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Universities New Zealand University of Auckland Courses Master of Legal Studies MLS

Master of Legal Studies MLS
at University of Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

Tuition Fee NZ$ 50,801
Country Rank#1
Duration12 Months
Score IELTS: 7

Program Overview

Our MLS is designed for professionals from non-legal backgrounds who require some knowledge of legal matters. Professionals such as accountants and auditors, architects and town planners, business development managers, compliance managers, engineers, IT professionals, police and public sector staff have greatly benefitted from this programme.

Our programme provides flexible legal study for both full-time and part-time students. You can study while you work to keep up the momentum or go full-time to get to the next level even faster. Entry to the MLS is available throughout the year providing the flexibility you need to accelerate your career.

The MLS permits cross-disciplinary study in the form of 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 concentrate your study in particular areas of specialisation or study a broad range of legal subjects.

The MLS can be undertaken through coursework or a combination of coursework and research.

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.

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, 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.

Course Content
Programme structure

The MLS programme offers two study pathways depending on the length of your undergraduate degree. It can be undertaken by coursework or a combination of coursework and research.

1.      The 120-point MLS option is available to professionals with a four-year degree
There are two ways to structure this degree

          1. Taught masters (MLS 120 by coursework)
                120 points of taught courses.
                To be completed in two full-time semesters (1 year) or eight part-time semesters (4 years).

OR
          2. Combination of taught and research masters (MLS 120 by 90-point thesis)
                30 points of taught courses and a 90-point minor thesis (30,000 words).
                To be completed in two full-time semesters (1 year) or four part-time semesters (2 years).

2.     The 180-point MLS option is available to professionals with a three-year degree
There are two ways to structure this degree:

            1. Taught masters (MLS 180 by coursework)
                180 points of taught courses.
                To be completed in three full-time semesters (1.5 years) or twelve part-time semesters (6 years).

OR
          2. Combination of taught and research masters (MLS 180 by 90-point thesis)
                90 points of taught courses and a 90-point minor thesis (30,000 words).
                To be completed in three full-time semesters (1.5 years) or six part-time semesters (3 years).

Flexible study

We understand that personal, family and work commitments are important factors when deciding whether to study, so we offer options to fit with your lifestyle:
- Full-semester courses taught in the early evening once a week
- Half-semester courses taught for six weeks of the semester in the early evening once a week
- Intensively-taught courses over three to five days (usually incorporating a weekend break, ie Weds, Thurs, Fri, Mon, Tue)
- Independent research programmes.
Entry Requirement
Programme requirements

Study option
Taught
120 points
Grade required
GPE
Grade Point Equivalent
5.0

One year of postgraduate study or a four-year bachelors degree

Study option
Research
120 points
Grade required
GPE
Grade Point Equivalent
6.0

One year of postgraduate study or a four-year bachelors degree

Study option
Taught
180 points
Grade required
GPE
Grade Point Equivalent
5.0

A three years bachelors degree

Study option
Research
180 points
Grade required
GPE
Grade Point Equivalent
6.0

A three years bachelors degree

Qualification
IELTS Academic
International English Language Testing System
Score required
7.0

Further programme requirements

You must have completed a four-year undergraduate degree or an undergraduate degree followed by an additional year of postgraduate study. Your study must have been at a recognised university (or similar institution) and you will need a GPE of 5.0 from your most recent full-time year of study.
Fees & Scholarships
2022 fees

Domestic students

NZ$9,015.60 – $19,141.20

International students

NZ$40,948 – $50,801

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.16 per point, estimated at $979.20 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.
Career Prospect
Where could this programme take you?

As the MLS is tailored to professionals from non-legal backgrounds who require some knowledge of legal matters, but who do not necessarily want to practise law, there is a wide range of professionals who will benefit. Please note that completion of this degree will not satisfy the entry requirements for admission as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand and is not a substitute for an LLB degree.

Jobs related to this programme
- Accountants and auditors
- Architects and town planners
- Business development managers and compliance managers
- Engineers
- IT professionals
- Police
- Public sector staff

Cost Of Studying At University of Auckland

Interest rates as low as 8.9% ^*

250K+

Students Assisted

800Cr+

Loan Amount Disbursed

5000+

Loans Sanctioned

Check Loan Eligibility

Master of Legal Studies MLS at University of Auckland