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The Graduate Certificate in Law (GCertLaw) is a flexible qualification that can support a range of study needs.
You can study for the GCertLaw whether you’re a legal professional, a graduate with a non-law degree, or a legal practitioner from overseas wanting to work in New Zealand.
A GCertLaw alone does not allow you to practise as a lawyer. For that, you need a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent. However, the courses you pass as part of the GCertLaw may be credited towards a Bachelor of Laws at a later stage.
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.
Who can study for the GCertLaw
The GCertLaw can suit people with a range of backgrounds and study goals.
- LLB graduates—use it for professional development or to specialise in a particular subject.
- Non-law graduates—add legal knowledge to your existing field, or use it as a stepping stone into further study in law.
- Overseas lawyers—meet New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE) requirements to practise law here.
What you’ll learn
Within the GCertLaw, you can choose from 200- to 500-level courses covering a wide range of legal topics.
LLB graduates
If you’ve already completed your Bachelor of Laws, you might use a GCertLaw to focus on 300- or 500-level courses in an area such as:
- civil disobedience
- climate change law
- international trade law
- health law
- patent law
If you’re thinking about a Master of Laws (LLM) but you’re not ready to commit, you could start with a GCertLaw and switch to the LLM once you’re feeling ready.
Non-law graduates
If you don’t have a law degree, you could use the GCertLaw to add legal knowledge to complement your existing field—an example could be a creator wanting to learn about intellectual property.
If you don’t have a background in law, we recommend starting with Introduction to New Zealand Legal System (LAWS 121) to build your foundations first. This course doesn’t count towards the GCertLaw.
To discuss your options, talk to the Law Faculty or the director of postgraduate studies.
Overseas lawyers
You can take courses in the GCertLaw to meet New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE) requirements for overseas lawyers.
You can only take 200-level Law courses under a GCertLaw if requested by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE). If you need to take more courses to qualify, the Graduate Diploma in Law might suit you better.
Find information about the requirements to practise law in New Zealand:
How you’ll study
You can complete the GCertLaw in one trimester of full-time study. If you’re a domestic student studying part time, you need to complete it within two years.
If you decide to continue on to postgraduate study, any 500-level courses you complete as part of the GCertLaw may be credited to a (LLM).
Graduate Diploma in Law
The Graduate Certificate in Law is closely related to the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDipLaw)—the key difference is length.
The GCertLaw is 60 points, giving you a faster, more focused introduction. The GDipLaw is 120 points, giving you broader and deeper coverage.
If you’re not sure which level you need, you can start with the GCertLaw and staircase into the GDipLaw later.
Qualification 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 through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
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:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the GCertLaw shall have:
(i) completed an LLB(Hons) or LLB; and
(ii) been accepted by the Director of Postgraduate Studies for the Faculty of Law as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the director for a candidate who has adequate training and ability to proceed with the proposed course of study.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the GCertLaw
2. (a) The course of study for the GCertLaw shall be a coherent programme of study approved by the director and consisting of courses at 200 to 500 level, with a total value of no less than 60 points and including at least 40 points at 300 level or above. Except as provided in section 4, these courses shall be chosen from the LLB, LLB(Hons), or LLM schedules.
(b) The course of study may include up to two courses passed for a Certificate of Proficiency before enrolment for the GCertLaw.
3. A candidate shall normally be enrolled for at least one trimester and shall complete the GCertLaw within two years of first enrolling in it. The director may extend the maximum period in special cases.
Limited entry for 200- and 300-level courses
Almost all Law courses have limited entry—that is, they have a limit on the number of students they can accept. You need to apply by 1 December for all 200- and 300-level Law courses you wish to study in Trimester 1 or Trimester 2.
Late enrolments
We may still accept your course enrolments after the 1 December application deadline. But spaces are limited and we give preference to those who apply on time. In your course enrolment application, you can provide alternatives to your first-choice courses.
For more about our course enrolment processes, get in touch with our Student Success advisers.
Future careers
Studying Law opens up a world of possibilities. It gives you the skills to communicate, work collaboratively, think critically, and solve problems. These skills will give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs.
Depending on your study and experience, you might work as a:
- lawyer
- in-house legal counsel
- journalist
- policy analyst
- politician.
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.
Scholarships for Law
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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.
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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
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The Takis Koutsos Memorial Scholarship was established by the friends and family of Takis Koutsos. Mr Koutsos was a post-WW II child immigrant to New Zealand from Greece who had a lifelong interest in Greek archaeology and history and was a close friend of VUW Emeritus Professor John Psathas, who worked as a stormwater engineer in Napier. The scholarship honours...
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.
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.
Further research or study
If you do well and want to keep studying Law, the Master of Laws (LLM) is our main postgraduate pathway. You can refine your legal expertise, pursue your interests, and join our global community of legal scholars.
The Faculty of Law website has information about other postgraduate study options.
To practise law, you need an LLB
A GCertLaw alone does not allow you to practise as a lawyer. For that, you need a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent. However, the Law courses you pass as part of the GCertLaw may be credited towards a Bachelor of Laws at a later stage.
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.