Is New Zealand Good for LLM?
Most Pacific island nations, as well as countries such as India, will have English-speaking legal systems, making an LLM in New Zealand particularly appealing.
LLM in New Zealand for Indian Students
The Master of Laws (LLM) in New Zealand is a 2-year full-time program taught in the country's top-ranked law schools. New Zealand's education system is fashioned and internationally recognised by students who seek to pursue higher education overseas. For the past 50–60 years, New Zealand universities have always welcomed international students, providing the best of both worlds in terms of educational and living standards. Most law schools and institutes in New Zealand feature in the top 500 law schools globally. As a result, studying for an LLM in New Zealand may be an appealing choice for global students. So if you're looking to pursue an LLM program in New Zealand, then it's a great option. Read the whole blog to know the astonishing benefits of studying law courses in New Zealand.
Table of Contents
- Why Study LLM In New Zealand?
- LLM In New Zealand: Course Highlights
- Types of LLM In New Zealand
- LLM In New Zealand: Specializations
- Universities In New Zealand for LLM
- Eligibility to study LLM In New Zealand
- English Language Requirements
- LLM In New Zealand: Admission Process
- LLM In New Zealand: Documents Required
- Cost Of LLM In New Zealand
- LLM Scholarships In New Zealand
- Jobs & Salary After LLM In New Zealand
- What After LLM In New Zealand?
- How to Apply for LLM In New Zealand?
- New Zealand student visa process for international students
- FAQs
Why Study LLM In New Zealand?
Here we address many "Why's" about studying LLM in New Zealand down below:
- Studying an LLM in New Zealand makes your career stand out as their standards are the best among the other Pacific island nations.
- New Zealand's education system is far superior and better than other rival study destinations like the United States and Canada.
- The quality of legal programs and life in New Zealand is good compared to the United States and the UK in terms of cost.
- International students can apply for a post-study work visa offering a massive 12-month stay in New Zealand.
- The LLM program in New Zealand is flexible and comprises many LLM courses, such as coursework, intensive research, and dissertation writing.
- Environmental law is gaining popularity among other LLM specialisations offered by New Zealand universities.
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LLM In New Zealand: Course Highlights
In order to study in New Zealand, students must know some cool highlights of the LLM program in New Zealand.
|
Program duration |
1 year/ 2 semesters |
|
Course fee |
NZ$32,500 per annum |
|
Program eligibility |
Bachelor of Law or any relevant UG degree |
|
Popular intake |
January and July |
|
Popular specialisations |
Corporate Law, Taxation Law, and Commercial Law |
|
Average annual salary |
NZ$45,000-NZ$65,000 |
Types of LLM In New Zealand
New Zealand is the leading country in having the highest number of law schools in the world. Numerous colleges and universities offer a Master of Laws for those pursuing a legal career in New Zealand under different types of LL.M for flexible study options. The various types of specialised LLM programs in New Zealand are:
- Master of Laws by coursework
- Master of Laws by dissertation and coursework
- Master of Laws by Thesis
- Master of Laws by a research portfolio
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LLM In New Zealand: Specializations
The following are the most popular LL.M. specialisations available in New Zealand. You can explore the list of best available Master of Laws (LLM) specialisations below:
- Criminal Law
- Corporate Law
- Constitutional Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Business Law
- International Trade Law
- Commercial Law
- Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law
- Administrative Law
- Security & Investment Law
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Universities In New Zealand for LLM
According to QS News Ranking, the following are the best universities in New Zealand that offer a great Master of Laws (LLM) program with good job placement opportunities:
|
University |
QS Global Ranking 2022 |
Course |
Tuition Fees per Annum |
|
The University of Auckland |
80 |
Master of Laws LL.M. |
NZ$36,500 |
|
University of Otago |
181 |
LL.M. Corporate Laws |
NZ$37,800 |
|
Victoria University of Wellington |
222 |
Master of Legal Studies (MLS) |
|
|
University of Canterbury |
270 |
Master of Laws in Peoples' Law (LL.M.) |
NZ$35,400 |
|
Massey University |
272 |
Master of Laws (LL.M.) |
NZ$31,650 |
|
University of Waikato |
374 |
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Law and Politics |
NZ$33,650 |
|
Lincoln University |
384 |
Master of Laws (LL.M.) |
NZ$27,750 |
|
Auckland University of Technology |
428 |
Master of Bioethics and Health Law (MBHL) |
NZ$36,250 |
Eligibility to study LLM In New Zealand
To get into any university in an LLM program in New Zealand, candidates need to have a bachelor's law degree or any relevant degree program with good grades. However, it isn't easy to figure out the single set of eligibility criteria to apply for the LLM program as the eligibility varies from university to university. But it is essential to figure it out before applying to any particular university. For international students, English language proficiency and supporting documents like academic transcripts and course completion are a must to proceed to study LLM in New Zealand.
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English Language Requirements
Many universities in New Zealand need international students to have good grades in their UG to be admitted to an LLM program. However, the requirements differ from university to university. Additionally, the international students need to apply, attend, and attain good English language proficiency test scores as shown below:
- TOEFL Score: 6 to 7.5(preferred)
- IELTS Score: 90 to 120(preferred)
LLM In New Zealand: Admission Process
Most law schools in New Zealand have an application portal. The application deadlines for LLM in New Zealand universities are mostly in January and July. Here are the admission procedures for the LLM program:
- You must start the admission process six months before the application deadline.
- The application deadline for most universities for the 2020 session has passed.
