Key facts
Domestic students course information. This course is currently not available to international students.
Entry is based on recent secondary, higher education (GPA), VET study, or work experience.
View full entry requirements- 1 year part-time
| Start Dates and Campus | Trimester 1 – February 2024 | Trimester 2 – June 2024 | Trimester 3 – October 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Armidale Campus | Offered | Offered | Not Offered |
| Sydney Campus | Not Offered | Not Offered | Not Offered |
Course information
Download course brochure
The Undergraduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies provides foundational legal skills for analysing legal issues, undertaking legal research, and writing persuasively, regardless of your education background. The course will provide you with an appreciation of the impact of law on business and commercial relationships.
Whether you’re a recent school leaver, currently employed and ready to upskill, or you want to springboard to further study, it will prepare you for a range of possibilities.
Gain valuable knowledge and skills which will allow you to take your career or study to the next level.
Why study the Undergraduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies with UNE?
The Undergraduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies opens the door to a variety of career and study opportunities. The skills and knowledge gained from the certificate will easily transport to a broad variety of work arenas such as legal services, insurance, public service, administration, debt collection, and small and medium businesses.
Study when and where it suits you with UNE’s top-rated online learning platform.
What makes our course different?
The course will equip you with knowledge and skills to create more career choices and options for further successful study.
It comes with opportunities to:
- Develop fundamental skills and knowledge in law to begin your legal career, regardless of your educational background.
- Complete three core units in legal professional skills, business law and legal studies, plus an additional unit in alternative dispute resolution or commercial law.
- Transfer to the Bachelor of Legal Studies or to take advantage of the pathway to a law degree (provided you meet the GPA requirement). Alternatively, you may wish to transfer to the Diploma of Paralegal Studies and receive credit for the four units in this course.
- Explore the purpose of law and its effect on society.
- Learn about the fundamental areas of law, values and principles, as well as Indigenous contextual issues.
- Develop your personal and social responsibility through examining ethical issues in law.
- Become a highly resilient, ethical and self-directed learner, ready to become a valuable member of any team.
- Learn from our supportive Law School, a team with world-class expertise in academia and legal practice as well as issues related to regional, remote and rural Australia, not just metropolitan areas.
Study online
Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and form a community of adults who share the same challenges and priorities. They bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.
* 24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.
Entry requirements
Select the option that best describes your experience.
You are currently studying Year 12 (school or TAFE) or have done so within the past 2 years.
Not Applicable
If you are admitted on the basis of your ATAR, you will be eligible for admission under standard entry. Please see the Course Structure (Program of Study).
Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. Please read and familiarise yourself with the details of the policy. See our Glossary for help with university terms.
These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.
When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.
You have studied at UNE or other higher education institutions, completed or otherwise.
You can apply for this course if you have undertaken any of the following qualifications with an appropriate Grade Point Average (GPA):
- Undergraduate Certificates
- Diplomas
- Advanced Diplomas/Associate degrees
- Bachelor degrees
- Postgraduate degrees
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under standard entry. Please see the Course Structure (Program of Study).
Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. Please read and familiarise yourself with the details of the policy. See our Glossary for help with university terms.
These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.
When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.
You have undertaken VET study through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), e.g. TAFE.
You can apply for this course if you have undertaken VET studies. When assessing your application, we will look at the following factors:
- Level and type of qualification (Certificate III or above)
- Graded or ungraded (competency-based)
- Complete or incomplete.
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under standard entry. Please see the Course Structure (Program of Study).
Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. Please read and familiarise yourself with the details of the policy. See our Glossary for help with university terms.
These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.
When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.
You left high school more than two years ago or did not finish Year 12.
You can apply for this course on the basis of work and/or life experience via at least one of the following methods:
Professional Experience
If you have completed at least one year of paid professional experience, we can assess you for admission on this basis. Simply provide a resume and a Statement of Service from your employer/s in your application.
> Find out more about applying based on professional experience
> Learn about our Statement of Service requirements
Mature Age Special Entry
Tell us more about your work and life experience, demonstrating why you believe you will be successful in the course you are applying for. Simply complete the form and upload it in your application.
> Download the Mature Age Special Entry form (PDF)
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
The STAT is a test that assesses a range of competencies considered important for successful tertiary study. UNE accepts the multiple-choice component provided you have completed it within the three years prior to course commencement.
> Visit ACER for more information
If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under standard entry. Please see the Course Structure (Program of Study).
Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. Please read and familiarise yourself with the details of the policy. See our Glossary for help with university terms.
Pathways Enabling Course
This is a free (fees exempt) and 100% online course designed to help you prepare for university. It will provide you with all the skills needed to undertake undergraduate study.
> Learn more about the Pathways Enabling Course
TRACKS (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants)
TRACKS is a preparation course run by the UNE Oorala Aboriginal Centre. Over two trimesters you will experience what university study is about and learn in a supported environment. Be part of a community of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who share your goals and interests.
> Learn more about TRACKS
Internal Selection Program (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants)
This program is designed for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who have professional work or community experience, or any formal VET qualifications, e.g. TAFE study.
> Learn more about the Internal Selection Program
These requirements are in addition to the entry requirements above.
When applying you may be required to show how you satisfy the English Language Requirements for this course.
