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Kick-start your career as a lawyer with our flexible, affordable and expert-led program.
Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice
This course targets graduates aiming to fulfil the Practical Legal Training (PLT) requirement for legal practice in NSW. As the first university in Sydney to offer this qualification, UTS will ensure you are well-prepared for admission to the legal profession.
Opt for this course to engage in university-level teaching enriched with interactive content and practical exercises that effectively translate legal theory into professional competence. You will develop advanced skills including judgement and adaptability, while cultivating an ethical approach to legal practice.
Available both online and on-campus, with minimal on-site assessment commitments, this flexible course culminates in eligibility for admission to the Supreme Court of NSW as a legal practitioner.
Upon completion of PLT, you'll be equipped to pursue a career as a lawyer, assuming all other academic prerequisites are met.
Students in the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice experience university-standard teaching combined with interactive content and practice-oriented exercises that bridge the gap between legal knowledge and professional practice. They develop the advanced knowledge and skills required for a legal career, including judgement, adaptability and an ethical mindset.
This course is offered online (with minimal attendance for assessments) and on campus. On completion of this course, students are eligible for admission as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of NSW, provided they have also completed a relevant academic qualification.
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Study plan
To view the study plan please visit the UTS Handbook.Course fees
For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:
Local student
International student
For this course, the cost per credit point for 2025 is $774. The total credit points are 24.
Careers
Career options include lawyer, provided graduates have fulfilled all other academic requirements.
Course structure
To view the course structure please visit the UTS Handbook.Additional information
Course duration
The course can be completed in one session of full-time or one year of part-time study. As part of these students must undertake 65 days of full-time (or equivalent part-time) approved practical experience.
Further information regarding practical experience completion requirements is available from the practical experience guidelines and rules.
Students who undertake this course by distance mode are advised that there are several compulsory on-campus workshop attendance days.
On campus - WeeklyAdmission requirements
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian Bachelor of Laws, Australian Juris Doctor, or NSW Legal Profession Admission Board Diploma in Law within the past 5 years
OR
- Completed Australian Bachelor of Laws, Australian Juris Doctor, or NSW Legal Profession Admission Board Diploma in Law more than 5 years ago AND A written assessment of the legal qualification from the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) to ensure the qualification meets the current LPAB admission requirements
OR
- Completed overseas legal qualification AND A written assessment from the NSW Legal Profession Admissions Board (LPAB) indicating equivalency of the overseas legal qualification for the purpose of admission as a legal practitioner in NSW and the list of subjects necessary to be completed to meet the requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW
OR
- Completed a legal qualification that enables admission to practise as a legal practitioner in NSW
OR
- Completed all core law subjects and still need to complete no more than 2 law elective subjects in an Australian Bachelor of Laws, Australian Juris Doctor, or NSW Legal Profession Admission Board Diploma in Law AND Written permission from the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board to enrol in a course of practical legal training concurrently with the final session of the legal qualification
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 studentsVisa 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 one of the following:
- Completed Australian Bachelor of Laws, Australian Juris Doctor, or NSW Legal Profession Admission Board Diploma in Law within the past 5 years
OR
- Completed Australian Bachelor of Laws, Australian Juris Doctor, or NSW Legal Profession Admission Board Diploma in Law more than 5 years ago AND A written assessment of the legal qualification from the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) to ensure the qualification meets the current LPAB admission requirements
OR
- Completed overseas legal qualification AND A written assessment from the NSW Legal Profession Admissions Board (LPAB) indicating equivalency of the overseas legal qualification for the purpose of admission as a legal practitioner in NSW and the list of subjects necessary to be completed to meet the requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW
OR
- Completed a legal qualification that enables admission to practise as a legal practitioner in NSW
OR
- Completed all core law subjects and still need to complete no more than 2law elective subjects in an Australian Bachelor of Laws, Australian Juris Doctor, or NSW Legal Profession Admission Board Diploma in Law AND Written permission from the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board to enrol in a course of practical legal training concurrently with the final session of the legal qualification
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential for successfully completing a course at UTS. You can find the inherent requirements for your course via the inherent requirements directory.
Recognition of prior learning
University law graduates complete three core subjects (18cp), plus a choice of 13 weeks of full-time (or equivalent part-time) practical experience (0cp) OR 4 weeks of full-time (or equivalent part-time) practical experience (0cp) and a work integrated learning subject (6cp).
While all students must complete the compulsory core subjects including practical experience, university law graduates choosing 13 weeks of practical experience are given automatic recognition of prior learning for CBK90399 Law Options (6cp).
Graduates of the Diploma in Law through the Legal Profession Admission Board may apply for 6cp of recognition of prior learning.
Professional recognition
This course satisfies the requirements for admission as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of NSW.
Download a course guide
UTS: Handbook
See the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice in the UTS: Handbook for comprehensive course details.
Information for international students
Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.
Part of The Faculty of Law
