Programme overview
When you embark on a Law degree you will develop analytical, communication and research skills. You will also build your understanding of legal ethics, professional responsibility and the role that law plays in society.
Auckland Law School is the top-ranked law school in Aotearoa New Zealand and one of the best law schools in the world (QS World University Rankings in Law).
Conjoint programmes let you pursue two undergraduate bachelors degrees at the same time.
Learn more about conjointsProgramme structure
The LLB is a four-year degree programme made up of 480 points.
The LLB includes a combination of compulsory law courses, elective law courses, non-law courses from another degree programme, and one General Education course.
In your first year, you will take LAW 121G Law and Society alongside three non-law courses in Semester One and LAW 131 Legal Method, LAW 141 Legal Foundations and two non-law courses in Semester Two. A 15-point General Education Course may be counted as a non-law course.
To plan and complete your degree successfully, you need to be proactive about finding information, and seeking advice from the Student Hubs to make sure you're on track.
Find out more about individual law courses, LLB Degree Planning, LLB Part I Degree Planning, and LLB Part II-IV Degree Planning.
Scholarships
Discover the wide range of scholarships available at Auckland Law School for domestic and international students.
Most students need to take one General Education course.
Students should also be aware of the University’s Academic English Language Requirement.
Sample programme structure
Part I 120 points
-
- Code:
- LAW 121G
- Name:
- Law and Society
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Non-Law
- Type:
- Courses for other non-Law degree
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Non-Law
- Type:
- Courses for other non-Law degree
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Non-Law
- Type:
- Courses for other non-Law degree
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- LAW 131
- Name:
- Legal Method
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- LAW 141
- Name:
- Legal Foundations
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Non-Law
- Type:
- Courses for other non-Law degree
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- General Education
- Type:
- General Education course
- Points:
- 15 pts
Part II 130 points
-
- Code:
- LAW 298
- Name:
- Legal Research, Writing and Communication
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 10 pts
-
- Code:
- LAW 201
- Name:
- Criminal Law
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
-
- Code:
- LAW 211
- Name:
- Public Law
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
-
- Code:
- LAW 231
- Name:
- Law of Torts
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
-
- Code:
- LAW 241
- Name:
- Law of Contract
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
Part III 125 points
-
- Code:
- LAW 301
- Name:
- Land Law
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 20 pts
-
- Code:
- LAW 306
- Name:
- Equity
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 20 pts
-
- Code:
- LAW 316
- Name:
- Jurisprudence
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- LAW 458
- Name:
- Legal Ethics
- Type:
- Elective course. Required course if you intend to practice law as a barrister/solicitor.
- Points:
- 10 pts
-
- Name:
- Law elective courses
- Type:
- Elective course
- Points:
- 60 pts
Part IV 105 points
-
- Code:
- LAW 498
- Name:
- Advanced Legal Research, Writing and Communication
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 0 pts
-
- Name:
- Law elective courses
- Type:
- Elective course
- Points:
- 105 pts
2024 entry requirements
My highest qualification is from:
Entry to Part I
If you have achieved the New Zealand University Entrance (UE) standard, and are admitted unconditionally to another programme at the University, you will be admitted to LLB Part I.
If you are a graduate, or already enrolled in another University of Auckland bachelors degree programme, you will be admitted to LLB Part I.
Entry requirements for admission into conjoint programmes with Law are higher than those for single degree programmes. Find out more about conjoint degrees with Law including a list of available conjoints here.
Graduate admission to Part I
University graduates who wish to apply for the LLB degree can view their options here.
Part I LLB Part I Transfer
Applicants who have not completed LLB Part I may apply for transfer in Semester One or Semester Two. For advice, please visit the Student Hubs or submit an online enquiry.
Entry to Part II
Places in LLB Part II are limited and all applicants must go through a selection process. There is also an enrolment limit on each of the LLB Part II courses. You will be selected on the basis of academic merit. Your Part I results as well as your results from your other university courses will be used to assess whether or not you will be selected for Part II.
There is no direct entry from secondary school into LLB Part II.
To be considered for selection into LLB Part II, you need to have:
- Passed LAW 121G
- Passed LAW 131 and LAW 141 (or their equivalent at another New Zealand law school) with at least a C+
AND
- Gained at least 75 points (or the equivalent) of non-law university degree courses.
- Passed all eight courses (120 points) with an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (C+).
The minimum grade requirement mentioned may change each year.
Entry into LLB Part II will be calculated on the basis of your LawGPA. This is a specially calculated (non-standard) GPA which is used for the purpose of admission to LLB Part II. It includes grades from both your law and non-law courses.
The LawGPA required for admission will be determined by the Law Selection Committee in December year prior to admission.
The minimum LawGPA required for selection into LLB Part II can vary from year to year, depending on the number of applicants. In recent years the minimum grade required has been between a GPA of 5.0–6.7 (equivalent to a grade between a B and a B+).
Students with a LawGPA of 6.50 or higher (equivalent to a grade midway between A- and B+) will be guaranteed entry into LLB Part ll. Students with a LawGPA less than 6.50 will still be considered for selection into LLB Part ll.
Find information on applying for LLB Part II, please visit Applying for LLB Part II.
If you have completed study at another institution, you may want to read Applying for Law Transfer.
For other questions you may have, please see Frequently asked questions.
