Master of Laws

Program Overview

The University of Auckland's Master of Laws (LLM) program provides advanced legal study for working professionals and full-time students. It offers flexible study options, over 30 taught courses, and six specializations. Graduates gain advanced legal knowledge, research skills, and critical thinking abilities, preparing them for diverse career opportunities in legal practice, policy, academia, business, and international law.

Program Outline

Master of Laws (LLM) - The University of Auckland

Degree Overview:

The program caters to both career advancement and personal academic interests.

Key objectives include:

• Upskilling and specializing in legal knowledge.
• Developing advanced legal research skills.
• Gaining in-depth understanding of specific legal areas.
• Expanding career opportunities in the legal field.

Program Features:

• Choice of coursework, research, or a combination.
• Over 30 taught courses available.
• Six optional specializations.
• Flexible study options for full-time or part-time students.

Outline:

The LLM program comprises 120 points achieved through various pathways:

Taught Masters (120 points):

• 120 points of taught courses.
• 90 points of taught courses + 30-point dissertation.
• 105 points of taught courses + 15-point supervised research.

Research Masters (120 points):

• 120-point thesis (40,000 words).

Combined Masters (90 points):

• 30 points of taught courses/dissertation/supervised research + 90-point thesis (30,000 words).

Taught courses cover various legal areas including:

• Corporate and Commercial Law.
• Environmental Law.
• Human Rights Law.
• International Law.
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution.
• Public Law.

Assessment:

• Examinations: Testing knowledge and understanding of legal concepts.
• Essays: In-depth analysis and critical thinking on legal topics.
• Research Projects: In-depth research and analysis on specific legal issues.
• Presentations: Communication and application of legal knowledge.

Teaching:

• Interactive lectures: Engaging discussions and knowledge dissemination.
• Small group seminars: Encouraging active participation and critical analysis.
• Workshops: Practical skills development and problem-solving.
• Individual supervision: Personalized guidance and feedback on research projects.

Careers:

The LLM program prepares graduates for diverse career opportunities in various legal fields, including:

• Legal practice: Barrister, Solicitor, Legal Counsel.
• Policy and Advocacy: Policy Analyst, Government Advisor, Human Rights Advocate.
• Academia: Lecturer, Researcher, Legal Scholar.
• Business and Finance: Compliance Officer, Financial Advisor, Corporate Lawyer.
• International Law: Diplomat, International Lawyer, Human Rights Consultant.

Other:

• The program is ideal for those seeking to advance their legal careers or pursue academic research.

• Graduates are equipped with advanced legal knowledge, research skills, and critical thinking abilities.