Graduate Certificate in Law

What you will study

The Graduate Certificate in Law comprises four units. Each unit duration is seven weeks. The University of Canberra advises a minimum of 15 to 20 hours of online study per week.

Foundation

Complete the following units:

• Legal Methods and Skills
• Legal Systems

Electives

Complete two units from the following:

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Law, applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any non-law discipline, with a GPA of at least 5/7.

English language requirements

You can demonstrate your proficiency in a number of ways, including through an approved English language test or recognised past study taught and assessed in English.

The Graduate Certificate in Law requires an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 6.5, with no band score below 6.0.

Contact the university or visit its website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your postgraduate studies, provided that they meet the relevant course requirements.

If you receive an offer of enrolment and you’ve undertaken prior learning, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. The procedure is governed by the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy. Contact the university for more details.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Legal fundamentals - Demonstrate a broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of complex legal concepts, allowing you to navigate and interpret legal documents and contracts and legal frameworks that govern organisations or the public sector.
• Proactive strategies for preventing and solving problems - Learn how to interpret and apply legal principles to make informed, strategic decisions. Integrate legal research and a holistic approach to dispute resolution, applying critical analysis, strategic thinking and ethical decision-making to combat challenges.
• Master effective and ethical legal communication across diverse settings - Communicate legal knowledge, ideas and arguments, ethically and effectively, within and across professional, multi-modal and cultural boundaries.
• Engage respectfully with Indigenous contexts - Reflect critically on historical and social contexts to work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in socially just ways.

Career outcomes

Your career options include working as a:

• 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

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative cost per unit in 2026: $4,250 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative total course cost in 2026: $17,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of four units.

Student fees 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.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.