In partnership with the Australian Financial Review
University of New South Wales
Build practical legal literacy across regulation, ethics, governance, contracts, employment and cyber risk, strengthening the ability to recognise legal issues and support informed business decisions without pursuing a qualifying law degree.
UNSW’s Graduate Certificate in Business Law is designed for professionals from non-legal backgrounds who need to understand how Australian law influences commercial decisions, organisational responsibilities and risk. Rather than preparing students for legal practice, the qualification develops practical legal literacy for roles spanning management, human resources, finance, compliance, governance and business administration.
Learning connects Australian legal and policy frameworks with ethical conduct, corporate governance, employment obligations, commercial contracts and cyber security. Students can develop the ability to recognise legal issues, interpret organisational obligations, assess business risks and contribute to more informed and compliant decision-making. A distinctive feature is the opportunity to examine how law and technology intersect through Cyber and the Law, alongside legal issues affecting everyday business operations.
Delivered entirely online through focused seven-week study blocks, the program is structured for part-time completion over eight months. Successful graduates receive an approved articulation pathway into UNSW’s Master of Management, including its Business Law specialisation. The qualification is not a law degree and does not provide admission to legal practice or a pathway to the Juris Doctor.
"Really enjoyed the topics for the weekly case studies and discussions which were both insightful and relevant in helping me to understand and develop my own opinions on significant issues regarding ethics, law and regulations."
UNSW Online Student (Law, Regulation and Ethics)
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Business Law (Online), you must successfully complete units totalling 24 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.
Core units
Elective units
Select 18 credit points from the following:
Academic requirements
To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Business Law, you must have one of the following:
English language requirements
You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency to study at UNSW, depending on your educational background and citizenship. UNSW requires a minimum level of English language competency for enrolment. English language skills are essential for webinar comprehension and the completion of coursework, assignments and examinations.
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you will be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Career outcomes
The online Graduate Certificate in Business Law equips you with the legal expertise to drive business success. By completing this business law program, you will gain the skills to succeed in roles such as:
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $20,500 (Full-fee paying place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
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.