Some courses require you to provide documentary evidence, or interviews to support your application. The following documents are required to support your application:
- Any supporting documents related to your admission pathway. For example, if you apply based on previous study, upload evidence of your study so we can assess eligibility.
- If you are applying through Mature Age Special Entry, you will need to include a completed Mature Age Special Entry form in your online application. Learn more about Mature Age Special Entry.
- If you are applying based on professional experience you will need to provide a resume and a Statement of Service from your employer/s on company letterhead. Learn about our Statement of Service requirements.
Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.
Individual Unit Advanced Standing
If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your Course Structure (Program of Study) within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.
> Learn how to apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing
Course structure
To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 24 credit points.
12 credit points
Complete the following units:- Introduction to Business Law (LSSU251) – 6 credit points
- Introduction to Legal Studies (LSU100) – 6 credit points
12 credit points
Complete 12 credit points from the following list:- The Criminal Justice System (CRIM101) – 6 credit points
- Legal Professional Skills (LAW102) – 6 credit points
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (LAW157) – 6 credit points
- Commercial Law I: Principles of Australian Law (LSSU350) – 6 credit points
- Communication for Business (MM105) – 6 credit points
- Fundamentals of Marketing (MM110) – 6 credit points
- The Craft of Academic Writing (WRIT101) – 6 credit points
See UNE Handbook for more details. The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course plans, exit awards, intensive schools, and work placement requirements.
Fees and scholarships
How much will it cost?
Estimated fees for your first year of study in this course are:
| Fee type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place | $8,160* |
| Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time | $351 |
What are the course fee payment options?
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a government subsidised place in a university course. The government pays part of your tuition fees, and you pay the remainder.
If you have a CSP in either an undergraduate or postgraduate (coursework) degree, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP Loan, which allows you to defer payment of your fees until you are earning above the threshold.
UNE scholarships are open for all to apply and offer financial help while you are studying. There are scholarships for students with high academic achievement, from rural areas, studying specific degrees, in disadvantaged groups, experiencing financial hardship, who excel at sport or want to live in a UNE residential college.
UNE scholarship applications are free and confidential. You may apply for more than one scholarship.
Your career
The Undergraduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies allows you to pursue opportunities in areas including:
- paralegal, legal secretary or law-related professional working in a law firm or legal practice, while continuing onto further studies
- banking and finance, communications and public relations or corporate governance
- roles in court administration, information technology, publishing, justice departments, politics and public policy making.
Graduates of the Undergraduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies may apply for admission to a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Bachelor course at the UNE Law School.
Course outcomes
- demonstrate knowledge and have an understanding of the purpose of law and its application;
- demonstrate an ability to reflect upon the law's effect on society;
- demonstrate an introductory knowledge of the fundamental areas of law, values and principles, and relevant Indigenous contextual issues;
- demonstrate an awareness of personal and social responsibility through an awareness of ethical issues in a legal context; and
- be accountable for their own learning by being independent and self-directed learners, and personally practising ethical conduct.
- Knowledge of a Discipline
Graduates will understand the fundamental discipline areas of the law of Australia and will also have an awareness of indigenous perspectives.
- Communication Skills
Graduates will be able to communicate legal information or arguments to a range of audiences in both legal and non-legal contexts.
- Problem Solving
Graduates will be able to identify legal issues, apply the law and construct ethically appropriate solutions.
- Information Literacy
Graduates will be able to evaluate legal information from a range of sources using technology and communicate it to a range of audiences.
- Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility
Graduates will be able to recognise ethical issues that may arise in the legal context and how to act in a socially responsible way.
- Lifelong Learning
Graduates will recognise the need to take personal responsibility for the ongoing currency of their legal knowledge appreciating that law is a tool for social justice; and that law is a dynamic discipline.
- Independence and Collaboration
Graduates will develop skills in independent study as well as the ability to work collaboratively. They will learn the importance of participating in discussions in a professional, respectful and ethical manner.
A five-star experience
Five Stars,
18 Years in a Row
UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 18 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience
Good Universities Guide 2007-2024
No.1 in NSW for
Student Experience
QILT (government-endorsed) ranks UNE as the top public NSW uni for Student Experience
QILT Student Experience Survey
Five Stars for
Teaching Quality
UNE rates among the top 20 per cent of universities in Australia for Teaching Quality
Good Universities Guide 2024
Studying online
At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.
We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*
*The Good Universities Guide
Stay connected
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Why study with us?
Having a lecturer know your name and feeling confident enough to approach them has been a massive asset to my studies.
How to apply
Preparing to apply
You should always provide the details of past or current studies in your application. You may also need to include documents to support your application.
The kind of documents you need will depend on:
- Your preferred course/s
- Your personal circumstances
Important Dates
Different application methods and courses can have different closing dates. To find your correct application method click the Apply Now button below. Please check the appropriate application website for opening and closing dates.
If you are applying online direct to UNE please see below for application dates.
| Intake | Application Closing Date | Trimester Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | 16 February 2024 | 26 February 2024 |
| Trimester 2 | 14 June 2024 | 24 June 2024 |
| Trimester 3 | 11 October 2024 | 21 October 2024 |
Important Notice for Prospective Students
For accurate, up-to-date details on entry requirements, course structure, and other essential information, please consult the UNE Student Handbook before applying or enrolling. The Handbook provides comprehensive guidance to assist in your decision-making process. We apologise for any inconvenience.
