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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Laws 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
119076  Bachelor of Laws 
ORIGINATOR
Regenesys Management (Pty) Ltd 
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  Justice 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
Registered  SAQA 158/22  2022-04-21  2025-04-21 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-04-21   2032-04-21  

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 purpose of the Bachelor of Laws is to provide a well-rounded education that equips learners with the knowledge base, theory, and methodologies of the legal discipline and enables them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic and professional context.
The purpose of the qualification is to offer a broad education that develops gainfully employable qualifying learners with:
  • Knowledge and appreciation of the values and principles enshrined in the constitution.
  • Critical understanding of theories, concepts, principles, ethics, perspectives, methodologies, and procedures of the discipline of law.
  • The capacity to be accountable and take responsibility in academic, professional, and relevant societal contexts.

    The qualification emphasises general principles and theory and will provide learners with a thorough grounding in the knowledge, theory, principles, attitudes, and skills required in the legal profession. It will encourage learners to question their belief systems and world views, prejudices, and untested assumptions, and set them on a path of intellectual growth and maturity by fostering multiple intelligences at an intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual level.

    Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Substantive legal knowledge, analytic methodologies, practical skills, moral commitment, and the necessary temperament to achieve excellence in professional and civic endeavours.
  • Think analytically; solve problems; display emotional intelligence; be driven by purpose; act ethically; and be able to operate successfully in a vibrant, continually changing global setting.
  • Understand and contribute towards the development of cultural values and transform the legal profession as diverse graduates with high-quality educational experiences and high-quality credentials for the administration of justice and the state.
  • Understand the importance of social justice by responding to the needs of specific communities such as emerging and diverse business communities, traditional leaders, indigent communities, women and children, and the disabled.
  • Contribute towards comprehensive, sound knowledge and understanding in basic areas of law, research, and the dynamic nature of law and its relationship to political, economic, commercial, social, and cultural contexts.
  • Apply appropriate competencies to respond effectively to globalisation and ever-evolving information technology, bringing into play relevant ethical considerations, proficiency in communication, literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, self-management, ability to collaborate, and the ability to recognise, reflect and apply social justice imperatives.
  • Communicate persuasively in a legal environment both in writing and in sustained discourse.
  • Perform numeracy and accountancy tasks in simulated exercises as well as in practice.

    Rationale:
    The qualification is intended to prepare well-rounded qualifying learners for three career paths: legal practice; a wide range of other careers that require the application of the law; and postgraduate studies in law.

    The qualification is the sole recognised qualification for the practice of law in South Africa. The admission requirements for legal practitioners (attorneys or advocates) in South Africa are currently prescribed by the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 and the rules promulgated in terms of the Act requires that "a person qualifies to be admitted and enrolled as a legal practitioner if that person has (a) satisfied all the requirements for the LLB degree obtained at any registered institution.

    The institution has consulted the Legal Practice Council regarding this qualification and additional consultation will take place with the Law Society of South Africa.
    The qualification has at its heart the transformative constitutionalism embedded in the school's teaching and learning strategic goal of "increasing the number of diverse learner groups participating in high-quality educational experiences, earning high-quality credentials".
    Legal education plays a key role in ensuring both economic and social justice, and in ensuring that the constitutional rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights are upheld. Therefore, qualifying learners hold the power to promote beneficial societal and economic change and contribute to maintaining the political stability South Africans desire.
    The constitution requires the use of law to promote democracy, economic and social justice. The qualifying learners will contribute to creating new knowledge in legal education; professional practice and research that could transform the judicial sector; and help to maintain the rule of law.
    The qualification is informed by the Report on the National Review of LLB qualifications in South Africa 2018 and the Qualification Standard for Bachelor of Laws (LLB) 2015.

    Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners could follow the following listed careers:
  • Attorneys: Private Practice
  • Chief State Law Adviser
  • State Attorney
  • Legal Administration Officer
  • Master of the High Court
  • Office of the Family Advocate
  • Public Prosecutor
  • State Advocates
  • Court Administration
  • Court manager
  • Registrar
  • Maintenance Officer

    The qualification will benefit society and the economy by producing qualified Judges who will be equipped with knowledge and skills in determining the process of implementing emerging laws and setting out how the laws that are enacted are implemented and applied. However, in everyday business, lawyers also play a significant role in this area as well by giving their legal opinions on the laws that are being amended. Members of society feel secure knowing that there are Attorneys who can protect their rights if they are abused. Attorneys also serve as advisors. They represent individuals and companies in both criminal and civil courts. Lawyers simplify the law for individuals and help them understand how to apply the law to the issues they encounter. Companies, the government and organizations are held accountable by lawyers and ensure that they do not abuse the rights of individuals in the community. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

