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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

With the largest range of postgraduate courses in the country, at New Zealand’s top-ranked Law school we’ll give you the tools to advance your career. 

Our PGCertLaw is designed for professionals from Law and non-Law 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. 

The programme can also be used by Law graduates wanting to bridge the gap to masters-level Law study. The PGCertLaw is effectively half of a Master of Laws (LLM) or Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree. 

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 PGCertLaw is available throughout the year, providing the flexibility you need to accelerate your career. 

The PGCertLaw 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.

For more detailed information on courses available see our Postgraduate taught courses page .

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Programme Structure

The PGCertLaw is made up of 60 points undertaken with coursework. 

Students must complete a minimum of 60 points made up of courses from the postgraduate taught courses schedule (excluding thesis or dissertation courses). They must also complete LAW 700 Legal Research Methodology and Advanced Writing.

It is possible to complete the programme in one full-time semester (6 months) or take up to four semesters (two years) to complete the programme part time.

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, i.e. Weds, Thurs, Fri, Mon, Tue)

Scholarships

Discover the wide range of scholarships available at Auckland Law School for domestic and international students. 

Postgraduate pathway

Download the Law postgraduate pathway (407KB, PDF)

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

The PGCertLaw can enhance your career potential by honing your specialist knowledge and transferable skills. Our graduates combine their legal knowledge with advanced communication, research and analytical skills in a wide range of careers.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Barrister or solicitor
  • Policy analyst in public or private sector; foreign policy clerk
  • Tax adviser, auditor, revenue assessment officer
  • Financial adviser, strategic policy planner
  • Mediator
  • Resource management officer, property consultant

Further Study Options

LLM - Master of Laws

MLS - Master of Legal Studies

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

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Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements.


University of Auckland minimum programme requirements

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.

Taught (60 point) - A Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher (or equivalent prior study)

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Other Pathways to Study

A Bachelors of Laws or for a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher in at least 60 points above Stage III, or a Bachelors degree from this University with an overall GPA of 4.0 or higher or a GPA of 4.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss potential alternative pathways into our programmes. 

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

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. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One06 April 202602 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two31 August 202620 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this postgraduate certificate are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this postgraduate certificate, an applicant must have: 

a completed the requirements for a Bachelors of Laws or for a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study,

or

b completed the requirements for a Bachelors of Laws or for a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher in at least 60 points above Stage III

or

c completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or 

d completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher in at least 60 points above Stage II.  

2 Equivalence in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation. 

Duration and Total Points Value

4 A student admitted to this postgraduate certificate must:

a pass courses with a total value of 60 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Certificates.

5 The total enrolment for this postgraduate certificate must not exceed 90 points.

Structure and Content

6 Of the 60 points required for this postgraduate certificate, a student must pass:

a LAW 700 and 60 points from courses listed in the Master of Laws taught schedule.

b As a condition of admission, the student may be required to complete LAW 701 The Legal System: Sources, Structures and Method for a Certificate of Proficiency.

c The programme for each student requires the approval of the Programme Director prior to enrolment.

7 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

Variations

8 In exceptional circumstances, the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

9  These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2026.

Schedule

Schedule Notes

The programme for each student requires the approval of the Dean of Faculty of Law prior to enrolment.

Programme Schedules

Complete 60 points comprising:

  • 1 item from Legal Research Methodology and Advanced Writing Course, and
  • 60 points from Courses from the Master of Laws Schedule, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Legal Research Methodology and Advanced Writing Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Courses from the Master of Laws Schedule

Complete exactly 60 points from the following:

No credit will be given for LAW 790, LAW 794A, LAW 794B, LAW 796A, LAW 796B, LAW 797A, LAW 797B, LAW 798A, or LAW 798B.

In the case of a student admitted under Regulation 1b, the student’s choice of courses from the Master of Laws Schedule is subject to the approval of the Dean of Faculty of Law. As a condition of enrolment the student may be required to take LAW 131 or LAW 701 for a Certificate of Proficiency.

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

#Programme Capability

Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

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