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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Laws in Environmental Law 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110201  Master of Laws in Environmental Law 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   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  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to enable learners to become effective legal researchers and to critically engage with legal principles within this broader context, so ensuring their professional development as legal scholars and/or practitioners. Learners are assisted to engage with the underlying legal theories and to assess the legal principles that ultimately impact on society as a whole. An opportunity is provided for learners to obtain detailed knowledge of a specific chosen legal area, and to critically reflect, analyse and synthesize divergent legal concepts in the chosen area. The qualification will also enable learners to engage relevant material for use in the national, African regional and international contexts, thus enabling learners to interpret law in the broader context to effect positive legal change. The aim is to develop various competencies and skills that facilitate life-long learning.

Rationale:
As the legal field is ever-changing and developing within a broader constitutional, national and international context, new knowledge generated by trained researchers as professional practitioners is necessary for the enhancement of the broader legal profession, private and public practice, the judiciary and the court system, and government and the legislature. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The principles underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role are subscribed to. Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected qualification.

A Learner who does not meet the minimum entry requirements, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. Entry Requirement:
  • Bachelor of Law, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective module at Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 9 totalling 120 Credits:
  • Mini Dissertation, 96 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 24 Credits.

    Elective Modules at Level 9 totalling 72 Credits (Choose 3 modules):
  • Natural Resources Law, 24 Credits.
  • Pollution Control Law, 24 Credits.
  • Ocean and Coastal Law, 24 Credits.
  • International Environmental Law, 24 Credits.
  • Land Use and Planning, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify, describe, critically evaluate and apply the main concepts and legal principles pertaining to the selected area of legal study within a broader constitutional and international context.
    2. Identify issues and solve practical and perceived legal problems through analytical thinking and evaluative techniques.
    3. Demonstrate advanced legal research skills pertaining to national, regional and international environmental laws.
    4. Apply a critical and evaluative approach to analysing complex issues in the field of environmental law.
    5. Analyse complex legal problems relating to environmental law and motivate the appropriate way of dealing with these problems, with reference to specific legal principles.
    6. Critically engage with legal principles specifically within the context of environmental law, and identify how they should be applied to complex legal problems in an environmental context.
    7. Undertake independent legal research and write a dissertation which reflects advanced research skills, independent thinking, critical analysis and advanced insight into the selected areas of environmental law. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate understanding of the subject matter covered in the modules and evaluate such subject matter critically.
  • Demonstrate specialised knowledge of a selected aspect of environmental law, and research, write on and critically assess such knowledge.
  • Research must use appropriate methodology and be done ethically.
  • A dissertation is written on the research findings logically using the appropriate structure and language an which represents independent thinking.
  • Accurately and logically interpret data/evidence.
  • Use an up-to-date range of sources which are appropriately acknowledged.
  • The dissertation contains recommendations and provides a conclusion that is relevant to the research and the specialist field.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Each module will be assessed through an integrated individual written assignment or test, in addition to a range of oral and written, group and individual class assignments in order to give learners the opportunities to demonstrate a variety of competencies.

    The dissertation requires learners to apply their learning in an integrated way, to analyse a specific area related to their work context in a work-based assignment and to apply the theoretical frameworks to recommend solutions to identified legal problem areas. The dissertation assesses the ability of learners to integrate solutions from different modules to the applicable legal issue addressed in the dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable with similar qualifications offered in various higher education institutions internationally.

    1. The University College, Cork in Ireland offers the Masters in Law (Environmental and Natural Resources Law) for learners with a Law Degree (Level 8). It is 1 year full-time and 2 year part-time qualification. The qualification offers a wide variety of legal topics ranging across traditional areas of environmental law, policy and regulation, as well as planning and land-use law, heritage protection, international environmental law, marine environmental law, natural resources law and human rights law.

    The qualification aims to prepare graduates for a variety of careers in the broader environmental regulatory space, including in the legal professions, governmental and regulatory agencies, environmental NGOs, compliance roles in industry, academia and environmental consultancy. The qualification integrates theoretical and practical aspects of the application of environmental and natural resources law and connects module content with legal and regulatory frameworks operating locally, nationally, regionally and globally.

    Learners take the following core modules to the value of 75 credits: Introduction to Planning Law, Legal Concepts for Heritage and Environment Environmental Law in Practice, Method in Environmental Law, International Biodiversity and Ecosystems Law and Policy, Climate Change Law and Policy, International Environmental Law, Marine Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law and an Environmental and Natural Resources Law Dissertation worth 30 credits.

    The University of Sydney offers the Master of Environmental Law to learners with a Bachelor's Degree in law or equivalent. It is 1year full- time 2 year part-time qualification. The qualification involves study across the fields of science and law. Learners will explore and analyse contemporary issues in climate and environmental law. The qualification is designed to meet the needs of environmental specialists from both Australia and overseas.
    The qualification has one compulsory unit of study, namely Environmental Law and Policy; The qualification also includes the following modules: Environmental Law and Policy Environmental Market, International Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation Law, Justice and Development, Principles of Oil and Gas Law, Judicial Review - Principles Policy and Procedure, Global Energy and Resources Law, Biodiversity Law and Heritage Law, Energy and Water Security Law, Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment Law and Law of the Sea.

    3. University of Nottingham offers a Master of Environmental Law, which is 1 year full-time, 2 year part-time qualification It consists of course work and research component (dissertation). Credit weighting is 2/3 coursework 1/3 research via dissertation.

    The qualification addresses modern techniques of environmental regulation including funding mechanisms for international environmental treaties, such as the biodiversity and ozone layer conventions, and procedural requirements for environmental impact assessment of certain activities under international law. Other modules include Biodiversity and International Law, General Themes and Principles of International Environmental Law, International Investment Law, International Law of the Sea; International Law of Treaties; Law, Development and the International Community Principles of Public International Law, Rights, Humans and Other Animals and United Nations Law.

    Conclusion:

    The international qualifications mentioned in this comparability study compare favourably with the Master of Laws in Environmental Law as the focus and purpose are similar as well as the learner cohort and duration. The latter, however, has a larger research component and focuses more on the South African situation rather than on international issues as do the others. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both vertical and horizontal articulation options:

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Environment Law, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Laws, Level 10.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution, Level 9.
  • Master of Laws in Human Rights, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.