further information on becoming a legal practitioner in Queensland, including the LPAB's English Language Proficiency Guidelines, is available from the Queensland Law Society here.

Program learning outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge, skills and abilities that will be achieved on completion of the program. These outcomes will help you determine whether this program aligns with your professional pathway, career and learning goals.

View Bachelor of International Relations/Bachelor of Laws learning outcomes
1. Identify, analyse, evaluate and communicate broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge in International Relations.
2. Independently and in teams, generate and transmit solutions to unpredictable and sometimes complex problems in International Relations.
3. Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in International Relations to professional work and/or further learning, demonstrating well-developed judgement and responsibility.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of a coherent body of knowledge that includes (a) the Australian legal system and underlying principles and concepts; (b) the fundamental areas of legal knowledge, including contemporary developments in law and legal practice;
5. Demonstrate competency in the exercise of professional legal skills, including an ability to (a) engage in legal reasoning and problem solving, as well as sophisticated critical and creative thinking about law, legal issues and legal problems; (b) conduct
6. Be committed to adhering to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to learning and working (a) independently and reflectively; and (b) ethically and responsibly.

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