Program Overview

Graduate Certificate in Law

The Graduate Certificate in Law is a postgraduate law program designed for those who have completed or are close to completing a bachelor's degree in a non-law discipline to enhance their qualifications through graduate legal studies. Students tailor their individual program of study to their needs by studying two foundation units and two electives, including subject streams such as business law and public policy streams.

About this Course

Students may transition to the Graduate Diploma in Law or Juris Doctor (JD), which is a master's level pathway to legal practice throughout Australia with professional accreditation with the Supreme Court of the ACT and the State of New South Wales (the Graduate Certificate is not itself a qualification to practice law). With an emphasis on practical legal problem-solving, the JD units are designed to ground legal education in the broader social and economic context and support students' development as ethical professionals.

Career Outcomes

A postgraduate law degree opens up a variety of opportunities. If you're a business professional looking to enhance your career with legal knowledge, or a public policy expert in the government sector eager to make a positive impact in your community, UC's online Graduate Certificate in Law will equip you with the skills you need. Your career options include working as:

• C-Suite Leader
• Compliance Director/ Head of Compliance
• Strategy Director
• Executive/Non-Executive Director
• Trustee/Advisory Board Member
• Management Consultant
• Policy Director
• Policy Advisor
• Government Relations Officer
• Compliance Officer
• Regulatory Affairs Manager

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any non-law discipline, with a GPA of at least 5/7.

Assumed Knowledge

None.

Periods Course is Open for New Admissions

The course is available for part-time enrolment and is offered fully online. International students may undertake this course online from their home countries. Students located onshore who hold other visa types are permitted to submit an application.

Credit Arrangements

There are currently no formal credit transfer arrangements for entry to this course. Any previous study or work experience will only be considered as part of the application process in accordance with current course rules and university policy.

Course Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Law requires 12 credit points, including:

• 6 credit points of required units:
  • Legal Methods and Skills G (11751)
  • Legal Systems G (11752)
• 6 credit points of restricted choice units, including:
  • Workplace Law in Context PG (11425)
  • Dispute Management G (11432)
  • Lawyers and Professional Responsibility G (11433)
  • Contract Law G (11434)
  • Torts Law G (11435)
  • Criminal Law and Procedure G (11436)
  • Constitutional Law PG (11437)
  • Corporations Law PG (11438)
  • Property Law PG (11439)
  • Legal Theory PG (11440)
  • Administrative Law PG (11441)
  • Evidence Law PG (11444)
  • Legal Research and Writing Skills PG (11445)
  • Intellectual Property Law PG (11459)
  • International Law PG (11460)
  • Law Reform and Social Change PG (11470)
  • Law, Innovation and Technologies PG (11471)
  • Civil Procedure PG (11753)
  • Negotiation PG (11754)
  • Equity and Trusts Law PG (11755)
  • Human Rights Law PG (11758)

Typical Study Pattern

The standard duration for this course is 8 months (4 Study Blocks). The maximum duration is 3 years from date of enrolment to date of course completion.

Course Information

• Course duration: 8 months (4 Study Blocks)
• Maximum duration: 3 years
• Learning outcomes:
  1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of the discipline of law.
  2. Integrate legal research and apply critical analysis, professional strategic thinking and ethical decision-making to problem prevention and holistic dispute resolution.
  3. Communicate legal knowledge, ideas and arguments, ethically and effectively, within and across professional, multi-modal and cultural boundaries.
  4. Reflect critically on historical and social contexts to work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in socially just ways.
• Awards: Graduate Certificate in Law (GradCert Law)

Fees

• Annual fee rates: The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols.
• Per Unit: $4,250 (2026), $4,112.5 (2025)
• Full Course: Fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).

Delivery Mode

• Blended: Mixture of online and on campus units are available.
• On campus: Units are delivered on campus.
• Online: All units are online.
• Online Plus: Units are available online, except where attendance at a physical location is required for placement or professional accreditation.

Location

All course material is developed and delivered via the location listed. Online units do not require on campus attendance.

Selection Rank

The selection rank is the minimum ATAR plus adjustment factors required for admission to the program in the previous year. This is an indicative guide only as ranks change each year depending on demand.

AQF Level

University of Canberra qualifications are recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

• Level 5 - Diploma
• Level 6 - Associate Degree
• Level 7 - Bachelor Degree
• Level 8 - Bachelor Honours Degree OR Graduate Certificate OR Graduate Diploma
• Level 9 - Masters Degree
• Level 10 - Doctoral Degree