Study Doctor of Laws at The University of Otago in New Zealand,
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Doctor of Laws

New Zealand

8

What will I learn?

The Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree is a higher doctorate and one of the University's most prestigious qualifications. It is awarded only to individuals who have published original contributions of special excellence in the history, philosophy, exposition or criticism of law. It is expected that an applicant will either be an Otago graduate or have had some formal association with the University.There is no requirement for coursework or a supervised piece of original research. Rather, an intending candidate must lodge a formal application that includes books published by major companies, papers published in peer reviewed serials and, if approved by the Senate, unpublished reports. Copies of the submitted work will be sent to subject experts of national and international eminence for examination.

Study options

Full Time (3 Years)

Tuition fees
NZ$45,990.00 (US$ 27,433) per year

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

December 2026

Venue

Dunedin Campus

University of Otago Clocktower Building,

362 Leith Street,

DUNEDIN,

North Dunedin,

9016, South Island, New Zealand

Full Time (3 Years)

Tuition fees
NZ$45,990.00 (US$ 27,433) per year

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

December 2027

Venue

Dunedin Campus

University of Otago Clocktower Building,

362 Leith Street,

DUNEDIN,

North Dunedin,

9016, South Island, New Zealand

Entry requirements

For international students

A candidate must apply for admission1 to the degree by submitting the following in the first instance: a curriculum vitae; an abstract and/or brief description of the work including a list of the published original contributions upon which the application is based; and a statutory declaration identifying the submitted work as original and stating that it has not previously been accepted for another qualification at any university or equivalent institution. Where co-authored work is submitted those parts which are a candidates own work should be identified, whereupon the University will review and advise if a case for the award of the degree exists. Where the case for an award exists, every candidate shall submit a digital copy of the work2 upon which the application is based together with a narrative summary of the body of work of 5000-10000 words, which clearly describes the impact of the work or contribution to the relevant discipline or area of practice, and the required entry fee. In exceptional circumstances, and with the prior approval of the Senate, unpublished material may be submitted as part of the work. Additional work, published or unpublished, may be submitted as appendices in support of the application.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About The University of Otago

The University of Otago is New Zealand’s first university and ranked among the top 200 universities in the world in the QS Rankings.

  • New Zealand’s No.1 university for academic performance
  • 96 percent of Otago graduates go into work or further study
  • Among the top five most beautiful campuses globally
  • Opportunity to apply for a three-year post-study work visa

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