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PGDip - Law as a subject

Postgraduate diplomas provide the opportunity for continuing professional development in the same area as an original degree. A postgraduate diploma can often lead to a masters degree.

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.


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Key information

Entry Requirements:

Entry usually requires a bachelors degree (or equivalent) and an advanced level of study in your subject area.

Year: 1.0
Points: 120 points
Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Estimated Fees* (International): $34,085 - $43,575 per year
Entry Requirements: Postgraduate International
Area of Study:
*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

Prescriptions for the PGCert(Law/LS), PGDip(Law/LS), LLB(Hons), LLM, LLM(Māori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples), MJur and MLS

The PGCert(Law) comprises 60 points, including LEGAL507 and 30 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers.

The PGCert(LS) comprises 60 points, including LEGAL506 and LEGAL507.

The PGDip(Law) comprises 120 points, including LEGAL507 and 90 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers.

The PGDip(LS) comprises 120 points, including LEGAL506, LEGAL507 and 60 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers excluding LEGAL590, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, or LEGAL593.

The LLB(Hons) includes 60 points chosen from any 500-level LEGAL coded papers excluding LEGAL500, 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.

The MLS comprises either 180 points or 120 points (see qualification regulations):

a) Including, for candidates who have not completed an LLB degree, LEGAL506 and LEGAL507 and either 120 points or 60 points respectively from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers excluding LEGAL590, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, or LEGAL593; or

b) Including, for candidates who have completed an LLB degree, LEGAL507 and 90 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers excluding LEGAL590, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, or LEGAL593.


Scholarships and prizes

Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships

Find your scholarship


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.

Find out more about our student exchange programmes.


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.



Contacts

Te Piringa Faculty of Law

Law Reception
Phone: 0800 924 528 Ext: 4167 or +64 7 838 4167
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