Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) is a program aimed at high-achieving students in the Bachelor of Laws who want to advance their skills. This program involves completing a research course and a dissertation, and may involve adding an extra semester at the end of the Bachelor of Laws.

Program Details

• Programme code: AK1009
• Level: 8
• Points: 540
• Duration: 4.5 years full-time
• Campus: City Campus
• Starts: 22 Feb 2027

Fees

• Domestic: $11,851.60 (for 120 points)
  • ($10,630 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
• International: $41,821.60 (for 120 points)
  • ($40,600 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
  • Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee.
  • The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year.
  • There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
  • International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition.
  • Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Completed Bachelor of Laws Parts I and II to the academic standard for honours.
• Students will be invited to join the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) programme if they have at least a B+ grade average in their Part II Bachelor of Laws courses.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; or equivalent

What You Study

Parts I and II

• Completion of the Bachelor of Laws to the required academic standard.

Parts III, IV and Additional Semester

• Completion of the Bachelor of Laws and the following Bachelor of Laws (Honours) courses:
  • LAWS890 Research Course
  • LAWS996 Dissertation

Skills You Will Develop

The outcomes for graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) are outlined in the Graduate Profile.

Career Opportunities

AUT law graduates have established successful careers in a range of law firms, immigration consultancies, and commercial establishments. As a lawyer, you might practise in a wide range of legal areas including corporate law, commercial and intellectual property, family law, environmental law, criminal law, taxation, and general practice. Law graduates also move into roles as in-house lawyers, patent attorneys, policy advisors, and senior management roles in business.

Becoming a Barrister and Solicitor

Graduates of AUT's Bachelor of Laws (Honours) are eligible to gain admission as barristers and solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand on completion of their Professional Legal Studies course. To become a barrister and solicitor, you need to:

• Complete the Professional Legal Studies Course
• Obtain a certificate of completion from the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE)
• Obtain a certificate of character from the Law Society
• Be admitted to the roll of barristers and solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand
• Hold a current practising certificate issued by the Law Society

Related Programmes

Bachelor of Laws students will be invited to join the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) programme if they have at least a B+ grade average in their Part II Bachelor of Laws courses.