University of Cambridge partnership

High achieving Auckland LLB students have the opportunity to commence either a Cambridge LLM or Masters in Corporate Law (MCL) in their last year of their LLB degree. Instead of completing their final semester of law at Auckland, students will undertake either the LLM or MCL. The Cambridge year runs from October to June. For exact dates, consult the Cambridge academic calendar. Upon successful completion, students will be awarded degrees from both institutions.

Cambridge Master of Law (LLM)

The one-year taught Master of Laws (LLM) course offers highly qualified and intellectually outstanding students the opportunity of pursuing their legal studies at an advanced level in a challenging, but supportive, environment. The course, with its rich historical traditions, attracts students of the highest calibre, from both common law and civil law jurisdictions.

For more information, please visit Cambridge LLM.

Cambridge Master of Corporate Law (MCL)

The Master of Corporate Finance (MCL) has been structured to combine academic rigor with a curriculum diverse and flexible enough to allow those seeking to focus on corporate issues in their legal studies to tailor their course selection to fit their own priorities. With Cambridge being a collegiate university, for MCL students the college with which they are affiliated will do much to shape their experience here.

For more information, please visit Cambridge MCL.

Information About the Degree Partnerships

There are two pathways for Auckland law students to participate in this programme 

1. LLB students doing a conjoint degree: 4.5 + 1 Pathway 

The “4.5 + 1” law pathway programme arrangement is to enable participating students from Auckland, who are enrolled in an undergraduate conjoint degree (comprised of an LLB or LLB(Hons) degree and a bachelor’s degree from another faculty) and who have completed the requirements of the non-law degree, to undertake the equivalent of four and one-half years of full-time law study (ie nine semesters) at Auckland and a full academic year in Cambridge. This will entitle students upon successful completion to receive a conjoint degree from Auckland and either a LLM or a MCL from Cambridge.

2. LLB students who already have a bachelor’s degree: 3.5 + 1 Pathway

The “3.5 + 1” law pathway programme arrangement is to enable participating students from Auckland, who are enrolled in an LLB degree or LLB(Hons) degree and who already have another bachelor’s degree, to undertake the equivalent of three and one-half years of full time law study (ie seven semesters) at Auckland and a full academic year in Cambridge. This will entitle students upon successful completion to receive their LLB degree from Auckland and either a LLM or a MCL from Cambridge.

A note for LLB(Hons) students

If you are enrolled in an LLB(Hons) degree at Auckland, you are welcome to participate in the Cambridge Pathways programme. You would follow one of the pathways above and in the semesterfollowing the completion of your Cambridge master’s degree, you would be eligible to undertaken the honours’ dissertation.

Eligibility 

All applicants must:

Applicants for the 4.5 + 1 Pathway (who are not enrolled in honours) must have completed:    

  • 15 points of General Education
  • all 255 points of their non-law undergraduate degree and
  • 345 points of law study including all compulsory courses prior to commencement at Cambridge

Applicants for the 4.5 + 1 Pathway (who are enrolled in honours) must have completed:   

  • 15 points of General Education
  • all 255 points of their non-law undergraduate degree and
  • 365 points of law study including all compulsory courses prior to commencement at Cambridge

Applicants for the 3.5 + 1 Pathway (who are not enrolled in honours) must have:

  • graduated from a bachelor’s degree
  • completed 420 credit points of law study including all compulsory courses prior to commencement at Cambridge

Applicants for the 3.5 + 1 Pathway (who are enrolled in honours) must have:

  • graduated from a bachelor’s degree· completed 440 credit points of law study including all compulsory courses prior to commencement at Cambridge

At the completion of their LLM or MCL, students in both the 4.5 + 1 Pathway and 3.5 + 1 Pathway will be granted a maximum of 60 credit points of unspecified credit, which will be counted towards their elective requirements at Auckland. Students’ marks at Cambridge will not be included in the calculation of the Auckland Law GPA.

Students are advised to seek appropriate course planning advice if they are considering a Degree Partnership as early as possible.

Application Process

Students must consult with the Associate Dean International, Professor David Grinlinton, who will provide each applicant with a Letter of Nomination, prior to applying directly to Cambridge.

  • Application deadlines change year-to-year and are dependent on the programme they are applying for. It is students’ responsibility to check the deadlines and apply at the right time.
  • Students are liable for all non-refundable application fees.

There is no limit on the number of students accepted in the Cambridge Degree Partnership.

On successful completion of the Cambridge LLM or MCL, applicants will receive an unspecified credit equivalent to 60 points, which will appear on their student record and count towards their enrolment at the University of Auckland.  Students are advised to seek appropriate course planning advice to ensure they have sufficient space on their Auckland Law School study plan prior to applying.

Study Costs

  • Students are required to pay the fees for their programme directly to the University of Cambridge and will be fee exempt at the University of Auckland.
  • Students are liable for all remaining travel/transportation, living expenses, textbooks, passport, visa and personal expenses associated with the Degree Partnership during the academic semester abroad.