NZ · Master's
University of Waikato
LLM International Law
University of Waikato
Course Overview
The University of Waikato's Te Piringa Faculty of Law offers an LLM in International Law with a distinctive strength: alongside public international law, international trade and human rights, it foregrounds indigenous rights, environmental and oceans law, and the law of the Pacific — a globally relevant specialisation shaped by New Zealand's bicultural legal tradition and Pacific setting. Waikato is a Times Higher Education global top-300 university, and its law faculty is known for a research-led, small-cohort postgraduate experience. The one-year taught-and-research LLM suits law graduates seeking specialist expertise in international, environmental, or indigenous-rights law.
Sri Lankan law graduates choose Waikato for an internationally recognised LLM completed in a single year, English-medium delivery, and New Zealand's welcoming post-study settings. Graduates from Colombo, Open University, or UK-affiliated LLB programmes with an interest in international, environmental, or human-rights law are well matched. New Zealand's Post-Study Work Visa (up to 3 years for a master's) and Skilled Migrant Category open genuine settlement pathways. Note the LLM is a specialist academic qualification — practising law in Sri Lanka still requires Bar admission.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent with a good academic record; some tracks accept strong cognate degrees with substantial law content.
- check_circle Sri Lankan applicants with an LLB from Colombo, Open University, or an accredited UK-affiliated programme are competitive.
- check_circle A research/topic statement aligned with the faculty's international, environmental, or indigenous-rights strengths.
- check_circle CV and academic references.
- check_circle Online application with certified, translated transcripts.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (no band below 6.0).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall.
- check_circle PTE Academic: 58 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your prior degree was taught and examined entirely in English — Sri Lankan applicants with English-medium LLB degrees qualify with an MOI letter.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (NZD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, international) | NZD 35,000 | Rs. 6,650,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Hamilton) | NZD 20,000 | Rs. 3,800,000 |
| Proof-of-Funds (annual, visa requirement) | NZD 20,000 | Rs. 3,800,000 |
| Student Visa, Insurance & Setup | NZD 1,500 | Rs. 285,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | NZD 56,500 | Rs. 10,735,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
New Zealand grants a Post-Study Work Visa of up to 3 years for master's graduates, feeding into the Skilled Migrant Category for residence. Waikato international-law graduates route into international organisations and NGOs, environmental and human-rights law, government and policy, trade and regulatory roles, and academia across New Zealand, the Pacific, and beyond — or return to Sri Lanka's legal, policy, and development sectors. The indigenous-rights and environmental-law focus is distinctive and increasingly sought after globally.
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ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.