PROFS Course Guide
WHY THE COLLEGE IS #1 FOR PROFS
WE’RE GRADUATES’ PROFS PROVIDER OF CHOICE
More students choose to study their Profs with The College of Law than any other provider. More than 700 students each year trust us to prepare them for admission and the transition into the workplace.
STUDY ONLINE, ON CAMPUS, OR BOTH
At College of Law, there’s no “one size fits all”. You can choose to study Profs at home, in-person, or opt for a mixture of both. Select the timing, location, and dates for each workshop to fit Profs around your schedule, not the other way around.
With five locations across New Zealand and multiple workshop timing options, you’re spoiled for choice.
FIT STUDY INTO YOUR LIFE
Unlike university, you don’t have to wait until the usual semester intake to start Profs. With new courses starting every two weeks, we’re ready when you are.
CHOOSE YOUR HOURS
Full-time and part-time study options allows you to set your own pace. You can complete the course faster by choosing full-time study. Part-time study provides the option to complete Profs at a pace that leaves more time for work or other commitments.
LEARN FROM THOSE WITH BOOTS ON THE GROUND
Our lecturers are experienced, practising lawyers. So you can expect the most relevant examples and up-to-date knowledge on contemporary issues facing legal practitioners.
What better way to prepare yourself for the real world?
TAILOR TO YOUR UNIQUE INTERESTS
As the only Profs provider offering elective subjects, you’ll be able to tailor your learning to your personal interests. Your Profs, your choice.
YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR SUCCESS
The first-class support you’ll have on hand is only the beginning.
Our experienced lecturers, relevant assessments and superior online learning tools will give you every opportunity possible to excel in your studies.
A REAL-WORLD APPROACH TO ASSESSMENTS
Rather than exams, your assessments will mirror the files and activities you’ll face when you enter the workforce.
You’ll learn via a mentor-mentee process, submitting assignments and receiving regular feedback. It’s the smartest way to get you truly ‘practice-ready’.
AN ADVANCED ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM
Taking a page out of Harvard’s book, we’ve embraced the prestigious university’s advanced learning platform, Canvas.
Interactive, dynamic and engaging. That’s what you can expect when learning online at the College.
ALIGN YOURSELF WITH THE BEST
By choosing The College of Law for your Profs, you’re aligning your own professional reputation with the best, from day one of your legal career.
That’s because our course is the longstanding market leader in New Zealand, preferred by students, law firms and the Big 4 alike.
ABOUT PROFS PROFS AT THE COLLEGE OF LAW
What is the Professional Legal Studies Course (known as Profs)?
The first step to becoming a lawyer in New Zealand is to complete a law degree (LLB). Your LLB underpins your theoretical understanding of the law and legal practice in New Zealand.
The second step to being admitted is the completion of your Profs.
Profs is a structured training course designed to give you the practical skills you’ll need as a new lawyer, as set by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE).
The purpose of Profs
Profs aims to bridge the gap between what you learnt at university and the real world. During your Profs you will:
Learn how to practise under supervision
Gain the skills required to represent a client
Understand the responsibilities of a practitioner and officer of the court
Enhance your sensitivity to culture and diversity
Before and after Profs
Develop the foundations for lifelong learning in the legal profession
Take accountability for your ongoing professional development
Learn skills to help you maintain well-being in practice
You can enrol in the Profs at any time, as long as the course commences after your final LLB exam or assessment.
You don’t need to have received your final university results before you start.
After completing your Profs, you can apply for admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
Inspiring, supportive teachers
At the College of Law, we know it’s not just what you learn that’s important, but also from whom you learn. That’s why our instructors are all successful, respected legal professionals with:
A passion for mentoring new lawyers
Extensive experience and technical knowledge
Specialist expertise in one or more practice areas
Enthusiasm for teaching legal practice
Interactive, hands-on learning
At the College of Law, you will learn by doing, not just reading.
Rather than formal essay writing and exams, you’ll solve problems and complete tasks. Whether it’s drafting an Affidavit or preparing a Statement of Claim, you’ll learn key areas of competence through everyday scenarios that parallel real-life practice.
Your time with us will be fun, engaging, and hugely beneficial!
Wide-ranging subjects – with more elective options
“ MY EXPERIENCE WAS NOT ONLY PRODUCTIVE AND USEFUL, BUT VERY ENJOYABLE. I COMMEND EACH INSTRUCTOR ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE, PASSION AND PEOPLE SKILLS.
