Bachelor of Laws
- Degree Structure - Start In
- Semester 1 (February)
480
Overview
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws students gain a professional law degree of outstanding quality in four years.
You will deal with real people with real problems as part of the innovative clinical studies programme at UC, honing critical practical legal skills in the process of helping the community.
Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Laws students learn to think critically, analyse complex facts and issues, and persuade through logical argument. You will learn to work with statutes, cases, and other legal materials.
- UC has a specially designed Moot Court room, regularly used for client interviewing, witness examination, mooting, and negotiation competitions.
- Get work experience through law internships, clinical, and community work opportunities.
- Many student clubs including LAWSOC, Women in Law, Te Pūtāiki Māori Law Students’ Association, Asian Law Students' Association, Pasifika Law Students' Society, CRIMSOC, Queer in Law (QUIL), and Law for Change.
- The structure of the LLB degree allows you to do a double degree (like a BA/LLB, BCom/LLB, BSc/LLB and BCJ/LLB), or switch degrees if you are unable to advance to 200-level LAWS.
Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Laws students learn to think critically, analyse complex facts and issues, and persuade through logical argument. You will learn to work with statutes, cases, and other legal materials.
- UC has a specially designed Moot Court room, regularly used for client interviewing, witness examination, mooting, and negotiation competitions.
- Get work experience through law internships, clinical, and community work opportunities.
- Many student clubs including LAWSOC, Women in Law, Te Pūtāiki Māori Law Students’ Association, Asian Law Students' Association, Pasifika Law Students' Society, CRIMSOC, Queer in Law (QUIL), and Law for Change.
- The structure of the LLB degree allows you to do a double degree (like a BA/LLB, BCom/LLB, BSc/LLB and BCJ/LLB), or switch degrees if you are unable to advance to 200-level LAWS.
Bachelor of Laws
To enrol in the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, you will need:
- University Entrance (or equivalent). UC offers transition programmes for those who need help meeting these requirements.
- If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's Undergraduate language requirements. See how to provide your English language evidence to UC. If you need help meeting these requirements, or would like to practise your English skills before studying, UC offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language programmes.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Laws or use the admission requirements checker.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
Recommended preparation
Law studies do not require a background in any specific subject at secondary school, and entry to the first year of the LLB is open to everyone with University Entrance.
You will need to have good reading, writing, and analytical skills. Subjects such as English, drama, economics, te reo Māori, languages, history, and classical studies are useful preparation.
Bachelor of Laws
To enrol in the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, you will need:
- University Entrance (or equivalent). UC offers transition programmes for those who need help meeting these requirements.
- If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's Undergraduate language requirements. See how to provide your English language evidence to UC. If you need help meeting these requirements, or would like to practise your English skills before studying, UC offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language programmes.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Laws or use the admission requirements checker.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
Recommended preparation
Law studies do not require a background in any specific subject at secondary school, and entry to the first year of the LLB is open to everyone with University Entrance.
You will need to have good reading, writing, and analytical skills. Subjects such as English, drama, economics, te reo Māori, languages, history, and classical studies are useful preparation.
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is made up of 480 points:
- 210 points of compulsory Law courses
- 195 points of elective Law courses
- 75 points of non-Law courses from other degrees.
The degree takes 4 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Laws.
Limited entry into second year
In order to advance to 200-level Law courses, normally strong performance in the compulsory courses LAWS125, LAWS135 and LAWS145 in your first year is required and you must meet the limited entry regulations and process that relate to LAWS200s.
Completed courses from the LLB can be credited to other degrees eg, the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Criminal Justice, if you are unable to, or choose not to, continue with an LLB.
For more information on what to expect during your second, third, and fourth year see LLB Information.
Bachelor of Laws with Honours
If you achieve an honours level standard in LAWS 200s courses for the Bachelor of Laws, you may be invited to enter the honours programme. If you meet the criteria, you will enrol in these additional Law honours courses in your subsequent years of LLB study:
See Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB(Hons)) or the Regulations for the Bachelor of Laws with Honours for more information.
Double degrees
It is possible to study a Bachelor of Laws alongside other degrees at the same time, such as the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ) or Bachelor of Science (BSc).
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is made up of 480 points:
- 210 points of compulsory Law courses
- 195 points of elective Law courses
- 75 points of non-Law courses from other degrees.
The degree takes 4 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Laws.
