Bachelor of Laws
Study a Bachelor of Laws degree in one of the best 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.
From 2023, all four years of the degree can be studied in Tauranga.
Students in Tauranga can also opt to study a two-year Diploma in Law, and have it credited to the first two years of a Bachelor of Laws degree.
480 points, 4 years
Hamilton, Tauranga
Papers offered differ by location. Find a Paper for full location info.
Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Why study the Bachelor of Laws?
Assessed by Lawyers & Judges
Lawyers and judges will be involved in teaching and assessing your law assignments and will provide you with valuable feedback. This sort of contact with the profession will stand you in good stead when you come to apply for a full-time job.
Practical experience
At Waikato, you鈥檒l get to practice skills you need to succeed in the profession 鈥� whether it鈥檚 interviewing a client, making a case in court, negotiating a settlement for a client, or drafting a required contract to perfect a merger.
You鈥檒l analyse how law operates in local, national and global contexts and learn to consider the business practices of financial markets, corporations, national and local government, trusts and iwi.
Internships
There are plenty of opportunities for you to apply your practical experience to real-life problems. From your second year onward in the law degree, you鈥檒l have the opportunity to gain work experience at the , , Defence Office, several city and regional councils, law firms and other organisations. You鈥檒l also be eligible for the National Summer Clerking Employment Programme.
Career Opportunities
- Barrister - LLB
- Board Member for Iwi or other organisations
- Business Owner
- Human Resource personnel
- Judge - LLB
- Mediator and/or Negotiator
- Policy Analyst or Advisor
- Politician
- Solicitor - LLB
480 points, 4 years
Hamilton, Tauranga
Papers offered differ by location. Find a Paper for full location info.
Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Degree information
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Plan your study -
Entry Requirements There are five ways you can gain admission to the 51萝莉.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
There are two intakes for the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - in February and July each year.
To enrol in the Bachelor of Laws programme, you need to have gained University Entrance as well as satisfy additional requirements for entry to Law.
Additional Requirements for Entry to Law
NCEA Level 3 Certificate endorsed with Merit or Excellence.The Admissions Committee considers all applications on a case-by-case basis. You'll need to support your application with academic achievement, work experience, school and community involvement outlined in a written statement. Your personal statement should be up to 300 words.
If you don't meet the University Entrance requirements, please contact info@waikato.ac.nz as there are other pathways that you can take to study in this field.
If you pass your first year at Waikato then you're guaranteed entry into the second year of your degree.
As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
Please note that the Bachelor of Laws requires a higher level of English proficiency than other undergraduate programmes. For details on accepted tests and required scores, refer to the English Language Entry Requirements document.
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Fees and scholarships Estimated fees
$8,204 per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 17 October 2025.
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. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$40,165 per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 17 October 2025.
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.
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Graduate outcomes Bachelor of Laws graduates have / are:- A comprehensive knowledge of a substantial range of concepts, principles and rules of law in the New Zealand legal system, and of its major institutions and procedures.
- Knowledgeable about the sources of law and its development. Their knowledge includes an awareness of the law in context, including its cultural, social, economic political and ethical context. It includes an appreciation of the bicultural nature of New Zealand society. The level of knowledge and skills of graduates meets the academic requirements of the Council of Legal Education for admission to the practice of law.
Acquisition of skills:GeneralGraduates are able to identify and analyze relevant legal and non-legal issues; to identify and retrieve up-to-date legal information, using paper and electronic sources; and to analyze primary legal materials (cases and statutes) and secondary materials (texts and articles). They have the ability to synthesise and apply relevant principles to determine questions of law and to solve practical and abstract problems.Oral and written communication skillsGraduates have high level oral and written communication skills in English and/or M膩ori. They are familiar with the appropriate conventions for formal communication in the legal environment and are able to structure their communication clearly and to express sophisticated and subtle concepts in an articulate manner. They are also familiar with styles of written communication in another discipline, and are able to adapt their communication style to suit different media, contexts and audiences.Practical skills for the professional contextGraduates have skills in reading, writing and verbal communication suitable for practical use in a professional career in law or in any other field. Through the practical programme of mooting, advocacy, witness examination and client interviewing, graduates develop practical skills for application in the professional context of legal practice. These include skills in mediation and negotiation; in legal research; and in the use of information technology for legal research.Critical thinking skillsGraduates are able to engage critically with legal information presented in many media and styles. They are skilled in the analysis and evaluation of information and are able to formulate questions and reasoned arguments leading to rational conclusions. They have an understanding of different theories and methodologies. They are skilled at problem solving, by synthesising and critically assessing information and applying it appropriately to real situations. They can develop their ideas logically and progressively and are able to apply their skills in order to create new solutions and processes and to adapt existing ones.Development of Attributes:Self-directed learning skillsGraduates are skilled at accessing information through a variety of media (including electronic media) and evaluating its relevance to a situation or topic. Their information literacy provides them with the means of continuing learning throughout life. They are self-directed in their approach and are able to plan their work to meet time and structural constraints.Co-operative skillsGraduates possess the ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups and individuals. They can contribute effectively to collective projects and can determine criteria for evaluating their own and others鈥� performance in relation to a task.Ethical awarenessGraduates possess awareness and understanding of ethical issues that relate to law and its application. They have a thorough grounding in the philosophical basis of ethics, the ethical duties of barristers and solicitors, and the ethical dimensions of the legal system in its social context.Intellectual flexibility and adaptabilityGraduates possess an ability to integrate knowledge beyond the sphere of their main academic focus, which is fostered through the 51萝莉鈥檚 emphasis on interdisciplinarity. They are open to and aware of the wider implications of specific knowledge and are able to adapt their skills to suit varied situations.High-Level Generic Skills:In consequence, graduates possess high-level generic skills, with particular emphasis on literacy, thinking and learning, analysis and problem solving, creativity and synthesis, communication, cultural awareness and self management.
