Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies

Note

The Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies is not a professional legal qualification. Students seeking admission to practise as a lawyer should consider the Juris Doctor (C04236) or the Bachelor of Laws (C10124). Some subjects in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies may be credited towards these degrees.

The Graduate Diploma of Legal Studies is for non-law graduates who require a solid grasp of legal and regulatory frameworks to excel in their career.

This course is particularly useful if you work in professions such as human resources, accounting, auditing and compliance, business development, financial advising or property development.

You will gain invaluable insights into how the law impacts your field, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and manage legal risks.

You will study three core subjects across core areas of the Australian legal system, including Foundations of law, criminal law and constitutional law. You will then choose additional elective subjects, allowing you to specialise in areas of law that are relevant to your field of work or your interests. If you want to qualify as a lawyer, you can apply to transfer into the Juris Doctor program at UTS Law upon completion of three core subjects, and completed subjects will be applied towards the Juris Doctor.

You will learn from experienced academics, practitioners and industry experts. You will enjoy a flexible learning environment that allows you to balance work or other commitments with subjects offered in a variety of delivery modes, including collaborative face-to-face seminars, online, evening classes and intensives. As a valued member of our postgraduate community, you will have access to a range of facilities, including our exclusive UTS Law postgraduate student lounge that provides a dedicated study and relaxation space for our postgraduate students.

The Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies will complement your current professional capabilities with legal knowledge that will empower you to make informed decisions and provide a competitive edge in your field.

Course content includes ethics, criminal and tort law. Students can also use their elective choices to build specialist legal expertise in areas such as compliance and intellectual property law.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.

Applicants must have the following:

• Completed Australian bachelor's degree, or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent

The qualification must be in a field of study other than law or, if the qualification is in a legal field of study, it shall not be an academic qualification for legal practice.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C11264 Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies.

Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application

For Applicants seeking credit recognition for core law subjects in overseas legal qualification

• Written assessment from the NSW Legal Profession Admissions Board (LPAB) indicating which subjects need to be completed to meet the requirements for admission as a Legal Practitioner.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.

Applicants must have the following:

• Completed Australian bachelor's degree, or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent

The qualification must be in a field of study other than law or, if the qualification is in a legal field of study, it shall not be an academic qualification for legal practice.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C11264 Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies.

Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application

For Applicants seeking credit recognition for core law subjects in overseas legal qualification

• Written assessment from the NSW Legal Profession Admissions Board (LPAB) indicating which subjects need to be completed to meet the requirements for admission as a Legal Practitioner.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

• Accountant
• Business Development Manager
• Compliance Manager
• Engineer
• Financial Advisor
• IT Manager
• Law Enforcement Officer
• Paralegal
• Policy Officer