The purpose of an MLS is to confer legal expertise on students or professionals who do not intend to practice law. An MLS can also be used by PhD students whose disciplines have a legal concentration or to certify professionals who work closely with laws and regulation. The extent, concentration and framework of an MLS degree are dictated by the institution awarding the degree. Prospective students will find MLS degrees offered in a variety of specialisations, including:
While MLS degrees do not give graduates the qualifications to practice law, they provide a comprehensive foundation in, and understanding of, law and regulations. Completing an MLS is an excellent way to gain expertise if you're a professional who works closely with law and regulations or a PhD student who wants a deeper understanding of the laws related to your research.
We offer flexible study options for both full and part-time students, allowing you to balance your studies with work or to accelerate your learning by studying full-time. Entry to the MLS programme is available throughout the year*, providing the flexibility needed to advance your career.
The MLS permits cross-disciplinary study, allowing you to take one or two masters courses (up to 30 points) from another faculty at the University of Auckland. It also provides skills in legal research methodology for those without advanced skills in this area. With over 30 taught courses to choose from, you can specialise in particular areas or study a broad range of legal subjects.
The MLS can be undertaken through coursework or a combination of coursework and research.
1 December start is available for the 120-point research masters programme only, subject to supervisor availability.
Taught (coursework) masters This programme allows you to study specific areas of law. The programme offers courses that provide detailed analyses of particular areas of law, as well as courses that are more policy-oriented. Each course contains a significant research component, usually in the form of a 12,500-word research essay for 30-point courses.
Combination Taught and Research masters This programme allows you to study specific areas of law via coursework as well as conduct in-depth study in an area of personal interest to enhance employment opportunities. For more detailed information on research see our Postgraduate research options page .
Postgraduate specialisations Specialisation is optional but you can choose to have your MLS awarded in one of our six specialisation areas: Corporate and Commercial Law , Environmental Law , Human Rights Law , International Law , Litigation and Dispute Resolution or Public Law .
You must complete a minimum of 90 points (made up of approved taught courses and a dissertation, thesis or research portfolio) in one of the six specialisations for the degree to be conferred with an endorsement in that particular area.
Watch: Hear from staff and alumni on the Master of Legal Studies programme .
For more information, please contact us .
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.
Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)
You must have completed a four-year bachelors degree or a bachelors degree followed by an additional year of postgraduate study. You will need a GPA of 5.0 from your most recent 120 points.
You must have completed a four-year bachelors degree or a bachelors degree followed by an additional year of postgraduate study. You will need a GPA of 5.0 from your most recent 120 points.
You must have completed a three-year bachelors degree. You will need a GPA of 5.0 from your most recent 120 points.
You must have completed a three-year bachelors degree. You will need a GPA of 5.0 from your most recent 120 points.
If you do not meet the grade requirements for direct entry to the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programme you may apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Law (PGCertLaw) pathway.
Under the PGCertLaw, you must complete at least 60 points (one semester full-time study) of postgraduate law courses, with a B average, to gain admission into the MLS programme.
The 60 points completed under the PGCertLaw may then be re-assigned to the MLS programme.
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.
| QS 综合 | 院校 | 学制 | 学费 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 第 16 位 | 耶鲁大学Yale University | 一年 | 69,100美元 |
| 第 45 位 | 西北大学Northwestern University | 一年 | 58,820 美元 |
| 第 92 位 | 华盛顿大学University of Washington | 45学分 | 32,130美元/45个学分 |
| 第 174 位 | 贝尔法斯特女王大学Queen's University Belfast | 2年 | 22850英镑/年 |
| 第 326 位 | 凯斯西储大学Case Western Reserve University | 12个月 | 30400美元/学期 |
| 第 398 位 | 澳门科技大学Macau University of Science and Technology | 2年 | 130000港币/年 |