Overview

The curriculum will provide training in critical skills that are marketable across professions, such as the ability to "think like a lawyer" in solving problems and to make clearly written and logical arguments. It is a flexible, professionally aligned academic degree that addresses key aspects of human culture, communication, and society.

Key facts

It offers explicit pathways into the workforce as well as pathways for career progression or to higher degrees.

Although the Legal Studies degree at University of Waikato will not qualify students to practice as a lawyer, it will provide graduates with the core competencies and skills required for law-related work. Students will gain practical legal knowledge that is flexible and transferable to a wide range of occupations, across the public and private sectors.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Academic & Professional Research & Writing

Academic Legal Research and Writing

Legal System and Methods

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 18 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-07-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Starting 2026-11-16 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-03 00:00:00
Starting 2027-03-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-02-17 00:00:00

More details

Applications submitted after the deadline may be accepted if space is available.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

90

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

56

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

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AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

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4.9/5 student rating

Credits

120 alternative credits

120 or 180

Delivered

On Campus, Online

Campus Location

Hamilton, New Zealand
Tauranga, New Zealand

Disciplines

Legal Studies View 9 other Masters in Legal Studies in New Zealand

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

90

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

56

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

The following groups of students are eligible to be admitted to the Master of Legal Studies:

Three year bachelor’s degree in any discipline or field New Zealand bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum B GPA Admission into 180-point Master of Legal Studies programme;

Four year bachelor’s degree in any discipline or field New Zealand bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum B GPA Admission into 120-point Master of Legal Studies programme.

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Waikato and/or in New Zealand, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

43365 NZD / year

≈ 43365 NZD / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

8569 NZD / year

≈ 8569 NZD / year

Additional Details

Domestic: $8,569 - $10,441 per year

International: $43,365 (120 pts) $65,050 (180 pts)

Living costs

Hamilton

New Zealand

1470 - 2020 NZD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Legal Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Key facts

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Hamilton

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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