SJD Doctor of Juridical Science

at University of Waikato

Programme structure

Part 1
Part 1 requires you to complete the Research Portfolio paper (LAWS995). You'll attend selected seminars and cohort meetings with your supervising academic staff.

You'll have to produce two research papers of publishable quality demonstrating your expertise in an area of law of your choice. You'll also have to produce a research proposal at the level of a PhD proposal.

Part 1 counts for 120 points and you must gain a pass grade in the Research Portfolio. You'll have 1 year to complete Part 1 if you study full-time (and 2 years if you study part-time).

Part 2
For part 2, you'll complete a major thesis at the doctoral level of a maximum of 60,000 words. You'll be required to undertake approved and supervised research, and present the results lucidly in a thesis of publishable quality, which:

• Critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance
• Demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship
• Displays intellectual independence, and
• Makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area.

Part 2 counts for 240 points. You'll have 3 years to complete Part 2 if you study full-time and at least 6 years if you are enrolled in part-time studies.

To qualify to enrol in the Doctor of Juridical Science degree, you’ll be required to:

• Hold a bachelor's degree with honours or a master's degree, and must have achieved first or second class honours (first division) or distinction, or
• Hold a Master of Philosophy, or
• Have passed qualifying papers at a satisfactory level.

In exceptional circumstances, if you have produced other evidence signifying that you hold adequate skills and knowledge to proceed with the proposed research to the satisfaction of the Postgraduate Research Committee you may be permitted to enrol in the DJS programme.

The cost of studying at University of Waikato varies largely depending on the type of university and the degree chosen. More often than not, humanities, arts, and education courses are less expensive than degrees in medical, engineering, or management. Furthermore, students who choose to study at the postgraduate level typically pay higher tuition fees, which again vary depending on the programme chosen.

Most universities provide scholarships or financial aid to students in order to help them offset their tuition costs. Students should be aware that additional course fees and incidental expenses may not be included in tuition. On average, international students can expect to pay NZ$32,630 annually, to study in University of Waikato.