Meet your specific study needs
The GDipLaw is a flexible 120-point qualification that you can adapt to meet your own study goals. It is an excellent choice for tertiary graduates from related areas, for legal professionals, or for international lawyers seeking a New Zealand qualification for legal accreditation.
The GDipLaw enhances your oral, research, and writing skills. You’ll have the opportunity to think critically about the law, explore topical issues, and solve legal problems.
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 GDipLaw
Graduate diplomas are typically designed as a bridging qualification to postgraduate study. They broaden your knowledge and skills in a familiar subject or discipline, or develop your knowledge in a new area.
Overseas lawyers
If you’re a qualified legal practitioner from overseas who wants to practise law in New Zealand, the GDipLaw can help you to meet the accreditation requirements of the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE).
You need to provide an NZCLE assessment when you enrol for the GDipLaw. Our Student Success team can help you with individual enrolment advice.
Visit the NZCLE website for more information on the NZCLE requirements and how you can get your overseas qualification assessed.
Non-law graduates
The the GDipLaw could also suit you if you don’t have a background in law but need some legal knowledge for your work. It gives you the flexibility to focus on specific legal areas and build a framework for understanding legal processes.
The entry requirement of a Bachelor of Laws may be waived by the Director of Postgraduate Studies if you have suitable practical, professional, or scholarly experience.
The GDipLaw does not, on its own, allow you to practise as a lawyer. But it does give you useful knowledge to work in policy and regulatory areas.
If you want to study to become a lawyer, see the Bachelor of Laws.
New Zealand lawyers
If you’re a practising legal professional in Aotearoa New Zealand, the GDipLaw gives you the opportunity to explore specialised subjects or refresh your existing knowledge in a field.
Part-time study options
Domestic students can choose to study part time—taking two courses per trimester. This will be 20 to 23 hours of work a week.
If you’re studying part time, you’ll need to complete the GDipLaw within three years.
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.
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 GDipLaw shall have:
(i) completed a Bachelor’s degree; 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 extensive practical, professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind and ability to proceed with the proposed course of study.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the GDipLaw
2. (a) The course of study for the GDipLaw 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 120 points and including at least 75 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 GDipLaw.
3. A candidate shall normally be enrolled for at least two trimesters and shall complete the GDipLaw within three years of first enrolling in it. The director may extend the maximum period in special cases.
Choose courses in an area that interests you
Within the 120-point GDipLaw, you can take almost any of our 200- to 500-level LAWS courses—except for the thesis course (LAWS 591) and the dissertation course (LAWS 592).
At least 75 points must be at 300-level or above.
Choose from courses covering a wide range of contemporary topics in New Zealand law.
Courses you could take include:
- Public Law (LAWS 213) (30 points)
- Criminal Law (LAWS 214) (30 points)
- Property Law (LAWS 301) (30 points)
- Sentencing and Penal Policy (LAWS 307) (15 points)
- Equity, Trusts and Succession (LAWS 312) (15 points)
- Ngā Tikanga Ture Māori / Māori Law (LAWS 313) (15 points)
- Resource Management Law (LAWS 318) (15 points)
- International Environmental Law (LAWS 342) (15 points)
- Intellectual Property (LAWS 353) (15 points)
- Data Privacy (LAWS 385) (15 points)
- Fraud and Corruption in an International Context (LAWS 438) (10 points)
- Contemporary Issues in Public International Law: Human Rights, Climate Change (LAWS 528) (40 points)
- New Zealand and Australian Copyright and Designs Law (LAWS 530) (20 points)
- Law and Technology (LAWS 532) (20 points)
- Restorative Justice (LAWS 535) (20 points)
- Trade Marks and Unfair Competition (LAWS 536) (20 points)
- Patent Law (LAWS 537) (20 points)
- Financial Markets Regulation (LAWS 547) (20 points).
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.
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.
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 on our 'What can I do with my degree' page for law.
The government careers website, Tahatū, also has 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.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Law
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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This scholarship is open to Law graduates from the Pacific Islands with a first class academic record, who plan to undertake, or are currently undertaking, a Master's degree with the Faculty of Law at Victoria University of Wellington, or a Postgraduate Diploma. Priority will be given to applicants living in the Pacific Islands but Pacific students resident in New Zealand...
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This scholarship is open to applicants intending to enrol in a Master of Laws (LLM) at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and whose postgraduate research relates to public law, including areas such as constitutional law, human rights, the Treaty of Waitangi, government, comparative public law, Pacific law, and public international law.
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
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This scholarship is open to Law graduates from the Pacific Islands with a first class academic record, who plan to undertake, or are currently undertaking, a Master's degree with the Faculty of Law at Victoria University of Wellington, or a Postgraduate Diploma. Priority will be given to applicants living in the Pacific Islands but Pacific students resident in New Zealand...
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This scholarship is open to applicants intending to enrol in a Master of Laws (LLM) at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and whose postgraduate research relates to public law, including areas such as constitutional law, human rights, the Treaty of Waitangi, government, comparative public law, Pacific law, and public international law.
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.
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.
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.