Limited entry into second year
In order to advance to 200-level Law courses, normally strong performance in the compulsory courses LAWS125, LAWS135 and LAWS145 in your first year is required and you must meet the limited entry regulations and process that relate to LAWS200s.
Completed courses from the LLB can be credited to other degrees eg, the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Criminal Justice, if you are unable to, or choose not to, continue with an LLB.
For more information on what to expect during your second, third, and fourth year see LLB Information.
Bachelor of Laws with Honours
If you achieve an honours level standard in LAWS 200s courses for the Bachelor of Laws, you may be invited to enter the honours programme. If you meet the criteria, you will enrol in these additional Law honours courses in your subsequent years of LLB study:
See Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB(Hons)) or the Regulations for the Bachelor of Laws with Honours for more information.
Double degrees
It is possible to study a Bachelor of Laws alongside other degrees at the same time, such as the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ) or Bachelor of Science (BSc).
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws follows a closely prescribed structure, with courses covering a variety of legal systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and the opportunity to take optional courses in specific areas of legal interest.
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- LAWS125 Law and Legal Systems
- LAWS135 Statute Law and Constitutional Essentials
- LAWS145 Case Law and Reasoning
- Five 100-level non-Law courses of your choice (excluding ACCT152, ACCT156, ACCT252, ACCT256, and CRJU150)
- If you enrolled in the LLB degree for the first time prior to 1 January 2027 you may replace LAWS125 with LAWS110, and replace LAWS135 and LAWS145 with LAWS101.
Year 2
Entry into the second year of the degree is limited to students that have achieved good grades (normally at least a B) in the three compulsory Law courses from first year.
Year 3
The remaining five courses in this year are made up of elective 300-level LAWS courses, in topics such as international human rights, environmental law, family law, and many others.
Year 4
The final year of the LLB is made up of another eight elective 300-level LAWS courses.
If you are wanting to later be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor, you will need to include LAWS398 Legal Ethics as one of your options.
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws follows a closely prescribed structure, with courses covering a variety of legal systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and the opportunity to take optional courses in specific areas of legal interest.
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- LAWS125 Law and Legal Systems
- LAWS135 Statute Law and Constitutional Essentials
- LAWS145 Case Law and Reasoning
- Five 100-level non-Law courses of your choice (excluding ACCT152, ACCT156, ACCT252, ACCT256, and CRJU150)
- If you enrolled in the LLB degree for the first time prior to 1 January 2027 you may replace LAWS125 with LAWS110, and replace LAWS135 and LAWS145 with LAWS101.
Year 2
Entry into the second year of the degree is limited to students that have achieved good grades (normally at least a B) in the three compulsory Law courses from first year.
Year 3
The remaining five courses in this year are made up of elective 300-level LAWS courses, in topics such as international human rights, environmental law, family law, and many others.
Year 4
The final year of the LLB is made up of another eight elective 300-level LAWS courses.
If you are wanting to later be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor, you will need to include LAWS398 Legal Ethics as one of your options.
Domestic
2026 tuition fee estimate: $7,942 per 120 points
2027 tuition fee estimate: $8,419 per 120 points
International
2026 tuition fee estimate: $38,570 per 120 points
2027 tuition fee estimate: $40,270 per 120 points
2028 tuition fee estimate: $42,280 per 120 points
Domestic
2026 tuition fee estimate: $7,942 per 120 points
2027 tuition fee estimate: $8,419 per 120 points
International
2026 tuition fee estimate: $38,570 per 120 points
2027 tuition fee estimate: $40,270 per 120 points
2028 tuition fee estimate: $42,280 per 120 points
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
- Many people study a law degree as a means of entering the legal profession as a barrister and/or solicitor.
- LLB Bachelor of Laws graduates also work in law-related careers such as policy analysts, Māori development advisors, foreign affairs officers, and journalists.
- UC has Law Internship courses involving community and clinical work experience.
- UC Law students can connect with professional and industry organisations to establish strong career networks and opportunities.
Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.
Bachelor of Laws
- Many people study a law degree as a means of entering the legal profession as a barrister and/or solicitor.
- LLB Bachelor of Laws graduates also work in law-related careers such as policy analysts, Māori development advisors, foreign affairs officers, and journalists.
- UC has Law Internship courses involving community and clinical work experience.
- UC Law students can connect with professional and industry organisations to establish strong career networks and opportunities.
Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.
