University of Auckland

What you'll study

This conjoint degree blends the University of Auckland Law School's substantive and skills-based law curriculum with the Faculty of Arts' communication programme. From the law side you will study foundational subjects such as contract, torts, criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, property, evidence and statutory interpretation, together with skills subjects that develop legal research, drafting and advocacy. The Honours designation reflects an advanced focus on legal analysis and research.

The communication component covers communication theory, media and society, journalism and newswriting, public relations and strategic communication, digital media and content production, and research methods. Typical topics include persuasive communication, media law and ethics, audience research, social and digital media strategies, and crisis communication.

Students will take a mixture of compulsory core papers and electives in both programmes. Practical learning opportunities include legal moots and clinics, internships or work placements, media labs and project-based assessed work. Research and dissertation options are available for students pursuing advanced study in either discipline.

Entry requirements

Applicants must meet the University of Auckland's undergraduate admission requirements, including the University Entrance standard or equivalent. Admission to the law programme is competitive and is awarded on the basis of academic achievement and any other published admission criteria; strong performance in prior study is expected.

Because the conjoint route combines two disciplines, applicants should demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. If English is not your first language you will need to meet the university's English language requirements. Specific prerequisites, alternative admission pathways and credit recognition for prior tertiary study are published by the university and should be checked before applying.

Career prospects

Graduates of this conjoint degree are well placed for careers that require both legal expertise and high-level communication skills. Common career pathways include roles as a solicitor or barrister, in-house legal counsel, compliance and regulatory adviser, policy analyst, or public sector legal roles. Graduates also move into communications-focused careers such as public relations manager, corporate communications adviser, media strategist, legal journalist, and stakeholder engagement roles.

The combination of law and communication is particularly useful for careers that involve advocacy, legislative or regulatory work, media law, corporate governance, and any role where translating complex legal issues for diverse audiences is important.

Why study at University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand's largest university and hosts a leading law school with a long-standing reputation for high-quality teaching, practical skills development and research. The Faculty of Arts offers a communication programme that emphasises both theoretical foundations and practical media and industry skills.

Students benefit from practical learning environments such as legal clinics, mooting competitions, industry placements and media production facilities. The university's central Auckland location also provides access to government, legal firms, media organisations and corporate employers for internships and networking. Cross-faculty collaboration and research opportunities enable students to tailor their studies to career goals at the nexus of law, media and public affairs.