Advance your skills in law
Take your passion for law to the next level with advanced study and research. Be at the centre of debate, analysis, and dialogue about law and policy issues.
Your study will be relevant, accessible, and intellectually rewarding. Research an area of law that interests you, or tailor a course of study that suits your career goals.
Studying postgraduate law at Victoria University
Who can study for the LLM
To get into the Master of Laws (LLM), you usually need a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with at least a B average.
If you’ve just graduated with an LLB, an LLM is an excellent way to pursue a particular direction within the law and to stand out in the job market.
If you’re already working as a legal professional, an LLM can help you advance your career or change direction.
If you don’t have an LLB but want to study advanced legal topics, you may still be able to study for the LLM. You would need to have suitable practical or professional experience and get approval from the Director of Postgraduate Studies for the Faculty of Law.
What you’ll learn
All LLM students take Advanced Legal Study (LAWS 581). This course covers research methodologies, legal theories, and basic skills required for successful postgraduate study in law.
You’ll also complete further 500-level courses on advanced topics in Law. Depending on which version of the LLM you study, you may also complete a dissertation or thesis.
How you’ll study
We offer three ways to study for the LLM. Choose the one that best fits your interests and career goals.
Master of Laws by coursework
This is an excellent way to advance your academic or professional career through a tailored selection of specialised taught courses.
You’ll complete:
- one core course—Advanced Legal Study (LAWS 581) worth 10 points
- the remaining 110 points chosen from a range of 500-level LAWS courses.
Up to 40 points can be replaced by equivalent postgraduate courses taken from outside our faculty—even from another university.
From year to year, 500-level LAWS courses differ. They are taught either in block format, intensive format, or seminars over two trimesters.
Master of Laws by dissertation and coursework
This option combines advanced legal study with the opportunity for independent research on a topic of personal or professional interest.
You’ll complete:
- the 10-point Advanced Legal Study (LAWS 581) course
- a further 20 points from the selection of LLM courses
- Dissertation (LAWS 592)—a 90-point dissertation of 35,000 words.
Master of Laws by thesis
Focus on a substantial piece of independent legal research if you’re considering an academic, policy, or research‑focused career path.
You’ll complete:
- the Advanced Legal Study (LAWS 581) course
- a 120-point thesis of 50,000 words on an area of law that interests you.
Research supervision
If you’re doing research as part of your Master of Laws, you’ll need a supervisor from our academic staff. They can supervise research on a wide range of comparative, international, and national topics.
Conducting your research alongside one of our staff, you’ll be part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading centre for academic legal research.
Find out about the research degrees you can study with us. Then explore the Faculty’s research areas to find a topic that interests you, and the staff who might supervise it.
Alternative courses
All postgraduate Law courses have limited entry. For the coursework part of your Master’s, you need to nominate alternative courses in case your first choices are not available.
International study options
Our most popular programme among international students is the Master of Laws by coursework.
You should apply as early as possible, so you have time to organise your visa and arrange travel and accommodation.
See the International section of our website for more information.
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.
Get accepted into this programme
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university 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 LLM degree shall have:
(i) completed an LLB(Hons) or LLB 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 had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Degree requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the LLM
2. Except as provided in section 5 of these regulations, the course of study for the LLM shall consist of either:
(a) a Master’s thesis (Thesis (LAWS 591)), together with any additional advanced legal study specified by the director; or
(b) Advanced Legal Study (LAWS 581) and one of the following options:
(i) Dissertation (LAWS 592) and 20 further points from the LLM Schedule; or
(ii) a course of study comprising LAWS 593 and 20 further points from the LLM Schedule; or
(iii) 110 further points from LAWS 520–582.
3. (a) The minimum and maximum periods of enrolment for the thesis are specified in the Master’s Thesis Regulations.
(b) A full-time candidate undertaking the degree under section 2(b) shall normally complete the degree within one year of first enrolling in it (extended pro rata up to three years for students who are not full time). The director may extend the maximum period in special cases.
4. A candidate who has failed any course shall re-enrol for the degree only with the permission of the director.
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.
Future careers
An LLM 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.
Depending on your study and work experience, you might find work as a:
- lawyer (with a Bachelor of Laws)
- in-house legal counsel
- journalist
- policy analyst
- politician.
You need an LLB to practise law
While an LLM expands your expertise in the law, it is not a professional qualification. To practise as a lawyer in New Zealand, you need a Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
The New Zealand Law Society website has more information about becoming a lawyer.
More career information
Find out more about careers in law on our Faculty careers page.
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.
Available law scholarships include:
- Angelo South Pacific Postgraduate Scholarship in Law
- Anstiss-Garland Charitable Trust Postgraduate Scholarship
- New Zealand Centre for Public Law LLM Scholarship
- PhD Scholarship in Matauranga Maori and Patent Law
- Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board Postgraduate Scholarship
- Wellington Master’s by Thesis Scholarship
- Wellington Women Lawyers’ Association Scholarships
Scholarships for postgraduate 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.
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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 are 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.
Available law scholarships include:
Scholarships for postgraduate 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.
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.
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.