Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Laws Program

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) program at the University of Waikato is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the New Zealand legal system and its major institutions and procedures. The program is taught by some of New Zealand's leading scholars and advisors, who have expertise in various areas of law.

Program Structure

The LLB program is a four-year degree that consists of a combination of compulsory and elective papers. The program is structured as follows:

• Year 1: Students complete a range of compulsory papers, including Legal Method A, Legal Method B, and Legal Systems & Societies.
• Year 2: Students complete additional compulsory papers, including Public Law, Jurisprudence, Contracts, and Torts.
• Year 3: Students complete compulsory papers, including Crimes, Corporate Entities, Dispute Resolution, Land Law, and Equity and Succession.
• Year 4: Students complete a range of elective papers, including any 400-level LEGAL paper.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the LLB program, students must meet the University's admission requirements, which include:

• NCEA University Entrance
• Admission at entrance level
• Discretionary entrance
• University Entrance prior to 2015
• Special admission Students must also meet the additional requirements for entry to Law, which include:
• NCEA Level 3 Certificate endorsed with Merit or Excellence
• A written statement outlining academic achievement, work experience, school and community involvement

Fees and Scholarships

The estimated fees for the LLB program are $8,204 per year for domestic students. Scholarships are available, and students can visit the University's Scholarship finder for more information.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of the LLB program have a comprehensive knowledge of the New Zealand legal system and its major institutions and procedures. They are also knowledgeable about the sources of law and its development, and have high-level oral and written communication skills. Graduates are eligible to complete the Professional Legal Studies (PLS) course to be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor to practice law in New Zealand.

Research Areas

The University of Waikato has a range of research areas, including:

• Arbitration and mediation
• Corporate law
• Environmental law
• Family law
• Human rights
• Intellectual property
• International trade
• Law and information technology
• Māori land law
• Natural resources law
• Public international law
• The Treaty of Waitangi in contemporary Aotearoa/New Zealand

Exchange Program and Study Abroad

The University of Waikato has an exchange program that allows students to study at one of its many partner law schools in Europe, North America, or Asia. Students can spend one semester of study towards their degree at a partner law school.

Law Degree Regulations

The LLB degree regulations and LLB (Hons) degree regulations are available on the University's website.

What Our Law Students Are Saying

Our law students have praised the program for its comprehensive coverage of the New Zealand legal system, its experienced and supportive lecturers, and its range of elective papers. They have also appreciated the opportunity to participate in the University's exchange program and study abroad.

Accreditation

The University of Waikato's Faculty of Law is accredited by the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand. This means that students who complete the LLB program are automatically eligible to become members of this professional organization and can specialize in arbitration and mediation.

Practicing Law in New Zealand

The Waikato Bachelor of Laws degree is approved by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE). After graduating with the degree, students are eligible to complete the Professional Legal Studies (PLS) course to be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor to practice law in New Zealand.

Personalize Your Law Degree

Students can personalize their law degree by taking a second major in almost any other undergraduate subject offered at the University of Waikato. They can also choose to study a range of optional law papers, including advocacy, competition law, corporate securities and finance, employment law, environmental law, family law, human rights, intellectual property, international trade, law and information technology, Māori land law, mediation, natural resources law, public international law, and the Treaty of Waitangi in contemporary Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Study a Law Degree in Tauranga

From 2023, all four years of the degree can be studied at the University of Waikato's Tauranga campus.

Bachelor of Laws with Honours

If students obtain a B+ average grade for all their papers in their law degree, they may have the opportunity to study for the honours degree. The selection for this program takes place at the end of the second year of law.

Graduate Study Options

If students have already gained a Bachelor's degree in a subject other than law, they may be interested in the University's Graduate Diploma in Dispute Resolution (GradDipDr). The University also offers a range of other graduate study options, including the Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Laws in Māori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples' Law (LLM(Māori/Pacific/Indigenous)), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), and Doctor of Laws (LLD).