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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Laws in Environmental Law 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
116427  Master of Laws in Environmental Law 
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  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 primary purpose of the qualification is to provide specialised professional knowledge to equip members of the legal profession. The qualification will produce learners with expertise in Environmental Law. Learners will develop knowledge in core areas of environmental law and be able to apply the principles of environmental law while developing professional research skills to analyse and critique.

Rationale:
Environmental law is one of the fastest-growing legal sectors in South Africa. Triggered by the inclusion of an environmental right in Section 24 of the Constitution, the national environmental authorities have introduced new legislation governing the following sectors in the past decade and a bit: environmental management, environmental impact assessment, environmental compliance and enforcement, freshwater resources, marine living resources, forestry, biodiversity, protected areas, air pollution, waste, integrated coastal management, land use planning etc.

This legislative reform mimics in many senses in the provincial and local spheres of government. Furthermore, the judiciary has increasingly being called upon to interpret this contemporary, complex and nuanced legal framework that applies to a diverse set of actors and actions, given the all-pervasive nature of the environment.

Within the legal profession, there are areas of law and legal practice which are not dealt with at all, or lack sufficient detail, during the LLB Degree - thereby failing to equip a lawyer to practice with expertise and professional knowledge. Environmental law is one such area of law. The qualification for other professional disciplines such as zoologists, botanists, ecologists, planners and environmental practitioners similarly do not adequately capacitate them to practically grapple with the constantly evolving, complex and nuanced environmental regime, whether they are policy-makers, technocratic government officials, developers or environmental consultants. There is accordingly a great need to educate and train this diverse set of actors in Environmental Law to enhance their ability to operate within their respective professional employment settings.

The Master of Laws in Environmental Law will educate and train graduates for advanced and specialised professional employment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Laws, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 9, 90 Credits:
  • Principles of Environmental Law, 30 Credits.
  • Research Project (Environmental Law), 60 Credits.

    Elective Modules at NQF Level 9, 90 Credits (Choose three):
  • International Environmental Law, 30 Credits.
  • Land Use Planning Law, 30 Credits.
  • Natural Resources Law, 30 Credits.
  • Pollution Law, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the area of law; its theoretical and policy underpinnings; its sources; its current political, economic and social context; its historical origins, and current domestic and international developments in practice in this specialist area of law.
  • Research this specialist area of law independently, including conducting comparative research where appropriate.
  • Evaluate critically the policy underpinnings of this specialist area of law; the degree to which the law succeeds in achieving its policy objectives, and its suitability for current circumstances. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner:
  • Demonstrate clear evidence of unsupervised, effective application of sound research practices in Environmental Law, namely that:
    > Identify and demarcate research issues or themes appropriately.
    > Access a comprehensive range of current literature and research in commercial law.
    > Analyse and accord this literature and research with appropriate weight as the authority.
    > Plan and conduct the research using a range of research methods and techniques appropriate for a professionally relevant research task.
    > Select research methods and techniques show evidence of a clear understanding of relevant research theory and professional practice.
    > Ensure the presentation of the results of such research critically and coherently describe theoretical arguments, the research process, methodology, results, conclusions and recommendations relevant to a professionally relevant research task. 
    		•

    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 Cape Town 


    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.