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The history of Auckland Law School at the University of Auckland is inseparable from the history of the legal profession in Auckland itself. One of its buildings, Building 801, once housed the High Court of New Zealand. To this day, it still preserves a courtroom where past judgments were made — now a space where future lawyers sharpen their skills through moots.
However, Auckland Law School is just as driven by progression as it is defined by tradition — here, law evolves. Its researchers are tackling some of the field’s most pressing challenges of our time: rethinking justice for survivors of institutional abuse, interrogating the legal void around AI’s rapid rise, and shaping international law to hold today’s leaders accountable for future environmental crises.
Such milestones explain why the school is ranked 55th in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject and number one in the nation. Prestige aside, Auckland Law School further sets itself apart by offering New Zealand’s most comprehensive range of law programmes — ranging from diplomas and certificates to comprehensive graduate qualifications.
Bachelor of Laws
The four-year Bachelor of Laws (LLB) will take you beyond textbooks and into the heart of how societies function, businesses operate, and justice is served. Through a combination of compulsory courses, electives, and interdisciplinary study, you will gain a well-rounded legal education that will prepare you to thrive within and beyond courtrooms.
In LLB Part I, you will take LAW 121G Law and Society, LAW 131 Legal Method, and LAW 141 Legal Foundations, alongside non-law courses from another discipline. The Waipapa Taumata Rau core course ensures you engage with Māori knowledge and perspectives.
“I liked the variety of papers you had to complete as part of the conjoint,” shares graduate Iqra Khan. “Getting exposure to so many different aspects of law and history has helped me in identifying the type of person I am, the values I hold, and my aspirations.”
Master of Laws
Whether you want to enhance your professional credentials, transition into a new legal field, or pursue an academic career, the Master of Laws (LLM) provides a flexible and rigorous programme to help you achieve your goals. With full-time and part-time study options, it allows you to balance work and study. Plus, entry is available throughout the year.
Customisation is taken up a notch through cross-disciplinary study, allowing you to take up to 30 points from another faculty at the University of Auckland. If you’re looking to develop advanced legal research skills, you will find dedicated support within the programme.
“I enjoyed the intellectual rigour of research,” says graduate Rohan Chauhan, who is now a Senior Tax Consultant at KPMG New Zealand. “A highlight was receiving an excellent grade from a professor who is the author of a foremost publication on international trade law.”
Those more interested in specialising can be awarded with an endorsement in one of six areas: Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, International Law, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, or Public Law.
Master of Taxation Studies
The Master of Taxation Studies (MTaxS) at Auckland Law School is designed for law and commerce graduates looking to navigate the complexities of taxation law and develop expertise that is highly sought after across industries. You will also gain a deep understanding of tax legislation and case law while exploring the economic and accounting principles that underpin tax policy.
“It teaches you to think critically about certain issues and to approach an issue from the perspective of different stakeholders (e.g. from a policy perspective, practical perspective, commercial perspective, etc),” shares graduate Hayden Vickers. “This enables you to think differently about certain issues, which adds value to the work that I do as a Tax Consultant in the International Tax Services Team at EY.”
Master of Intellectual Property
If you’re a law and non-law graduate who wants to master the legal frameworks governing patents, trademarks, and copyright across New Zealand and Australia, the Master of Intellectual Property (MIP) is the specialist programme for you.
This 120-point degree offers expert-led courses that meet the educational requirements for patent and trademark attorney registration, making it an ideal pathway for anyone seeking certification with the Trans-Tasman Intellectual Property Attorney Board. Of course, you will also gain advanced, yet foundational legal knowledge and the required practical skills to help businesses and individuals protect, leverage, and enforce intellectual property rights.
”Compared to other top universities, the University of Auckland offers a complete MIP that covers all the knowledge requirements for registration as a Patent Attorney,” shares current student Daniel Sanson. “The learning is structured across a condensed semester making it easier to integrate into my daily workload. Plus, classes are scheduled outside of work hours, providing greater flexibility.”
Seeking a shorter qualification? Auckland Law School also offers a 60-point Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property.
Auckland Law School is adjacent to the University of Auckland and right next to the High Court. Source: University of Auckland
Master of Legal Studies
Not a lawyer, but need legal expertise? The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is designed for professionals and researchers seeking a deeper understanding of law without the intention to practise. It can equip you with the legal knowledge needed to navigate regulations, contracts, compliance, and risk management with confidence.
And since it offers over 30 taught courses across multiple areas of law, you can specialise in Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, International Law, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, or Public Law. Alternatively, you can take a broader approach, combining courses from different legal disciplines or integrating up to 30 points of study from another faculty.
“I enjoy the exposure to a wide range of topics offered by the Master level papers along with the balance to specialise and work closely with academic staff,” says part-time student Carl Adams, who works in international development and humanitarian response with the United Nations Development Programme.”
PhD in Law
If you’re looking to make a lasting impact in legal scholarship, the PhD in Law is the ultimate academic pursuit. As part of this research-only programme, you will work closely with leading academics to contribute original insights to corporate law, public law, international law, and more.
There truly is no better place to shape the future of the field. Auckland Law School is home to renowned research centres, led by eminent scholars who are shaping key debates in law and policy. As a PhD student here, you will have access to extensive research networks, legal databases, the Davis Law Library’s unparalleled collection of legal resources, and much more.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a student,” says graduate Edward Willis, who is now an Associate Professor in the Law Faculty at the University of Otago. “It was intellectually stimulating and a lot of fun because I got to study in-depth a topic which I am very passionate about. The staff at the Law School were always helpful, once I had a project in mind, they were very willing to help get it over the line.”
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