Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Business (1820)

  • Approved Abbreviation: BIntlSt/BBus
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 1820
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 089212G

This program applies to students who commenced in 2018 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For Commencement Year 2016 - 2017 - 1820.1 Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Business

Handbook Summary 2018-2023

This double degree program is designed for students who want to combine their interest and expertise in international studies with an Asian language and a high level of knowledge in one of eight specific Business majors. Graduates will have a solid grounding in the relationships of societies, cultures, languages and systems of government within the international system. International Studies develops students’ capacity to appreciate the historical development of relations among nation states and to analyse contemporary political, commercial, diplomatic and strategic links and developments. The Business major prepares students for professional employment in the specialisation of their choice. Students complete a major in International Relations and Asian Studies; a minor in Arabic, Japanese, Chinese or Immersion Language; and a Business major in one of: Applied Finance, Economics, Hospitality Management, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, Marketing or Sport Management.

Students in this double degree also have the opportunity to complete a semester of study overseas and receive advanced standing towards their BA majors and minors subject to WSU limits on advanced standing. Students are encouraged to do so but must discuss this with a BA program advisor first.

  • Director of Academic Program - Dr Charles Barbour

Handbook Summary 2024

This double degree program is designed for students who want to combine their interest and expertise in international studies with a high level of knowledge in one of eight specific Business majors. Graduates will have a solid grounding in the relationships of societies, cultures, languages and systems of government across a range of countries. International Studies develops students’ capacity to appreciate the historical development of relations among nation states and to analyse contemporary political, commercial, diplomatic and strategic links and developments. The Business major prepares students for professional employment in the specialisation of their choice. Students complete a major in Global Politics and International Relations and a Business major in one of: Applied Finance, Business Analytics, Economics, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, Marketing or Sport Management.

Students in this double degree will also have opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge through internships, volunteering, and international study and travel. 

  • Director of Academic Program - Dr Charles Barbour

Study Mode

Four years full-time or eight years part-time. Students may be required to travel between campuses in order to complete their subjects. Business subjects may, on occasion, only be available on Parramatta - Macquarie Street campus.

Program Advice

  • Director of Academic Program - Dr Charles Barbour

enquiriesHCA@westernsydney.edu.au

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Bankstown City Campus Full Time Internal See above
Bankstown City Campus Part Time Internal See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Full Time Internal See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Part Time Internal See above

Accreditation

Major T038 - Applied Finance satisfies the educational requirements for membership of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (Finsia).
Major T041 - Human Resource Management is accredited with the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI).
Major T044 - Marketing satisfies the requirements of accreditation of Marketing subjects in accordance with the Australian Marketing Institute’s Accreditation and Endorsement Program. On completion of an AMI Accredited program graduates are eligible for special graduate membership rates and credit towards becoming a Certified Practising Marketer (CPM) in a shorter duration of time. Specifically, graduates are eligible to apply for a reduction off the minimum five (5) years industry experience required before becoming a CPM.

The Bachelor of Business in this double degree is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). 

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is an optional work component available in this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the program but the work itself was not registered with CRICOS, students can still complete these electives but it would be counted towards the work limitation.  For more details, refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

The following Assumed Knowledge and Recommended Studies apply:

For Bachelor of International Studies:

Assumed knowledge: two units HSC English

Recommended studies: HSC English Standard, or equivalent.

For Bachelor of Business:

Assumed knowledge: HSC Mathematics and any two units of HSC English.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Program Structure Current

If you commenced in 2023  please refer to the Structure 2023 tab for details.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points as prescribed in the structure below. Students who complete this award will graduate with a Bachelor of International Studies (BIS) and a Bachelor of Business (BBus), with the Major from the Bachelor of Business component of the program noted on their testamur.

Students will complete 160 credit points of Bachelor of International Studies subjects and 160 credit points of Bachelor of Business subjects in the specialisations outlined below.

International Studies component

All students must enrol in and complete 80 credit points of Bachelor of International Studies Core subjects consisting of four subjects at Level 1, one subject at level 2 and three subjects at Level 3 

and

Global Politics and International Relations, Major (0340)

as follows:

Core Subjects

Subject Title Credit Points
Students must successfully complete all of the following subjects:
HUMN 1052Australian Politics and Active Citizenship10
LANG 1029Foundations of Academic English10
HUMN 1013Contextualising Indigenous Australia (Day Mode)10
CULT 1001Asia in the World10
POLI 2008Transnational Diplomacy10
LANG 3045Intercultural Communication10
POLI 3016International Relations Project10
Engaged Learning Pool subjects
Select one of the following:10
BEHV 3013
Humanities Internship
BEHV 3026
Service Learning
HUMN 3103
Group Project
HUMN 3106
Study Tours
HUMN 3108
We Are The University: Students Co-creating Change
Total Credit Points80