- If international students wish to apply for an LL.M in New Zealand at a leading institution for LL.M in New Zealand.
- The advantage of applying to New Zealand universities is that they do not charge an application fee.
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LLM In New Zealand: Documents Required
A list of the following documents is required to apply for a study visa in New Zealand.
- Attested copies of higher and secondary (X, XII) & Graduate Degree (if applicable), mark sheets including Backlogs.
- Proof of English language proficiency such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
- Reference letters from colleges & employers.
- Passport copy.
- Certificates of extra-curricular activities.
- GMAT, GRE Result (where necessary for the program)
- Passport-sized photographs.
- work experience certificates (If applicable)
- Resume.
- SOP.
Cost Of LLM In New Zealand
Generally, the fee for an LLM program in New Zealand for international students would cost around NZ$32,500 per year. This is comparatively lower than in other study destinations. For instance, studying LLM in New Zealand will cost around NZ$26,450–$51,750 per year. In comparison, the same program in Canada will cost between NZ $38,500 and NZ $56,750 per year.
|
University |
Fees per Annum (NZ$) |
|
University of Canterbury |
37,950 |
|
University of Waikato |
31,850 |
|
Victoria University of Wellington |
34,000 |
|
Lincoln University |
43,100 |
|
University of Otago |
36,450 |
|
Massey University |
29,800 |
|
The University of Auckland |
41,050 |
|
Auckland University of Technology |
36,450 |
LLM Scholarships In New Zealand
Numerous scholarships are available for candidates studying the LLM program in New Zealand who seek financial support to pay their tuition fees. In contrast, these scholarships are highly competitive, yet the way to apply and get approved is pretty easy. Here's the list of popular scholarships available for international LLM applicants:
|
Scholarship |
University |
Fund Granted (in NZ$) |
|
International Excellence Scholarships |
Massey University |
Partial tuition fees covered |
|
Faculty of Law Graduate Scholarship |
University of Waikato |
5,000 |
|
Faculty of Law International Students LLM Fee Scholarship |
Victoria University of Wellington |
Tuition fees covered |
|
Research Masters Scholarships |
University of Otago |
15,000 |
|
Supperstone Law Scholarship |
Lincoln University |
Tuition fees covered |
|
International Master’s Degree Scholarship |
The University of Auckland |
10,000 |
Jobs & Salary After LLM In New Zealand
Studying LLM in New Zealand offers students a tremendous edge over earnings. The high-paid New Zealand Master of Laws (LLM) graduates are the legal department professionals at $145,000 annually. Also, fresh LLM graduates can earn up to $86,500 a year. The following are job roles with average salaries offered after completing the LLM program in New Zealand:
|
Job Role |
Salary in NZD |
|
Legal Assistant |
101,050 |
|
Country Lawyer |
68000 |
|
Senior Solicitor |
104,500 |
|
Attorney or Lawyer |
69,500 |
|
Solicitor |
72,000 |
|
Contracts Lawyer |
150,500 |
What After LLM In New Zealand?
Students completing an LLM program in New Zealand have the most incredible benefit of being able to become early practitioners of common law. Because the New Zealand legal curriculum is designed to allow international students to practice anywhere in the world. Also, the country has so many well-developed and well-funded law institutions where you can learn law programs in the context of a notable early. After successful graduation, the LLM graduates earn up to $145,000 as legal department professionals, as they are the top-rated law professionals in New Zealand. Students pursuing legal or paralegal careers can earn up to $120,000 per year. So there is an ocean of opportunities after LLM in New Zealand based on skills.
How to Apply for LLM In New Zealand?
If you've decided to study for an LLM course at a university in New Zealand, you need to collect the required documents as per the university's requirements. To apply to a university in New Zealand, one needs to submit the following documents along with the application form:
- The original birth certificate
- Two recent photographs
- National identity card
- A copy of a valid passport
- Two reference letters from the former employer
- Copies of past academic transcripts
- Letter of purpose or intent
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Proof of funding to live and study in New Zealand
- Scores for additional tests like the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT.
- Scores of English language proficiency certificates like IELTS, TOEFL, or C1 Advanced language certificates.
New Zealand student visa process for international students
If you're planning to study in New Zealand for more than three months and are from outside New Zealand or Australia, you will need a New Zealand student visa. Unlike in other countries, applying for a student visa to study in New Zealand is easy. There is so much you have to figure out before you even think of applying for one. Here's the list of documents students need to submit during the time of student visa application:
- Valid Passport.
- Student Visa Application Form.
- Statement of Purpose (SoP).
- Proof of application Fee payment receipt.
- Proof of health insurance.
- Two passport-size photographs.
- Transcripts from previous institutes.
- English language proficiency tests' scorecards (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS).
- Proof of fund documents.
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FAQs About LLM in New Zealand
Is studying law in NZ hard?
Law is a famously competitive subject of study, with more than half of first-year candidates being denied admission. The second-year Law courses at Victoria University are limited to 330 students.
How long is a law degree in NZ?
In Australia, becoming a lawyer takes at least four years of education. You will study for one of two degrees: a four-year Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a combined LLB (5+ years). An LLB takes four years to complete in New Zealand, while a combined LLB takes five.
What qualifications do I need to be a lawyer in New Zealand?
- obtain a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB)
- finishing a Professional Legal Studies Course
- Get a certificate of completion from the New Zealand Council of Legal Education
- obtain a character certificate from the Law Society
- be accepted to the High Court of New Zealand's roster of barristers and solicitors