Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Laws (LLM) is a 120-point postgraduate law qualification designed to be completed in one year. It combines advanced taught law papers with research-oriented study, allowing students to build a programme around their legal interests and career objectives.

Key benefits include:

• Strong emphasis on legal research, legal reasoning and advanced academic writing.
• Small classes that are typically delivered through seminar-style discussion.
• Opportunities for close interaction with academic staff and supervisors.
• Ability to tailor the LLM to areas such as environmental and climate change law, health law, international law, and new technologies and cyber security law.
• Development of skills relevant to legal practice, policy, government, research and business.
• Exposure to M?ori and Te Ao M?ori perspectives within advanced legal study.
• Waikato states that its Law subject is ranked among the top 300 universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings.
• The University is ranked equal 293rd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, placing it in the top 1.5% of universities worldwide.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The LLM structure is flexible rather than a single fixed sequence of subjects.

The core structure is:

• 120 points at 500 level or above
• ALPSS500 or LEGAL507
• 90 additional points from approved Law papers
• At least 45 points from advanced-study papers
• Optional endorsement in one of four areas.

The 2027 Legal Studies regulations list advanced papers including:

• LEGAL501 – Advanced Evidence Law
• LEGAL504 – M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methodologies
• LEGAL505 – Critical Issues in the Treaty of Waitangi in Contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand
• LEGAL507 – Academic Legal Research and Writing
• LEGAL508 – Advanced Family Law
• LEGAL520 – Intellectual Property Law and Policy
• LEGAL522 – Advanced Climate Change Law
• LEGAL523 – Advanced Civil Litigation
• LEGAL525 – Critical Issues in Contemporary and International Indigenous Law
• LEGAL526 – Legal Aspects of Cyber Security
• LEGAL527 – Advanced Issues in Charity Law
• LEGAL528 – Advanced Foreign Investment Law
• LEGAL530 – Advanced Water Law
• LEGAL535 – Advanced Environmental Law
• LEGAL540 – Critical Issues for Pacific Peoples and the Law
• LEGAL544 – Critical Issues in Space Law
• LEGAL550 – Critical Issues in Sports Law
• LEGAL552 – Critical Issues in International Criminal Law
• LEGAL562 – Law of International Trade
• LEGAL582 – Advanced Banking and Finance Law
• LEGAL587 – Advanced Health Law
• LEGAL588 – Advanced Issues in Gender and the Law
• LEGAL590 – Directed Study.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The LLM offers four formal endorsements:

1. Environmental and Climate Change Law
2. Health Law
3. International Law
4. New Technologies and Cyber Security Law.

Examples of the academic areas represented in the 2027 paper list include:

• Environmental and climate change law
• Health law
• International law
• Indigenous law
• M?ori and Pacific legal issues
• Cyber security and technology law
• Intellectual property
• International trade
• Banking and finance
• Family law
• Evidence law
• Civil litigation
• Sports law
• Space law
• Treaty of Waitangi issues
• Gender and law
• Research methodology and legal research.

Programme Highlights

• 120-point Master's qualification.
• Designed for completion in one year.
• Four formal endorsement options.
• Advanced 500-level legal study.
• Strong emphasis on legal research and writing.
• Seminar-style teaching and relatively small classes.
• Hamilton, Tauranga and online paper options.
• Opportunity to study emerging areas such as cyber security, climate change and technology law.
• Opportunity to incorporate M?ori and Te Ao M?ori perspectives into advanced legal study.
• Option to complete the degree without an endorsement.
• Option to pursue further postgraduate research, including a PhD in Law.

Career Outcomes

The University identifies potential career areas including:

• Government departments
• Law teaching and research
• Civil and public service
• Judiciary
• Banking and financial services
• Financial regulation
• International development organisations
• Private legal practice
• Business.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest available regulations confirm several important points:

• The LLM remains a 120-point qualification.
• Students must complete 120 points at 500 level or above.
• ALPSS500 or LEGAL507 is compulsory.
• At least 45 points must come from the advanced-study list.
• Students can take up to 30 points outside the field of the degree.
• The four current endorsements are Environmental and Climate Change Law, Health Law, International Law, and New Technologies and Cyber Security Law.
• An endorsement requires 60 points from the relevant prescribed papers.
• The LLM can also be completed without an endorsement.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the LLM in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that the visa:

• Costs from NZD 850
• Can be granted for up to 4 years
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider
• Requires evidence of sufficient funds for tuition, or a scholarship
• Requires sufficient funds for living costs or an acceptable sponsor
• Requires acceptable medical and travel insurance
• Requires the applicant to be in good health and of good character
• Requires a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand
• Requires evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.