LLM - Law as a main subject
Main Subject
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.
Studying law is empowering as it affects every aspect of our life. Study Law at the University of Waikato - one of New Zealand / Aotearoa’s leading law schools - and you'll be looking into why laws are made, who makes them, how they work and how to change them.
Apply to enrol
Key information
| Years: | 1.0 |
|---|---|
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): | $7,417 - $9,039 per year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $39,335 (120 pts) per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Postgraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Career opportunities
- Policy Analyst & Advisor
- Mediator and/or Negotiator
- Legal Researcher
- Board Member for Iwi or other organisations
- Local government advocacy
Degree Planner
Papers
Papers available within Law
Prescriptions for the PGCert(Law), PGDip(Law), LLB(Hons), LLM, LLM(Māori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples), and MJur
The PGCert(Law) comprises 60 points, including LEGAL507 and 30 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers.
The PGDip(Law) comprises 120 points, including LEGAL507 and 90 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers.
To complete an LLB(Hons) with either Law as a single major, or Law as part of a double major, students must meet the requirements of those programmes as stipulated above. In addition, the LLB(Hons) includes 60 points chosen from any 500-level LEGAL coded papers excluding LEGAL500, LEGAL504, LEGAL506, LEGAL507, LEGAL509, LEGAL590, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, or LEGAL593. Students enrolling in the Honours programme may be subject to prerequisite and corequisite requirements.
The LLM comprises 120 points, including LEGAL509 and 105 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers.
The LLM may be completed with an endorsement as follows:
For the LLM (Environmental and Climate Change Law) students must complete 60 points from the following papers: LEGAL516, LEGAL520, LEGAL528, LEGAL530, LEGAL531, LEGAL535, LEGAL540, LEGAL556, LEGAL562, LEGAL575, LEGAL576, LEGAL577, LEGAL581, LEGAL589, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, and LEGAL593.
For the LLM(Health Law) students must complete 60 points from the following papers: LEGAL508, LEGAL577, LEGAL585, LEGAL586, LEGAL587, LEGAL588, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, and LEGAL593.
For the LLM(International Law) students must complete 60 points from the following papers: LEGAL516, LEGAL525, LEGAL531, LEGAL534, LEGAL537, LEGAL540, LEGAL544, LEGAL555, LEGAL562, LEGAL569, LEGAL576, LEGAL577, LEGAL581, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, and LEGAL593.
For the LLM(New Technologies and Cyber Security Law) students must complete 60 points from the following papers: LEGAL505, LEGAL520, LEGAL526, LEGAL568, LEGAL574, LEGAL577, LEGAL586, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, and LEGAL593.
The LLM(Māori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples) comprises 120 points, including either LEGAL504 or MAORI570, 60 points from LEGAL505, LEGAL514, LEGAL525, LEGAL540, LEGAL551, LEGAL555, LEGAL569, LEGAL590, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, or LEGAL593, and 30 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers.
The MJur comprises 120 points, including LEGAL507 and 90 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers.
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEGAL501 | Advanced Evidence Law | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Evidence Law. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL504 | Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methodologies | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This paper will introduce students to core Maori, Pacific and indigenous research methodologies, principles, methods and ethics that will equip students for culturally responsive, meaningful and innovative research with Maori, Pacific and indigenous peoples. | |||
| LEGAL505 | Critical Issues in the Treaty of Waitangi in Contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues regarding the Treaty of Waitangi in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL507 | Academic Legal Research and Writing | 30.0 | 24A (Online), 24B (Online) & 24C (Online) |
| This paper will guide students through the principles and process of academic legal research and writing. They will learn how to develop, present and write scholarly work. | |||
| LEGAL508 | Advanced Family Law | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Family Law. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL515 | Advanced Construction Law | 30.0 | 24C (Hamilton) & 24C (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of Construction Law encompassing contracts and dispute resolution for building works, engineering, improvement, renovation, and property maintenance in Aotearoa New Zealand. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL520 | Intellectual Property Law and Policy | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Intellectual Property Law and Policy. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL521 | Advanced Employment Law | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Employment Law. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL523 | Advanced Civil Litigation | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Civil Litigation. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL526 | Legal Aspects of Cyber Security | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues regarding the legal aspects of Cyber Security. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL535 | Advanced Environmental Law | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Environmental Law. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL540 | Critical Issues for Pacific Peoples and the Law | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues for Pacific Peoples and the Law. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL569 | International Law - A Place for Indigenous Rights | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues regarding Indigenous Rights in International Law. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL576 | The Laws of Armed Conflict & International Humanitarian Law | 30.0 | 24G (Hamilton) & 24G (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in the Laws of Armed Conflict and International Humanitarian Law. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL580 | Advanced Banking and Finance Law | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Banking and Finance Law. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL587 | Advanced Health Law | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Health Law. Students complete a supervised research project of up to 12,500 words. | |||
| LEGAL591 | Research Project | 30.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| Completion of a 12,500 word research project regarding a legal research subject that can properly be supervised in the Faculty. | |||
| LEGAL592 | Dissertation | 60.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| Completion of a 25,000 word dissertation regarding a legal research subject that can properly be supervised in the Faculty. | |||
| LEGAL593 | Thesis | 90.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| Completion of a 38,000 word thesis regarding a legal research subject that can properly be supervised in the Faculty. | |||
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Exchange programme and study abroad
Are you keen to study in another country?
Are you keen to study in another country?
Studying law in a foreign jurisdiction is not only valuable on its own merit but it also enables you to re-examine the foundations of the New Zealand legal system through a comparative lens.
In your fourth year of study, you'll have the opportunity to spend one semester of study towards your degree at one of our many partner law schools in Europe, North America or Asia.
To be eligible you must have completed Year 3 Law and have a sound academic record. For more information, contact the Law Student Administrator
University Exchange Programme
If you’re studying a conjoint law degree, you may be able to participate in an exchange from second year onward by studying some non-law papers overseas.
Cultural experience
We have the most diverse and vibrant student body of all law schools in New Zealand.
We have the most diverse and vibrant student body of all law schools in New Zealand. Up to 30 per cent of all our students identify themselves as Māori and nearly 16 per cent come from Pacific background. Nearly 40 per cent of our students are over the age of 25.
The Faculty's three dynamic law student associations: Pacific Law Student Association, Te Whakahiapo (Māori Student Association) and Waikato University Law Student Associations play an important role of fostering great collegial relationships between students and offer plenty of social and learning opportunities.
Our Mentoring Programme will provide extra support. Our Mentors are law students in their senior years. They will provide guidance in your studies, help you to navigate through the transition period from school or previous employment to university study as well as advise you on other services and opportunities available to you on campus.
Subject links
Expand for subject links
Other undergraduate qualifications in law
If you have already gained a Bachelor degree in a subject other than law, you may be interested in our Graduate Diploma in Dispute Resolution (GradDipDr).
Postgraduate Qualifications in law
Graduate or postgraduate study lets you develop advanced knowledge in an area of law that you are passionate about, giving you an edge in the job market.
Typically to be eligible to apply for Master of Laws qualification, you’d need to have gained a Bachelor of Laws qualification.
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Master of Laws in Maori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples Law (LLM(Māori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples'))
- Doctor of Philosophy (Law)
- Doctor of Laws (LLD)
For more information on these and other options, please contact us at Law Reception.
Contacts
Te Piringa Faculty of Law
Law Reception
Phone:
Email: [email protected]
Website:www.waikato.ac.nz/law
Opening hours: 8.30am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday
Location: N Block, Gate 7, Hillcrest Road, University of Waikato, Hamilton