Regulations for the Degree of Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

  1. The Personal Programmes of Study Regulations apply in these regulations.

Admission

  1. Candidates for the Degree must have
    1. qualified for the award of a 360 point bachelors degree of the University of Waikato with at least a B grade average, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent; or
    2. qualified for the award of a 480 point bachelors degree or a bachelors degree with honours, of the University of Waikato, with at least a B grade average, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent; or
    3. qualified for the award of the Diploma in Postgraduate Preparation – Pre-Masters of the University of Waikato with at least a B grade average.
  2. In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit and relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the requirements of section 2 of these regulations may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.

Requirements for the Degree

  1. The normal minimum period of enrolment for completion of the Degree for candidates admitted under section 2(a) of these regulations is one and a half academic years. The normal minimum period of enrolment for candidates admitted under section 2(b) of these regulations is one academic year.
  2. Candidates must enrol in the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences and follow an approved programme of study.
  3. Candidates admitted under section 2(a) or section 2(c) of these regulations must gain 180 points at 500 level. Candidates admitted under section 2(b) of these regulations must gain 120 points at 500 level.
  4. Candidates must include at least 45 points from List A: Advanced Study.
  5. Candidates must complete the papers prescribed for the Degree in the Legal Studies Subject Regulations. Candidates admitted under section 2(a) or section 2(c) may take up to 60 points from outside the field of the Degree. Candidates admitted under section 2(b) may take up to 30 points from outside the field of the Degree.
  6. Candidates must pass either ALPSS500 or LEGAL507, in order to be eligible to continue beyond the first 60 points for the Degree.

Award of Honours

  1. The Degree may be awarded with
    1. First Class Honours, or
    2. Second Class Honours (first division), or
    3. Second Class Honours (second division)
  2. Candidates who fail a paper will not be eligible for the award of honours.
  3. Except with the approval of the Academic Board, the level of honours will be calculated on the basis of the grades of the first:
    1. 180 points completed by candidates admitted under section 2(a) or section 2(c) of these regulations while enrolled for the Degree, and
    2. 120 points completed by candidates admitted under section 2(b) of these regulations while enrolled for the Degree.
  4. In order to be eligible for consideration for the award of honours, the requirements of the Degree must be completed in not more than 24 consecutive months of full-time study, or, in the case of part-time study, an equivalent period not exceeding four calendar years, from the date of first enrolment in the Degree.

Variations

  1. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division or delegated authority may vary or waive these regulations in individual cases.

Appendix

List A: Advanced Study

Any 500 Level LEGAL paper excluding LEGAL504, LEGAL507, LEGAL560 and LEGAL575