Bachelor of Laws
Course Overview
Our interactive lectures and regular case-study workshops develop your ability to interpret, critically analyse, reason and deliver practical solutions to legal problems. You become an articulate communicator, and confident in your understanding of legal principles and their relevance to business and community. You also develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, your ability to act ethically, and your sense of community and professional responsibility.
Course Structure
Part I
You study two compulsory law courses:
LAWS509 Legal Reasoning and Writing (30 points)
LAWS510 Tikanga Māori and the Settler State Legal System of Aotearoa New Zealand (30 points)
This makes up half of your first-year study (60 points). The other 60 points must be taken from another AUT degree, which gives you the opportunity to broaden your study and enables you to enrol in one of the double degrees.
If you complete your Part I courses and obtain at least a B grade average in the compulsory law courses, then you will be offered a place in Part II of the programme. Other students may also be eligible for Part II study.
Part II
You study five law courses:
LAWS604 Real Property (15 points)
LAWS605 Trusts (15 points)
LAWS621 Public Law (30 points)
LAWS622 Law of Contract (30 points)
LAWS623 Law of Torts (30 points)
Students who have obtained a ‘B’ average in their first year law courses at another New Zealand university can apply for direct entry into Part II of the programme.
Part III
You study four compulsory courses:
LAWS703 Advanced Private Law (15 points)
LAWS704 Public International Law (15 points)
LAWS798 Criminal Law (30 points)
LAWS797 Company Law (15 points)
You choose the rest of your courses from law electives.
Part IV
You study:
LAWS706 Legal Ethics (15 points)
Entry Requirement
| Admission Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Academic Entry Requirements | Secondary requirements
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or
General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Levels; or
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB); or
Other secondary qualifications assessed on a case-by-case basis
Tertiary requirements
One year of successful study at bachelor level at a recognised institute, or equivalent |
| Language Requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS Score (Minimum) | Interpreting and NZ Sign Language - English Interpreting majors: IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with 7.0 in Writing and Speaking, and 6.5 in Reading and Listening; or equivalent. All other majors: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with all bands 5.5 or higher; or equivalent. |
Career Opportunities
Law graduates also move into roles as:
In-house lawyers in large New Zealand and multinational businesses and organisations
Patent attorneys
Policy advisors to central and local government
Senior management roles in business
Taxation practitioners in accountancy practices