The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law (GDipEnvLaw) is designed to develop your expertise in a dynamic area of law that is continuing to grow in importance.

It’s available for both law and non-law graduates and is ideal for government professionals, legal practitioners, professionals working in environmental and resources sectors, and those with a broader philosophical or practical interest.

As a student in the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law, you’ll study four subjects from a wide selection that includes a focus on emerging national and international legal issues and practices, such as in water law, climate change law, the management of land subject to native title and general planning and development.

The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law is part of the world-renowned Melbourne Law Masters program.

Students must complete 50 credit points of study from the prescribed list of subjects.

Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction or any prior legal studies or experience are also expected to complete the two-day preliminary subject Australian Legal Process and Legal Institutions.

Subject timing and format

The Melbourne Law Masters program has been designed around the busy schedules of working professionals. Subjects are offered from February to December each year. Most subjects are taught intensively over five days, with some subjects taught for two hours each week during the semester.

Subjects will be delivered either online, on campus, or as a hybrid of both. Subjects delivered online will have a combination of pre-recorded lecture content, live sessions and discussion boards among other resources. On-campus subjects involve interactive, seminar-style classes in the Law Building in Melbourne.

Duration

Full-time students enrol in 50 credit points per semester (or half-year period) and have an expected course duration of six months. Part-time* students enrol in 25 credit points per semester (or half-year period) and have an expected course duration of one year. Semesters without enrolments require a student to apply for a leave of absence.

*Part-time enrolment is for domestic students only. Part-time students may reduce their study load to 12.5 credit points per half-year period and thus have a maximum course duration of two years.

For detailed course and subject information, see the Handbook: Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law.

As a student in the Graduate Diploma of Environmental Law, you’ll develop an advanced understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of environmental law, including:

• An in-depth knowledge of the specialist area of environmental law and associated disciplinary areas
• Detailed knowledge of the complex law, regulation and market-based approaches in the field
• The capacity to identify new laws and/or apply existing law in the rapidly evolving legal context for environmental law
• Advanced understanding of developments in international environmental law

You’ll also develop skills in critical analysis and the ability to interpret and transmit your ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences, including clients.

Many students who complete four subjects towards the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law decide to take four more subjects to complete a Master of Environmental Law.

Applicants must have completed: A degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to legal practice, with a University of Melbourne equivalent score of at least 70, or equivalent

IELTS (academic English Only): 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
TOEFL Internet-based test: 79 + ; Writing 21; Speaking 18; Reading 13; Listening 13;
Pearson Test of English Academic: 58 + no communicative skill below 50
Cambridge English: Advanced/ Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 176 + no skill below 169.