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Graduate Certificate in Law of the Sea

Develop specialised knowledge. Build on your legal skills. Advance your career.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

Applicants can apply directly to UOW. You may be required to have scans or electronic copies of the following documents ready to attach to your application:

  • Academic qualifications relevant to your application
  • English proficiency evidence (if required)
  • Evidence of your citizenship, passport, or permanent residency status

Before you apply, please check the UOW course entry requirements, intake dates, and closing dates for your chosen degree.

International students are encouraged to apply with the support of an approved UOW agent. An agent can help navigate the application process and ensure that you submit all necessary documentation. For your nearest agent, please see our agent list.

Alternatively, if you would like to apply directly (without an agent), you can start the process through our Apply Online portal. Please note, some applicants will not be eligible to apply directly and will be prompted to apply via an agent.

Before starting your application, review the entry requirements, intake dates, and deadlines for your chosen degree at UOW. International students should also be aware of both UOW's general English language requirements and the English proficiency standards required for a student visa.

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

For more details about this course

Australia: 1300 367 869. International: +61 2 4221 3218

Student ?
Domestic
Campus ?
Delivery ?
Distance
Starts
  • Autumn 2025
  • Spring 2025
  • Autumn 2024
  • Spring 2024
Code
UOW: 3141

Overview

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.

See the course handbook for more information. 

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. 

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Careers

  • Barrister
  • Fisheries Policy Advisor
  • Governmental policy development in areas such as Resource Management, Defence, Foreign Affairs and Maritime Trade
  • Lawyer
  • Maritime Policy Advisor
See more

Admissions information

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

    UOW's Woolyungah Indigenous Centre's Indigenous Admissions Program (IAP) offers an alternative pathway for Indigenous Australians aged 17 and over who are seeking entry into an undergraduate course at UOW. Upon completing the IAP, applicants will be considered for admission based on an interview and assessment of both academic and non-academic qualities. For further details, including the application process, please contact Woolyungah Indigenous Centre.

  • Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications

    If you have completed or partially completed studies at an approved university or tertiary institution, you may be eligible for entry to UOW. You'll need to provide academic records, and your course must be at least one-sixth complete. Non-English documents must include an official English translation. For more information, contact the UOW Future Students Team.

  • English language proficiency

    All UOW courses are taught in English and require varying levels of proficiency. If English is not your first language, you must meet the University’s English Language Requirements, which differ by course.

    Accepted international test results include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, and OET for specific health-related courses.

    Alternatively, you can fulfill the requirement by completing an English course at UOW College.

  • Workload
    Full-Time Study Load

    As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 48 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study and practical work & placements.

    Part-Time Study Load

    For part-time students, study hours will vary based on the number of units taken, with similar expectations for class and independent study.

    For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.

  • Record Check

    Questions relating to personal record checks for this degree should be referred to the School of Law.

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

    Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

    UOW values lifelong learning and recognizes various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

More detail

Course fees table
Campus Delivery method Session fee* Course fee*
UOW Online WollongongDistance$12576 (2025)$12576 (2025)
UOW Online WollongongDistance$12576 (2024)$12576 (2024)
Innovation CampusOn Campus$12576 (2025)$12576 (2025)
Innovation CampusOn Campus$12576 (2024)$12576 (2024)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression. These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

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