Passing of former University Chancellor
Gerald Bailey’s involvement with the University of Waikato began in 1987.
Why study Law?
Study in one of the leading law schools in New Zealand. Look deeper to find out why laws are made, who made them, how they work and how to change them.
The Bachelor of Laws degree is the professional qualification and pathway to legal practice and to a wide range of other career options for law graduates in business, non-governmental organisations and public service.
Top 251-300 according to the 2025 QS Subject rankings
Commitment to research
Real admission to the LLB; colleagues not competitors
Learn from award winning professors
Apply to study with us
Law Student for a Day
Are you curious about pursuing a career in law? Experience firsthand what it is like to be a law student at the University of Waikato at the next Law Student for a Day event.
The event will take place again in 2025. Thank you to those who attended the 2024 event.
Study with us
Entry into PhD and Doctoral programmes
LLB
Bachelor of Laws
Our Bachelor of Laws degree (4years fulltime or 4.5years with Honours) qualifies students to practice as New Zealand Lawyers
4 years
Hamilton, Tauranga
Dip(Law)
Diploma in Law
Our Diploma in Law (2years fulltime) provides a way for students to study Law in a staged way to graduate with our Diploma or transfer to our degree programs in Law
1 year
Hamilton, Tauranga
GradDip
Graduate Diploma Dispute
1 year
BA
BA - Law as a major
Interested in learning about the Law, but not becoming a Lawyer? Want to also develop interests in the humanities, language, and creativity? Check out our 3-year Law BA programme.
3 years
Hamilton, Tauranga
BSocSc
BSocSc - Law as a Major
Interested in learning about the Law, but not becoming a Lawyer? Want to develop your research skills and consider the societal impacts of human systems? Check out our 3-year Law BSocSc programme.
3 years
Hamilton, Tauranga, Online
BCC
BCC - Law as a Major
Interested in learning about the Law, but not becoming a Lawyer? Want to develop your understanding of climate change and lead future climate solutions? Check out our 3-year Law BCC programme.
3 years
Hamilton
6 reasons to study with us
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Waikato provides guaranteed entry into Law 2
Based on academic merit for all students who pass their Law 1 exams
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Te Ao Māori concepts
Waikato is unique in embedding Te Ao Māori concepts (including tikanga Māori) in all Law papers
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Guaranteed entry into LLB Hons
For students who achieve an A–GPA
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Future employability
Waikato is unique in its commitment to the future employability of our students by offering papers in key areas of legal practice identified by the New Zealand Law Society every year
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Qualified arbitrators and mediators upon graduation
Waikato LLB students qualify as arbitrators and mediators (AMNIZ) on graduation
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LLB double major degree
Waikato is the only New Zealand law school to offer the LLB double major degree
Quality of training
Experience a modern approach to studying law that is critical to a successful law graduate in today’s rapidly changing world.
Meet some of our students
Law
Enhance your legal expertise with our postgraduate degrees in Law. Our programmes offer rigorous training in legal theory and practice, preparing you for a successful career in law and the legal sector.
LLM
Master of Laws
With a one-year Master of Laws qualification from the University of Waikato you can tailor your programme through a selection of taught papers and/or research thesis.
1 year
Hamilton, Tauranga, Online
MLS
Master of Legal Studies
The Master of Legal Studies degree emphasises creativity, communication, critical analysis, applied knowledge and problem solving in a variety of specialist disciplines.
1.5 years
Hamilton, Tauranga, Online
MJUR
Magister Juris
With a one-year Magister Juris qualification from the University of Waikato you can tailor your programme through a selection of taught papers.
1 year
Hamilton, Tauranga, Online
For practicing lawyers our LLM degree satisfies the requirements for New Zealand Law Society CPD points.
The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree is for graduates with no prior legal study. It is designed for professionals who wish to add advanced studies in Law as part of their skill set. This degree emphasises creativity, communication, critical analysis, applied knowledge and problem solving in a variety of specialist disciplines.
Te Piringa Faculty of Law 30th Anniversary
Te Piringa Faculty of Law is immensely proud to be celebrating its 30 year anniversary, and 30 years of New Frontiers
Latest News
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Pacific Scholar in Residence returns to where it all began at Waikato
Meet the University's first-ever Pacific Scholar in Residence, Professor Fui Asofou So’o.
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A law change will expand who we remember on Anzac Day – the New Zealand Wars should be included too
Professor Alexander Gillespie asks whether the Anzac Day Amendment Bill goes far enough in this piece for The Conversation.
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The government plans to regulate carbon capture technologies – but who will be the regulating agency?
In this article for The Conversation Professor of Law Barry Barton critiques New Zealand's plans for carbon capture and storage, urging clear legislation and regulation.