Bachelor of Laws

In the Bachelor of Laws, our interactive lectures and regular case-study workshops will develop your ability to interpret, critically analyse, reason and deliver practical solutions to legal problems. You’ll become confident in your understanding of legal principles, and you’ll develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as your ability to act ethically.

AUT law graduates have established successful careers in a range of law firms, immigration consultancies and commercial establishments including Kensington Swan, Bell Gully, Buddle Findlay, Chapman Tripp, Meredith Connell, Langdon and Co Lawyers, Enterprise Law, Simpson Dowsett Mackie, Davies Law, Te Nahu Lovell & Co, Simpson Grierson, Russell McVeagh and Wynyard Wood.

Key features:

  • Ongoing input from the legal profession and business community
  • Intensive and interactive study environment
  • Active student culture and networking opportunities.

Quick Facts

Entry Requirements

  • University Entrance (NECA, CIE or IB) or equivalent**

* Only Part I is available at South Campus
**Subject to approval

Selection criteria:

  • Preference will be given to applicants who have completed Year 13 with the highest rank scores
  • Preferred school subjects: Subjects that develop a very good standard of reading, oral and written English.

Majors

Additional Majors and Minors

Additional majors and minors

Structure and Content

In Part I, you’ll study three compulsory law papers to make up half of your first-year study (60 points). The other 60 points must be taken from another AUT degree. This gives you the chance to broaden your study and enables you to enrol in one of the double degrees.

If you complete your Part I papers with at least a B grader average in the compulsory law papers, you’ll be offered a place in Part II. Other students may also be eligible for Part II.

In your second year you’ll study six more compulsory law papers. In Year 3 you’ll study four compulsory law papers and choose the rest from law electives. In your final year you’ll study Legal Ethics as well as a choice of law electives.

Related Programmes

Career Opportunities

Graduates of AUT’s Bachelor of Laws are eligible to gain admission as barristers and solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand on completion of their Professional Legal Studies course.

As a lawyer you might practise in a wide range of legal areas including: corporate law, commercial and intellectual property, family law, environmental law, criminal law, taxation and general practice.

Law graduates also move into roles as:

  • In-house lawyers in large New Zealand and multinational businesses and organisations
  • Patent attorneys
  • Policy advisors to central and local government
  • Senior management roles in business
  • Taxation practitioners in accountancy practices

Testimonials