- Duration
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time: Varies
- Next start date
- 2025 Semester One – 3 March
- 2025 Semester Two – 21 July
- Available locations
- City
- Points
- 120
- Programme type
- Postgraduate
- Taught & research options available
Programme overview
Our LLM is designed exclusively for law degree holders to provide an advanced level of flexible legal study for both full-time and part-time students. You can study while you work to keep up the momentum or go full-time to get to the next level even faster. Entry to the LLM is available throughout the year providing the flexibility you need to accelerate your career.
The LLM also permits cross-disciplinary study in the form of one or two masters courses (up to 30-points) from another faculty at the University of Auckland. It also provides skills in legal research methodology for those without advanced skills in this area.
With over 30 taught courses to choose from you can concentrate your study in particular areas of specialisation or study a broad range of legal subjects.
The LLM can be undertaken by coursework, research or a combination of both.
* 1 December start is available for the 120-point research masters program only, subject to supervisor availability.
Taught (coursework) masters
This programme allows you to study specific areas of law in greater depth and complexity than at an undergraduate level. The programme offers courses that provide detailed analyses of particular areas of law, as well as courses that are more policy-oriented. Each course contains a significant research component, usually in the form of a 12,500-word research essay for 30-point courses. For more detailed information on courses available see our Postgraduate taught courses page.
Research masters
This programme allows you to conduct in-depth study in an area of personal interest to enhance employment opportunities either professionally or academically. For more detailed information on research see our Postgraduate research options page.
Postgraduate specialisations
Specialisation is optional but you can choose to have your LLM awarded in one of our six specialisation areas: Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, International Law, Litigation and Dispute Resolution or Public Law.
You must complete a minimum of 90 points (made up of approved taught courses, a dissertation, thesis or research portfolio) in one of the six specialisations for the degree to be conferred with an endorsement in that particular area.
Watch: Hear from staff and alumni on the Master of Laws programme.
For more information contact our Student Hubs studentinfo@auckland.ac.nz
Programme structure
The LLM is made up of 120 points undertaken by coursework, research or a combination of both.
Taught masters (LLM by coursework)
A taught masters can be structured in the following three ways:
120 points of taught courses
OR
90 points of taught courses and a 30-point dissertation
OR
105 points of taught courses and 15-point supervised research
- All three options are to be completed in two full-time semesters (1 year) or eight part-time semesters (4 years).
Research masters (LLM by 120-point thesis)
120-point thesis (40,000 words).
- To be completed in two full-time semesters (1 year) or four part-time semesters (2 years).
Combination of taught and research masters (LLM by 90-point thesis)
30 points of taught courses, dissertation or supervised research and a 90-point thesis (30,000 words).
- To be completed in two full-time semesters (1 year) or four part-time semesters (2 years).
Flexible study
We understand that personal, family and work commitments are important factors when deciding whether to study, so we offer options to fit with your lifestyle:
- Full-semester courses taught in the early evening once a week
- Half-semester courses taught for six weeks of the semester in the early evening once a week
- Intensively-taught courses over three to five days (usually incorporating a weekend break, ie Weds, Thurs, Fri, Mon, Tue)
- Independent research 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)
You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.
2025 entry requirements
My highest qualification is from:
Programme requirements
Minimum programme requirements
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.
-
Study optionTaught 120 pointsGrade requiredGPA Grade Point Average 5.0
Bachelor of Laws
-
Study optionResearch 120 pointsGrade requiredGPA Grade Point Average 5.0
Bachelor of Laws
Further programme requirements
Select your study option:
You must have completed a Bachelor of Laws with a GPA of 5.0.
You must have completed a Bachelor of Laws with a GPA of 5.0.
Other pathways to study
If you have completed a Bachelor of Laws or an undergraduate law degree but you do not meet the grade requirements for direct admission into the Master of Laws programme you may apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Law (PGCertLaw) pathway.
Under the PGCertLaw, you must complete at least 60 points of postgraduate law courses, with a B average, to gain admission into the LLM programme. The 60 points completed under the PGCertLaw will be re-assigned to the LLM programme.
Programme requirements
Minimum programme requirements
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.
-
Study optionTaught 120 pointsGrade requiredGPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0
Bachelor of Laws
-
Study optionResearch 120 pointsGrade requiredGPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0
Bachelor of Laws
-
QualificationIELTS Academic International English Language Testing SystemScore required7.0
No bands less than 6.5
Further programme requirements
Select your study option:
You must have completed a Bachelor of Laws or an undergraduate law degree from a recognised university (or similar institution) with a GPA of 5.0.
You must have completed a Bachelor of Laws or an undergraduate law degree from a recognised university (or similar institution) with a GPA of 5.0.
Other pathways to study
If you have completed a Bachelor of Laws or an undergraduate law degree from a recognised university (or similar institution) but do not meet the grade requirements for direct admission into the Master of Laws programme you may apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Law (PGCertLaw) pathway.
Under the PGCertLaw, you must complete at least 60 points of postgraduate law courses, with a B average, to gain admission into the LLM programme. The 60 points completed under the PGCertLaw may then be re-assigned to the LLM programme.
How much does a Master of Laws cost per year?
2025 fees
- Domestic students
- NZ$11,866.80*
- International students
- NZ$46,282*
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 $1,108.80 for full-time study (120 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
1 December start available for 120-point research masters only, subject to supervisor availability.
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
- Semester Two 2024
- 4 July 2024
- Late Year Semester 2024
- 22 November 2024
- Late Year Semester 2025
- 11 November 2025
Start dates
Here are the start dates for the programme.
| Semester One | Starts – 26 February |
|---|---|
| Ends – 24 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 15 July |
| Ends – 11 November | |
| Late Year Term | Starts – 1 December |
| Ends – 1 March |
| Semester One | Starts – 3 March |
|---|---|
| Ends – 30 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 21 July |
| Ends – 17 November | |
| Late Year Term | Starts – 1 December |
| Ends – 1 March |
Other important dates
See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.
For detailed information on courses see our Postgraduate course timetable and descriptors page.
Where could this programme take you?
The detailed analyses of particular areas of law, as well as courses that are more policy-oriented, make the LLM taught (coursework) an effective pathway to take your legal knowledge and transferable skills to the next level. The in-depth study required in the LLM by research can enhance employment opportunities either professionally or academically.
Jobs related to this programme
- Academic, teaching
- Barrister, solicitor
- Financial adviser, strategic policy planner
- Foreign policy official
- Policy analyst in public or private sector
- Research counsel
- Tax adviser, auditor, revenue assessment officer
- Resource management officer, property consultant
A Legal Advisor for the New Zealand Defence Force completing his LLM part time.
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- 923 5025
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- 0800 61 62 63
- International
- +64 9 373 7513