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: |
Bachelor of Laws |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
110204 | Bachelor of Laws | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
University of the Free State | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
National First Degree(Min 480) | Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security | Safety in Society | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 480 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 08 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
Reregistered | EXCO 0821/24 | 2019-07-25 | 2027-06-30 | |
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
2028-06-30 | 2034-06-30 |
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 replaces: |
Qual ID | Qualification Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Min Credits | Replacement Status |
8861 | Bachelor of Laws | Level 6 | NQF Level 08 | 480 | Complete |
PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is to offer a broad education that develops well-rounded graduates with: The purpose of this qualification is aligned with the purpose of the LLB in terms of the Qualification Standard for the Bachelor of Laws (LLB). Consequently, this qualification aims to prepare students for (i) entry into legal practice, (ii) entry into a wide range of other Careers which require the application of law; and (iii) for postgraduate studies in law (see page 7 of the National Qualification Standards for the LLB). This qualification provides a first undergraduate qualification for school leavers or adult learners who wish to enter legal practice. LLB graduate can be admitted as attorneys if they completed service under articles of clerkship or service contract, completed compulsory practical legal training and are regarded as fit and proper person by the Law Society and the High Court. Furthermore, the candidate should pass the attorneys admission examination set by Law Society. In order to practice as an advocate of one of the Bar Councils in South Africa, an LLB graduate needs to enter a pupillage for one year and pass the examination set by the General Council of the Bar. Careers that LLB graduates could pursue in the Department of Justice include positions as state law advisors, family advocates, public prosecutors, state advocates, and state attorneys. Graduates can also pursue careers in the public sector and a wide range of other careers which require the application of law. The Department of Justice, for example, offers positions in the offices of the Master of the High Court, South African Human Rights Commission, Commission on Gender Equality, and the Legal Aid Board. Careers in the business environment include legal advisors, business rescue practitioners, company secretaries and business managers. Other careers that are available include non-governmental organisation legal advisors, legal writers, legal researchers and mediators for divorce, labour and commercial disputes. This qualification presents graduates with the opportunity for postgraduate studies in law and other areas (e.g. Master's in Business Administration). LLB graduates can also decide to pursue careers as academics at a university, usually after completion of a Master of Laws (LLM). Rationale: Complaints from the judiciary, legal practitioners, legal professional bodies and law academics about the poor quality of South African Bachelor of Laws (LLB) graduates became strident towards the end of the first decade of the 21st century. The potential legal education crisis and the importance of developing LLB graduates who are ready for the practice of law were confirmed in January 2013 when the South African Law Deans Association, Law Society of South Africa, and General Council of the Bar announced their intention to host a summit on 29 May 2013 entitled the 'LLB Summit: Legal Education in Crisis?. At the summit, Ahmed Essop, Chief Executive Officer of the CHE, suggested that higher education institutions make use of a newly developed peer-driven process of qualification standard development to address the concerns about the LLB. Essop furthermore explained that the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the South African Law Deans Association (SALDA) had engaged on the prospects of a national review of this qualification and that there was general agreement between the parties that a review was required. The Faculty of Law decided to undertake a major LLB curriculum review that would result in a 50% or more change to the qualification design. It became evident that a change of this magnitude required a complete structural and curriculum redesign of this qualification and that a new qualification application had to be submitted to the Council on Higher Education (CHE). In response to the decision to design a new LLB qualification, the Faculty of Law engaged in a number of activities that assisted with the development of a new LLB curriculum. Firstly, a range of focus group discussions with important role players were conducted to gain participants' perspectives about the strengths of the LLB and the identification of possible strategies to address the weaknesses in the current qualification. Secondly, a comprehensive literature review on curriculum development and legal education nationally and internationally was conducted. Thirdly, an extensive comparative analysis of the LLB curricula that are offered at the other universities in South Africa was undertaken. Fourthly, an analysis of the undergraduate LLB curricula at two international universities, Deakin University in Australia and the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom was done. Lastly, an external review panel consisting of experts from the University of Cape Town, University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria and the University of South Africa undertook a comprehensive institutional review of the current qualification in March 2015. The report from the external panel did not only identify areas for improvement but also suggested ways of addressing these weaknesses. Finally, members of staff engaged in a strategic planning and re-curriculation workshop on 18 and 19 August 2016. In addition to the external panel review that initiated by this institution, the national