Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies
This undergraduate certificate is your introduction to Australia's legal and criminal justice systems, including parliament, law enforcement, the courts, and custodial and community corrections.
In this program you will:
- Learn about the roles and functions of police, parliament, the courts, and corrections
- Build introductory knowledge on the reasons for criminal behaviour
- Research answers to legal problems, and present legal arguments
- Develop problem solving skills in law and crime-related issues
- Study different perspectives on the law's role in society
Location
Entry threshold
ATAR/RankDuration
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2023 fees (A$)
CSPQTAC code
Start
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Start
-
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Delivery mode
-
- Blended Learning
- Total courses
- 4
- Total units
- 48
- Duration
- 6 months 6 months
- UniSC program code
- AR013
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
CRM101 Introduction to Criminology
LAW101 Foundations of Australian Law A
PLUS select 2 courses (24 units) from:
LAW103 Criminal Law and Procedure A
SCS101 Foundations of Human Behaviour
LAW102 Foundations of Australian Law B
CRM103 Punishment and Corrections
Explore the likely peer cohort in the student profile data
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| Applicant background | No. of students | % of all students |
|---|---|---|
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 five students.
Adjusted ATARs are a calculation of a student's ATAR + eligible adjustment factors and are used to determine admission. The raw ATAR is the student's rank before any adjustments are applied.
Minimum entry threshold
Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.
| Location | ATAR/Rank |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 55 |
Additional entry information
Standard English language requirements apply.
- Recommended prior study
- English
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 48 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Program notes
- The Undergraduate Certificate in Legal Studies has been designed as a pathway into the Bachelor of Criminology and Justice or the Bachelor of Laws.
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
Career opportunities
- A first step to Paralegal work
- Corrections
- Law administration
- Law enforcement
- Youth justice
Headstart Program - Year 11 or 12
The Headstart program lets you study uni subjects while you’re still in high school. If you successfully complete two Headstart courses, you’ll get a selection rank that you could use to get into uni.
Early Offer Guarantee scheme - Year 12
The Early Offer Guarantee scheme enables Year 12 students to be offered a place at USC on the basis of their Principal's recommendation.
Previous qualifications or experience
If you:
- have completed Year 12 (no matter how long ago)
- have a TAFE/VET qualification
- have relevant work experience, or
- have studied at university before (even if you didn’t complete your studies)
You may be eligible for a selection rank, which can help you get into uni. For more detailed information selection ranks and how applications are assessed, visit Admissions explained.
Tertiary Preparation Pathway
If you don’t have qualifications or experience that will give you a selection rank, you can complete the Tertiary Preparation Pathway as a stepping stone into most degrees. You can also use TPP to complete subject prerequisites.
If you haven’t studied in a while, TPP is also a great way to brush up on essential study skills like critical reading, assignment writing and referencing.
It can also build your knowledge and confidence in the subject areas you’ll need for your degree, like science or maths. TPP courses are fee-free for eligible domestic students.
I identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
You may be eligible for direct entry into a USC degree based on your potential to succeed, under USC’s Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS). All you have to do is complete an online application through our website.
- CSP estimate
- A$7,568 - 2023 Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth supported places are substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students only pay 'student contribution" amounts. The student contribution amount will vary depending on the course you are studying and how much funding the Government provides.
If you accept a Commonwealth supported place you are a Commonwealth supported student. As a Commonwealth supported student you must make a contribution towards the cost of your education (unless you are enrolled in Enabling or Tertiary Preparation Pathway courses) with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.
Commonwealth supported places are only available to domestic students. As a domestic student you are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:
- meet the citizenship and residency requirements
- complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
- meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.
Domestic applicants apply for admission through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Some applicants may be eligible to apply direct to USC if they meet certain criteria.
Find out about how to apply and key application closing dates.
QTAC code
| Location | QTAC code |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 013705 |
Student story
“I work across my firm's practice areas of native title and cultural heritage, and mining, resources and coal seam gas. So the work I do is mostly related to the rights and interests that different parties have to use land or water."