Bachelor of Laws
LLB
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 (February)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Laws
- Master of Laws (International Law and Politics)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
4 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 (February)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Laws
- Master of Laws (International Law and Politics)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
The mission statement for UC Law is 'the internationally recognised, professionally relevant, community focused Law School'.
Students gain a professional degree of outstanding quality in four years. In addition, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) students deal with real people with real problems as part of the innovative clinical studies programme at UC. Our students hone critical practical skills in the process of helping the community.
- Prestigious Law School founded in 1873.
- High employment rates in stimulating, diverse careers.
- Many legal textbooks are written by UC lecturers.
- Guest lectures by Supreme Court judges and top international lawyers.
- Law courses can be credited to most other degrees and students can study towards a double degree.
- International exchanges including the prestigious US Congressional Internship Programme.
- Active Law Students' Society (LAWSOC) and Te Pūtairiki Māori Law Students' Association.
- UC is ranked in the top 200 universities in the world for Law and Legal Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2021).
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
The study of Law does not require a background in any specific subject at secondary school, and entry to the first year of the LLB is open to all students 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 – example degree structure
-
Compulsory Law courses
-
Elective courses
-
Non-Law courses
(1) May include CRJU 101 and/or CRJU 160.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Laws.
The Bachelor of Laws is made up 480 points:
- 210 points of compulsory Law courses
- 195 points of optional 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.
Limited entry into second year
With good grades in the compulsory courses LAWS 101 and LAWS 110 in your first year (normally at least a B grade), you will be able to advance into the 200-level Law courses, all of which are subject to limited entry.
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.
Bachelor of Laws with Honours
If you achieve a satisfactory standard in your first two years of study for the Bachelor of Laws, you may be invited to enter the honours programme. If you meet the criteria, you will enrol in three additional Law courses in fourth year:
See the Regulations for the Bachelor of Laws with Honours for more information.
Double degrees
Many Law students also study towards a second degree, such as the Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Commerce, and Bachelor of Science.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
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.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
Throughout the four years of the degree, all students complete the following compulsory courses:
Year 1
- LAWS 101 Legal System: Legal Method and Institutions
- LAWS 110 Legal Foundations, Research and Writing
- Five 100-level non-law courses of your choice (excluding ACCT 152, ACCT 252, and CRJU 150)
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 two compulsory Law courses from first year.
The second year includes four compulsory courses:
Year 3
During the third year, you will take the following compulsory courses:
The remaining five courses in this year are made up of optional 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 optional 300-level LAWS courses.
Students wanting to later be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor need to include LAWS 398 Legal Ethics as one of their options.
If you want to establish a point of difference from other Law graduates, but do not want to complete a double degree, you could consider postgraduate study. Postgraduate options include:
With one of the largest Law internship courses of any Aotearoa New Zealand law school, this UC programme and the clinical and community work experience available can really give your résumé the edge over other graduates.
Graduates can become a practice solicitor, in-house lawyer, or a self-employed barrister. Recent UC graduates have also found roles as research counsel, judge’s clerk, policy analyst, and Māori development advisor.
Legal skills of research, writing, analysis, and reasoning are highly prized in many professions such as politics, policy, public service, foreign affairs, journalism, publishing, immigration, and business.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2020 | 480 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,576 per 120 points |
| 2021 | 480 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,648 per 120 points |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2021 | 480 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $30,100 (first 120 points) |
| 2022 | 480 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection | $30,938 (first 120 points) |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Laws.
For study planning help, contact Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC | UC Liaison Office (new students) or a UC Law Student Advisor (advancing students).
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see UC Law.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).