    RPL for exemption of modules
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    RPL for credit:
  • Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
  • Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies,
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.
    Or
  • Higher Certificate in Law, NQF Level 5.
    Or
  • Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies, NQF Level 5.
    Or
  • Diploma in Law, NQF Level 6.
    Or
  • A relevant Advanced Certificate in the related field, NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 507 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 144 Credits
  • Compulsory Literacy, 12 Credits.
  • Legal English, 12 Credits.
  • Critical Legal Thinking Skills, 12 Credits.
  • Pillars of South African Law I,12 Credits.
  • law of Persons, 12 Credits.
  • Pillars of South African Law II, 12 Credits.
  • Emotional Spiritual Intelligence, 12 Credits
  • Accounting for Legal Practice, 12 Credits.
  • Cyber Law, 12 Credits.
  • Business Management, 12 Credits.
  • Economics, 12 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurial law, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits
  • Patent and Copyright Law, 12 Credits.
  • Constitutional Law, 12 Credits.
  • Family Law, 12 Credits.
  • Human Rights Law, 12 Credits.
  • Law of Contract 1, 12 Credits.
  • Law of Contract 11 - Specific Contracts, 12 Credits.
  • Legal Interpretation, 12 Credits.
  • Labour Law, 12 Credits.
  • Plural Systems of Law, 12 Credits.
  • Criminal law, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 123 Credits
  • Law of Succession and Administration of Estates, 12 Credits.
  • Research Methods, 12 Credits.
  • International Human Rights Law, 12 Credits.
  • Law of Business Entities, 15 Credits
  • Law of Civil Procedure, 12 Credits.
  • law of Criminal Procedure, 12 Credits.
  • Law of Evidence, 12 Credits
  • Law of Delict, 12 Credits.
  • Law of Property, 12 Credits.
  • International Business Law, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits
  • Administrative Law, 12 Credits
  • Public International Law, 12 credits.
  • Banking and Payment Methods, 12 Credits.
  • Insolvency law, 12 Credits.
  • Law of Sale and Lease, 12 Credits.
  • Medical Law, 12 Credits.
  • Dispute Resolution, 12 Credits.
  • Insurance Law, 12 Credits.
  • Environmental law, 12 Credits.
  • Legal Practice, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge and engage at all levels of legal practice in all areas of law required for the practice of law and understand the theories, research methodologies, methods, and techniques relevant to the field of law, and its various procedural disciplines.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in their chosen area of specialisation in law whether it is criminal, commercial, civil, or other areas of law and evaluate legal knowledge and processes of knowledge production such as the courts, case law and the enactment of legislation.
    3. Communicate and present academic, professional, or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and uncertainties of selecting, applying or transferring appropriate standard procedures, processes to unfamiliar problems in a specialised field of law.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to the field, discipline or practice of law.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of ethical values systems to the specific context of the legal profession.
    7. Demonstrate the ability to critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation, and management processes in specialised contexts to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
    8. Demonstrate the ability to operate effectively within a system, or manage a system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
    9. Apply relevant strategies that effectively address the professional and ongoing learning needs of others.
    10. Take full responsibility for his or her work, decision-making and use of resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Examine the South African legal system, its values and historical background, as well as the body of South African law.
  • Apply law in its social context with the knowledge of a discipline other than law.
  • Engage and apply specialised knowledge in one or more areas (s) of the law.
  • Understand and practice clinical legal education in a social setting.
  • Perform numeracy and accountancy tasks related to the fields of law.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Determine the relative authority of relevant information sources.
  • Read, interpret and summarise information sources.
  • Critically evaluate information and evidence from a legal perspective.
  • Present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions.
  • Use techniques of legal reasoning, methodology and argumentation to reach a plausible conclusion.
  • Use appropriate referencing style guidelines.
  • Demonstrate academic integrity in research.
  • Select the most relevant sources and research methods (including electronic databases) likely to help solve such legal problems and generate reasoned solutions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Communicate effectively by choosing appropriate means of communication for a variety of contexts.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, in a wide range of legal contexts to varied audiences.
  • Ability to develop logically constructed, well justified, and coherent arguments.
  • Apply communication skills to situations relevant to professional practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Analyse a text or scenario to find the key issues.
  • Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information and between legal and nonlegal issues.
  • Address the issues presented in a text or scenario and generate appropriate responses to the legal issues it contains.
  • Make critical and logical judgments on the merits of arguments and present reasoned choices between alternative solutions.
  • Engage with diverse audiences as identified by (but not limited to) culture, language, and gender.
  • Construct creative and innovative responses appropriate to legal problems in a text, scenario, or hypothetical situation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Function effectively in independent and collaborative settings.
  • Make meaningful contributions to work efforts in a group context, including problem-solving.
  • Address a particular aspect of a problem or project and integrate your own efforts into a collaborative effort.
  • Critically reflect on and assess her or his own work and critique the work of others in a constructive reasoned and formative manner.
  • Identity, define, and critically analyse the relevant issues in legal problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Apply ethical requirements and regulations in problem-solving.
  • Access information efficiently and effectively.
  • Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information.
  • Show familiarity with legal discourse, its conventions and terminology, and the ability to use them appropriately.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Find, select, organise, use, analyse, synthesise, and evaluate a variety of relevant information sources.
  • Recognise, reflect on, and apply social justice imperatives by acknowledging the goals of fairness, legitimacy, efficacy, and equity in the legal system.
  • Analyse, evaluate and solve legal problems.
  • Respond to the professional responsibilities of the legal practitioner in service to the community.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Understand the constitutional values and the basis of South African law and the legal system, the values associated with the latter, and its historical background.
  • Apply knowledge in different fields of law and develop an understanding of how legal principles operate in practice.
  • Manage a complex workload in a way that is diligent, reliable, and timely.
  • Engage with civic issues and systems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9
  • Use legal research tools to gather the information that helps to analyse legal issues.
  • Analyse client concerns and translate them into responsive legal arguments and strategies.
  • Identify and understand the career and managerial skills needed to build a successful public or private
    law practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Gather, then synthesise the facts underlying events or sequences of events.
  • Comprehend the implications of accountability for finances in practice.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Integrated Assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they can integrate concepts, ideas and actions across this qualification to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent with the purpose of this qualification. Integrated assessment will show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcome as described in the Exit Level Outcomes.

