Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
80Course code
Overview
The Diploma of Laws offers you a general understanding of the law, legal processes and legal principles, as well as an opportunity to gain the specialist knowledge you may need for work or other reasons.
This program is also suitable for internationally qualified lawyers who need to complete some Australian subjects to qualify for admission to legal practice in Australia and is a recognised pathway to the Bachelor of Laws at Charles Darwin University.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2022: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study is AUD $26,968.00. This equates to $3,371.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study law at CDU?
Study law with the experts in online legal education at CDU. Learn from a leader in transnational, human rights, cyber and customary law to become a first-class legal practitioner. You'll be prepared for a multitude of career opportunities, from Australia's legal systems and public service to business, government, industrial relations, and more.
- Study 100% online or on campus, full-time or part-time
- Fast-track your law degree and qualify in 3 years
- Top 4 in Australia for law and paralegal starting salaries (GUG 2022)
What will I study?
One core unit and a minimum of seven units selected from a range of elective units.
Course structure
This course is being re-accredited for 2022 and changes may be made.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit Type | Credit Points | Specific Requirements |
| Core (1 unit) |
10 |
Compulsory Core units totalling 10 credit points as detailed below.
LWZ115 Legal Process (replaces LWZ111) |
| Specialist Electives (7 units) |
70 |
Specialist Elective units totalling 70 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below. Students may enrol in other law units as a specialist elective with the prior approval of the Course Coordinator. See the Bachelor of Laws course structure for full list of units. COM105 Business Communications Students that completed any of the following units prior to 2022 may still count them as specialist electives for this course: |
| Electives (0 units) |
0 |
There are no elective units in this course |
|
80 |
Total Credit Points | |
| NB: Students are required to complete LWZ115 as it is a prerequisite for most law units at a higher level. However, students are not precluded from seeking prior recognition of learning or credit transfer for a similar unit they may have completed at another tertiary institution. |
COURSE CHANGES FOR 2022
Students that have completed CUC100 should not complete COM105.
Students that have completed CUC107 should not complete IAS201.
LWA/LWZ coded units are included in the WLAW02 Bachelor of Laws course structure. Students planning to continue their study of law with the WLAW02 Bachelor of Laws should note only credit for law units can be applied.
Students undertaking or seeking a pathway to the LACCL1 Bachelor of Accounting/Diploma of Laws should complete COM105 and IAS201.
COURSE CHANGES FOR 2021
Unit added as a specialist elective option LWA120 Law in Context.
COURSE CHANGES FOR 2020
The following units have been removed from the course structure. These units will still count towards course completion for students who have already completed the unit or have prior approval from the Course Coordinator before unit enrolment.
LWA207 Dispute Resolution
LWA298 Legal Clinic
LWA316 Intellectual Property Law
LWA317 Research Paper (previously LWC304)
LWA319 Private International Law
LWA321 Public International Law (replaces LWA318)
LWA322 Moot Court
LWA325 Succession
LWA328 Competition and Consumer Law
LWA329 Conveyancing Law
LWA331 Finance and Securities Law
LWA332 Science and the Law
LWZ304 Administrative Law
LWZ315 Corporations Law
LWZ316 Evidence
LWZ317 Civil Procedure
LWZ320 Professional Responsibility
COURSE CHANGES for 2019
CUC106 has been removed from the Course Structure as a Specialist Elective and will no longer be available as part of this course. Students who have completed CUC106 in the Diploma of Laws prior to 2019 will have the unit counted towards their award.
Study plan
Students Commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
♦ ensure LWZ115 is completed in the first semester of study;
♦ maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
♦ check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200 i.e. LWZ210.
All students should enrol in LWZ115 in the first semester of study.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| LWZ115 Legal Process | CO | Specialist Elective 4 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | Specialist Elective 5 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | Specialist Elective 6 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | Specialist Elective 7 | SE |
Students Commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
♦ ensure LWZ115 is completed in the first semester of study;
♦ maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
♦ check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200 i.e. LWZ210.
All students should enrol in LWZ115 in the first semester of study.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| LWZ115 Legal Process | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective 4 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 5 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 6 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 7 | SE | ||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140.
- Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
- Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
- Defence members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:
~Air Force: Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman
~Army: Corporal, Lance Corporal, Private
~Navy: Able Seaman, Leading Seaman, Seaman
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 169, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of B2. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 60 and a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
ATAR profile
The following table represents the ATAR and selection rank profile for applicants offered a place on the basis of their ATAR in semester 1, 2021
| ATAR based offers only | ATAR (excluding adjustment factors) |
Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 56.20 | 66.15 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 65.05 | 68.60 |
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 73.90 | 76.85 |
Notes
"<5" indicates less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made.
CDU offered an amazing fast track option for law. I could complete my law degree in three years, as opposed to the usual four. Finishing my law degree in a shorter amount of time will mean I reach the workplace faster and there's no compromise on how many different areas of the law I study.
Ade
CDU Student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is being re-accredited by the University for 2022 in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 5.
Student profile
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students that commenced this course and passed the census date in Semester 1, 2021.
| Applicant background (Semester one intake 2021) | No. of Students | % of all Students |
|---|---|---|
| A. Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) |
26 | 72.0 |
| B. Vocational education and training (VET) study | <5 | N/P |
| C. Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) |
<5 | N/P |
D. Recent secondary education
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) |
<5 | N/P |
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra offer conditional on minimum ATAR) |
<5 | N/P |
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) |
<5 | N/P |
| International students | <5 | N/P |
| All students | 36 | 97.0 |
Notes
"<5" - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
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How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC or TAS.
UAC
UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.
MyNextCourse
Direct applications are available to students who have completed a CDU or BIITE course at a Certificate III level or higher. Most CDU and BIITE enabling programs are also accepted through this process.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.
International applicants currently studying year 12 in Australia should apply via SATAC or UAC.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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