Graduate Diploma in Laws

On completion of the course you will be able to:

1. Apply legal knowledge to a number of topics.
2. Persuade effectively through professional oral, written, and visual communication.
3. Demonstrate personal autonomy and accountability.

The Graduate Diploma in Laws is a graduate diploma level course in law for graduates of other disciplines. This is an innovative model of postgraduate education grounded in problem-based learning.

This course articulates with the 18 unit Graduate Certificate in Laws and the 108 unit Juris Doctor, and the sequentially developed topics enable progression through the 3 awards.

This course is also available as an exit award from the 108 unit Juris Doctor, subject to meeting the requirements of the Program of Study below. 

Graduates who complete the Graduate Diploma in Laws cannot be admitted to Legal Practice without completing further academic studies and practical training.

Recommended study pattern

You’ll study 8 topics that provide comprehensive legal education, combining foundational courses with advanced study in various areas of law. The program is divided into two semesters: the first covers core legal concepts, and the second focuses on specialised areas such as international law, legal innovation, and property law.

Semester 1

First semester may include the following core topics:

• The Australian Legal System
• Contract
• Torts
• Legal Theory and Research.

Semester 2

Second semester may include: 

• Dispute Resolution
• Legal Innovation and Problem Solving
• Property, Equity and Trusts
• Principles of Public International Law.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Laws, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of Pass (P) or Non-Graded Pass (NGP) or better in each topic, following the program of study detailed in the course handbook.

Failure to complete the course within ten consecutive years, or the award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion, may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Exit points

Flinders University offers a staggered qualification structure, allowing students to earn multiple qualifications as they progress.

Graduate Certificate in Laws: Awarded upon completion of 18 units (4 topics), subject to meeting program requirements.

Graduate Diploma in Laws: Earned after completing 36 units (8 topics).

Juris Doctor (JD): Students who complete an additional 12 topics (72 units total) can progress to the Juris Doctor, an internationally recognised legal qualification, subject to entry requirements.

This flexible pathway allows students to exit early with a recognised qualification or continue towards a full Juris Doctor degree.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $33,768

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Flinders University is a globally-focused, locally-engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. They offer world‐class education that develops the critical and creative thinking skills to support a student’s success. Their courses offered through Open Universities Australia span business, education and law. They are designed with flexibility in mind, while delivering the advanced qualifications to take careers to the next step.

Learn more about Flinders University.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

20

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an Australian university or an equivalent overseas qualification.

Graduate Certificate in Laws: Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Laws provides a pathway into the Graduate Diploma in Laws.

Applicants with advanced VET qualifications (such as a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in a relevant legal, business, or public administration field) may be considered, subject to relevant work experience.

The Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants: 

• First language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language).
• Completed secondary schooling in Australia.
• Completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution).
• Completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution. 
• Completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program. 
• Performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements. 
• Registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia).
• Achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university.
• Completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider.

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience.

Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.