And

Global Politics and International Relations, Major (0340)

Business Component

Core subjects (compulsory 40 credit points)
 
The four compulsory core subjects that provide students with essential business knowledge are
 
Subject Title Credit Points
LAWS 1001Enterprise Law10
BUSM 1010Financing Enterprises10
BUSM 1006Enterprise Innovation and Markets10
BUSM 1008Enterprise Leadership10
Total Credit Points40
 

Professional subjects (choose 40 credit points)

The professional core provides a focus on careers. Students are required to complete one subject from each of the four key focus areas: numeracy, career planning, innovation, and enterprise engagement, a total of 40 credit points. Students are advised to choose subjects that will support careers in one of four areas: Money (for majors in Applied Finance, Economics), Markets (for majors in International Business, Marketing, and Sport Management), Management (for majors in Human Resource Management, and Management), Business Analytics. The professional subjects that are recommended for each of the Bachelor of Business testamur majors are specified in the majors.
 
Majors (choose 80 credit points from one primary Business major)
 

Majors for Careers in Money

Applied Finance, Testamur Major (T038)
Economics, Testamur Major (T039)

Majors for Careers in Markets

International Business, Testamur Major (T042)
Marketing, Testamur Major (T044)
Sport Management, Testamur Major (T045)

Majors for Careers in Management

Human Resource Management, Testamur Major (T041)
Management, Testamur Major (T043)

Majors for Careers in Business Analytics

Equivalent Subject

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2023 or earlier. 
 
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations , replaced by POLI 2008 Transnational Diplomacy 

Recommended Sequence Current

If you commenced in 2023  please refer to the Sequence 2023 tab for details.

Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Business (any Major)

Note: This progression pattern is highly recommended. Students progress through both degrees at the same pace, completing two subjects in each degree in each semester. Graduation after three years with either degree will be possible only if a student makes this decision at or before the end of year 2 and amends their progression pattern as prescribed by an Academic Program Advisor.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
Select one BIS Core subject level 1 10
Select one BIS Core subject level 1 10
Select one BBus Core subject 1 10
Select one BBus Core subject 2 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Select one BIS Core subject level 1 10
Select one BIS Core subject level 1 10
Select one BBus Core subject 3 10
Select one BBus Core subject 4 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
Select one BIS Core subject 10
Select one BIS Major subject 10
Select one BBus Professional subject 1 10
Select one BBus Major subject 1 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Select one BIS Core subject 10
Select one BIS Major subject 10
Select one BBus Professional subject 2 10
Select one BBus Major subject 2 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
Select one BIS Core subject 10
Select one BIS Major subject 10
Select one BBus Major subject 3 10
Select one BBus Major subject 4 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Select one BIS Core subject 10
Select one BIS Major subject 10
Select one BBus Major subject 5 10
Select one BBus Major subject 6 10
 Credit Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
Select one BIS Major subject 10
Select one BIS Major subject 10
Select one BBus Major subject 7 10
Select one BBus Professional subject 3 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Select one BIS Major subject 10
Select one BIS Major subject 10
Select one BBus Professional subject 4 10
Select one BBus Major subject 8 10
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points320

Program Structure 2023

If you commenced in 2024 or later please refer to the Structure Current tab for details.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points as prescribed in the structure below. Students who complete this award will graduate with a Bachelor of International Studies (BIS) and a Bachelor of Business (BBus), with the Major from the Bachelor of Business component of the program noted on their testamur.

Students will complete 160 credit points of Bachelor of International Studies subjects and 160 credit points of Bachelor of Business subjects in the fields of study outlined below.

International Studies Component

BIS Core 40 Credit Points (four subjects)

Subject Title Credit Points
HUMN 1052Australian Politics and Active Citizenship10
HUMN 1053Diversity, Language and Culture10
LANG 1029Foundations of Academic English10
LANG 1030Thinking Critically About Texts and Society10
Total Credit Points40

And BIS Major 80 credit points (eight subjects)

International Relations and Asian Studies, Major (0019)

And BIS Language Minor 40 credit points (four subjects) from one of the following minors

Arabic, Minor (0003)
Chinese, Minor (0004)
Indonesian, Minor (0309)
International English, Minor (0018)
Japanese, Minor (0021)


Students may complete the Immersion Language minor which covers languages that are not taught at Western Sydney University. The handbook entry for the Immersion Language minor contains further details.

