Introduction to Law
Are you passionate about helping people and fighting for fairness? Studying law will set you up for a challenging, rewarding career—whether you pursue a path inside the courts, or apply your legal skills to other arenas.
When studying law, you’ll become an expert communicator, able to adeptly synthesise information, empathise with clients, argue a case, and negotiate like a pro.
Take your next steps here at Open Universities Australia, where you can enrol in online law courses delivered by leading universities. You don’t even need an ATAR to get started. Chat with us about that today.
Explore law courses
Discover law courses
Online law subjects and short courses
UndergraduateGRF-CCJ103
- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 1 Sep 2025
UndergraduateUNE-LSU100
- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 20 Oct 2025
UndergraduateUSA-HLTH2030
- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
UndergraduateTAS-LAW107
- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 21 Jul 2025
Online law degrees
UndergraduateUNE-LLB-DEG
A quality law degree for anybody and everybody
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice
PostgraduateGRF-MLP-GDI
Take a step towards becoming a migration specialist
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
UndergraduateUSQ-BAL-DEG
An industry relevant, professionally endorsed, and accredited law degree
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateFLI-LAW-GDI
Gain practical legal skills in just 1 year
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
Need help choosing the right course?
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- Choosing the right course
- Enrolling in and planning your studies
- Understanding your funding options
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Law study FAQs
What will I learn in a law course?
It depends on the course you choose, but you might cover:
Criminal law
Contract law
Corporate law
Torts law
Legal interpretation
Legal research methods
Legal writing and drafting
Postgraduate students can specialise in a particular area of law. Those who already work in the profession can upskill with a short course or standalone law subject.
Why should I study law?
If you like to tackle challenges head on and help others navigate tough situations, a career in law may be great path for you.
With a focus on communication and research, a law degree in Australia will teach you how to speak with confidence, read efficiently, write commandingly and find pertinent facts under piles of precedent. This will prepare you for a legal career, or for other fields like politics and journalism.
You’ll graduate with strong employment prospects and a bright, rewarding future ahead of you.
Why should I study law online?
Studying law online gives you the flexibility to complete your learning whenever and wherever it suits you. This can be a great option if you’re fitting study around existing work and life commitments.
How long is a law course?
It depends on what you choose to study, if you're getting qualified for the first time, or if you're studying to specialise.
Here’s a general guide:
Course | Duration |
|---|---|
Single subject | 10-18 weeks |
Short course | 10-18 weeks |
Undergraduate certificate | 6 months (if full time) |
Diploma | 1 year (if full time) |
Associate degree | 2 years (if full time) |
Bachelor degree | 3 years (if full time) |
Graduate certificate | 6 months (if full time) |
Graduate diploma | 1 year (if full time) |
Masters degree | 2 years (if full time) |
Juris Doctor | 3 years (if full time) |
If you study a degree in law through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.
What are the entry requirements for a law course?
The entry requirements to study law vary from course to course, so make sure you read the relevant course page carefully for more information.
If you enrol through Open Universities Australia, you can get into certain law courses without needing an ATAR. Speak with us today about how to make this happen.
What law specialisations are available?
Within law, there are many different specialisations. As just a few examples, you may be interested in exploring:
Environmental law
Criminal law
Family law
Property law
International law
Constitutional law
Can I practice law after completing an online law course?
There are several steps you need to complete to be able to practice law in Australia.
After studying law at university—whether that’s in person or online—you need to complete additional practical legal training (PLT). This involves work experience with a practising lawyer and the completion of a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
After this, you can apply to the Supreme Court for admission as an Australian legal practitioner. Keep in mind, this process differs slightly between states and territories in Australia.
What other career opportunities can I explore as a law graduate?
Aside from life as a lawyer, studying law could set you up for many career pathways. You could go on to become a:
Policy advisor
Political campaign manager
Business leader
Recruiter
Legal consultant
Legal studies academic
How do I enrol?
Enrolling online is simple. Here’s how it works:
1. Find your course
Browse the options on this page.
Use our comparison tool to explore the different choices.
Need help? Book a free phone consultation with a student advisor for personalised guidance.
2. Start your enrolment
When you’re ready, click ‘Start studying now’ on the course page.
Follow the prompts to begin your enrolment.
You’ll need to provide supporting documents, such as:
Proof of identity
Your tax file number
3. Wait for confirmation
Your chosen university will email you to confirm if your enrolment has been successful.
Note: Some courses have enquiries and applications handled directly by the university. If this applies, it will be clearly stated on the course listing page.
For more details, check our online self-service enrolment guide. And if you need help at any stage, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.
What if I’m not sure law is the study area for me?
You can study these single law subjects to see if you like the field before committing to a full qualification.
Otherwise, we recommend checking out these related study areas, which allow you to pursue a career in and around the justice system:
I want to... | We recommend exploring... |
|---|---|
understand the psychology of the criminal mind | |
help governments improve society | |
push for social change and the rights of the disadvantaged | |
understand what influences social behaviour |
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Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.
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