Paralegal and Legal Studies

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of law with the flexibility to tailor your learning to your career goals with the UNE Bachelor of Legal Studies. Benefit from UNE’s niche expertise in regional, rural and remote legal issues and study with expert teachers.

This flexible degree builds your real-world research skills and will open the door to a variety of career opportunities across the private and public sector. Plus, our expertise in online delivery allows you to study in a way that fits your lifestyle.

By studying UNE’s Bachelor of Social Science degree you will develop a comprehensive and valuable understanding of human societies and social thought, behaviour and relationships in their varied social, psychological and political manifestations, with potential for a rewarding career in social science related areas. You will get a thorough grounding in sociology and psychology, plus you can choose from a broad range of majors to graduate with specialised knowledge. With skills in research, critical analysis and evaluation that are transferable across a range of employment opportunities, you can ensure your career is future fit for life.

Criminology is the study of crime and our responses to crime. UNE's Bachelor of Criminology investigates factors that cause criminal behaviour and how crime can be prevented within wider society. The course offers a variety of key topics and issues including policing and punishment, rural crime, victimology and how crimes may be prevented in practice and solved through criminal profiling and forensic science. You will get to hone your skills in critical thinking, problem solving and analysis to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

At the heart of community services is a desire to help people – to promote social justice and inclusion, and enable people to flourish. UNE's flexibly delivered Bachelor of Community Services will enable you to develop the skills to empower individuals, marginalised groups and communities in complex and rapidly changing community and health settings.

Accredited with Community Work Australia, this course integrates real-world practice and contextual knowledge with an understanding of the theories and methods underpinning the effective practice of community services, as well as policy issues, and legal and ethical responsibilities that guide this practice.

Expand and hone your teaching knowledge while building a highly valuable breadth of skills with the UNE Bachelor of Education (K-12 Teaching). This is a dual sector degree giving you the flexibility to teach in both primary and secondary schools. It is accredited with the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) and is designed to meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. In this course you will have the opportunity to specialise in subject areas that interest you most and gain experience in teaching to a wide range of age groups, culminating in sought-after skills to future-proof your education career.

Whether you are looking to re-train to become a Primary or Secondary school teacher, teach different subjects or upgrade your teaching accreditation, the UNE Bachelor of Education (In-Service Conversion) provides a flexible pathway to pivot and grow as an in-demand education professional. Upskill and enhance your on-the-pulse skills for the benefit of your career, your students and the profession at large. Stay relevant and pave the way for a successful teaching career in a supportive, flexible environment.

By studying law and criminology at UNE, you will gain a broad portfolio of knowledge and skills to future proof your career in a wide variety of professions. In this comprehensive program of study, you will develop contemporary skills in how to write for, research, argue and apply the law, combined with an advanced understanding and capabilities in contemporary criminology topics and issues. Benefiting from UNE’s regional, rural and remote legal and criminology expertise, you will graduate with broad knowledge and specialist skills for greater career flexibility.

UNE’s Bachelor of Education (Secondary Arts) offers a comprehensive program of study that provides you with the knowledge and practical skills to become a highly sought-after secondary school teacher.

Develop your teaching skills in a supportive, flexible environment. Learn how to create open and encouraging learning environments that put your students' individual learning styles at the forefront. By studying at UNE, you will become an in-demand secondary teacher who makes a difference.

Study the UNE Advanced Diploma in Paralegal Studies and develop advanced legal knowledge and skills in a sought-after field of expertise. Whether you’re building your skills in law, changing careers or paving the way to further legal study, you’ll get the expertise and support to take advantage of the wide range of career opportunities available to qualified paralegal professionals – regardless of your educational background.

Almost all industries depend on people with an understanding of the law and skills in legal reasoning. With the UNE Diploma in Paralegal Studies, you will build the preparatory knowledge and skills you need to advance your career in a variety of in-demand legal sectors. Be supported by an expert teaching team to build you expertise, and study online in a timeframe that suits your lifestyle.

In an evolving criminal justice landscape, neuroscience is increasingly recognised for its role in understanding human behaviour, including criminal actions. As the first course of its kind in Australia, UNE's Master of Neuroscience and Criminology provides a unique, multidisciplinary approach, equipping you to explore the neurobiological processes that underlie criminal behaviours—a field of study with vast potential for advancing crime prevention, policy, and rehabilitation efforts.

Whether you're safeguarding a career in criminal justice, law enforcement, mental health, or policy-making, or are a newcomer to the field, this course will immerse you in the interdisciplinary field of neurocriminology, offering insights into the neural underpinnings of criminal behaviour and its broader social implications.

The UNE Master of Laws enables you to broaden your legal knowledge and enhance your independent, critical thinking and research skills. You will achieve a high standard of professional writing and research relevant to current issues in law and practice.

Our course gives you the opportunity to choose units of interest or specialise by undertaking units from a particular area of law. It will equip you with advanced legal knowledge and skills and the advanced research skills to make a difference in an increasingly interconnected world.

Accelerate your career opportunities with the UNE Master of Teaching (Secondary). Gain the specialist knowledge and skills you need to become a sought-after teacher who makes a difference. Study online or on campus in a flexible timeframe that suits your lifestyle. Be positioned at the forefront of educational expertise to make your education career goals a reality.

Take the next step in your career – or start a new one – with UNE's Master of Strategic Leadership in Risk and Emergency Management. This advanced postgraduate program equips professionals of all levels with the strategic expertise, leadership skills and practical knowledge needed to excel in managing risks and crises in a dynamic global landscape.

