Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2009 academic year, unless otherwise specified.
Law is about relationships, about our connections to each other. Our society, culture, and economy, our family ties, and our international allegiances all exist within a legal framework.
Graduates with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree contribute to every aspect of life in New Zealand, whether practising as lawyers or working in government, business, or the community. They are equipped to both uphold and challenge the principles that govern our daily lives.
Victoria’s Law School is housed in the beautifully restored historic Government Buildings. Its downtown location is at the hub of New Zealand law-making, opposite Parliament and close to the courts, research libraries, and the central business district. This unique environment attracts top staff and students from around the world.
High-achieving LLB students may be invited to join the LLB Honours programme at the end of the second year, and graduates with an LLB can continue on to Master's and PhD levels.
On this Page
Contacts
Undergraduate Administrator
Tel: 0-4-463 6433
Email: address
Career Opportunities
As well as training graduates for a career as a lawyer, a Law degree can lead to a range of careers in business, government, and the community.
To be eligible for admission to the legal profession in New Zealand, Law graduates must complete a practical professional legal studies course called “professionals”. Two organisations offer this training in New Zealand, and the Law Faculty can advise students about this requirement.
An LLB at Victoria
A Bachelor of Laws requires four years of full-time study. 482 points are required. An LLB comprises 212 points earned from eight compulsory Law courses, 180 points earned from 12 elective Law courses, and 90 points of non-Law courses, of which at least 72 points are taken in the first year. The second year also contains the compulsory Legal Research and Writing programme and Mooting. See the Course Catalogue to find out the points value of courses.
To enrol in an LLB you need a university entrance qualification. It is useful to have studied essay-based subjects such as English, history, economics, geography, classics, and art history.
First-year Law students take LAWS 121, 122 and 123, and four or five non-Law courses. From 2007, students applying for a 200-level LAWS course (for the first time) will be selected on the grade average over their 100-level LAWS courses, with preferred entrant status being given to those who (a) have a B+ average over LAWS 121, 122 and 123, and (b) have passed at least 72 non-Law points.
As part of its commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Law Faculty allocates up to a maximum of 10 percent of places in second-year Law courses to students accepted under the Māori Admission Process.
Most Victoria Law students complete a double degree which takes a minimum of five years. Popular combinations are an LLB with a BA, BCA or BSc. A total of a minimum of 686 points are required for these combinations.
Compulsory Law Courses
In addition to the eight compulsory Law courses, LLB students must pass 12 courses from the list of electives. Not all courses are offered every year: check the Course Catalogue for details.
Elective Law Courses
*required for admission to the Bar
LLB (Hons)
If you perform well in the second year of the LLB you may be invited to join the Honours programme by way of a letter of invitation sent before the start of the academic year. The Honours degree, while sharing many common components with the LLB, is a separate degree.
The Honours programme has many benefits. You will refine research, writing and analytical skills while working closely with members of the Faculty.
See the Faculty of Law LLB (Hons) page for further information.
How To Find Out More
To find out more please contact:
- Victoria’s Student Recruitment and Course Advice Office; or
- the Law Faculty’s Undergraduate Administrator, tel 0-4-463 6433, email address
To find out about other subjects and first-year courses at Victoria go to the Subjects page. See also the Faculty of Law pages.
Degree Examples
The majority of Victoria Law students choose to take a double degree. Students can decide whether to continue with either or both degrees at the end of their first year. The following examples will help you plan your degree. Variations are possible but these degree programmes have proved generally suitable.
| 3. BA/LLB | |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | LAWS 121, 122 and 123 plus 90 BA points. |
| Year 2 | Four second-year Law courses, including LAWS 298 and LAWS 299 |
| Year 3 | LAWS 301 and two Law electives plus 88 BA points. |
| Year 4 | Four Law electives and 94 BA points. |
| Year 5 | Six remaining Law electives and 36 BA points (BA/LLB complete). |
* Some students may decide to take only 72 non-Law points in the first year and include the remaining 18 points in a later year.