What is required to complete an LLB(Hons) degree?
This prestigious degree requires students to successfully complete three extra papers in their final 18 months of study (in addition to meeting the usual requirements to obtain a LLB degree):
- LAWS410 Advanced Research Skills (15 points); and
- LAWS420 Honours Research Paper (15 points); and
- LAWS430 Honours Dissertation (30 points).
LAWS410 and LAWS420 include a range of seminars and assessments to help you develop the advanced legal research skills required to write a dissertation. These papers are followed by LAWS430, in which you will write your own 15,000 word research dissertation on a legal topic of your choice with academic support from a supervisor.
Students must complete LAWS410 and LAWS420 in the same calendar year and LAWS430 in first semester of the following year. Single degree students must complete these courses in their third and fourth years of full-time enrolment in the LLB degree. Double degree students must complete these courses in their fourth and fifth years of full-time enrolment.
How do I get into Honours?
Entry to Honours is at the invitation of the Dean of Law (on the recommendation of the Honours Directors) and is limited to approximately the top 25 eligible students each year. All students are eligible for admission in the year following the successful completion of LAWS203, LAWS205, and LAWS206. All eligible students are automatically considered 鈥 no separate application is required.聽
Students are selected entirely based on their academic achievement in their 200-level law papers. A minimum A- average is usually required. However, obtaining an A- average does not guarantee that a particular student will be invited to join the Honours Programme, given that only around 25 students will be invited each year. Thus, the precise academic standard required varies from year to year.
Given that students are eligible for admission following their successful completion of LAWS203, LAWS205, and LAWS206, most students are invited into the Honours Programme at the end of their second year of study. However, some students may be invited to join the Honours Programme in their third year, if their average mark obtained in their top three 200-level law courses places them in the top approximately 25 students of that year.
Where can I find out more about Honours?
For more detailed information about LLB(Hons) here at UC (including how the classes of Honours are determined) have a read of the current Honours Handbook.
All students invited to join the Honours Programme are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with one of our Student Advisors for Honours specific degree planning assistance.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Faculty of Law Honours Co-Director Ruth Ballantyne - ruth.ballantyne@canterbury.ac.nz聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽
