- Duration
- Full-time: half year
- Part-time: Varies
- Next start date
- 2025 Semester One – 3 March
- 2025 Semester Two – 21 July
- Available locations
- City
- Points
- 60
- Programme type
- Undergraduate
Programme overview
This certificate is an excellent choice for law graduates from both New Zealand and overseas who wish to enhance their legal knowledge.
You can focus on an area of specialisation according to your own interests or professional requirements, while updating skills and continuing professional development (it meets the requirements of the New Zealand Law Society's Continuing Professional Development).
Becoming a barrister and solicitor
Overseas practitioners or graduates who wish to be admitted to practise as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand will need to apply to the New Zealand Council of Legal Education to have their overseas legal qualifications assessed.
For more information please visit NZCLE.org.nz.
Programme structure
- 60 points are required.
- The programme is one semester full-time but may be completed part-time (over any duration).
- Students must pass 60 points of law courses from LLB Parts II, III and IV. If a student wishes to enrol in an LLB Part II course, they must satisfy the Grade Point Average required for admission into LLB Part II.
- With faculty approval, in lieu of courses from LLB Parts II, III, or IV, a student may substitute up to 30 points from courses listed in the Master of Laws programme. It will be required for the student to include Legal Research Methodology (LAW 700) with other courses from the Master of Laws programme.
- With faculty approval, a student may enrol in a suitable 15-point course from Stage II or higher in a relevant programme offered elsewhere in the University.
Please ensure that you complete the Law 006 form below to select your courses for the Grad Cert in Law.
Course Selection form for COP, Grad Dip and Grad Cert programmes
Scholarships
Discover the wide range of scholarships available at Auckland Law School for domestic and international students.
Postgraduate pathway
Download the Law postgraduate pathway (407KB, PDF)
Most students need to take one General Education course.
Students should also be aware of the University’s Academic English Language Requirement.
2025 entry requirements
My highest qualification is from:
Programme requirements
You must have completed a Bachelor of Laws or an undergraduate law degree from a recognised university (or similar institution). Law graduates from both New Zealand and overseas are able to apply.
There is no grade requirement for admission into the Graduate Certificate in Law. If you are an international student and are taking undergraduate law courses, whether compulsory or elective, on the recommendation of the Council of Legal Education, you may take those courses for the Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate (but please note that there are limits on enrolments in courses at LLB Part II level).
For more information contact the Student Hubs.
Other pathways to study
You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:
- See if you meet the criteria for the Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (UTAS).
- Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
- If you are under 20, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for discretionary entrance.
- If you can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and maturity, we offer admission to applicants under 16.
Programme requirements
You must have completed a Bachelor of Laws or an undergraduate law degree from a recognised university (or similar institution). Law graduates from both New Zealand and overseas are able to apply.
There is no grade requirement for admission into the Graduate Certificate in Law. If you are an international student and are taking undergraduate law courses, whether compulsory or elective, on the recommendation of the Council of Legal Education, you may take those courses for the Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate (but please note that there are limits on enrolments in courses at LLB Part II level).
For more information contact a Law Student Adviser.
English language requirements
If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English you will need to provide evidence of your English proficiency.
You will require an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with no bands less than 6.5. See alternative English language requirements.
Other pathways to study
You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:
- Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
- If you have an offer of place from us that is conditional on meeting English language requirements, you may be considered for English Pathway courses from the University of Auckland English Language Academy (ELA)
How much does a Graduate Certificate in Law cost per year?
2025 fees
- Domestic students
- NZ$3,871.20*
- International students
- NZ$22,484*
Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $9.24 per point, estimated at $554.40 for full-time study (60 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.
*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.
Find out about financial support information
Scholarships and awards
Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.
Student loans and allowances
Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.
Cost of living
Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.
Key dates
Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.
Application closing dates
- Summer School 2025
- 1 December 2024
- Semester One 2025
- 8 December 2024
- Semester Two 2025
- 4 July 2025
Start dates
Here are the start dates for the programme.
| Summer School | Starts – 4 January |
|---|---|
| Ends – 14 February | |
| Semester One | Starts – 26 February |
| Ends – 24 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 15 July |
| Ends – 11 November |
| Summer School | Starts – 6 January |
|---|---|
| Ends – 19 February | |
| Semester One | Starts – 3 March |
| Ends – 30 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 21 July |
| Ends – 17 November |
Other important dates
See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.
How to apply
Applying for an undergraduate programme? Check out our step-by-step guide.
Where could this programme take you?
A Graduate Certificate in Law is an excellent choice for LLB graduates from both New Zealand and overseas who wish to further enhance their legal knowledge. It enables law graduates to focus on a new area of specialisation, update skills, continue professional development and gain an academic qualification while fulfilling professional requirements required by the NZCLE.
Jobs related to this programme
- Private practice – barrister, solicitor
- Public service – prosecution, defence
- Mediation
- Judiciary
- Law reform
- Private companies – in-house legal counsel, tax, property, management consultant, regulation, compliance, human resources
- Government – policy work, resource management, parliamentary drafting
- Academia – lecturing, research
Student career planning service
Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.
Key Information for Students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Do you need help?
Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?
Need to speak to someone?
You can phone us directly.
- Auckland
- 923 5025
- Outside Auckland
- 0800 61 62 63
- International
- +64 9 373 7513