Graduate Diploma in Law

Want to bolster your business skills with legal expertise?

The ability to understand, analyse and use legal information can be critical for strength and longevity in business and other professional realms. Postgraduate law courses provide an overview of legal issues within a contemporary context.

What will you do?

Our Graduate Diploma in Law caters to the needs of busy professionals. The majority of courses are taught intensively over one or two weeks and some include evening and weekend sessions. You will:

  • undertake approximately 24 hours of seminar-style classes
  • cover the foundations of Australian law through one core course
  • pursue seven law electives relevant to your interests 
  • build legal communication skills
  • have the opportunity to study international and security law.

This program may meet your needs for professional development by itself, or act as a first step toward a Master. It's offered in intensive mode with intakes in late February and late July.



  • Ranked 87 globally for Law*
  • Majority of courses taught intensively
  • AACSB accredited

* Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject, 2022

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

SATAC Code 3GD137
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study A completed Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a field other than law, with at least a credit average; or a completed Graduate Certificate in Business Law / Graduate Certificate in Law.

Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Australian Full-fee place: $40,000

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

FEE-HELP
This is an Australian full-fee program. As a domestic student you may be eligible to:

  • receive a zero interest government assistance package to cover your course fees and
  • use over $100,000 in HELP assistance over your lifetime
Check your eligibility today at Study Assist

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

Career Readiness

Graduates are well prepared to pursue advanced career options in business, management and many other professional fields.

Note: this degree does not provide admission to practise law. Those seeking admission to practise should refer to the Bachelor of Laws.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Jury Consultant;  Manager / Business Management;  Auditor;  Business Analyst;  Business Consultant;  Business Management;  Business Manager;  Commercial Manager;  Commercial and Operation Analyst;  Taxation Officer ...

Degree Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Law will provide professionals in business and government with the chance to study challenging areas of law. The program includes a range of elective courses suited to those with a particular interest in international and security law. Seminar style teaching is employed, with one course usually involving 24 hours of classes taught in the evening over a twelve week semester or taught intensively over weekends or a week.

The Graduate Diploma in Law is an AQF Level 8 qualification with a standard full-time duration of 1 year.

*PhD Pathway 

Students wishing to proceed to undertake a PhD, who do not have a research-based Honours degree enabling direct admission to the PhD, may complete a PhD pathway within this program, consisting of the following courses:

  • LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing (3 units)
  • LAW 7194 Law Research Project (3 units)
  • LAW 7025 Dissertation (PG) (6 units)

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Law, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 24 units, comprising:

  •  Core courses to the value of 3 units
  •  Electives to the value of 21 units

Example Study Plan

Indicative Study Plan
Core Course (3 units)
  • LAW 7177: Introduction to Australian Law
Elective courses  (21 units)
  • LAW 7034: Anti-discrimination Law: Practice and Theory PG
    LAW 7040: International Environmental Law
  • LAW 7042: AI and Technology: Legal and Security Issues
  • LAW 7061: Regulation of Work:Current Issues
  • LAW 7067: International Criminal Law (PG)
  • LAW 7070: International and Commercial Trade Law 
  • LAW 7073: Counter Terrorism and National Security Law
  • LAW 7074: Transitional Justice (PG)
  • LAW 7120: Human Rights: International Perspectives
  • LAW 7123: Perspectives on Property Law and Society
  • LAW 7129: International Humanitarian Law 
  • LAW 7155: Introduction to Arbitration
  • LAW 7156: Advanced Arbitration
  • LAW 7165: Cyber Security and Cyber Conflict Law
  • LAW 7168: Selected Issues - Military Operations Law
  • LAW 7171: The Law of Weaponry
  • LAW 7172: Strategic Space Law
  • LAW 7173: Maritime Law and Geopolitics in the Asian Region
  • LAW 7174: Advanced Comparative Law
  • LAW 7179: Contemporary Issues in Law
  • LAW 7183: Law of Naval Warfare
  • LAW 7184: Defence Contracting Law
  • LAW 7187: Advanced Legal Research and Writing 
  • LAW 7190: Commercial Space Law
  • LAW 7192: Government, Law, and Policy
  • LAW 7194: Law Research Project 
  • LAW 7195: Federal Criminal and Defence Discipline Law
  • LAW 7196: Law of Air Warfare
  • LAW 7197: IHL and Disruptive Technology
  • LAW 7198: Nuclear Regulatory Law
  • COMMLAW 7012: Business and Corporations Law 

OR
Any another postgraduate coursework course available to the student which has been approved in advance in writing by the Program Director. 

Not all courses will be offered in any one calendar year.

 

Related Degrees

Testimonial

The GDLP will help you achieve success in legal practice and outside of it.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024