Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies

School of Law & Business

Do you aspire to study law but are not ready to dive straight into a diploma or bachelor’s degree? The Notre Dame University Australia’s Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies provides a gateway to an exciting and rewarding legal career. You will have the opportunity to experience University-level studies in the foundations of Law, including legal processes, interpreting legislation, criminal law, and legal research and writing. You can also choose to study legal history, ethics or philosophy. Get in touch to start your learning journey today.

  • Why study this degree?

    The Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies offers you the opportunity to experience University-level studies in foundations of Law, including legal processes, interpreting legislation, criminal law, and legal research and writing. You can also choose to study legal history, ethics or philosophy.

    You will learn how the legal system works, examine the role of judges, juries and lawyers, and learn how to conduct research and analyse critical legal issues.

    Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies students also develops skills in presenting information and arguments. The Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies offers an opportunity to acquire new skills and is a pathway to further study of higher awards, such as a diploma or bachelor’s degree. You can take this certificate course over 0.5 years full-time or the equivalent part-time.

  • Program summary

    The Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies consists of four courses:

    • LAWS1000 Legal Research & Writing
    • LAWS1010 Legal Process & Statutory Interpretation
    • LAWS1020 Legal History or CORE1001 Logos I or CORE1002 Logos 2
    • LAWS2520 Criminal Law A

    Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

    More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

  • Entry requirements

    Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy minimum requirements outlined at admission requirements. These include those relating to age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.

    Applicants with recent Secondary Education

    • HSC Performance Band Results with a Band 5 in English, a minimum average of Bands 5s and an overall minimum average HSC mark of 80% in HSC Category A Courses (or Interstate equivalent). Applicants must be eligible for an ATAR or OP; or
    • Minimum International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 31.

    Applicants with Higher Education Study

    • Other University Studies completed at undergraduate level or higher. A minimum number of 4 subjects with a high credit average is required.

    Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the program of study, may be eligible for Advanced Standing.

    Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

    • Completed AQF Diploma or higher in a relevant discipline, from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

    Applicants with Work and Life Experience

    Applicants with relevant work and life experience who left secondary education more than two years ago and have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then may seek admission on the basis of:

    • Their experience. ‘Experience’ could include a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education. These include Mature Age entry and relevant professional experience particularly in a legal context such as paralegal, legal clerk, tipstaff, alternative dispute resolution, law enforcement, relevant social work or legal secretarial work. Work experience and community involvement involving commercial business practice, caring for others, working in religious activities, social welfare or social justice activities will also be considered. Evidence must be provided as to the type and duration of relevant employment or community involvement (more than two years). The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required.
    • STAT – Scores of 160 in the Multiple Choice and Written English sections are required.
    • Higher School Certificate (HSC) (or equivalent) results if these have been completed within the last 5 years.

  • Learning outcomes

    Upon successful completion of the Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies, graduates will be able to:

    1. Demonstrate broad theoretical and applied knowledge
    2. Communicate arguments and/or ideas in a range of forms
    3. Evaluate appropriate sources and information
    4. Demonstrate research skills
    5. Synthesise knowledge and apply skills in order to solve sometimes complex problems; and
    6. Work independently and, where appropriate, in collaboration with others.
  • Career opportunities

    The Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies is a pathway to further study of higher awards, such as a Diploma or Bachelor's degree.

  • Real world experience

    You will learn from our academics, who are leaders in their field. There are no practicum requirements for this program.

  • Fees and costs

    This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:


    CSP
    A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at university where the government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, called the ‘student contribution amount’.

    In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

    • The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.
    • The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan.

    Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.


    HECS-HELP
    The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.


    For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees Page.

  • More information

    Considering your uni options?

    Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.


    For more information, please contact our Prospective Students Office.

    Fremantle and Broome
    Phone: +61 8 9433 0533
    Email: future@nd.edu.au
    Sydney and Melbourne
    Phone: +61 2 8204 4404
    Email: sydney@nd.edu.au


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*2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-Longitudinal (medium term outcome), undergraduate category, **2021 Student Experience Survey, postgraduate category and ***2021 Student Experience Survey, postgraduate category - qilt.edu.au

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