Immersion Language, Minor (0014)
  • Optional semester abroad as available through the International Office

Business Component

Core Subjects (compulsory 40 credit points)

The four compulsory core subjects that provide students with essential business knowledge are

Subject Title Credit Points
LAWS 1001Enterprise Law10
BUSM 1010Financing Enterprises10
BUSM 1006Enterprise Innovation and Markets10
BUSM 1008Enterprise Leadership10
Total Credit Points40

Professional Subjects (choose 40 credit points)

The professional core provides a focus on careers. Students are required to complete one subject from each of the four key focus areas: numeracy, career planning, innovation, and enterprise engagement, a total of 40 credit points. Students are advised to choose subjects that will support careers in one of three areas: Money (for majors in Applied Finance, Economics), Markets (for majors in Hospitality Management, International Business, Marketing, and Sport Management), Management (for majors in Human Resource Management, and Management). The professional subjects that are recommended for each of the Bachelor of Business testamur majors are specified in the majors.

Majors (choose 80 credit points from one primary Business major)

Majors for Careers in Money

Applied Finance, Testamur Major (T038)
Economics, Testamur Major (T039)

Majors for Careers in Markets

International Business, Testamur Major (T042)
Marketing, Testamur Major (T044)
Sport Management, Testamur Major (T045)

Majors for Careers in Management

Human Resource Management, Testamur Major (T041)
Management, Testamur Major (T043)

Majors for Careers in Business Analytics

Business Analytics, Testamur Major (T130)

Note: The Business Analytics Major commences from 2022

Equivalent Core Subjects

The core subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2019 or earlier.

HUMN 1002 Analytical Reading and Writing, replaced by LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English
HUMN 1005 Australia and the World, replaced by HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship
HUMN 1009 Contemporary Society, replaced by HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture
LANG 1026 Texts and Traditions, replaced by LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society

Replaced Majors

The majors listed below count towards completion of this program for students who began studying these majors prior to the years indicated below.

MT2035 Hospitality Management, Testamur Major, discontinued in 2020.
MT2027 Marketing, Testamur Major, replaced by Marketing, Testamur Major in 2021 (listed above).

Recommended Sequence 2023

If you commenced in 2024 or later please refer to the Structure Current tab for details.

The recommended sequence below applies to students at Level 1 Language. Students should seek program advice in relation to the level 2/3 language sequences. 

Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Business (any Major)

Note: This progression pattern is highly recommended. Students progress through both degrees at the same pace, completing two subjects in each degree in each semester. Graduation after three years with either degree will be possible only if a student makes this decision at or before the end of year 2 and amends their progression pattern as prescribed by an Academic Program Advisor.

Recommended Sequence - Bankstown campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
LAWS 1001 Enterprise Law 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
Select BBus Core subject 2 10
Select BBus Core subject 3 10
Select BBus Core subject 4 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
Select Level 1 Language subject 10
Select BBus Professional subject 1 10
Select BBus Major subject 1 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select Level 1 Language subject 10
Select BBus Professional subject 2 10
Select BBus Major subject 2 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
Select Level 2 Language subject 10
Select Level 2 Language subject 10
Select BBus Major subject 3 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select one IRAS Major pool Level 2 or 3 subject 10
Select BBus Major subject 4 10
Select BBus Major subject 5 10
 Credit Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
Select one IRAS Major pool Level 2 or 3 subject 10
Select BBus Major subject 6 10
Select BBus Major subject 7 10
Select BBus Professional subject 3 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Select one IRAS Major pool Level 2 or 3 subject 10
Select one IRAS Major pool Level 3 subject 10
Select BBus Professional subject 4 10
Select BBus Major subject 8 10
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points320

Recommended Sequence - Parramatta campus

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture 10
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
Select BBus Core subject 1 10
Select BBus Core subject 2 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society 10
Select BBus Core subject 3 10
Select BBus Core subject 4 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
Select Level 1 Language subject 10
Select BBus Professional subject 1 10
Select BBus Major subject 1 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select Level 1 Language subject 10
Select BBus Professional subject 2 10
Select BBus Major subject 2 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
POLI 2006 Politics of Australia and Asia Relations 10
Select Level 2 Language subject 10
Select Level 2 Language subject 10
Select BBus Major subject 3 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select one IRAS Major pool Level 2 or 3 subject 10
Select BBus Major subject 4 10
Select BBus Major subject 5 10
 Credit Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
Select one IRAS Major pool Level 2 or 3 subject 10
Select BBus Major subject 6 10
Select BBus Major subject 7 10
Select BBus Professional subject 3 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Select one IRAS Major pool Level 2 or 3 subject 10
Select one IRAS Major pool Level 3 subject 10
Select BBus Professional subject 4 10
Select BBus Major subject 8 10
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points320

Equivalent Core Subjects

The core subject listed below count towards completion of the program for students who passed this subject in 2022 or earlier.

POLI 1002 Introduction to International Relations, replaced by POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations