The Graduate Certificate in Laws (GradCertLaws) at the University of Canterbury (UC) is a 60-point graduate-level qualification designed to broaden and update legal knowledge through advanced 300-level Law courses.
Key benefits for international students include:
Suitable for graduates who already hold a Bachelor of Laws or an equivalent overseas law qualification.
Can broaden knowledge in specialised areas of New Zealand and international law.
UC specifically identifies areas such as international criminal law, Tikanga M?ori, and intellectual property law.
UC states that the qualification can be particularly useful for overseas Law graduates and internationally qualified practitioners who need to complete the academic requirements for admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
Provides a shorter alternative to the 120-point Graduate Diploma in Laws where only four 300-level Law courses are required.
Completed courses may, with approval, be transferred into the Graduate Diploma in Laws.
Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics
The GradCertLaws is not a conventional programme with a fixed sequence of compulsory subjects.
Instead:
Total: 60 points.
Students choose four courses.
All four must be selected from the 300-level Law elective courses available under the Bachelor of Laws.
The proposed programme must be approved by the Executive Dean of Law or delegate.
UC describes possible areas of study including:
International criminal law.
Tikanga Maori.
Intellectual property law.
Other specialised areas of Law available through UC's 300-level Law offerings.
Disciplines / Specialisations
There are no formal majors, minors or endorsements.
The 2026 regulations explicitly state that the Graduate Certificate in Laws has:
No majors.
No minors.
No endorsements.
Instead, students create a specialised study programme through four approved 300-level Law electives.
Possible areas include:
International criminal law.
International human rights.
Tikanga M?ori.
Intellectual property.
Environmental law.
Family law.
Other specialist areas offered within UC's Law curriculum.
Programme Highlights
60-point qualification.
NZQF Level 7.
Six months full-time.
Up to two years part-time.
February or July start.
Four approved 300-level Law courses.
Designed to broaden and upskill legal knowledge.
Suitable for graduates with an LLB or equivalent overseas Law degree.
Alternative entry route for graduates from another discipline with at least three years of related work experience.
Can potentially satisfy the academic component of New Zealand legal admission requirements for internationally qualified lawyers.
Can potentially lead into the Graduate Diploma in Laws.
No majors, minors or endorsements.
First offered in 2025.
Career Outcomes
The qualification is particularly valuable for graduates who already have legal training and want to develop specialist legal knowledge.
Potential outcomes include:
Legal professional seeking additional New Zealand legal study.
Internationally qualified lawyer seeking to meet academic requirements for New Zealand legal admission.
Legal researcher.
Legal policy professional.
Compliance and regulatory roles.
Government and public-sector legal/policy work.
Corporate legal and commercial roles.
Specialist legal support roles.
Further postgraduate Law study.
Latest Updates / Special Requirements
The current 2026 regulations confirm:
The qualification was first offered in 2025.
Regulations came into force on 1 January 2025.
60 points are required.
All 60 points must come from approved 300-level LLB elective courses.
The programme must be approved by the Executive Dean of Law or delegate.
Maximum completion period is 24 months.
There are no majors, minors or endorsements.
Honours, Distinction and Merit are not awarded.
Students who complete the certificate can apply for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Laws.
The certificate can be subsumed into the Graduate Diploma in Laws subject to the applicable approval and credit-transfer rules.
International Student Visa Requirements
An international student studying this qualification in New Zealand would generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa if the programme and enrolment arrangement meet Immigration New Zealand's student-visa requirements.
Current Immigration New Zealand information states:
Visa cost: from NZD 850.
Maximum stay: up to four years.
80% processing timeframe: within 8.5 weeks.
An offer of place from an approved education provider is required.
Students must show they can pay tuition fees or have an acceptable scholarship/financial arrangement.
Students must demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses.
Acceptable insurance is required.
Health, character and genuine-intention requirements apply.
Students must be able to demonstrate arrangements for leaving New Zealand when required.
Applications are submitted online.
INZ strongly recommends applying approximately three months before intended travel.
