Master of Legal Studies

Summary

Our MLS is designed for professionals from non-legal 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.

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

The MLS permits cross-disciplinary study in the form of one or two masters courses (up to 30-points) from another faculty at the University of Auckland. It 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.

The MLS can be undertaken through coursework or a combination of coursework and research.

Taught (coursework) masters

This programme allows you to study specific areas of law. The programme offers courses that provide detailed analyses of particular areas of law, as well as courses that are more policy-oriented. Each course contains a significant research component, usually in the form of a 12,500-word research essay for 30-point courses. For more detailed information on courses available see our Postgraduate taught courses page.

Combination Taught and Research masters

This programme allows you to study specific areas of law via coursework as well as conduct in-depth study in an area of personal interest to enhance employment opportunities. For more detailed information on research see our Postgraduate research options page.

Postgraduate specialisations

Specialisation is optional but you can choose to have your MLS awarded in one of our six specialisation areas: Corporate and Commercial Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, International Law, Litigation and Dispute Resolution or Public Law.

1. The 120-point MLS option is available to professionals with a four-year degree

There are two ways to structure this degree

Taught masters (MLS 120 by coursework)

Taught masters (MLS 180 by coursework)

Where could this programme take you?

As the MLS is tailored to professionals from non-legal backgrounds who require some knowledge of legal matters, but who do not necessarily want to practise law, there is a wide range of professionals who will benefit. Please note that completion of this degree will not satisfy the entry requirements for admission as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand and is not a substitute for an LLB degree.

Jobs related to this programme

Accountants and auditors

Architects and town planners

Business development managers and compliance managers

Engineers

IT professionals

Police

Public sector staff

Further study options

Doctor of Philosophy