Why Study / Key Benefits

• The University of Canterbury (UC) Master of Laws is a research-focused postgraduate law qualification designed for students who want to develop advanced expertise in a specific legal field.
• The programme offers a choice of more than 40 research topics, allowing students to build specialised knowledge in an area of legal interest.
• Students undertake substantial independent legal research under individual supervision from an academic expert in UC's Faculty of Law.
• UC's Faculty of Law has a long-established research and teaching reputation; it was founded in Christchurch in 1873 and has a strong emphasis on legal scholarship and research.
• The programme can be particularly suitable for students considering advanced legal research, specialist legal work, policy-related roles, academia or further doctoral study.
• UC states that postgraduate study can provide specialist skills, enhanced knowledge, research capability and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline.
• UC also offers a pathway to further research through the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current qualification page describes the LLM as a thesis-based programme:

• Course: LAWS690 – LLM Thesis.
• Research area: chosen by the student, subject to approval and supervisory capacity.
• Thesis length: approximately 35,000–50,000 words.
• Individual academic supervision is provided by a Faculty of Law academic expert.

Disciplines / Specialisations

• The LLM does not have formal majors, minors or endorsements.
• Instead, students select an approved legal research topic.
• UC advertises more than 40 potential research topics/specialised areas.
• The subject area can therefore be tailored to the student's proposed research question, provided the Faculty approves the topic and appropriate supervision is available.
• Examples of legal research expertise represented within UC Law include public international law, law of the sea, international environmental law and other specialist legal areas. 

Programme Highlights

• 120-point Master of Laws.
• More than 40 potential specialised research topics.
• Significant 35,000–50,000-word research thesis.
• Individual supervision by Faculty of Law academics.
• Start available from the first day of any month.
• Full-time completion normally takes 1–2 years.
• In-person study; distance enrolment is not available.
• Opportunity to progress to doctoral research, including a PhD in Law.
• UC's Faculty of Law has a history dating back to 1873 and a strong research orientation.

Career Outcomes

The LLM is particularly suited to students seeking advanced legal research and specialist knowledge. UC identifies benefits of postgraduate study including specialist skills, enhanced knowledge, research capability, entry into specific occupations and potential career progression.

Potential career directions may include:

• Legal researcher
• Specialist legal practitioner
• Legal/policy adviser
• Government legal or policy roles
• Research and academic careers
• Legal consultant
• Specialist roles in areas related to the student's research
• Further doctoral research / PhD

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current LLM regulations came into force on 1 January 2025.
• The current UC qualification page now advertises the LLM as a thesis-based programme with LAWS690 LLM Thesis.
• A research proposal is particularly important for thesis applicants. UC's 2026 International Prospectus says that applicants interested in the LLM by thesis should send a research proposal of approximately 500 words so UC can assess supervisory capacity.
• Admission is not based solely on the B+ GPA: UC also considers the relevance and standard of previous study and availability of suitable supervision.
• Distance enrolment is not available, and students are expected to attend in person unless an exemption is granted.
• There are no formal majors, minors or endorsements.
• UC's latest Faculty of Law information continues to emphasise research, teaching and engagement across a broad range of legal areas.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the LLM physically in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to the student's individual circumstances.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that applicants must:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or hold an acceptable scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Declare that they will hold acceptable medical/travel insurance.
• Meet the other requirements of the student visa.