review of this qualification was confirmed at a meeting convened by the CHE with deans of law schools in Pretoria in April 2015. In agreement with the University of the Free State's (UFS) decision to teach-out its current qualification, the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) placed the UFS LLB on notice of withdrawal. The Faculty of Law considered the feedback received from the various focus group discussions, the institutional review report, the comparative analysis of South African LLB curricula and international LLB curricula, and the HEQC Report to develop a new curriculum framework that was adopted by the Faculty Board. Further consultations informed its application and consisted of a workshop to draft the module outcomes, a review each of by seven employers, seven UFS LLB alumni, and ten student leaders. The proposals from these constituents were considered and this qualification's curriculum was finalised and approved by the Faculty Board and by at the Academic Planning and Development Committee of Senate. In order to make a significant contribution to the overall growth in student enrolment and reach the goals of equity and development, the Faculty of Law has been offering this qualification via distance tuition (in additional to the contact mode of tuition) since the 1990s. The LLB via distance learning removes the barriers to access learning; it caters for a very wide variety of potential student needs, including mature adult students; and, with the required infrastructure in place, can be more cost efficiently and cost effectively presented than traditional contact provision. It thus seems logical to continue with the offering of the distance education provision of this qualification. The strategic decision of offering this qualification also by distance provision aligns with the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training of 2013 to increase enrolments, provided that effective quality control measures are in place. Because an estimated maximum contact time of 10% as learning activity type for this qualification is envisaged, a distance mode of provisioning is by definition of Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) the most suitable provisioning for the targeted market (DHET July 2014). As far as could be ascertained, only the University of South Africa and Northwest University present LLB via distance learning. There is clearly an educational demand for the LLB by distance provision. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The University of the Free State (UFS) General Rules with regard to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will apply to this qualification. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Policies on the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit accumulation and transfer, and Assessment (CHE 2016) and UFS RPL Policy (Appendix 20). The process will be managed by the central UFS RPL Office in collaboration with the Faculty of Law. Not more than 10% of a cohort of students in the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) qualification will be admitted through an RPL process. UFS General Rule A3.8 (Appendix 14) that outlines the rules pertaining to admission on the basis of RPL, will apply to this qualification. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for Credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification. See Universal Gcode Sender (UGS). General Rule A8. Persons wishing to gain entry to the qualification via RPL or obtain credit recognition will be: Entry Requirements: The minimum requirements for admission into the Bachelors studies are: |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Elective Modules, Level 5, 32 Credits: Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 92 Credits: Elective Modules, Level 6, (32 Credits): Compulsory Modules, Level 6, (132 Credits): Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 144 Credits: Elective Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits: Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 64 Credits: |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Contribute meaningfully to the promotion of transformative constitutionalism and constitutional democracy.
2. Recognise, reflect and apply social justice imperatives. 3. An awareness of globalisation and the ever-evolving information technology. 4. A critical, comprehensive and sound knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, perspectives, methodologies and procedures of the discipline of law. 5. Skills to integrate and apply the concepts, principles and legal theory to solve complex, diverse and unfamiliar legal problems in a critical, ethical and practical manner. 6. Skills to undertake independent research in theoretical and applied situations. 7. Work effectively in teams or groups. 8. Display self-management skills. 9. Display skills to transfer acquired knowledge. 10. Display written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a legal environment. 11. Display numeracy skills. |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11: Integrated Assessment: The qualification will comply with the University of the Free State (UFS) Assessment Policy for Coursework Learning Programmes (hereafter referred to as the UFS Assessment Policy), and in particular paragraph 6 of this policy that relates to e-assessments. In terms of section 5 of this Policy, all standard provisions regarding general assessment will apply equally to online assessments. All e-assessments will be hosted only on UFS approved systems and technology. Assessment in the Faculty of Law is informed by the guiding principles of the UFS Assessment Policy, Bloom's Taxonomy, the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level Descriptors, module credits and the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Qualification Standard. The Faculty of Law Assessment Rules and Regulations 2018-2022 gives effect to the minimum assessment requirements required by the UFS Assessment Policy for Coursework Learning Programmes. In terms of Rule 4.2 of the Faculty of Law Assessment Rules and Regulations, students need to participate in a minimum of two formative assessments if this type of assessment is employed in a module. A single formative assessment