Master of Philosophy Law (Research)

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs usually need a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. The entry requirement may specify a minimum score of 60% or higher in the previous academic degree.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 or 7.0, with no band below 6.
• TOEFL: Overall score of 90 with no individual section below 21.
• PTE: Overall score of 58, with a minimum of 50 in each section.

Students must provide:

• academic marksheets & transcripts
• letters of recommendation
• a personal statement - SOP
• passport
• other supporting documents as required by the university.

Work experience: Some postgraduate courses may require relevant work experience in the field.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.

The University of Waikato in New Zealand offers a range of scholarships specifically tailored to support international students pursuing their academic aspirations. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence, promote diversity, and assist students in overcoming financial barriers to education.

International Excellence Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship is awarded to high-achieving international students enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate programs at the University of Waikato. The scholarship covers a portion of tuition fees and is renewable based on academic performance.

International Bursary: The International Bursary aims to support outstanding students by providing a financial contribution toward tuition fees for the first year of study at the university. It is available to eligible international students undertaking full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship Programme: This prestigious scholarship program is designed for exceptional international students who demonstrate leadership potential and excel academically. Recipients receive financial assistance along with additional support for leadership development and networking opportunities.

Pacific Excellence Scholarship: Dedicated to students from Pacific countries, this scholarship recognizes academic achievement and provides financial support to cover a portion of tuition fees for selected undergraduate or postgraduate programs.

Country-Specific Scholarships: The University of Waikato offers scholarships tailored to students from specific countries or regions. These scholarships vary in criteria and eligibility, aiming to support students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities.

Research Scholarships: For international students pursuing research degrees (Ph.D. or Master's by Research), the university offers various scholarships to support their research endeavors. These scholarships provide financial assistance, allowing students to focus on their studies and contribute to groundbreaking research initiatives at the university.

Graduates from the Master of Philosophy in Law (Research) program at the University of Waikato have diverse career pathways in sectors that value advanced expertise in legal research, analysis, and scholarship.

Academic Researcher/Lecturer: Professionals can pursue careers in academia as legal researchers or lecturers, teaching at universities, conducting advanced legal research, and contributing to legal publications and scholarly journals.

Legal Analyst/Consultant: Graduates may work as legal analysts or consultants, providing expertise and guidance on legal issues, conducting legal research for law firms, corporate legal departments, or consulting firms.

Policy Analyst/Adviser: Professionals can work as policy analysts or advisers for government bodies, non-profit organizations, or think tanks, contributing legal insights to policy development, law reform, or advocacy initiatives.

Legal Counsel/Advocate: Graduates may pursue roles as legal counsel or advocates, representing clients, providing legal advice, drafting legal documents, or appearing in courts for litigation.

Legal Editor/Writer: Professionals can work as legal editors or writers for publishing houses, legal journals, or media organizations, editing legal manuscripts, writing legal articles, or contributing to legal publications.

Human Rights Officer/Advocate: Graduates may work as human rights officers or advocates for international organizations, NGOs, or government agencies, focusing on human rights law, advocacy, and policy development.

Corporate Compliance Manager: Professionals can work as compliance managers, ensuring adherence to legal regulations, conducting legal risk assessments, and developing compliance programs for corporations.

Legal Researcher for NGOs: Graduates may work for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), conducting legal research, advocacy, or providing legal aid to marginalized communities.

Government Legal Adviser: Professionals can work as legal advisers for government departments, providing legal guidance, drafting legislation, or advising on regulatory matters.

International Law Specialist: Graduates may specialize in international law, working for international bodies, diplomatic missions, or multinational corporations focusing on international legal affairs.