Graduate of Profs at College
of Law
At the College of Law, we believe you deserve the opportunity to explore your specific interest area and get a head start on your ideal legal career. That’s why we are the only provider to offer elective subjects.
Compulsory subjects (complete all)
• Advocacy
• Civil Litigation
• Interviewing and Advising
• Negotiation and Mediation
• Transactional Practice
• Professional Skills
• Office and Personal Management
Elective subjects (choose one)
• Corporate Law
• Criminal Law
“ PROFS IS A PRACTICAL, SKILLS BASED PROGRAMME. IT DEVELOPS A SET OF SKILLS THAT YOU NEED IN THE PROFESSION.
Jenna Ash, Chief Academic Officer, The College of Law
Choose your preferred mode of attendance
At the College of Law, we know that you’ll have preferences for how you learn. That’s why we offer entirely online and onsite learning options.
As pioneers in online delivery, we know how to keep you supported and connected, however you choose to have your Profs course delivered to you.
Through Canvas – our online learning portal – you’ll engage in a range of interactive tutorials, quizzes and practical exercises. You’ll also undertake live assessments and receive one-on-one feedback from your instructors via video and teleconference.
During your workshops, you will participate in role plays and receive guidance and feedback from an instructor.
Workshop delivery options
We offer three workshop delivery options. During Profs, you’ll take three workshop subjects. You can mix and match delivery options amongst those subjects.
Best for Students with daytime availability who want the momentum of undertaking a subject in one block.
Workshop subjects
Interviewing & Advising, Negotiation & Mediaton, and Advocacy
When enrolling in Profs at the College of Law, we give you the freedom to choose your workshop times, dates, and locations. We encourage you to view our workshop timetable page for more information: collaw.ac.nz/learnwithus/our-programmes/professional-legal-studies-course/workshop-schedule
Five study locations
We offer Profs in five cities, and fully online:
(18 WEEKS)
COURSE DATES AND FEES 2025
Multiple start dates
Once you’ve completed the requirements for your law degree, you can begin your Profs at any time. Simply choose from our many start dates.
To view upcoming start dates, please visit collaw.ac.nz/Profs
Remember: You don’t need your final grades or to have formally graduated to enrol or start the programme.
All-inclusive course fees
Your course fees cover:
• Tuition
• Learning materials
• Access to online libraries and databases
• Resources
International students are not eligible for student loans.
Is your employer paying your course fees? If so, we’ll send them an invoice directly.
If you’re not eligible for a student loan, you’ll need to pay your fees in full before you start (via credit card or Internet Banking).
FAST FACTS
ELIGIBILITY
To begin Profs at The College of Law, you need to have a New Zealand LLB – or a law degree from another jurisdiction with approval from NZCLE.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLMENT
If you acquired your law degree overseas, your qualifications will need to be assessed by NZCLE before enrolling in Profs. Learn more at nzcle.org.nz.
You will also need a valid visa as well as medical and travel insurance during your time in New Zealand. Learn more at immigration.govt.nz
CHOOSING AN ELECTIVE
We recommend that you choose your elective based on the type of clients you plan to work with once you enter practice. Remember, you can change your elective in the first seven days of the course if you wish to.
REFUNDS & WITHDRAWALS
If you need to withdraw your enrolment, our refund policy is as follows:
• You’ll receive a full refund if you withdraw at least 14 days before your course starts.
• You’ll receive a refund of the course fees less $500 if you withdraw within 8 days after your course starts.
• You won’t receive a refund if you withdraw more than 8 days after your course starts.
• Any refund will be at the College’s discretion and will depend on individual circumstances.
GETTING ADMITTED
NZ citizens and permanent residents: You can gain admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand after you complete your LLB and Profs. Learn more at lawsociety.org.nz
International students: NZCLE will need to assess your qualifications before you apply for admission. Learn more at nzcle.org.nz
TRANSFERS
You can transfer your programme to a later intake at any time if your circumstances change. Transfers more than 14 days after your course commences will incur a fee.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
To study Profs with The College of Law you’ll need:
• Microsoft Word
• Reliable high-speed internet access
• Speaker, microphone, webcam, and a compatible and supported browser
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
Want to learn more about our course options, start dates, or anything else?
Please call our team during business hours, or visit our website at any time.
Phone: 0800 265 529
Email: enquiries@collaw.ac.nz Website: collaw.ac.nz