Built by industry for industry, this program was developed in consultation with Risk-e Business Consultants, a leader in risk and emergency management advisory. Whether you're building on existing experience in strategic leadership, risk, public safety, intelligence or emergency services, or ready to break into this rewarding field, this program provides a pathway to success. With flexible online delivery, an applied learning focus and tailored specialisations, you'll gain the confidence to lead in diverse sectors while balancing your studies with personal and professional commitments.

Design a bespoke course and prepare for a rapidly evolving workplace with the UNE Graduate Diploma in Professional Practice. Whether you want to advance your career, hone your skills or embark on a new career direction, we'll work with you to design a course to match your skills and aspirations.

You will have the freedom to assemble your course from a full breadth of subjects, play to your strengths and draw from your experience to achieve your goals. Learn in a way that suits your timeframe and do it all with the support of an expert academic success advisor — with one-on-one guidance from start to finish. You'll be paving your pathway to the next stage of your career.

This first-of-its-kind course offers an innovative approach to understanding criminal behaviour through the lens of neuroscience. As one of the fastest-growing fields in human physiology and behaviour, neuroscience provides critical insights into how the brain functions, what can go wrong in neurobiological processes, and how these factors can influence criminal behaviour. This course allows you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between biological, psychological and social elements that contribute to criminal actions.

Whether you are a seasoned professional in criminology looking to enhance your expertise or you are completely new to the field, this fully online postgraduate degree caters to all levels of experience.

Expand your leadership capabilities and deepen your expertise in managing complex risk and crises with UNE's Graduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership in Risk and Emergency Management. This postgraduate course equips you with the comprehensive skills needed for strategic leadership in risk and emergency management across diverse sectors, including risk management, public safety, intelligence and emergency services.

Developed in partnership with Risk-e Business Consultants, a leading advisory firm in risk and emergency management, this course reflects real-world industry demands. With flexible online delivery, this program fits seamlessly into your schedule, guiding you towards leadership excellence and providing a clear pathway to our upcoming Master of Strategic Leadership in Risk and Emergency Management.

Adapt to an evolving workplace and open the door to new career opportunities with UNE's Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice. Whether you want to create more career choices, hone your specialist skills, or take a new career direction, we will work with you to customise a course to match your skills and aspirations.

Choose from a full breadth of subjects. Avoid getting bogged down in a lengthy, traditional course, and instead, play to your natural strengths, refine your skills and draw on your experience to prepare for the future. And do it all with the support of an expert academic success advisor with 1:1 guidance from start to finish.

Criminology and neuroscience are rapidly evolving fields, with growing recognition of the role that neuroscience plays in understanding human behaviour, including criminal actions. The first course of its kind in Australia, our Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience and Criminology investigates the intricate relationships between brain functions and criminal behaviour, contributing to the emerging field of neurocriminology, a discipline with immense potential for future research and applications.

Whether you're already working in criminal justice, law enforcement or mental health and want to upskill, or you're looking to enter the field for the first time, our flexible introductory course equips you with the knowledge and tools to understand crime through a neurological lens.

In today’s fast-evolving risk landscape, strategic leadership in crisis and emergency management is essential. Designed for mid-to-senior professionals, the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership in Risk and Emergency Management equips you with critical, analytical, and leadership skills to navigate complex challenges in risk management, public safety, intelligence, emergency services, and beyond. This postgraduate qualification offers a flexible and industry-focused curriculum shaped by leading experts, including consultants from Risk-e Business Consultants.

With expert-led instruction and real-world applications, this course will see you drive strategic outcomes, strengthen organisational resilience, and advance in roles across diverse sectors. Gain valuable skills now, with the option to build on them later through the Graduate Diploma or our upcoming Master of Strategic Leadership in Risk and Emergency Management.

A Doctor of Philosophy is the pinnacle of academic study. Using rigorous and systematic research, combined with critical analysis, you will add to society's understanding of complex issues at the cutting-edge of your discipline or profession.

When you complete your PhD at UNE, you will be recognised as an expert in your area of study. Your original discoveries and innovations will be applied to benefit society and industry in Australia and worldwide.

Practice-based research drives better decisions, stronger services and measurable outcomes. UNE’s Professional Doctorate provides foundational research training with a research thesis, supporting experienced professionals to contribute to the development of original knowledge that improves professional practice in their fields.

Co-design a workplace-embedded project with your UNE supervision team and your organisation, aligning rigorous methods with real-world challenges. Your examinable output is tailored to your discipline — for example, a thesis, a dissertation with artefacts, or an exegesis with a portfolio of creative, technical or performance works.

High quality research and analysis allows us to better understand the complex issues we face in industry and society. With UNE's Master of Philosophy by research, your original findings and insights will add to the body of knowledge and inform decision-making in your specialist area.

You will work independently, with personalised support from recognised experts in your area of study every step of the way. Expand your expertise, hone your research skills, and immediately apply your knowledge in a research topic of your choice.

The world is full of possibilities, with so much to discover and learn. There are endless opportunities to enrich your knowledge to prepare for the future, but what if you don’t want to undertake a full degree? And how can you zero-in on the subjects that matter most to you? That’s what a Non-Award unit with UNE will help you to achieve.

Non-Award study means you can learn without the need to complete entire course requirements or take on a full course load. Whether it’s a language you want to learn, a business unit to enhance your career, an improvement of your IT skills, an update on education principles or developing your management style, Non-Award study gives you the flexibility and control to explore what matters to you.

If you are enrolled at another university, you can choose to study subjects at UNE that will count towards your course. Apply as a cross-institutional student directly and complete one or several individual subjects (units) from the full scope of UNE's discipline areas.