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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
102375  Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The intended purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the ability to identify and solve fundamental labour law disputes and recognise and appraise the importance and functioning of equity legislation in the employment relationship evaluate the importance of freedom of association in South African labour law and recognise and assess the regulation of collective labour relations in South Africa. Enforce the rights and obligations of the individual employment relationship and indicate and evaluate the relevant dispute routes and procedures for labour law dispute resolution. Identify and analyse relevant social security provisions relating to the employment relationship. The qualification is aimed at providing practical-orientated training in labour law to people in the legal profession, the business world, trade unions and the public sector. The programme incorporates the law as it is regulated in the Labour Relations Act and other relevant labour legislation of recent origin.

Rationale:
Upon completion of the subject-integrated topics, the learners will furnish proof that she/he is capable of giving a scientific account of and apply the knowledge in the area of labour law that she/he has gained through literature study. Furthermore, candidates should be able to demonstrate necessary practical skills enabling them to apply the substantive law, case law and problem-solving skills competently and effectively when providing labour law advice. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate effective communication, administrative, organisational and managerial skills that support the role of experts in solving and preventing labour disputes. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL) in the case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted following the policy and guidelines of theinstitution.

Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor in the field of Law or an equivalent with experience in the relevant field, relevant qualification, on National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 8 totalling at 120 Credits.
    Compulsory Modules at 120 Credits:
  • Interpretation and application of the Labour Relations Act and other related legislation, Level 8 30 Credits.
  • Social Protection Level 8, 10 Credits.
  • Collective Labour Law, Level 8, 30 Credits.
  • The Employment Relationship, Level 8, 30 Credits.
  • Dispute settling procedures, Level 8, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • An advanced comprehension with the ability to analyse and contextualise the divergent problems encountered in the application of labour law.
  • Critically analyse and evaluate the contextual framework related to Labour Law.
  • Identify, analyse and solve complex legal problems pertaining to Labour Law.
  • Engage with the legal texts to Labour Law relevant to the individual and collective employment relationship.
  • Contribute to the realisation of a just society based on a legal, constitutional democracy. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Explain the various sectors of labour legislation as well as the constitutional impact on labour relations and the regulation of an employment relationship.
  • Analyse the various forms of legislation, the common law and bill of rights when applied to the contractual relationship between an employer and an employee concerning the rights and duties held by both parties.


    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification is coherently aligned in that all teaching, learning and assessment activities are linked to module and qualification outcomes. Assessment methods are varied and includes summative and formative assessment to enhance applied competence from learners and facilitate authentic assessment and learning. Assessment will not only be used to determine whether outcomes were achieved, but also to generate data for grading and provide feedback in order to improve the curriculum. For all the assessment purposes to be achieved, tests, assignments and an examination which reveal evidence of learning based on the criteria of adequacy will be used. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law was developed following international Labour Law standards as set by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). In light of this, the Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Law can be compared, in content and duration, to the following comparable qualifications offered by international institutions:The Queen Mary University of London offers a Postgraduate Diploma in International Dispute Resolution (the qualification is offered through distance learning), where teaching takes place on an interactive online platform and through the circulation of compact discs and other tangible media. Learners are required to take the following two compulsory modules: Alternative Dispute Resolution and Advanced Mediation Skills Residential.
    Additionally, learners are required to do either a further two half-modules or one full module from the list below:
  • Multi-party Negotiation and Mediation (half module).
  • Labour Disputes and Collective Bargaining (half module).
  • International Trade and Investment Dispute Settlement (full module).
  • International Construction - Contracts and Arbitration (full module).
    The Curtin University in Australia also offers a Graduate Certificate in Employment Law which aims at providing learners with an analytical framework from which to address legal issues. The programme emphasises legal problem-solving through the application of prior decisions in some key areas of business law. The University of Northumbria in the United Kingdom offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Employment Law in Practice which aims at providing learners with in-depth knowledge and understanding of a range of employment law modules. The programme also aims to provide learners with the specialist legal knowledge needed in a practical context while developing expertise in the chosen areas and enhancing research skills. In general, this qualification compares well with its international counterparts. The only significant differences are in qualification design and the scope of coverage or focus. It is comparable in terms of content and level with the qualifications cited above from the United Kingdom and Australia. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This allows qualification for horizontal and vertical articulation:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Laws, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts, Level 8.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy: Labour Law and Employment Relations, Level 9.
  • Master of Laws in Labour Law, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Johannesburg 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.