New Zealand's universities are known for their high academic standards and robust legal education programs. Institutions like the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Otago consistently rank well globally.
Law degrees from New Zealand are recognized internationally, which can open doors to legal careers in various countries. The New Zealand legal system is based on the English common law system, which is influential and widely understood worldwide.
New Zealand universities employ innovative teaching methods that combine traditional lectures with practical experiences. Moot courts, internships, and real-life case studies are integral parts of the curriculum, providing students with hands-on experience.
The education system in New Zealand is student-focused, with small class sizes and accessible professors. This creates a supportive learning environment where students can receive personalized attention and mentorship.
New Zealand offers a wide range of specializations in law, including environmental law, international law, human rights law, and commercial law. This diversity allows students to tailor their education to their interests and career aspirations.
New Zealand is a multicultural country with a welcoming and inclusive society. Studying here allows students to experience diverse cultures and perspectives, which is beneficial for a career in law, where understanding different viewpoints is crucial.
New Zealand has a vibrant legal community with numerous opportunities for networking and professional growth. Students can engage with legal practitioners, attend seminars and conferences, and participate in law societies and clubs.
New Zealand universities are known for their strong emphasis on research. Students can engage in cutting-edge legal research and contribute to developments in various fields of law.
New Zealand offers post-study work opportunities for international students, allowing them to gain practical experience in the local legal market. This can be a significant advantage in building a legal career.
New Zealand is renowned for its high quality of life, with stunning natural landscapes, a safe environment, and a balanced lifestyle. This makes it an attractive destination for students looking to enjoy a good work-life balance.
Compared to other popular study destinations, New Zealand offers competitive tuition fees and living costs, making it an affordable option for many international students.
New Zealand provides a clear pathway to permanent residency for international students, making it an attractive option for those looking to settle in the country after completing their studies.
University |
Course Programs |
Specializations |
---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, International Law |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Public Law, International Trade, Criminal Law, Environmental Law |
University of Otago |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Health Law, International Law, Criminal Justice, Family Law |
University of Canterbury |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Business and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, International Law, Human Rights |
Waikato University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Indigenous Law, Environmental Law, Commercial Law, Public Law |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM) |
Human Rights Law, Employment Law, Criminal Law, International Law |
Massey University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Business Law, International Law, Public Law |
University of Waikato |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Maori and Indigenous Governance, Environmental and Resource Management Law, Criminal Law |
Lincoln University |
Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Planning |
Environmental Law, Resource Management Law |
University |
Course Programs |
Specializations |
---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, International Law |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Public Law, International Trade, Criminal Law, Environmental Law |
University of Otago |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Health Law, International Law, Criminal Justice, Family Law |
University of Canterbury |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Business and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, International Law, Human Rights |
University of Waikato |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Indigenous Law, Environmental Law, Commercial Law, Public Law |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM) |
Human Rights Law, Employment Law, Criminal Law, International Law |
Massey University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Business Law, International Law, Public Law |
Lincoln University |
Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Planning |
Environmental Law, Resource Management Law |
University |
Course Programs |
Specializations |
---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, International Law |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Public Law, International Trade, Criminal Law, Environmental Law |
University of Otago |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Health Law, International Law, Criminal Justice, Family Law |
University of Canterbury |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Business and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, International Law, Human Rights |
University of Waikato |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Indigenous Law, Environmental Law, Commercial Law, Public Law |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Human Rights Law, Employment Law, Criminal Law, International Law |
Massey University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Business Law, International Law, Public Law |
Lincoln University |
Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Planning |
Environmental Law, Resource Management Law |
University |
Course Programs |
Specializations |
---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, International Law |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Public Law, International Trade, Criminal Law, Environmental Law |
University of Otago |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Health Law, International Law, Criminal Justice, Family Law |
