Postgraduate Certificate in Law - The University of Auckland

Programme overview

With the largest range of postgraduate courses in the country, at New Zealand’s top-ranked law school we’ll give you the tools to advance your career.

Our PGCertLaw is designed for professionals from non-legal backgrounds who require some knowledge of legal matters. Professionals such as accountants and auditors, architects and town planners, business development managers, compliance managers, engineers, IT professionals, police and public sector staff have greatly benefitted from this programme.

The programme can also be used by law graduates wanting to bridge the gap to masters-level law study. The PGCertLaw is effectively half of a Master of Laws (LLM) degree or Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree.

Our programme provides 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 PGCertLaw is available throughout the year providing the flexibility you need to accelerate your career.

The PGCertLaw 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.

For more detailed information on courses available see our Postgraduate taught courses page.

If you have any questions you can contact our Postgraduate Student Adviser:
postgradlaw@auckland.ac.nz

Programme structure

The PGCertLaw is made up of 60 points undertaken by coursework.

Students must complete a minimum of 60 points of courses from the postgraduate taught courses schedule (excluding thesis or dissertation courses), alongside Legal Research Methodology and Advanced Writing (LAW 700).

It is possible to complete the programme in one full-time semester (6 months) or take up to four semesters (two years) to complete the programme part time.

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)

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.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2022 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

University of Auckland Another tertiary institution

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 option

Taught 60 points

Grade required

GPA Grade Point Average 4.0

Bachelor of Laws

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Taught 60 points

You must have completed a Bachelor of Laws with a GPA of 4.0 over your most recent year of law courses.

If you don't have an LLB you will need to have completed a four-year undergraduate degree or a three-year undergraduate degree followed by one year of postgraduate study. You will require a GPA of 4.0 over your most recent 120 points of study.

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 option

Taught 60 points

Grade required

GPE Grade Point Equivalent 4.0

Bachelor of Laws
Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

7.0

No bands less than 6.5

See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Taught 60 points

You must have completed a Bachelor of Laws or an equivalent undergraduate degree in law at a recognised university (or similar institution). You will need a GPE of 4.0 over your most recent year of law courses.

If you do not hold an undergraduate degree in law, you will need to have completed a four-year undergraduate degree or a three-year undergraduate degree followed by a year of postgraduate study. Your study must have been completed at a recognised university (or similar institution) and you will need a GPE of 4.0 over your most recent full-time year of study.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Postgraduate Certificate in Law cost per year?

2021 fees

Domestic students: NZ$4,432.20 – $5,210.40*

International students: NZ$19,499*

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 $8.02 per point, estimated at $481.20 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.

See course fees for each faculty

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.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

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

Semester One 2022: 8 December 2021

Semester Two 2022: 4 July 2022

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

2021

Semester One

Starts – 1 March

Ends – 28 June

Semester Two

Starts – 19 July

Ends – 15 November

2022

Semester One

Starts – 28 February

Ends – 27 June

Semester Two

Starts – 18 July

Ends – 14 November

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

For detailed information on courses see our Postgraduate taught courses page.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

The PGCertLaw can enhance your career potential by honing your specialist knowledge and transferable skills. Our graduates combine their legal knowledge with advanced communication, research and analytical skills in a wide range of careers.

Jobs related to this programme

Barrister or solicitor
Financial adviser, strategic policy planner
Mediator
Policy analyst in public or private sector; foreign policy clerk
Resource management officer, property consultant
Tax adviser, auditor, revenue assessment officer

Christopher Johnsen from Norway travelled to the other side of the world to complete his Postgraduate Certificate in Law.

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.

button for easy access to information about this qualification

Do you need help?

Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

Our student support team is here to help. Use our online contact form.

Need to speak to someone?

You can phone us directly.

Auckland: 923 5025
Outside Auckland: 0800 61 62 63
International: +64 9 373 7513

Postgraduate Certificate in Law PGCertLaw

Programme overview

Programme structure