There are five ways you can gain admission to the 51萝莉.
- NCEA University Entrance
- Admission at entrance level
- Discretionary entrance
- University Entrance prior to 2015
- Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
There are two intakes for the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - in February and July each year.
To enrol in the Bachelor of Laws programme, you need to have gained University Entrance as well as satisfy additional requirements for entry to Law.
Additional Requirements for Entry to Law
NCEA Level 3 Certificate endorsed with Merit or Excellence.
The Admissions Committee considers all applications on a case-by-case basis. You'll need to support your application with academic achievement, work experience, school and community involvement outlined in a written statement. Your personal statement should be up to 300 words.
If you don't meet the University Entrance requirements, please contact info@waikato.ac.nz as there are other pathways that you can take to study in this field.
If you pass your first year at Waikato then you're guaranteed entry into the second year of your degree.
As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
Please note that the Bachelor of Laws requires a higher level of English proficiency than other undergraduate programmes. For details on accepted tests and required scores, refer to the English Language Entry Requirements document.
Estimated fees
$8,204 per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 17 October 2025.
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. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$40,165 per year
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 17 October 2025.
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.
- A comprehensive knowledge of a substantial range of concepts, principles and rules of law in the New Zealand legal system, and of its major institutions and procedures.
- Knowledgeable about the sources of law and its development. Their knowledge includes an awareness of the law in context, including its cultural, social, economic political and ethical context. It includes an appreciation of the bicultural nature of New Zealand society. The level of knowledge and skills of graduates meets the academic requirements of the Council of Legal Education for admission to the practice of law.
Direct entry
Our students do not require a special invitation to progress into 2nd year of their law degree. Our selection process takes place at the application stage. If you are accepted into the degree and you obtain the required passing grades each year, you'll gain automatic entry into the following years until the time you graduate.
New, multi-million dollar building
In 2016 the Faculty of Law moved into the new multi-million dollar building. The new facilities were purpose-built to meet the needs of our students. Our state-of-the-art Moot Court will enable you to record your practising mooting or negotiation for self-review and assessment.
Taught by New Zealand鈥檚 leading legal advisors
Waikato's LLB degree is taught by some of New Zealand鈥檚 leading scholars, who advise governments, businesses and non-governmental organisations.
The classes are small and are typically offered in seminar-style discussions. We have an open door policy, so you will have plenty of opportunities to talk to our staff. Find out more about our lecturers' areas of expertise.
Individualised, ongoing support
The Faculty's five dynamic law student associations: , , , and the 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 of study. 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.
Helpful administrative staff are also able to provide you with personalised advice on study options and assist you with your degree planning. Make a booking to talk to our staff or if you have questions about how to apply.
Accredited by the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand
Waikato's Faculty of Law is accredited by the . This means that you will automatically become a member of this professional organisation and can specialise to practice in this growing area of law.
Practicing Law in New Zealand
The Waikato Bachelor of Laws degree is approved by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (). So, after graduating with your degree, you鈥檒l be eligible to complete the Professional Legal Studies (PLS) course to be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor to practice law in New Zealand. The Professional Legal Studies course can be completed at the Institute of Legal Studies () or the .
about what is required to become a New Zealand lawyer.
Personalise your law degree with a second major
You must choose law as a major subject. However, you can choose to take a second major in almost any other undergraduate subject offered at the 51萝莉, such as Computer Science or Human Resource Management. Talk to our friendly student advisors to tailor your law degree to your interests.
You can study a broad range of optional law papers including:
- Advocacy
- Competition law
- Corporate securities and finance
- Employment law
- Environmental law
- Family law
- Human rights
- Intellectual property
- International trade
- Law and information technology
- M膩ori land law
- Mediation
- Natural resources law
- Public international law
- The Treaty of Waitangi in contemporary Aotearoa / New Zealand
View the full list of optional law papers.
Study a law degree in Tauranga
From 2023, all four years of the degree can be studied at our Tauranga campus.
Bachelor of Laws with Honours
If you obtain a B+ average grade for all your papers in your law degree, you may have the opportunity to study for the honours degree. The selection for this programme takes place at the end of second-year law.
Graduate study options
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).
Master of Laws
Master of Laws in M膩ori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples' Law
Master of Philosophy
Doctor of Juridical Science
Doctor of Laws
Exchange programme and study abroad
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 complete your third year in Law and have a sound academic record. For more information, contact the Law Student Administrators.
In addition to law exchange programme, if you鈥檙e studying for a conjoint degree, you may be able to participate in the 51萝莉 exchange programme. From second year onward you may study some non-law papers overseas. Find out more.