University of Canterbury |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Business and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, International Law, Human Rights |
University of Waikato |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Indigenous Law, Environmental Law, Commercial Law, Public Law |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Human Rights Law, Employment Law, Criminal Law, International Law |
University |
Course Program |
Specializations |
---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
PhD in Law |
Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, International Law |
Victoria University of Wellington |
PhD in Law |
Public Law, International Trade, Criminal Law, Environmental Law |
University of Otago |
PhD in Law |
Health Law, International Law, Criminal Justice, Family Law |
University of Canterbury |
PhD in Law |
Business and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, International Law, Human Rights |
University of Waikato |
PhD in Law |
Indigenous Law, Environmental Law, Commercial Law, Public Law |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
PhD in Law |
Human Rights Law, Employment Law, Criminal Law, International Law |
Institution |
Course Program |
Specializations |
---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
Graduate Diploma in Law |
General Law |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Graduate Diploma in Law |
General Law |
University of Otago |
Graduate Diploma in Law |
General Law |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies |
General Law |
Massey University |
Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Law) |
Business Law |
The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand |
Diploma in Legal Executive Studies |
Legal Executive, Conveyancing, Trust Law |
Institution |
Course Program |
Duration |
Specializations/Focus Areas |
---|---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
Certificate of Proficiency in Law |
1 semester |
Various law subjects |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Certificate of Proficiency in Law |
1 semester |
Various law subjects |
University of Otago |
Summer School in Law |
6 weeks |
Selected law subjects |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Short Courses in Law |
Varies (few days to weeks) |
Employment Law, Contract Law, Human Rights Law |
The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand |
Legal Executive Certificate |
1 year (part-time) |
Legal Executive, Conveyancing |
New Zealand Law Society |
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Courses |
1-2 days |
Professional development for legal practitioners |
University |
Course Programs |
---|---|
University of Auckland |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
University of Otago |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
University of Canterbury |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
University of Waikato |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Massey University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Law) |
Lincoln University |
Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Planning |
University |
Course Programs |
Intake Periods |
---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Semester 1 (March), Semester 2 (July) |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Semester 1 (March), Semester 2 (July) |
University of Otago |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Semester 1 (February), Semester 2 (July) |
University of Canterbury |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Semester 1 (February), Semester 2 (July) |
University of Waikato |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Semester 1 (February), Semester 2 (July) |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
Semester 1 (March), Semester 2 (July) |
Massey University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Law) |
Semester 1 (February), Semester 2 (July) |
Lincoln University |
Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Planning |
Semester 1 (February), Semester 2 (July) |
University |
Course Programs |
Approximate Annual Tuition Fees (NZD) |
---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
LLB: $33,688, LLM: $39,000, PhD: $7,330 |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
LLB: $31,000, LLM: $30,000, PhD: $7,300 |
University of Otago |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
LLB: $31,200, LLM: $32,000, PhD: $7,000 |
University of Canterbury |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
LLB: $30,250, LLM: $28,000, PhD: $7,000 |
University of Waikato |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
LLB: $32,210, LLM: $31,815, PhD: $7,000 |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD |
LLB: $33,065, LLM: $35,000, PhD: $7,200 |
Massey University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Law) |
LLB: $29,000, GradDip: $25,000 |
Lincoln University |
Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Planning |
BEnvPolicy: $28,500 |
University |
Course Program |
Eligibility Criteria |
---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Completion of secondary education with university entrance requirements; English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) |
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
LLB or equivalent degree with good academic performance; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
|
PhD in Law |
Master's degree in Law or equivalent; Research proposal; Academic references; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Completion of secondary education with university entrance requirements; English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) |
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
LLB or equivalent degree with good academic performance; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
|
PhD in Law |
Master's degree in Law or equivalent; Research proposal; Academic references; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
University of Otago |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Completion of secondary education with university entrance requirements; English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) |
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
LLB or equivalent degree with good academic performance; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
