Add research to your law degree
A Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB (Hons)) gives you the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of law while also pursuing individual and directed research. You’ll expand your research, analytical, and oral skills in a range of specialist areas.
The first part of this degree starts with the Bachelor of Laws (LLB). If your grades in the first two years of the LLB are good enough, you’ll be invited into the Honours programme.
You’ll begin the Honours part of your study in your third year. Along with core third-year courses, you’ll take a number of elective subjects and seminar papers under the close supervision of lecturers.
Who can study for this qualification
You need to be invited to study for the LLB(Hons). Selection is competitive—there are about 35 places available each year.
To be selected for Honours study, you need to get good grades in your 200-level LAWS courses. Selection is based on the results of your best three 200-level Law courses (LAWS 211–214). Your result for LAWS 297 may also be taken into account.
You also need strong research skills to successfully complete the LLB(Hons).
What you’ll learn
As an Honours student, you’ll hone your research, presentation, and advocacy skills and dive deeply into legal topics that interest you.
While you study, you’ll put what you learn into practice straight away. You’ll enter debates and legal competitions. You’ll also contribute to justice projects and community law organisations.
Learn through discussion
Many teachers in our law school use a method of teaching known as discussion-based learning.
Law lecturers often teach through questioning. They ask you about the material you’ve prepared, then build on your answers to work through the key points together.
This method keeps you engaged while you study. It gives you the skills you need to reason, debate, and communicate clearly when you enter any career. It changes the way you consider complex topics.
Individual research
As part of Honours study, you’ll have the opportunity to do individual research on a topic that interests you under the supervision of a lecturer. In the seminars, you’ll have the chance to research and present on a selected topic.
How you’ll study
First and second year
Before you get into the LLB(Hons), you need to start by studying for a Bachelor of Laws for two years.
The LLB and LLB(Hons) now include tikanga Māori—its legal principles, practices, and influence on the wider legal system—throughout the first, second, and third years.
Third and fourth years
In your third and fourth years, you’ll complete:
- the compulsory LLB courses
- nine 300-level LAWS electives from the LLB degree
- an 8,000-word research essay in the third year
- a 40-point, 500-level course in your fourth year.
Over these two years, you’ll also do two 10-point Honours seminars. The timing of these seminars will depend on your timetable and interests.
Combine your degree with another subject
You'll complete 70 points outside Law by the end of your LLB(Hons). Pairing Law with another subject you love can shape your own path and give you an edge when you graduate.
Popular choices include Accounting, Criminology, Global Studies, History, International Relations, Political Science, and Psychology.
Conjoint degree
Most students combine their LLB(Hons) with another degree—called a conjoint degree—completing both in five years instead of seven. Popular combinations include the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, or Bachelor of Science.
Conjoint study is intense, so talk to a student adviser about a plan that works for you.
Requirements for conjoint LLB(Hons)
To combine the LLB(Hons) with a three-year degree, you’ll need to complete at least 660 points, including:
- at least 480 points at 200-level or higher
- up to 60 points carried over from a previous degree
- at least 180 points from Victoria University of Wellington courses.
Why Wellington
Studying Law at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington puts you right where the action happens. Our Pipitea Campus sits at the heart of Aotearoa’s legal and political world, just steps from Parliament, the Supreme Court, the High Court, and major law firms.
You’ll learn from world-leading scholars—many of them practising lawyers—who are genuinely invested in your success and teach in-depth courses in their own areas of expertise.
The rankings back it up too. Our Faculty of Law is consistently ranked among the top 100 law schools globally by QS World University Rankings. And we’re ranked number one for Law in Aotearoa New Zealand according to Times Higher Education 2026, Rankings by Subject.
Globally ranked
Our Faculty of Law is consistently ranked among the top 100 law schools in the world by QS World University Rankings.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed secondary school in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
Admission is by invitation to students who have completed the second year of the LLB.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the LLB(Hons)
1. The personal course of study of a candidate for the LLB(Hons) degree shall, except as provided in section 4 below and the Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning Regulations, consist of courses selected from the schedules to the regulations for this degree, the LLM and any first degrees at this university. The courses shall be worth at least 525 points and include:
(a) (i) Introduction to New Zealand Legal System (LAWS 121) (or 124), 122, 123, He Herenga Tāngata / Engaging with Māori in Professional Practice (MAOR 126); or
(ii) Introduction to Law in Aotearoa / New Zealand - Graduate Students (LAWS 111), He Herenga Tāngata / Engaging with Māori in Professional Practice (MAOR 126);
(b) 70 further points in non-LAWS courses;
(c) (i) The Law of Contract (LAWS 211), The Law of Torts (LAWS 212), Public Law (LAWS 213), Criminal Law (LAWS 214), Introduction to Legal Skills (LAWS 297);
(ii) 45 points from Property Law (LAWS 301), Equity, Trusts and Succession (LAWS 312);
(d) 135 points from LAWS 302–311; LAWS 313–397;
(e) Research Essay (LAWS 489) and two approved courses from LAWS 430–460;
(f) one approved course from LAWS 520–529.*
*Refer to the LLM Schedule.
A candidate must have passed at least 60 LAWS 200-level points and be concurrently enrolled in the remaining LAWS 200-level courses, Property Law (LAWS 301) and 312 to enrol in any courses in 1(c).
2. Each candidate shall, during the first year of enrolment in the LLB(Hons), present for Research Essay (LAWS 489) a supervised research essay undertaken on a topic approved by the Honours coordinator of the Faculty of Law.
3. A candidate shall normally complete the courses specified in section 1(d) and (e) over a two-year period. This period may be varied by the Honours coordinator.
Future careers
A law degree opens up a world of possibilities beyond practising law in a firm. Your ability to communicate, work collaboratively, think critically, and solve problems will give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs.
You might find work as a:
- lawyer
- judge
- journalist
- policy analyst
- politician
- in-house counsel.
Honours students are particularly in demand. A Bachelor of Laws with Honours can support you to work in a role such as a judge’s clerk in the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal.
More career information
Find out more about careers in Law.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Available scholarships include:
Scholarships for Law
-
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide monetary assistance to students undertaking or proposing to undertake study or research in the Faculty of Law, and to recognize and encourage academic merit.
-
The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Law
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Pathway to becoming a lawyer
The LLB (with or without Honours) is the first step to becoming a professional lawyer. After getting your law degree, you’ll need to:
- complete a course in practical professional legal studies, often called 'profs'
- complete elective LAWS 334—Ethics and the Law
- be admitted to the High Court of New Zealand
- get a practising certificate from a district law society.
The New Zealand Law Society website has more information about becoming a lawyer.
Further research or study
After finishing your LLB(Hons), you can continue your Law studies at a more advanced level by pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM). You can study an LLM full time or part time—the latter is a good option if you want to balance work and study.
Other postgraduate options include smaller qualifications that let you focus on a particular area of law. We also offer short courses aimed at professional development.
Explore our wide range of study options in postgraduate Law.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.