Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Type of institution: University/Higher Education Institution
Level: Postgraduate
CRICOS: 00099F
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies meets the growing need for non-law graduates working in the public and private sectors to have a thorough understanding of the legal and regulatory framework in which they operate. This includes an understanding of foundational legal concepts such as contract law and tort law, methods of legal research and theory, as well as the opportunity to sample specialist legal areas such as compliance and intellectual property law. The course attracts students from a wide variety of backgrounds interested in expanding their skill portfolio to include an understanding of the legal framework, including professionals from the insurance, human resources, banking and finance industries, managers and administrators, and HSC legal studies teachers. 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).
Designed for
Non-lawyers who wish to undertake legal studies
Structure
The course requires completion of core subjects, including one compulsory introductory subject (8 credit points) and a choice of two further foundation subjects (16 credit points), plus a further four option subjects (24 credit points). Core subjects are timetabled every session and option subjects are regularly timetabled but not all option subjects listed are offered in any one session. Timetabled subjects are offered subject to sufficient student interest. The UTS Timetable Planner enables current and future UTS students to view subject timetables. 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.
Subjects
- Foundations of law
- Criminal law and procedure
- Ethics law and justice
- Torts
Standard entry requirements
- Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies. Previous qualifications must be in a discipline other than law. Admission is at the discretion of the associate dean (education). The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0
- Or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21
- Or AE5: Pass
- Or PTE: 58-64
- Or CAE: 176-184.
Recognition
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies is not a professional legal qualification. General and course-specific credit recognition information regarding the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies is available at postgraduate course information.
Study pathways
Students may apply for some subjects undertaken within the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies to be credited towards the Juris Doctor or the Bachelor of Laws.
Further information
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies is not a professional legal qualification. Applicants seeking to be admitted to practice should refer to the Juris Doctor or the Bachelor of Laws. Visa 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.
