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Introduction to Specialisations

A specialisation is a focused collection of courses within a programme that allows you to gain deep, targeted knowledge in a specific sub-field. Normally these courses make up more than 50 percent of a qualification, some of which lead to registration within a certain field. They may be interdisciplinary, professionally oriented, or designed to meet accreditation requirements. Specialisations often restrict elective choice in favour of a clearly defined study plan.

Completed specialisations will appear on your academic transcript.

Please see the main programme link below for further details.

Subject Overview

Public International Law today comprises multiple areas of major significance domestically and internationally. These include international economic law; international environmental law; human rights; indigenous peoples’ rights; migration; disarmament; international humanitarian law; law of the sea; international disputes settlement and international peace and security. Private International Law incorporates core fields including international commercial arbitration and conflict of laws.
Auckland Law School has a team of well regarded scholars researching and teaching in both public and private International Law. Many of our students have written their honours, masters and doctoral dissertations in international law.

Main Programme

Knowledge and Skills

You can choose to have your LLM or MLS degree awarded in International Law. To do this, you must complete a minimum of 90 points of the 120 points for the degree in this specialisation.
International Law is an area of growing reach and importance. We have both generalist and specialist teachers and researchers in this field.
Specialisms include:
- Armed Conflict Law
- International Criminal Law
- International Environmental Law
- International Litigation
- International Trade Law
- Law of the Sea and Antarctica
- International Dispute Resolution
- International Economic Regulation
- Counterterrorism Law
- International Relations and Globalisation
- International Peace and Security

Each year we invite teachers to present a roster of subjects. The course line-up of subjects changes annually.

Recent courses have included Law of the Sea, Globalisation and the Taxation of Foreign Investment, International Company and Capital Markets Law, International Insolvency Law, International Commercial Arbitration, and Internet Governance.

Potential Careers

Public and private International Law graduates may find employment as legal advisors to government, within international and non-government organisations, as specialised legal practitioners, or in business and industry.

Plan Schedule / Plan Rules

Complete 120 points for one of the following:

  • 120 points for all 120 points Thesis Option, or
  • 120 points for 90 points Thesis Option, or
  • 120 points for 90 points Research Portfolio Option, or
  • 120 points for all 120 points Research Portfolio Option

120 points Thesis Option

Complete 120 points for ALL of the following:

90 points Thesis Option

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 90 points for all Thesis, and
  • 30 points from Elective Courses

Thesis

Complete 90 points for ALL of the following:

Elective Courses

Complete exactly 30 points from the following:

Up to 30 points may be substituted from such other 700 level courses as the Dean of Faculty of Law approves from year to year as relevant for inclusion in this specialisation.

90 points Research Portfolio Option

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 90 points for all Research Portfolio, and
  • 30 points from Elective Courses

Research Portfolio

Complete 90 points for ALL of the following:

Elective Courses

Complete exactly 30 points from the following:

Up to 30 points may be substituted from such other 700 level courses as the Dean of Faculty of Law approves from year to year as relevant for inclusion in this specialisation.

120 points Research Portfolio Option

Complete 120 points for ALL of the following:

Disclaimer

Please note that while regulations and programme rules for future academic years may be displayed or made available in advance, they remain subject to change. Official, final approved programme regulations for the upcoming academic year will be available when the University Calendar is published in late October of the preceding year. Any information available prior to Calendar publication should be treated as provisional.