A Law alumni is standing in front of a tiled wall looking over her shoulder

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    January, March, April, July, August, October

  • Duration

    8 months part-time

  • Location

    SCU Online

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    GradCertBusLaw

  • Course code

    1008120

  • Credit points

    48

  • Equivalent units

    4

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

    January, February, April, June, August, October

  • Duration

    1 year part-time

  • Location

    SCU Online

  • Placement

    No  

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

There is a growing demand across law and a range of professions for graduates with a deeper understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks in which they operate, in particular enhanced knowledge in business law.

The Graduate Certificate in Business Law gives you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in specific areas that include tax, competition, consumer, intellectual property, global business and corporate governance law. The course is ideal both for recent graduates who wish to increase their employment prospects and professionals wishing to extend their skills.

This postgraduate course is delivered completely online, with great flexibility to fit around work and personal commitments.

Smiling law graduate, Sarah Ashley sitting at the Gold Coast campus

“I chose Southern Cross because I wanted somewhere where the lecturers knew me by name and provided one-on-one assistance. The course was definitely challenging but I learned so much and the staff were always so willing to help.”

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

demonstrate ability to critically analyse, assess and synthesise complex information, problems, and concepts and apply legal reasoning and research to legal and policy issues

GA2: Creativity

apply legal reasoning, critical analysis and creative skills to to complex legal problems and policy in selected areas of law

GA3: Ethical practice

demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability and integrate ethical principles into practice

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

apply expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills that to interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences

GA5: Lifelong learning

demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship

GA6: Communication and social skills

communicate knowledge, skills and concepts effectively with clients and others in interprofessional contexts

GA7: Cultural competence

an expert understanding in selected areas of law from a variety of historical and theoretical perspectives that is informed by cultural awareness and cultural competence

Students choose four of the following electives:

  • Global Business Law
  • Competition Law
  • Tax Law
  • Advanced Property Law
  • Consumer Law
  • Litigation and Corporations
  • Advanced Legal Research
  • The Law of Corporate Governance
  • Advanced Intellectual Property Law
  • Advanced Contract Law.

Note: Students without an equivalent Bachelor of Laws degree complete a core unit in Legal Institutions and Processes and three electives.

Location Teaching period
SCU OnlineSummer Term, Term  1, Term  2, Term  3, Term  4, Term  5
Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
SCU OnlineSummer Term, Term  1, Term  2, Term  3, Term  4, Term  5$15,204 ($3,801 per unit)N/A

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Career Outcomes

Graduates with enhanced knowledge and skills in commercial and corporate law are sought after in a range of industries, in government and non-government organisations and the private sector.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent

Or

Candidature in the Master of Laws (Business Law) or the Master of Business Law.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Business Law students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising either 1 core unit and 3 law electives if the candidate does not possess a Bachelor degree in law (LLB, JD, or equivalent) or any four elective units if the candidate possesses a Bachelor degree in law (LLB, JD, or equivalent).

Other things to consider

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

LAWS6001Legal Institutions and Processes
Summer Term
Term1,2,3,4,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Summer Term
Term1,2,3,4,5
Summer Term
Term1,2,3,4,5
Law Elective
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
LAWS6003Global Business Law
LAWS6008Competition Law
LAWS6010Tax Law
LAWS6005Advanced Property Law
LAWS6007Consumer Law
LAWS6004Litigation and Corporations
LAWS6002Advanced Legal Research
LAWS6009The Law of Corporate Governance
LAWS6006Advanced Intellectual Property Law
LAWS6013Advanced Contract Law
Law Elective
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
LAWS6003Global Business Law
LAWS6008Competition Law
LAWS6010Tax Law
LAWS6005Advanced Property Law
LAWS6007Consumer Law
LAWS6004Litigation and Corporations
LAWS6002Advanced Legal Research
LAWS6009The Law of Corporate Governance
LAWS6006Advanced Intellectual Property Law
LAWS6013Advanced Contract Law
Law Elective
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
LAWS6003Global Business Law
LAWS6008Competition Law
LAWS6010Tax Law
LAWS6005Advanced Property Law
LAWS6007Consumer Law
LAWS6004Litigation and Corporations
LAWS6002Advanced Legal Research
LAWS6009The Law of Corporate Governance
LAWS6006Advanced Intellectual Property Law
LAWS6013Advanced Contract Law

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Law Elective
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
LAWS6003Global Business Law
LAWS6008Competition Law
LAWS6010Tax Law
LAWS6005Advanced Property Law
LAWS6007Consumer Law
LAWS6004Litigation and Corporations
LAWS6002Advanced Legal Research
LAWS6009The Law of Corporate Governance
LAWS6006Advanced Intellectual Property Law
LAWS6013Advanced Contract Law
Law Elective
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
LAWS6003Global Business Law
LAWS6008Competition Law
LAWS6010Tax Law
LAWS6005Advanced Property Law
LAWS6007Consumer Law
LAWS6004Litigation and Corporations
LAWS6002Advanced Legal Research
LAWS6009The Law of Corporate Governance
LAWS6006Advanced Intellectual Property Law
LAWS6013Advanced Contract Law
Law Elective
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
LAWS6003Global Business Law
LAWS6008Competition Law
LAWS6010Tax Law
LAWS6005Advanced Property Law
LAWS6007Consumer Law
LAWS6004Litigation and Corporations
LAWS6002Advanced Legal Research
LAWS6009The Law of Corporate Governance
LAWS6006Advanced Intellectual Property Law
LAWS6013Advanced Contract Law
Law Elective
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
LAWS6003Global Business Law
LAWS6008Competition Law
LAWS6010Tax Law
LAWS6005Advanced Property Law
LAWS6007Consumer Law
LAWS6004Litigation and Corporations
LAWS6002Advanced Legal Research
LAWS6009The Law of Corporate Governance
LAWS6006Advanced Intellectual Property Law
LAWS6013Advanced Contract Law


Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Core Units
If admitted without a Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) LAWS6001 Legal Institutions and Processes must be completed prior to commencing any other unit in the Schedule. If admitted with a Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) LAWS6001 Legal Institutions and Processes should not be undertaken.
LAWS6001Legal Institutions and Processes
Elective units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
LAWS6003Global Business Law
LAWS6008Competition Law
LAWS6010Tax Law
LAWS6005Advanced Property Law
LAWS6007Consumer Law
LAWS6004Litigation and Corporations
LAWS6002Advanced Legal Research
LAWS6009The Law of Corporate Governance
LAWS6006Advanced Intellectual Property Law
LAWS6013Advanced Contract Law

Why Law at SCU

5-star rating

We're rated 5-stars for teaching quality and student support

(Good Universities Guide 2023: Law)

Postgraduate experience

We're rated 5-stars for postgraduate overall experience, student support and teaching quality

(GUG 2023)

Entry pathways

Entry pathways available into Bachelor of Laws from the Associate Degree in Law

(Paralegal Studies)

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

Preparing to apply

  1. Check requirements
  2. Get supporting documents ready
  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

SCU Online

International students studying online or outside of Australia

SCU Online

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway