Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Laws (International Law and Politics), abbreviated LLM(IntLaw&Pols), is a specialist postgraduate degree combining international law with international politics.
• It is designed for students who already have a basic knowledge of law and want to develop specialist expertise in international law and politics.
• The programme is interdisciplinary: teaching is delivered through Te Kaupeka Ture | Faculty of Law and the School of Language, Social and Political Sciences.
• The curriculum focuses on contemporary problems in international law and politics, considering both theoretical significance and practical challenges in the international arena.
• Students complete a substantial dissertation, providing an opportunity to undertake independent research in an international-law-related area.
• UC identifies potential career areas including diplomatic service, specialised legal practice, government, international organisations, NGOs and the military.
• UC also highlights the international nature of the student body, close academic interaction with specialists and opportunities to publish work in international law journals. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme consists of 120 points.

Compulsory components include:

• ILAP613 – Advanced Principles of Public International Law – 15 points
• ILAP614 – Principles and Practice of International Relations and Diplomacy – 15 points
• ILAP640 – Dissertation – 60 points
• Two additional elective courses totalling 30 points.

For 2026, the available ILAP postgraduate courses include:

• ILAP604 – International Criminal Law – 15 points
• ILAP608 – World Trade Law – 15 points
• ILAP612 – International Environmental Law – 15 points
• ILAP613 – Advanced Principles of International Law – 15 points
• ILAP614 – Principles and Practice of International Relations and Diplomacy – 15 points
• ILAP623 – Fintech and the Law – 15 points
• ILAP629 – Special Topic – 15 points
• ILAP634 – International Investment Law and Arbitration – 15 points
• ILAP640 – Dissertation – 60 points.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme's core interdisciplinary areas are:

• International law
• Public international law
• International relations
• International politics
• Diplomacy
• International criminal law
• International environmental law
• World trade law
• International investment law and arbitration
• International human rights and related international legal issues
• Independent legal research/dissertation.

Programme Highlights

• Specialist combination of international law and international politics.
• 120-point master's qualification.
• February or July entry, with February recommended.
• Strong research component through a 60-point dissertation.
• Teaching involving both the Faculty of Law and political science/international relations academics.
• Campus-based study in Christchurch.
• Curriculum connected to contemporary international legal and political issues.
• Opportunity to develop expertise relevant to diplomacy, government, international organisations and specialised legal work.
• UC states that graduates have gone into international organisations, New Zealand Government departments, NGOs, international law firms and academic careers.

Career Outcomes

UC specifically identifies the following potential career areas:

• Diplomatic service
• Specialised legal practice
• Government departments
• Foreign ministries
• International organisations
• Non-governmental organisations
• Military
• International law firms
• Policy and government-related roles
• Academic/research careers.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The programme remains available as a specialist LLM at UC in 2026.
• UC's current programme page lists February and July starts.
• February is recommended.
• The programme is 120 points.
• The 2026 course schedule should be checked carefully because elective availability changes by year.
• UC introduced the Postgraduate Certificate in International Law and Politics as a potential pathway into the LLM. The certificate consists of the same two core ILAP courses plus electives and can provide a pathway to the master's degree.
• International students studying on campus must maintain approved health and travel insurance throughout their enrolment.
• The programme has a relatively high English requirement compared with many postgraduate programmes: IELTS 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this programme in New Zealand generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa.

UC states that students normally need to provide:

• Offer of Place from UC
• Evidence of tuition-fee payment
• Valid passport/identity documentation
• Proof of funds for living expenses
• Evidence of funds for an onward/return ticket or a ticket itself
• Visa application fee
• Medical or chest X-ray evidence where required by Immigration New Zealand.