Law

To practise law in New Zealand you need to have a law degree. Designed to hone your skills in communication, problem-solving, research and independent thinking, your degree will be prized by employers in many different fields.

You'll learn to apply the techniques of legal analysis and gain a solid grounding in different aspects of law, including public law, commercial law, international law, common law and statute law.

Gain the skills and vocabulary to both uphold and challenge the legal principles that govern our daily lives. You'll get the opportunity to put what you learn into practice straight away by entering debates and legal competitions, clerking and contributing to justice projects and community law organisations.

You'll need to complete 90 non-Law points by the end of your Bachelor of Laws, so you might want to combine your LLB with another degree. This will take a minimum of five years’ study. Law can be combined with any subject offered at Victoria through a conjoint or double degree.

Complete three core courses at 100 level (usually in the first year):

• Introduction to New Zealand Legal System (LAWS 121)
• Introduction to Case Law (LAWS 122)
• Introduction to Statute Law (LAWS 123)

Complete non-Law courses worth at least 70 points (usually in the first year).

Complete five core courses at 200 level:

• The Law of Contract (LAWS 211)
• The Law of Torts (LAWS 212)
• Public Law (LAWS 213)
• Criminal Law (LAWS 214)
• Legal Research, Writing and Mooting (LAWS 297)

Complete any further courses to make the 90 required non-Law points.

Complete Property Law (LAWS 301) and Equity, Trusts and Succession (LAWS 312).

Complete 11 further LAWS courses at 300 level, including Ethics and the Law (LAWS 334) if you wish to apply for admission to the Bar.

Requirements

• Achievement of the International Baccalaureate Diploma
• Submit your completed application to be assessed for New Zealand entrance equivalency
• IELTS: minimum overall score of 6.0 with no sub-score below 5.5
• TOEFL: minimum overall score of 80 (internet-based test)
• Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 58 (with a 'Communicative score' of not less than 50)
• EPP: minimum final scores of 4,4,4,3

Scholarships

• Creativity Scholarships
• Wellington U3A Award
• VUW Hardship Fund Equity Grants
• International Student Achievement Scholarship