Applying for Law Transfer

Applicants currently studying the LLB at another New Zealand Law School with a minimum of 120pts left to complete may apply to transfer to the LLB at the University of Auckland. Please note that the LLB degree structure varies between universities, meaning not all courses are transferable.

To be considered, applications for LLB transfer must be made online through the ‘Apply Now’ function.

Applications for LLB Part II-IV transfer are considered once a year for Semester One admission. We strongly encourage you to apply no later than 1 October of the year prior to which you are applying.

The last date to apply is 1 December and applications after this date will not be accepted.

If you receive your final grades after 1 December, please email a copy of your unofficial transcript to undergradlaw@auckland.ac.nz as soon as you receive these.

Find more information on applying for LLB Part II and III.

LLB Part I Transfers

Applicants who have not completed LLB Part I may apply for transfer in semester one or two. Please contact Students Hubs or email studentinfo@auckland.ac.nz for advice.

LLB Transfers

Applicants who have completed LLB Part I but have not enrolled for any LLB Part II courses or above are able to apply for LLB Part II under general admission.

Applicants wishing to transfer must meet the following to be eligible to apply for LLB Part II:

• Passed LAW 121G (or equivalent) 
• Passed LAW 131 (or equivalent) with at least a C+
• Passed the required number of non-law courses at Law Part I at another New Zealand Law School:
  • AUT: 60 pts non-law (4x15pt)
  • Canterbury: 75 pts non-law (5x15pt)
  • Otago: 72 pts non-law (4x18pt) or 90 pts (5x18pt)
  • VUW: 75 pts non-law (5x15pt) or 80 pts (4-20pt)
  • Waikato: 60 pts non-law (4x15pt)

LLB Part I Equivalent Courses:

Entry into LLB Part II will be calculated based on your LawGPE. This is a specially calculated (non-standard) grade point equivalent (GPE) which is used for the purpose of admission to LLB Part II. It includes grades from both your law and non-law courses.

LawGPE calculation for transferring applicants will be calculated as follows:

• Equivalent of LAW 121G weighted as 15pts
• Equivalent of LAW 131 weighted as 30pts
• LAW 141 weighted as 30pts if previously attempted
• Up to 90pts equivalent of non-law courses taken in the most recent year of university study at bachelors level

Successful transfer applicants must enrol for LAW 141 Legal Foundations in Semester Two in their first year of admission and pass this course with a minimum C+ for continuation in the programme as well as any outstanding non-law points (minimum 75pts equivalent required).

Find more information on LawGPE, UTAS, and applying and enrolling for LLB Part II.

LLB Part II-III Transfers

Applicants who have completed any LLB Part II courses or above at another New Zealand University may apply for Part II or Part III transfer.

• LLB Part II Transfers - Applicants who have not completed all equivalent LLB Part II courses (Criminal, Public, Torts and Contract) will be considered a LLB Part II transfer.
• LLB Part III Transfers - Applicants who have completed all equivalent LLB Part II courses as well as have minimum 120 points left to complete in the LLB will be considered Part III transfers. 

To be considered for LLB Part II/III transfer, need to have:

• Passed LAW 121G (or equivalent) 
• Passed LAW 131 (or equivalent) with at least a C+
• Passed 75pts or equivalent of university non-law courses at bachelors level or above

UTAS in not available for LLB Part II or III transfers. If there are extenuating and/or unforeseen circumstances which have impacted your studies, you may apply for discretionary hardship.

Entry into LLB Part II will be calculated based on your LawGPE. This is a specially calculated (non-standard) grade point equivalent (GPE) which is used for the purpose of admission to LLB Part II. It includes grades from both your law and non-law courses.

LawGPE calculation for LLB Part II/III transferring applicants will be calculated as follows:

• Equivalent of LAW 121G weighted as 15pts
• Equivalent of LAW 131 weighted as 30pts
• LAW 141 weighted as 30pts if previously completed
• Equivalent of any second-year law courses (Criminal, Public, Torts, Contract) weighted as 30pts each
• Any additional non-law courses taken in the most recent year of university study at bachelors level or above, to make up the minimum balance of 135pts if required.
  

The minimum LawGPE required to be considered for transfer is a LawGPE of 5.00.

The LawGPE required for admission will be determined by the Law Selection Committee in December year prior to admission.

For applications to be assessed in time, all applicants must provide their transcripts no later than 8 December year prior to admission. If you do not receive your final grades by this date, please email undergradlaw@auckland.ac.nz.

Where majority of applicants are still awaiting grades by 8 December, assessment for LLB Part II/III-IV transfer will be postponed until the end of January, year of admission.

• Successful LLB Part II-IV transfers must enrol for LAW 141 Legal Foundations in Semester Two in their first year of admission and pass this course with a minimum C+ for continuation in the programme as well as LAW 298 Legal Research, Writing and Communication if an equivalent has not been completed.

If you wish to have your courses assessed, please submit an application through Apply Now function, upload your transcript along with current enrolments, and email undergradlaw@auckland.ac.nz when you have done so.

Transfer students will only be eligible to apply for Law Honours Programme (LLB((Hons)) upon completion of LAW 141 with the minimum grade requirement of C+, LAW 298, alongside LLB Part II courses and any outstanding non-law courses.

Find more information on applying and enrolling for LLB Part II and III, LawGPA, and LLB(Hons).

LLB Part IV Transfers

Students who have less than 120pts of the LLB left to complete are ineligible for transfer, however, with the written approval of their Dean, final-year law students from other NZ universities may apply to take law electives at the University of Auckland for credit back to their own university under a Certificate of Proficiency (COP).

Find information on Law Electives.

Appeals in Relation to Transfer to LLB Part II-IV

Selection for transfer into LLB Part II-IV is confirmed by the Law Selection Committee and is final. An unsuccessful applicant for transfer to LLB Part II-IV may appeal to the Law School for a reconsideration of their application.

Find more information on Appeals procedure for entry into LLB Part II-IV.

Applicants who are currently studying an overseas law degree are unable to transfer to the LLB at the University of Auckland and have the following options:

1. Complete the overseas law degree and apply for overseas assessment through the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE) to practise law in New Zealand, or
2. Complete the whole LLB degree at the University of Auckland from first year

All first-year law applicants apply for:

• The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Part I
  AND
• Another degree programme for your non-law courses

Find more information on overseas law graduates wishing to practise law in New Zealand, and graduates applying for the LLB.
 

For any help and advice on any aspect of your studies and life at the University of Auckland, contact the Student Hubs or email studentinfo@auckland.ac.nz.