Course Overview

About This Course

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. International students located offshore are able to enrol and study this course online. Fee subsidised places available 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.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Sydney

Tower 1 'Darling Park, Level 2, 201 Sussex St, Sydney, NSW 2000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Innovation Campus (On Campus): $12890 (2026) total course fee

Intakes

Autumn 2026 | Spring 2026

Study Mode

On Campus

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students

A recognised Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree, or an equivalent qualification.

Work and life experience:

Admission to UOW is primarily based on your academic qualifications, with work or life experience generally not considered. If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, we recommend exploring recognized pathway programs, such as those offered by UOW College or the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC).
For more information, please refer to the UOW Admissions Information page.

Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications:

UOW recognises a range of overseas higher education qualifications. Your qualifications will be assessed for equivalence to Australian qualifications and the admission requirements for this course. Documents issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by 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.

Record Check:

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

International Students

A recognised Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree, or an equivalent qualification.

English Language Requirements:

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Credit (weighted average mark of 65 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing) Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.

IELTS Academic:

Overall Score 6.5, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Listening 6.0, Speaking 6.0

TOEFL (Internet-based):

Overall Score 86, Reading 18, Writing 18, Listening 17, Speaking 17

Record Check:

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

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

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

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB NSW)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

State Legal Admission Authority

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units15 units

SEA 911

Research Project in Maritime Studies

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 904

Maritime Regulation and Enforcement

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 917

Integrated Monitoring, Control and Surveillance

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 912

Minor Thesis in Maritime Studies

Elective — 12 credit points

SEA 922

Law of Naval Warfare

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 923

Maritime Law

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 909

International Marine Environmental Law

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 914

International Fisheries Law

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 910

Selected Topic in Maritime Studies

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 907

Maritime Security Law and Policy

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 925

Australian Fisheries Law and Policy

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 921

Governance of Coastal Fisheries

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 905

Legal Regulation of Shipping

Elective — 6 credit points

SEA 901

Foundations of Ocean Law and Policy

Core — 6 credit points

SEA 902

Law of the Sea

Core — 6 credit points

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pathway into a higher degree after completing the Graduate Certificate in Law of the Sea?

Yes. 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.

Are there any fee subsidies available for domestic students?

Yes. In 2026, domestic students may be eligible for either a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a UOW-subsidised fee reduction of up to 75% off the indicative full-fee paying course fee of $12,890.

Can international students study this course online from offshore?

Yes. International students located offshore are able to enrol and study this course online.

What are the application deadlines for the 2026 Autumn session?

For the 2026 Autumn session, the application deadline for international students is 9 December 2025, and for domestic (direct) students it is 31 December 2025. The session starts on 2 March 2026.

What professional connections does the course offer?

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.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $65,000 to $85,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $85,000 to $120,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $120,000 to $175,000 per year

Career Paths

Graduate Lawyer / Graduate SolicitorSolicitorBarristerIn-House Counsel / Corporate CounselGeneral Counsel

Key Skills

Legal research and case analysisStatutory interpretation and legal reasoningWritten and oral advocacyContract drafting and document preparationCritical thinking and problem-solving

Full Course Overview

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Graduate Certificate in Law of the Sea

About This Course

Available Locations

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Entry Requirements

Domestic Students

International Students

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Hear From the Students