Law workplace experiences
As a Law student at UC you will have the opportunity to develop real-world practical skills and networks through volunteer workplace experience including internships, legal clinics, and community case work. These valuable experiences create work-ready graduates and a seamless transition to professional life in the legal sector.
Around 60 University of Canterbury Law students undertake voluntary internships for credit every year with lawyers, government departments, businesses, and not-for-profit organisations, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas.
The following internships are open to all UC Law students from their third year of study onwards.
The NZUS Council Mike Moore Congressional Internship Programme
- Fully funded, eight-week internship at the US Congress in Washington DC
- November to January (subject to variation)
- Two UC Law students will be selected each year by the NZUS Council and placed within the US Congress at the discretion of the Members of Congress.
- The placement and completion of two written assignments will be in fulfilment of the LAWS 373 Washington Internship course
- Read past students’ internship experiences
Harvard Immigration & Refugee Clinic (HIRC) Internship
- Legal internship placement at Harvard Law School in Boston.
- July, for at least three weeks, with 80 hours minimum.
- Two UC Law student will be selected.
- Gain practical exposure to US immigration and refugee law.
- The placement will be in fulfilment of the LLAW322 Harvard Internship.
New Zealand Police Prosecution Service (PPS) Internship Christchurch
- Exclusive to UC Bachelor of Laws students.
- Non-paid placement with the NZ PPS in Christchurch.
- Two weeks full time between Semester One and Semester Two.
- Two Law students will be selected each year.
- Receive training on the operation of the New Zealand Police and the Police Prosecution Service.
- The placement will be in fulfilment of the LAWS 382 Legal Internship course.
Around 60 University of Canterbury Law students undertake voluntary internships for credit every year with lawyers, government departments, businesses, and not-for-profit organisations, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas.
The following internships are open to all UC Law students from their third year of study onwards.
The NZUS Council Mike Moore Congressional Internship Programme
- Fully funded, eight-week internship at the US Congress in Washington DC
- November to January (subject to variation)
- Two UC Law students will be selected each year by the NZUS Council and placed within the US Congress at the discretion of the Members of Congress.
- The placement and completion of two written assignments will be in fulfilment of the LAWS 373 Washington Internship course
- Read past students’ internship experiences
Harvard Immigration & Refugee Clinic (HIRC) Internship
- Legal internship placement at Harvard Law School in Boston.
- July, for at least three weeks, with 80 hours minimum.
- Two UC Law student will be selected.
- Gain practical exposure to US immigration and refugee law.
- The placement will be in fulfilment of the LLAW322 Harvard Internship.
New Zealand Police Prosecution Service (PPS) Internship Christchurch
- Exclusive to UC Bachelor of Laws students.
- Non-paid placement with the NZ PPS in Christchurch.
- Two weeks full time between Semester One and Semester Two.
- Two Law students will be selected each year.
- Receive training on the operation of the New Zealand Police and the Police Prosecution Service.
- The placement will be in fulfilment of the LAWS 382 Legal Internship course.
- Experience China with a two-week summer school placement.
- Two-week placement at Eastern China University of Politics and Law (ECUPL) in Shanghai.
- One fully funded and up to five self-funded UC Law students will be selected annually.
- Learn about Chinese law, legal culture, language, and experience city tours and activities.
- This placement is of limited duration and is therefore not for course credit.
- Experience China with a two-week summer school placement.
- Two-week placement at Eastern China University of Politics and Law (ECUPL) in Shanghai.
- One fully funded and up to five self-funded UC Law students will be selected annually.
- Learn about Chinese law, legal culture, language, and experience city tours and activities.
- This placement is of limited duration and is therefore not for course credit.
From third year onwards UC Law students can seek to engage in voluntary legal work to develop professional skills, engage with real-life cases, gain confidence in working with clients, and improve communication, interview and notetaking skills.
Community Law Canterbury
Community Law Canterbury is a free government funded legal information service operated by full-time solicitors, volunteer solicitors, senior law students, and graduates under the supervision of a solicitor. UC Law students in their third year and above can get involved in providing legal information to members of the community confronted with real-life legal issues.
Most student volunteers start as General Advice Service caseworkers, and provide advice to clients (under supervision). It is also possible to work in a specialist area of the law.
The General Advice Service recruits in March and November.
Contact Community Law Canterbury for more information.
UC Law Clinic
The UC Law Clinic offers a free on-campus legal advice service to students and staff of the University (and their families) on any topic. Student volunteers can get involved in this initiative to enhance their skills and learning.
From third year onwards UC Law students can seek to engage in voluntary legal work to develop professional skills, engage with real-life cases, gain confidence in working with clients, and improve communication, interview and notetaking skills.
Community Law Canterbury
Community Law Canterbury is a free government funded legal information service operated by full-time solicitors, volunteer solicitors, senior law students, and graduates under the supervision of a solicitor. UC Law students in their third year and above can get involved in providing legal information to members of the community confronted with real-life legal issues.
Most student volunteers start as General Advice Service caseworkers, and provide advice to clients (under supervision). It is also possible to work in a specialist area of the law.
The General Advice Service recruits in March and November.
Contact Community Law Canterbury for more information.
UC Law Clinic
The UC Law Clinic offers a free on-campus legal advice service to students and staff of the University (and their families) on any topic. Student volunteers can get involved in this initiative to enhance their skills and learning.
Criminal Justice workplace experiences
Internship and volunteer workplace experiences for UC Criminal Justice students provide opportunities to immerse yourself in practical Criminal Justice roles and gain valuable knowledge, skills, and networks for your career.
New Zealand Police Prosecution Service (PPS) Internship Wellington
- Exclusive to UC Criminal Justice students.
- Non-paid placement with the NZ PPS in Wellington.
- Three weeks between November-December or January-February.
- Two UC Criminal Justice students will be selected each summer.
- Receive training on the operation of the New Zealand Police and the Police Prosecution Service.
- There are no course credits for this internship.
PACE Criminal Justice Internship
UC’s Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) programme offers unique Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) courses so you can apply what you’re learning in the real world as you study.
- Open to Bachelor of Criminal Justice students.
- Paid and unpaid opportunities.
- Work on a project with a business while you earn academic course credits.
- Learn more about the PACE internship programme.
New Zealand Police Prosecution Service (PPS) Internship Wellington
- Exclusive to UC Criminal Justice students.
- Non-paid placement with the NZ PPS in Wellington.
- Three weeks between November-December or January-February.
- Two UC Criminal Justice students will be selected each summer.
- Receive training on the operation of the New Zealand Police and the Police Prosecution Service.
- There are no course credits for this internship.
PACE Criminal Justice Internship
UC’s Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) programme offers unique Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) courses so you can apply what you’re learning in the real world as you study.
- Open to Bachelor of Criminal Justice students.
- Paid and unpaid opportunities.
- Work on a project with a business while you earn academic course credits.
- Learn more about the PACE internship programme.
Volunteering opportunities for Criminal Justice students are often organised via clubs like CRIMSOC and Law for Change. Contact the relevant club for details.
Volunteering opportunities for Criminal Justice students are often organised via clubs like CRIMSOC and Law for Change. Contact the relevant club for details.
