University
The University of Waikato
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Doctoral Degree
Duration
3 years
Next start date
Expected Apr 2023
Campus
Hamilton Campus
Summary
Turn your ideas into world-changing research. Study the University of Waikato's advanced, three-year supervised research degree in law.
This law doctorate degree will prepare you for a career as a legal scholar and teacher. This degree is aimed to help you develop advanced scholarly research and writing. This PhD is appropriate if you already possess the ability to carry out research on an independent basis.
Programme structure
You’ll acquire a law PhD by the submission of a major thesis which can be completed in a minimum of three years. Your thesis will critically investigate an approved topic of substance and significance, and make a substantial and original contribution to knowledge.
PhD supervision
This law PhD provides you with an exciting opportunity to be closely supervised by a panel of research experts who are internationally connected, well resourced, and benchmarked against the best in the world.
We provide supervision in a wide variety of legal and interdisciplinary areas such as Cyber Law, Business Law and International Law.
Waikato Faculty of Law hosts two research centres: Maori and Indigenous Governance and in Environmental, Resources and Energy Law. The Centres are dedicated to generating research into law and policy in their respective fields and to answering the challenges we face in New Zealand and worldwide. As creators of knowledge, we’ll encourage you to be a leader and innovator, and as a result, you’ll compete at a global level in your chosen area of law.
Career opportunities
- Academic
- Research Strategist
- Strategic Policy Planner
- High Court Judge
Entry criteria
To qualify to enrol for the PhD, an applicant must
have qualified for the award of a New Zealand bachelors degree with honours or master's degree,1 in a field relevant to the proposed research with at least second class honours (first division) or distinction, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
have qualified for the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in a field relevant to the proposed research, or
have enrolled for the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in a field relevant to the proposed research and demonstrated that they are able to transfer to the PhD, or
have passed qualifying papers at a satisfactory level in a field relevant to the proposed research, and
have demonstrated research ability, normally at least 30 points of research in an honours or master's degree, or significant professional research experience, or equivalent, or
in exceptional circumstances have produced other evidence to the satisfaction of the Postgraduate Research Committee that they have adequate skills and knowledge to proceed with the proposed research.
You also need to meet an English language entry requirement as follows: IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0); iBT (internet based) TOEFL - 90 with a score of 21 in writing; Pearson PTE Academic - Overall score of 58 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50; University of Waikato College - Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in English Language (CAEL) programme.
Note: Application closing dates will be 31st January, 31st May and 30th September.
Studying in NZ
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