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:

Master of Laws

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111736	Master of Laws
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo
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
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 qualification provides training among others in Research Methodology to equip the candidate with the skills necessary either for employment in a variety of fields or for further articulation by independent research for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Laws (LLD) in the same or a related subject area. The research report must reflect professionalism in research expertise and skill. Graduates are expected have mastered a theoretically sophisticated subject matter and to be familiar with contemporary philosophical and theoretical issues in a specialised field of Law. They will have developed the ability to apply in-depth and specialised disciplinary knowledge and research skills to discipline-based problems.

Rationale:
The qualification is intended to enhance the basic knowledge and skills of entry-level lawyers in a specialised area of either Labour Law or Development and Management Law by providing an opportunity for Law Graduates to adapt their basic qualifications to a rapidly changing world work. The need for this stems from the national priority of providing improved security coupled to decreasing levels of criminal activity and of corruption. Specialisation to prepare lawyers in a selection of careers is possible in one of the following professions: International Aspects of Law; Mercantile Law; Private Law; Public Law; Procedural Law.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned to the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the programme is possible via RPL as well as indicating advanced standing, provided that it is aligned to the institutional policy and that the applicant is evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor in a manner that is free from any form of discrimination. RPL practices also include standard Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) practices of equivalent modules that may have been achieved in the course of the applicant's studies.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor Honours qualification, Level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 9, 180 Credits (Choose one):

Dissertation International Aspects of Law, 180 Credits.
Or

Dissertation Perspectives on Law, 180 Credits.
Or

Dissertation Mercantile Law, 180 Credits.
Or

Dissertation Private Law, 180 Credits.
Or

Dissertation Public Law, 180 Credits.
Or

Dissertation Procedural Law, 180 Credits.
Or

Dissertation the Legal Profession, 180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and be able to critique and evaluate current research or practices.
2. Demonstrate a command of and the ability to design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems.
3. Solve problems in the field of chosen specialisation.
4. Accesses, manages and produces information ethically in the context of the specialisation practitioner's profession.
5. Show sensitivity to and understands the contexts and systems of the profession.
6. Manages his or her own learning and takes accountability for his or her own work.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Drafts a research proposal on an approved topic in the chosen specialisation that demonstrates the knowledge that the learner has integrated in the chosen specialisation.

Reflects on current and recent research in the field in the process of underscoring the process of researching the identified problem.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Drafts a research proposal of acceptable standard in line with the faculty guidelines for the chosen specialisation.

Produce a research dissertation of the required length and complexity that demonstrates the application of the research design to the identified problem.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Produces a research dissertation that reflects on current research, problem analysis and implementation of strategies to solve problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Contributes to the understanding, analysis and resolution of identified research areas in an ethically appropriate manner.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Properly contextualised and rooted research dissertation in the specialisation area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Properly contextualised and rooted research dissertation in the specialisation area.

Integrated Assessment:
Master's Dissertation submitted for examination.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The University of Canterbury in New Zealand offers a Master of Laws (LLM) that is achievable either by thesis (dissertation) alone or by a coursework combination. Similarly, the University Calgary situated in Canada, offers an LLM by supervised research. The University of Namibia offers an LLM, which is examined by research in any field of law.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows vertical articulation.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Laws, Level 10.

Doctor of Philosophy, Level 10.

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.

NONE