Program Overview

Focusing on the principles, concepts and issues that are shaping Australia’s national security and the world and exploration of corporate and commercial law and practical legal problem solving, UC’s Bachelor of Politics and International Relations/Bachelor of Laws will lay the foundations for a fascinating career and make you shine.

You’ll learn about democratically informed citizenship, contemporary issues in politics and policy, national security, the challenges of modern terrorism and contemporary regional politics in the Asia Pacific and beyond. Imagine being part of discussions about the implications of the neoliberal policy ascendency in Australia, Brexit, the Trump presidency, war, energy security and marriage equality.

UC’s qualified and experienced staff will help you make better sense of the world you live in and recognise how to meet current social and political challenges. You’ll also be encouraged to develop your advocacy abilities and legal skills while understanding their connections to the theory and history of law.

Supporting your development as a socially responsible and ethical professional will be UC’s small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities and ties with the National Centre for Corporate Law and National Institute of Governance. You’ll also benefit from the relationships the University has forged with law firms, the public sector (a huge employer in Canberra) and non-government organisations (otherwise known as NGOs).

What’s more, you will get to apply your talents in the real world with opportunities to complete a law internship and study overseas and be able to fast-track your course during our winter term. The Bachelor of Laws allows for professional accreditation with the Supreme Court of the ACT and New South Wales.

Combine a Bachelor of Politics and International Relations and a Bachelor of Laws at UC and you will:

• Gain knowledge of the principles, concepts and issues that are shaping the world, including the challenges of modern terrorism and contemporary regional politics in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond
• Be able to apply an in-depth understanding of the historical and current systems of Australian politics and public policy, provide policy advice and develop new policies
• Develop high level theoretical and empirical analysis skills and the ability to interpret world events and issues
• Be able to choose from a range of electives across disciplines, such as sociology, economics and business
• Gain a broad theoretical and technical knowledge of the discipline of law, suitable for entering the legal profession, becoming an advocate, or undertaking related careers
• Fine-tune your ability to present ideas and opinions effectively and communicate within and across professional and cultural boundaries
• Specialise, through electives, in selected areas of law with an emphasis on commercial law
• Be able to apply your knowledge and skills to analyse and solve legal problems, undertake complex legal research tasks and reflect upon ethical issues and make suggestions for law reform.

Core Major: Government and Policy
The core proposed for this degree provides a foundation for students in social sciences. The degree engages students by exposing them to the composite disciplines at the nexus of business and government. Students are required to undertake studies in key themes and issues in sociology, economics, politics and government, and skills relating to research in government and policy to ensure they have a basic understanding and foundation in social science disciplines to further their abilities as they progress and specialise in sociology and economic policy.

Through the provision of an 8 unit-strong core with elements common across the School of Government & Policy, the proposed core structure encourages the emergence of strong student cohort effects. Five units of the core will be taught in first year, followed in the 2nd and 3rd years by Professional Practice 1, Professional Practice 2 and Professional Evidence (Government and Policy). The proposed shared core will facilitate networking, inclusion, and peer effects among graduates of the proposed degree.