Applying for Law Transfer

Applicants currently studying the LLB at another New Zealand Law School, with at least 120 points remaining to complete the degree, may apply to transfer to the University of Auckland’s LLB programme.

Please note that the LLB degree structure varies between universities, so not all courses may be transferable.

Transfer Application Process

•  Applications must be made online through the ‘Apply Now’ function.
•  LLB Part II-IV transfer applications 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 the intended admission.
• The final application deadline is 1 December, and applications received 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 they are available.
   

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 yet enrolled in any LLB Part II or higher courses are eligible to apply for LLB Part II under general admission.

To be eligible for transfer, applicants must need the following requirements:

• 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 based on your LawGPE, a specially calculated non-standard grade point equivalent (GPE) used for admission to LLB Part II. The LawGPE includes grades from both your law and non-law courses.

For transfer applicants, the LawGPE 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 or above.

Successful transfer applicants must enrol for LAW 141 Legal Foundations in Semester Two of their first year of enrolment into LLB part II courses. This course must be passed to continue in the programme, along with any outstanding non-law points (minimum 75pts equivalent required).

2026 Transfer Applicants

In addition to the above requirements, successful transfer applicants will need to complete 15 points of a Waipapa Taumata Rau core course relevant to their degree in their first year of enrolment at the University of Auckland.

Find more information on LawGPE, UTAS, applying and enrolling for LLB Part II, and Waipapa Taumata Rau core course.

LLB Part II-III Transfers

Applicants who have completed any LLB Part II or higher courses at another New Zealand Law School 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 or LLB Part III transfer, applicants must meet the following requirements:

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

Note:

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

Entry into LLB Part II will be calculated based on your LawGPE, a specially calculated non-standard grade point equivalent (GPE) used for admission to LLB Part II. The LawGPE includes grades from both your law and non-law courses.

For transfer applicants, the LawGPE 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.

To ensure your application is assessed in time, all applicants must submit their transcripts by 8 December of the year prior to admission. If you do not receive your final grades by this date, please email  undergradlaw@auckland.ac.nz.

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

Successful transfer applicants must enrol in and pass the following courses during their first year of enrolment into LLB Part II:

• Successful transfer applicants must enrol in and pass the following courses during their first year of enrolment into LLB Part II:
• LAW 141 Legal Foundations (Semester Two)
• LAW 298 Legal Research, Writing and Communication (if an equivalent not completed)

If you wish to have your courses assessed, submit an application Apply Now function. Ensure you upload your transcript and current enrolments, and emailundergradlaw@auckland.ac.nz once you have completed the application.

Transfer students will only be eligible to apply for Law Honours Programme (LLB((Hons)) upon completion of:

• LAW 141 Legal Foundations
• LAW 298 Legal Research, Writing and Communication
• All LLB Part II courses
• Any outstanding non-law courses

2026 Transfer Applicants

In addition to the above requirements, successful transfer applicants will need to complete 15 points of a Waipapa Taumata Rau course relevant to their degree in their first year of enrolment at the University of Auckland.

Find more information on LLB(Hons) and Waipapa Taumata Rau core course.

LLB Part IV Transfers

Students with fewer than 120 points remaining to complete the LLB are ineligible for transfer. However, with written approval from their Dean, final-year law students from other New Zealand Law Schools 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. However, an unsuccessful transfer applicant 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 currently studying an overseas law degree are unable to transfer to the LLB at the University of Auckland. They 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 full LLB degree at the University of Auckland, starting from first year

All first-year law applicants apply for:

• The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Part I, and 
  
• Another degree programme for their 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, visit the Student Hubs or contact us.