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Develop your knowledge of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing your industry.
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 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.
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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 $1042. The total credit points are 48.
Careers
This course particularly benefits accountants and auditors, business development managers, compliance managers, engineers and architects, financial advisers and planners, IT professionals, law enforcement officers, paralegals, policy officers in the public, private and non-profit sectors, property developers and public sector managers and administrators (especially those who work in Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Attorney-General's Department and Treasury).
Course structure
To view the course structure please visit the UTS Handbook.Additional information
Course duration
The course can be completed in a minimum of one year of full-time or two years of part-time study. Subjects may also be available in Summer session, allowing accelerated progression.
The course is offered in a variety of attendance patterns, including intensive block attendance and weekly on-campus evening classes.
On campus - WeeklyAdmission requirements
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 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 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.
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
General and course-specific recognition of prior learning information regarding the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies is available at postgraduate course information.
Download a course guide
Transfer between UTS courses
Subjects undertaken within the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies are recognised within the Master of Legal Studies (C04264). Students enrolled in the graduate diploma may apply to internally transfer to the master's. Candidates are not awarded the graduate diploma but subjects undertaken are applied towards the master's.
Subjects undertaken within the Juris Doctor (C04236) are recognised within the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies. Students enrolled in the Juris Doctor may apply to internally transfer to the graduate diploma. Candidates are not awarded the Juris Doctor but subjects undertaken are applied towards the graduate diploma.
Students who successfully complete three core subjects in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies may apply to internally transfer to the Juris Doctor (C04236). Candidates are not awarded the graduate diploma, but completed subjects are applied towards the Juris Doctor (C04236).
UTS: Handbook
See the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies 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