UTAS admission to Part II
Our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (UTAS) reserves a number of places in the LLB Part II programme for eligible tauira Māori, Pasifika students and applicants from some equity groups. If you are eligible for UTAS, have completed LLB Part I and believe you can achieve at least a C+ average, you may consider applying for LLB Part II through the Scheme. Find out more by visiting the Law UTAS page.
Please note: Entry requirements may change each year.
Graduate admission to Part II
Graduate applicants who have sat the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or completed at least three papers in Commercial Law in stage III or higher (e.g., under a BCom or MBA), with at least a B+ average, may use these to measure legal aptitude in place of the LLB Part I courses. For more information the Law School Admission Test, please see LSAT.
If approved, you must take the LLB Part I and II law courses concurrently in the first academic year of your Law studies and pass these with the minimum grade requirements. For more information, please see Graduates applying for the LLB.
LLB Transfers
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. For more information, please visit Applying for Law Transfer.
Transfer of credit
You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your Application for Admission. For more information, see External transfer of credit.
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 20 on or before the first day of semester, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for special admission.
- 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.
Entry to Part I
If you are a graduate, or already enrolled in another University of Auckland bachelors degree programme, you will be admitted to LLB Part I.
Entry requirements for admission into conjoint programmes with Law are higher than those for single degree programmes. Find out more about conjoint degrees with Law including a list of available conjoints. To access this list, please visit Conjoint degrees with Law.
Graduate admission to Part I
University graduates who wish to apply for the LLB degree can view their options by visiting Graduates applying for the LLB.
If you demonstrate legal aptitude (eg, by having a good Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score) you can apply for admission to LLB Part I and LLB Part II concurrently. You should email a student adviser in the Law School to discuss the best entry pathway for you.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.0, no bands less than 5.5. See alternative English language requirements.
Entry to Part II
Places in LLB Part II are limited and all applicants must go through a selection process. There is also an enrolment limit on each of the LLB Part II courses. You will be selected on the basis of academic merit. Your Part I results as well as your results from your other university courses will be used to assess whether or not you will be selected for Part II.
There is no direct entry from secondary school into LLB Part II.
To be considered for selection into LLB Part II, you need to have:
- Passed LAW 121G with at least a B- (C+ for students applying under UTAS schemes) (This grade may change each year).
- Passed LAW 131 and LAW 141 (or their equivalent at another New Zealand law school) with at least a C+ (This grade may change each year).
AND
- Gained at least 75 points (or the equivalent) of non-Law university degree courses.
- Passed all eight courses (120 points) with an overall average Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (C+).
Entry into LLB Part II for 2021 will be calculated on the basis of your grades in LAW 121G, LAW 131 and LAW 141, plus your most-recent, best 75 points from non-Law courses. The Selection Committee meets in late-December 2020.
If you have repeated one or more courses of LLB Part I (LAW 121G, LAW 131, LAW 141), the best grade you have received for these three courses will be factored into the calculation of the Law GPA. The other grades you have received for the three law courses in LLB Part I will be disregarded.
The overall average grade required for selection into LLB Part II can vary from year to year, depending on the number of applicants. In recent years the minimum grade required has been between a GPA of 5.0–6.7 (equivalent to a grade between a B and a B+).
For 2021, students with a Law GPA of 6.5 or higher (equivalent to a grade midway between A- and B+) will be guaranteed entry into LLB Part II. Students with a Law GPA of less than 6.5 will still be considered for selection into LLB Part II.
Please note: Entry requirements may change each year.
Graduate Admission to LLB Part II
If you are a graduate of an overseas university you will still need to pass the three Part I courses LAW 121G (Law and Society), LAW 131 (Legal Method) and LAW 141 (Legal Foundations) before applying for admission to Part II. Graduates may be eligible to take all three courses concurrently in the second semester. Please contact the LLB Part l student adviser for advice at undergradlaw@auckland.ac.nz.
You will be selected into Part II on the basis of your grades in LAW 121G, LAW 131 and LAW 141 plus your best 75 points (or equivalent) from your most recent year of university study. (Note: a typical full-time year of study at the University of Auckland is 120 points).
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 7.0, 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)
- If you are 20 on or before the first day of semester, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for special admission.
How much does a Bachelor of Laws cost per year?
2024 fees
- Domestic students
- NZ$7,304.40*
- International students
- NZ$43,239*
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 $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,065.60 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
The closing date for Bachelor of Laws Part ll is 1 December 2024.
Please note that you can only start Part II in Semester One.
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 One 2025
- 8 December 2024
- Semester Two 2025
- 4 July 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 |
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 law degree prepares you for a wide range of professions in the legal industry and beyond. A law degree will arm you with many transferable skills, including knowledge of the law and its implications, a sense of justice and public responsibility, analytical, research and communication skills, and an ability to flourish under pressure. A degree from the University of Auckland Law School is well-respected. In any given year, about half of our graduates are employed in New Zealand law firms, while the other half begin their careers in other professional organisations. These include accounting and consulting; business and industry; national and local government; teaching, research and journalism; and international, environmental and other non-governmental areas. Our graduates can practice law in New Zealand and worldwide – many former students work for leading law firms in London, New York, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other major cities. Some of our top students go on to study our LLM, MTaxS and PhD degrees. Auckland Law School also offers one of the most extensive postgraduate programmes in the country.
Jobs related to this programme
- Private practice – barrister, solicitor
- Public service – prosecution, defence
- 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.
To discover even more careers that are possible with a Law degree, explore our conjoint options.
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