Graduate Certificate of Law

A student admitted to a program for a coursework award must enrol in the courses, sequences of courses, or combinations of courses, that the University determines may be included in the program for the year in which the student is admitted to the program.

Please ensure that you follow the study requirements of the academic year you were admitted or, if accepted, will be admitted to the program.

The Graduate Certificate of Law offered by the ANU College of Law is the best way to start your postgraduate legal studies; whether you are a non-law graduate or a law graduate from an overseas university. The program is designed to be a stand-alone qualification or provide an entry qualification to the Master of Laws.

Completion of the program is compulsory for all graduates without a Law or cognate discipline background seeking to progress to a Master of Laws at the ANU College of Law. The program is optional for law graduates from overseas universities who may be seeking to increase their understanding of Australian Law or Law and Legal Institutions. The program provides a flexible structure and includes a wide range of elective courses.

All courses are taught by staff with international research reputations and draw upon the universities strategic location in the national capital. The Graduate Certificate also includes a compulsory 6 unit course on Law and Legal Institutions which provides an important foundation for students’ legal studies.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present one of the following:

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Ranking and English language proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support

Career Options

ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.