Undergraduate Certificate in Law (Pathway)
Overview
The Undergraduate Certificate in Law (Pathway) develops your basic understanding of the legal system, the rule of law and the legal profession, preparing you for further studies in law and other related areas. Alternatively, graduates may find employment in entry-level and para-legal positions within the broader legal and administrative ecosystem. This course is not an accredited qualification for admission to legal practice. However, depending on your course structure, you may have completed one or more Priestley 11 units of study towards an accredited Bachelor of Laws.
Skills you’ll learn
- Read case law and legislation
- Valid contract formation
- Legal research and writing
- General principles of tort law
- Written and oral communication
- Navigate the Australian legal system
Your career opportunities
The Undergraduate Certificate in Law (Pathway) is a pathway to further study in higher awards, such as a Bachelor of Laws.
- Paralegal
- Legal assistant
- Pathway into other courses
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Why Swinburne?
No time or cost added to your degree
Seamless and guaranteed connection to your degree
24/7 support for Academic English and skill development
Smaller class sizes and one-on-one time with teachers
Admissions
Successful completion of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
Non-Year 12 entry
Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry based on work experience.
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
Apply for a pathway course
These pathways are recognised as an entry requirement to allow students to progress to a UniLink diploma.
-
Diploma of Justice
-
Diploma of Justice (Online delivery)
How credit points work
To qualify for the award of Undergraduate Certificate in Law (Pathway), students must complete 50 credit points comprising:
- Three [3] Core units (37.5 credit points) AND
- One [1] Core option unit from a list of available units (12.5 credit points).
To be considered for admission to the Bachelor of Laws and its associated double degrees via this pathway course, students are expected to maintain a credit average (60%) across the four units and successfully pass each unit on their first attempt.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core units | |||||||||
|
Introduction to Australian Law and Statutory Interpretation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10010 | ||||||||
|
Torts 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10014 | ||||||||
|
Contract Law 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10028 | ||||||||
|
Please Choose one Core Option
|
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2026 tuition fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$8,699.00
Total fee* ($AUD)
$8,699.00
2026 tuition fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2026 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$373.00
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$373.00
Future scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2026 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply through VTAC
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.