Study options

For ten years The University of Auckland has been spearheading the development of postgraduate education in Law within New Zealand. Most notably, every year the Auckland LLM brings some 18 or so distinguished overseas teachers to teach intensive courses in the programme. By calling on some of the world’s leading law teachers from a range of top Law Schools, and combining their expertise with that of Auckland’s own staff, the Auckland Law School is able to offer an array of talent and course offerings that is not only unmatched in New Zealand but is comparable with the best taught-LLM programmes in the common law world. Frequently, this mix is further enhanced by including in the team of teachers internationally renowned Law practitioners from around the world. It is not surprising, therefore, that the programme attracts many enrolments from abroad, as well as from all parts of New Zealand.

We are offering a wide range of courses in 2012 over the six specializations— Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Right Law, International Law, Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Public Law. Among the overseas institutions from which we have drawn for 2012 teaching are Cambridge University, Oxford University, University of Western Ontario, Vanderbilt University and the University of New Mexico. A full list of courses available in 2012 are available on our Postgraduate website.

You can plan from the beginning of your legal studies to complete both an LLB and an LLM (either fulltime or part-time), and choose courses so as to ensure that the two degrees add up to a coherent and well-balanced whole.

Postgraduate programmes currently offered by the Faculty of Law are the Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Postgraduate Certificate in Law (PGCertLaw) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Postgraduate Certificate in Law
Completion is 1 semester full-time or 2 years part-time. Many students use the Postgraduate Certificate in Law as a pathway to the LLM or MLS if they do not have the entry GPA for the full programme. Students who complete the Certificate with a B average can continue onto the LLM or MLS.

Master of Laws
This programme is designed to provide an advanced level of study to those with a Bachelor of Laws. Completion in 1 year full time or up to 4 years part-time. This programme can be taken by coursework, by research or by a combination of both.

Master of Legal Studies
This programme is for graduates who do not have a law undergraduate degree but whose work involves legal issues and dealing with legislation. The programme has a similar structure to the LLM. Completion in 1 year full time or up to 4 years part time. This programme can be taken by coursework, by research or by a combination of both.

Doctor of Philosophy
Completion in 3-4 years of full time study.
For further information or to request a copy of our prospectus please contact Scott Pilkington, Postgraduate Student Advisor. He can be contacted at s.pilkington@auckland.ac.nz or +64 9 373 7599 Ext 82123.

As an alternative to postgraduate legal study, law graduates may also consider the GradDipLaw and GradCertLaw programmes.