The Law of the Sea refers to the international law governing the rights and duties of stakeholders in maritime environments. It involves the rights and obligations of coastal states over adjacent maritime areas, navigational rights and responsibilities, conservation and use of marine resources, and maritime security.
The Graduate Certificate in Law of the Sea is designed to meet the early and mid-career education requirements of legally qualified professionals working in a maritime policy or operational context, or those who intend to pursue a career in a maritime or related field.
This degree provides a broad understanding of the law of the sea and ocean governance and deals with international law and policy issues related to the world’s oceans. It addresses various issues related to the sea, including aspects such as maritime trade routes, its significance as a natural habitat, and its role as a source of both international political tensions and cooperation.
Throughout this degree you will gain a comprehensive understanding of areas such as maritime enforcement, maritime security threats and solutions, marine environmental law, regulation of shipping and marine resources management. As you learn to analyse the legal, political and operational factors that contribute to the development of the law of the sea and maritime policy, you will also devise solutions to gaps in legal and policy frameworks.
One of the benefits for students of the Graduate Certificate in Law of the Sea is the close links that UOW’s Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) has established with a range of government agencies, international businesses and non-governmental organisations in Australia, the Indo-Pacific region and globally, including a long-term relationship with the Royal Australian Navy.
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Law of the Sea you may enrol in the Master of Laws (Law of the Sea) and will be eligible for credit for the four subjects completed within the graduate certificate.
Fee subsidised places available
UOW is offering Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) for all of our postgraduate coursework degrees in 2025. This means the Australian government will subsidise your tuition fees by up to 75%. To be eligible for this fee subsidy, you must meet the following criteria: Be a domestic student, i.e. an Australian or New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or a permanent Australian Humanitarian visa holder.
