Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) offers a rigorous legal education that builds strong analytical and communication skills. It qualifies graduates to practise law, but its value goes beyond the practice of law – legal thinking is highly transferable and sought after across business, government, advocacy, and many other sectors.
Entry requirements
Entry to the Bachelor of Laws
First year – general entry requirements
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) First Year is subject to the same general entry requirements as general bachelors' degrees at Otago. The programme consists of the full-year 100-level paper LAWS 101 The Legal System, as well as an additional 4–6 papers at 100-level.
Second year – limited entry
Admission to the second year of the Bachelor of Laws degree is limited, and selection is based on academic record, with a focus on the mark you achieve in LAWS 101. You must also have achieved a B- average in your highest-performing non-Law papers.
In some cases, applicants may be admitted to the second year of the Bachelor of Laws without having already taken LAWS 101, based on other prior tertiary study. This is at the discretion of the Law Admissions Committee, and passing LAWS 101 is still a requirement to complete the LLB.
For detailed information, please refer to:
General entry requirements
A university entrance qualification is essential for admission to the University of Otago for all types of programmes. You must also be at least 16 years of age by the first day of classes in your period of study and meet English language requirements.
Domestic students
You need to have met the New Zealand University Entrance standard, based on your achievement in secondary school or other prior study. Learn about the different categories for achieving University Entrance and what information you may need to provide with your application.
International students
Check recognised entry qualifications by country, and find out what documents you need to provide for a successful application.
English language requirements
All students must be proficient in the use of English. If your first language is not English, there are several ways you may provide evidence of English proficiency, including through prior secondary or tertiary study, internationally recognised English language tests, and foundation language programmes.
The level of English proficiency required for undergraduate study is equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0, with no individual band below 5.5.
For details about what is accepted as evidence of English proficiency, please refer to:
About the provider
The University of Otago, New Zealand’s first university, was founded in 1869 and offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with a strong emphasis on research and academic excellence. Ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and 2nd in New Zealand, it is also 214th worldwide according to QS rankings. Recognised as the top university in New Zealand for student academic performance by the Tertiary Education Commission, 96% of its graduates either enter the workforce or pursue further study shortly after graduation.
Located in Dunedin, a vibrant student city where students make up 20% of the population, the University benefits from a unique atmosphere. Dunedin, on the south-eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, featuring Victorian and Edwardian architecture, picturesque hills, and wildlife reserves.
The University’s campus is ranked the 5th most beautiful in the world by THE Student Voice, enhancing the educational experience. The Otago region offers diverse scenery and is close to popular destinations such as Queenstown. New Zealand is rated the 1st most beautiful country by Rough Guides 2024, is renowned for its natural beauty, Māori heritage, and multicultural society, providing a friendly, inclusive environment for students and residents.