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
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) students gain a professional 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 skills in the process of helping the community.
- UC has a specially designed Moot Court room, regularly used for client interviewing, witness examination, mooting, and negotiation competitions.
- Get work experience through internships, clinical, and community work opportunities.
- Many student clubs including LAWSOC, Women in Law, Te Pūtāiki Māori Law Students’ Association, Law for Change, and UC Animal Law Association.
- The structure of this degree allows you to do a double degree or switch degrees if you are unable to advance to 200-level LAWS or prefer not to continue with the LLB.
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
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 – example degree structure
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Compulsory courses
-
Elective courses
-
Non-Law courses
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 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.
Limited entry into second year
With good grades in the compulsory courses LAWS101 and LAWS110 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
It is possible to study a Bachelor of Laws alongside other degrees at the same time, such as the Bachelor of Criminal Justice or Bachelor of Commerce.
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
Year 1
- LAWS101 Legal System: Legal Method and Institutions
- LAWS110 Legal Foundations, Research and Writing
- Five 100-level non-Law courses of your choice (excluding ACCT152, ACCT252, and CRJU150)
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.
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.
UC's postgraduate Law options include:
- UC has Law Internship courses involving community and clinical work experience.
- Gain necessary legal skills in research, writing, analysis, and reasoning for a range of careers beyond law.
- Graduates are working as lawyers, policy analysts, Māori development advisors, foreign affairs officers, and journalists.
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) |
| 2023 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,875 |
| 2022 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,691 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
| 2022 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection | $32,988 | $28,685 |
| 2023 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $34,275 | $29,804 |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Laws.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Ture | Faculty of Law.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).