- Duration
- Full-time: half year
- Part-time: Varies
- Next start date
- 2025 Semester Two – 21 July
- 2026 Semester One – 2 March
- Available locations
- City
- Points
- 60
- Programme type
- Postgraduate
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 law and non-law 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, please contact us.
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)
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 60 pointsGrade requiredGPA Grade Point Average 4.0
Bachelor of Laws
Further programme requirements
Taught 60 points
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 60 pointsGrade requiredGPE Grade Point Equivalent 4.0
Bachelor of Laws
-
QualificationIELTS Academic International English Language Testing SystemScore required7.0
No bands less than 6.5
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.
How much does a Postgraduate Certificate in Law cost per year?
2025 fees
- Domestic students
- NZ$5,933.40*
- International students
- NZ$23,141*
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 $554.40 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.
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
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 – 3 March |
|---|---|
| Ends – 30 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 21 July |
| Ends – 17 November |
| Semester One | Starts – 2 March |
|---|---|
| Ends – 29 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 20 July |
| Ends – 16 November |
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 taught courses page.
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
- Policy analyst in public or private sector; foreign policy clerk
- Tax adviser, auditor, revenue assessment officer
- Financial adviser, strategic policy planner
- Mediator
- Resource management officer, property consultant
Christopher Johnsen from Norway travelled to the other side of the world to complete his Postgraduate Certificate in Law.
Read moreStudent 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.
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