Program Overview

Doctor of Laws

The Doctor of Laws (LLD) is a prestigious degree awarded for an original, substantial, and distinguished contribution to legal scholarship. It recognises the candidate as an international authority and requires a higher level of achievement than a PhD.

Points and Duration

• The total number of points to gain this qualification and how long this is expected to take full-time: 1 year

Locations

• The study locations where the qualification is offered: Hamilton

Area of Study

• This shows which Faculty or School you can study this qualification under: School of Law, Politics and Philosophy

Start Dates

• Which trimester this qualification can be started in: January 2025

Why study the Doctor of Laws?

The Doctor of Laws (LLD) is a higher doctorate, ranking above the PhD, awarded to established scholars who have made an original, substantial, and distinguished contribution to the advancement of legal studies. This prestigious degree is almost always awarded for published works, such as a book or articles in international journals, that establish the author as an international authority in a particular area of law.

The Doctor of Laws (LLD) is recognised for its prestige within the University, New Zealand's legal community, and the international academic world. The level of achievement required is significantly higher than that of a PhD.

If you have at least 10 years of post-LLB experience as a legal practitioner or academic, this doctorate may be suitable for you. The Waikato Faculty of Law welcomes enquiries from potential candidates with backgrounds in:

• Academic teaching and research in law
• Legal research in the public or private sector
• Private legal practice as a barrister or solicitor
• Legal practice in public sector agencies or private companies
• Business management
• Policy analysis in central or local government
• The diplomatic service
• Community agencies
• Consultancy
• Accountancy firms

Degree information

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be a graduate of the University of Waikato or have significant academic association with the University of Waikato. Alternatively, the candidates for higher degree must have qualified for the award of a degree from another New Zealand university or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent. The submitted work must be related to the current teaching and research expertise of the University of Waikato.

Applications should be directed to the Postgraduate Research Committee. For detailed information on the application process for this doctorate, please consult the Regulations for Higher Doctorates.

Fees and scholarships

• Domestic students:
  • Domestic tuition fees: Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
  • Scholarships: Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
• International students:
  • International tuition fees: Not specified
  • Scholarships: Not specified

All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.

Research areas

The University of Waikato offers research opportunities in various areas, including:

• Research institutes, centres and groups
• Research projects
• Find a PhD opportunity
• Find an expert
• Research services and facilities
• Research & Enterprise Waikato
• Research showcase
• Open Research
• Horizon Europe

Student testimonials

• Te Piringa – Faculty of Law promotes the concept of ‘colleagues not competitors’ and I was drawn in by the individualised and ongoing support students receive from their lecturers, tutors, mentors and fellow students. - Grace Walker
• While it’s important to get good grades, it’s equally important to take part in extra-curricular activities that will highlight your unique strengths to employers. - Bradley Sam
• We're all on the same waka while being at University – and the destination is to get off the waka with that little paper and graduation cap. - Tayla Afoa
• The high calibre of academic programmes and lecturers was one of the primary reasons I chose to study here. Waikato is also very strong at promoting teamwork in a safe and supportive environment. - Kale Isaac
• When I looked at where to study law, I found Waikato to be the best law school in that it was leading the way in diversity and Māori law and it offered everything I needed. - Courtney Dick