What is required to complete an LLB(Hons) degree?
This prestigious degree requires students to successfully complete three extra papers in their final 18 months of study (in addition to meeting the usual requirements to obtain a LLB degree):
- LAWS410 Advanced Research Skills (15 points); and
- LAWS420 Honours Research Paper (15 points); and
- LAWS430 Honours Dissertation (30 points).
LAWS410 and LAWS420 include a range of seminars and assessments to help you develop the advanced legal research skills required to write a dissertation. These papers are followed by LAWS430, in which you will write your own 15,000 word research dissertation on a legal topic of your choice with academic support from a supervisor.
Students must complete LAWS410 and LAWS420 in the same calendar year and LAWS430 in first semester of the following year. Single degree students must complete these courses in their third and fourth years of full-time enrolment in the LLB degree. Double degree students must complete these courses in their fourth and fifth years of full-time enrolment.
How do I get into Honours?
Entry to Honours is at the invitation of the Executive Dean of Law (on the recommendation of the Honours Co-Directors) and is limited to approximately the top 30 eligible students each year.
All students are eligible for admission in the year following their successful completion of LAWS203, LAWS205, and LAWS206 (the courses that full-time students are usually required to undertake in their second year of study in accordance with the LLB degree cohorting rules).
The admission process will be changing in 2026 for all future Honours cohorts. From this time, students who wish to be considered for Honours will need to complete a simple online application form expressing their interest in being considered for the Honours Programme. This process will take place in December each year (beginning in December 2026) and will be widely publicised to make sure all interested students have the opportunity to apply. Students will then be selected from this list for entry into the Honours Programme based entirely on their academic performance. Under the new system, there will be two possible pathways for entry:
- Pathway 1: This will involve the selection of the top approximately 25 students (who have completed the online application form) who obtain the best academic performance in LAWS203, LAWS205, and LAWS206. The selection of these students will usually occur at the end of their second year of study.
- Pathway 2: This will involve the selection of the top approximately 5 students who demonstrate the best academic performance in their top three 200-level law courses. This will allow a small number of students, who have significantly improved their academic performance in third year, and who have enough time in the remainder of their degree to complete Honours, to join the Honours cohort at a later date. These students will be considered automatically and will not need to complete the online application form.
All students invited to join the Honours Programme are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with one of our Student Advisors for Honours specific degree planning assistance.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Faculty of Law Honours Co-Director Ruth Ballantyne - ruth.ballantyne@canterbury.ac.nz
