University of Sydney
Graduate Diploma in International Law
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Diploma
Offers a rigorous and globally focused curriculum, equipping students with the critical legal skills needed to navigate complex international legal frameworks and global governance challenges.
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma in International Law course prepares students for professional work and academic research in public international law and international policy, giving you skills and knowledge to negotiate the legal and policy issues affecting relations between states; states and international organisations; and states and individuals.
This course is suitable for barristers, judges, magistrates and solicitors,and non-legal professionals in diplomacy, foreign affairs, global business development, global policy, intergovernmental affairs, international affairs, international relations and political affairs.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
To qualify for the award, students must complete 24 credit points, comprising:
- Six credit points of core units of study.
- 18 credit points of elective units of study.
Each unit is valued at six credit points unless otherwise indicated.
Compulsory Core Unit
- International Law I
Electives
- Chinese Laws and Chinese Legal Systems (12 credit points)
- International and Comparative Labour Law
- Law of the Sea
- International Business Law
- International Commercial Arbitration
- International Environmental Law
- International Law-the Use of Armed Force
- World Trade Organization Law I
- Chinese International Taxation
- UK International Taxation
- The State and Global Governance
- Transfer Pricing in International Tax
- Comparative International Taxation
- Internatl Fin Transactions: Law and Prac
- Corp Soc Responsibility: Theory/Pol
- Asia Pacific Environmental Law
- Comparative Corporate Taxation
Contact the university or visit their website for the complete list of electives for this course.
Entry Requirements
Admission to candidature for this course requires a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or an equivalent qualification.
English Language Requirements
You may need to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study this course.
If English is your first language, you may be able to meet the requirements if you have:
- Citizenship or permanent long-term residency (minimum 10 years).
- Completed secondary or higher education (tertiary) studies recognised by the university in an approved English-speaking country.
If English is not your first language, you may be able to prove English proficiency with an approved English skills test taken within two years of commencing the course.
- IELTS score: a minimum result of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 6.0 in each band.
- TOEFL - IBT score: a minimum result of 96 overall, including a minimum result of 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing.
- Pearson Test of English: a minimum result of 68 overall and a minimum result of 54 in each band.
The university may also consider factors such as previous studies in English. Contact them for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The related study may be credited towards your degree. This may also include relevant work experience for some postgraduate courses. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
By completing the Graduate Diploma in International Law, graduates will:
- Analyse and apply interdisciplinary knowledge in public international law, adapting to emerging scholarship to tackle intricate legal challenges in international governance.
- Conducted comprehensive research in public international law employing advanced tools and techniques and conveyed research findings proficiently to a variety of audiences using diverse modalities.
- Synthesise cognitive, technical and innovative skills to resolve intricate legal challenges in public international law, practising with substantial autonomy and responsibility.
- Articulate objective or persuasive conclusions using outstanding written and oral communication methods appropriate to diverse audiences.
- Reflect on ethical dimensions, discerning societal roles and make decisions consistent with professional obligations, fostering positive shifts for disadvantaged communities.
Fees and CSP
Estimated fee in 2025: $8,496 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Estimated fee in 2025: $20,050 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Estimated fees are calculated based on completing a study load of 24 credit points.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
- Depending on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.