|
PhD in Law |
Master's degree in Law or equivalent; Research proposal; Academic references; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
University of Canterbury |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Completion of secondary education with university entrance requirements; English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) |
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
LLB or equivalent degree with good academic performance; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
|
PhD in Law |
Master's degree in Law or equivalent; Research proposal; Academic references; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
University of Waikato |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Completion of secondary education with university entrance requirements; English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) |
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
LLB or equivalent degree with good academic performance; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
|
PhD in Law |
Master's degree in Law or equivalent; Research proposal; Academic references; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Completion of secondary education with university entrance requirements; English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) |
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
LLB or equivalent degree with good academic performance; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
|
PhD in Law |
Master's degree in Law or equivalent; Research proposal; Academic references; English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) |
Massey University |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
Completion of secondary education with university entrance requirements; English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) |
Lincoln University |
Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Planning |
Completion of secondary education with university entrance requirements; English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) |
University |
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility Criteria |
Value/Benefits |
---|---|---|---|
University of Auckland |
Auckland Law School Postgraduate Awards |
Open to domestic and international students; enrolling in LLM or PhD programs |
Up to $10,000 |
|
University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships |
Enrolling in a PhD program; excellent academic record |
Up to $28,800 per annum + fees |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Victoria Master’s by Thesis Scholarship |
Enrolling in a Master's by thesis program; strong academic record |
$15,000 stipend + domestic fees |
|
Victoria Doctoral Scholarships |
Enrolling in a PhD program; excellent academic record |
$27,000 stipend per annum + fees |
University of Otago |
University of Otago Coursework Master’s Scholarship |
Enrolling in a coursework-based Master’s program |
$10,000 |
|
University of Otago Doctoral Scholarships |
Enrolling in a PhD program; excellent academic record |
$30,696 stipend per annum + fees |
University of Canterbury |
UC Master’s Scholarship |
Enrolling in a Master’s program; strong academic performance |
$10,000 |
|
UC Doctoral Scholarships |
Enrolling in a PhD program; strong academic performance |
$28,000 stipend per annum + fees |
University of Waikato |
Waikato International Excellence Scholarship |
Open to international students; enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate programs |
Up to $10,000 |
|
University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarships |
Enrolling in a PhD program; strong academic record |
$25,000 stipend per annum + fees |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
AUT International Excellence Scholarships |
Open to international students; enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate programs |
Up to $7,500 |
|
AUT Doctoral Scholarships |
Enrolling in a PhD program; excellent academic record |
$25,000 stipend per annum + fees |
Massey University |
Massey University Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship |
Open to international students; enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate programs |
Up to $25,000 |
Lincoln University |
Lincoln University International Scholarships |
Open to international students; enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate programs |
Up to $10,000 |
Career Path |
Typical Roles and Responsibilities |
---|---|
Solicitor |
Providing legal advice, preparing legal documents, representing clients in negotiations, ensuring compliance with laws. |
Barrister |
Representing clients in court, preparing and presenting cases, providing specialist legal advice, conducting legal research. |
Legal Consultant |
Offering expert legal advice to businesses and individuals, drafting contracts, advising on regulatory compliance. |
In-House Counsel |
Working within a corporation to handle legal matters, advising on business decisions, managing litigation and compliance. |
Judge |
Presiding over court proceedings, making rulings and judgments, interpreting and applying laws. |
Legal Researcher |
Conducting detailed legal research, preparing reports and legal opinions, supporting lawyers and legal teams. |
Policy Advisor |
Analyzing and developing policies, advising government or organizations, drafting legislation and policy documents. |
Law Lecturer/Academic |
Teaching law courses at universities, conducting legal research, publishing scholarly articles and books. |
Paralegal/Legal Executive |
Assisting lawyers with legal research, document preparation, case management, and administrative tasks. |
Mediator/Arbitrator |
Facilitating negotiations and dispute resolution between parties, conducting mediation or arbitration sessions. |
Compliance Officer |
Ensuring that organizations comply with laws and regulations, conducting audits, developing compliance programs. |
Human Rights Advocate |
Working with NGOs, government agencies, or international organizations to promote and protect human rights. |
Environmental Lawyer |
Specializing in environmental law, advising on regulatory compliance, representing clients in environmental disputes. |
Corporate Lawyer |
Advising businesses on legal matters, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, contract law. |