SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Laws: Research

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
10699	Master of Laws: Research
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security		Justice in Society
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 8 and above	Level N/A:Pre-2009 was L8+	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2018-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31		2022-12-31

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

This programme aims to enhance the basic knowledge and skills of entry-level lawyers in specialised areas, by providing an opportunity for law graduates to advance their knowledge of a specific area of law, to hone their research skills and to develop their analytical and writing ability.

The degree provides training in the techniques of independent research, critical analysis and scholarly presentation appropriate to the field of law studied. The degree will equip the candidate with the skills necessary either for employment in a variety of fields or for further independent research for the degree of PhD in the same or a related subject area. It is not essential that the dissertation submitted by the candidate constitute a distinct contribution to knowledge on the subject, nor that the research project(s) undertaken necessarily be original.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Minimum entrance requirements: An LLB degree, or its equivalent, with at least an above average performance throughout the degree and a very good standard attained in the specific field of law to be researched. Candidates are normally expected to satisfy the faculty of their ability to pursue independent research at Master's level with proof of well researched LLB essays and a formal research proposal on the intended area of study.

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification

First degree:
LLB or equivalent

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

a). Critical cross-field outcomes (generic to all teaching and learning)

The LLM graduate is able to:

1. Demonstrate mastery of a theoretically sophisticated subject matter.
2. The LLM graduate is sufficiently proficient in research methodology to proceed to a Ph.D. Graduates have mastered the skills of critical thinking, problem solving, collection and analysis of data

b). General outcomes (contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the programme):

The LLM graduate is able to:

1. Conduct independent research in the discipline (or interdisciplinary field)
2. Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
3. Apply disciplinary knowledge and research skills.
4. Analyse and critique communications of an academic and popular nature.
5. Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
6. Challenge orthodoxies and redefine existing knowledge, while demonstrating awareness of the nature of knowledge in the field
7. Publish articles, present papers, contribute to conferences and attend and contribute to research seminars.

c). Specific outcomes (including professional outcomes contextually demonstrated):

The LLM graduate (by dissertation) will be:

1. Familiar with contemporary, theoretical issues in the field of law studied.
2. Able to apply a range of advanced research methods to research problems in law.
3. Able to conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
4. Able to prepare professional papers for peer review.
5. Able to write research and funding proposals.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

a). The achievement of these outcomes is assessed through the integrated assessment of the programme

b). The achievement of these outcomes is assessed by means of the dissertation itself

c). The dissertation itself and its external examining, seminars and supervision during the course of writing the thesis and possible fieldwork

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The integration of skills learnt in the LLM is assessed by means of a dissertation not exceeding 40 000 words. The dissertation must demonstrate competence in the following areas:

Research problem formulation

Independent research

Literature review

Appropriate design and execution of research

Use of appropriate methods of data collection and analysis

Integration of findings

Appreciation of the limits of the study

Use of the publication and style conventions of the discipline

Potential for publication

It is not essential that the dissertation submitted by the candidates constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the subject nor that the research project(s) undertaken necessarily be original.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification

PhD / LLD in the Faculty of Law

Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific

The LLM articulates with the PhD / LLD in the Faculty of Law. When progress is reviewed at the end of each academic year, the Faculty Board, on recommendation of the supervisor and the Head of Department may approve the candidate's registration being converted/upgraded to a PhD and recognise the period of Master's registration towards the two-year minimum period of study for the PhD

MODERATION OPTIONS

The University of Cape Town has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the Department

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the University of Cape Town will be used in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance system of the University

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

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 Cape Town