may not contribute more than 70% of the predicate/semester module mark. Examples of formative assessments include but are not limited to individual and group assignments, written tests, oral communication skills assessments and online/e-assessments such as multiple choice questions (MCQs), wikis, journals, blogs and discussion fora. Students need to participate in a minimum of four assessments if continuous assessment is employed in a semester module and a minimum of six assessments if this type of assessment is employed in a year module. Students will be continuously assessed in the core modules Legal Foundations of South African Law (first year of study) and Practical Legal Skills (third year of study) and examinations will not be written. A range of elective modules in the fourth year of study will be continuously assessed, namely Clinical Legal Education, Community Service Learning, Facilitation Skills for Law Students, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Comparative Labour Law, Financial Planning Law in the second semester, the five moot modules, and the five research report modules. The number and types of formative assessments will vary per module and will be indicated in the respective module study guides. Students will be assessed continuously for the duration of a particular module. For most modules, formative assessment will constitute 20% of the final mark. Summative assessment will constitute 80% of the final mark and will consist of one written examination for most of the modules in the proposed LLB. Assessment of Experiential Learning: Work placement or experiential learning forms a small part of the qualification. The reflective essay that students need to complete after 40 hours' workplace exposure in the module Practical Legal Skills, will be assessed and moderated according to the prescribed policy requirements. Workplace exposure: The lecturer responsible for the Practical Legal Skills module will be responsible for the coordination of the process. Considering that distance learning students are scattered all over South Africa, the Faculty of Law will not be able to find placements for students. Students will have to identify practitioners in their locations in order to get the necessary workplace exposure. The student will inform the responsible lecturer where he/she intends to undergo the workplace experience and the lecturer will have to approve the placement before the student progresses with his/her workplace exposure. The interaction between the student and workplace representative will be formalised through a contract. In order to monitor whether students got the appropriate level and scope of exposure, Legal practitioners will be requested to complete an Instruction sheet and assessment rubric (in the case of private law firms) or Instruction sheet and assessment rubric- department of justice/courts (in the case of courts). |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is offered by the Deakin University in Australia. Similar to the UFS, the Deakin LLB is a 4-year undergraduate qualification that school leavers can apply for. Adult learners (strict provision apply) and graduates are also admitted to the LLB. Admission is limited and is based on students' performance in the Victorian Certificate of Education and English language requirements. Similar admission requirements are set for admission to the University of the Free State (UFS) LLB.
Similar to clinical legal education in the UFS LLB, Deakin University also offers legal internships to their students. In line with the UFS, Deakin prescribes quotas for the internships enrolment takes place via application. Similar to the UFS LLB, all major areas of law are covered, such as contract, torts, property, legal practice and ethics, constitutional law, criminal law and corporate law. The LLB graduate outcomes are very similar to the UFS exit level outcomes, namely discipline specific knowledge and capabilities, communication, digital literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, self-management, teamwork and global citizenship. The LLB is registered on the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7, while the UFS LLB is registered at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 of the South African Qualifications Authority. Contrary to year and semester long modules at the UFS, the courses of the LLB at Deakin University are offered in trimesters. A distinctive feature of the Deakin LLB is its deliberate orientation towards commercial law. The Deakin LLB is one of the few in Australia with a specific and exclusive focus. The UFS LLB provides for specialisation in six areas in the fourth year of study. Mercantile Law is one of the specialisation areas. The University of Sussex in the United Kingdom offers the LLB. Similar to the UFS, the LLB of the University of Sussex is an undergraduate qualification that school leavers can apply for. Adult learners (strict provision apply) and graduates are also admitted to the LLB. The core modules of the LLB at the University Sussex agree to some extent to the core modules of the UFS LLB. The core modules at University of Sussex are English Legal System, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Law of Contract, Law of Tort, Justice, Equality and Society, Canadian Constitutional Law, Power, the Individual and the State, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts, Land Law, Law and Policy of the European Union. Clinical Legal Education is not a core or elective module. Students can, however, through the Sussex Law Clinic, gain practical experience of the law in action before you graduate. Contrary to year and semester long modules at the UFS, the courses of the LLB at the University of Sussex are offered in trimesters. The University of Sussex students take in their third year of study only elective modules and no core modules are prescribed. Their modules are structured in such a way that they specialise in Mercantile/Commercial Law, Public/Constitutional Law, Private Law and Criminal. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
Horizontal Articulation:
Vertical Articulation: |
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. |
1. | University of the Free State |
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. |