Master of Legal Studies

Suited to professionals from non-legal backgrounds who require some knowledge of legal matters. Professionals who will particularly benefit include accountants and auditors, architects and town planners, business development managers, compliance managers, engineers, IT professionals, police and public sector staff. This programme has a similar structure to the Master of Laws and offers six specialisations: Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, International Law, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Public Law. The MLS allows cross-disciplinary study of postgraduate courses from other University of Auckland faculties, enabling you to advance your professional skills while acquiring knowledge of the law. The 120-point MLS option is available to professionals with a four-year degree. The 180-point MLS option is available to professionals with a three-year degree. For more information contact our . For more detailed information on courses available see our

There are two MLS degree study pathways. Which pathway is right for you will depend on your background.

The 120-point MLS is designed for people with higher academic qualifications and more experience with legal issues. The 180-point MLS is designed for people with a bachelors degree who have no, or limited, experience studying law.

The 120-point research masters pathway needs to be completed in two full-time semesters (1 year) or 4 part-time (2 years). For a taught masters it needs to be completed in two full-time semesters (1 year) or eight part-time (4 years).

The 180-point research masters pathway needs to be completed in three full-time semesters (1.5 years) or six semesters part-time (3 years). For a taught masters it needs to be completed in three semesters full-time (1.5 years) or 12 part-time (6 years).

Both programmes also provides skills in legal research methodology for those without advanced skills in this area.

Taught masters (120-point):

120 points of taught courses OR 90 points of taught courses and a 30-point dissertation OR 105 points of taught courses and a 15-point supervised research

All three options are to be completed in one year full-time or up to four years part-time.

Taught Masters (180-point):

30 points LAW701, 105 points of taught courses and a 45-point dissertation

• To be completed in 1.5 years full-time or up to six years part-time.

Research Masters (180-point):

Up to 30 points of taught courses, dissertation or a supervised research and a 90-point thesis (30,000 words)

• To be completed in 1.5 years full-time or up to three years part-time.

Note: The individual programme of each applicant must be approved by the Associate Dean (Postgraduate). Applicants may also be required to take LAW 131 (Legal Method) before enrolment is confirmed. Completion of this degree will not satisfy the entry requirements for admission as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand and is not a substitute for an LLB degree.