    Integrated Assessment will judge the quality of the observable performance, and the quality of the reasoning that lies behind it. Assessments tools will encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Integrated assessment in this qualification allows the learners to demonstrate applied competence and uses a range of formative and summative assessment methods.

    The institution constantly monitors learner progress and evaluates programme impact in a number of ways:
  • The progress of each learner is monitored based on attendance and portal logins, completion of the formative assessment tasks. Learners, who were expected to attend, submit but did not, promptly receive a follow-up phone call.
  • The progress of learners is tracked through the entire qualification for which they are registered compared against the schedule that would allow them to graduate in minimum time.

    Formative Assessment:
    Formative assessment refers to a range of formal, non-formal, and informal ongoing assessment procedures used to focus teaching and learning activities to improve learner attainment. Formative assessment consists of several assessment events throughout the year and a variety of assessment instruments used are as follows.
  • Tests.
  • Essays.
  • Assignments.
  • Case studies.
  • Practice reports.
  • Project reports.
  • Oral presentation.
  • Group Presentations.

    The class component assessments amount to 60% of the final mark and one 3-hour examination paper is written at the end of the semester, which will account for the remaining 40% of the course mark.

    Summative Assessment:
    Summative assessment refers to an assessment that will take place at the end of a learning experience. Results are expressed in marks in terms of the level of competence achieved, regarding level descriptors, and associated assessment criteria. This assessment is also used for promotional purposes. Summative assessments will include inter alia the following
  • Tests.
  • Exams.
  • Research projects. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia
    Institution: Edith Cowan University
    Qualification Title: Bachelor of Laws
    This is a four-year qualification

    Similarities:
    The Edith Cowan University (ECU) qualification is comparable to the South African (SA) qualification in the following ways.

    Duration:
    Both the ECU and SA qualifications are offered over a period of four years of full-time study.

    Purpose/Rationale:
    Both the ECU and the SA qualifications equip learners with skills for the courtroom and beyond, providing greater scope and options for a rewarding career in the legal, corporate, commercial, and social justice fields. The following broad qualification outcomes compare well with the exit level outcomes of the South African qualification:
  • Apply a broad and coherent range of legal knowledge for the legal profession incorporating international, global, and cultural perspectives.
  • Exercise critical thinking, judgement, and intellectual independence to evaluate, consolidate and synthesise legal knowledge.
  • Communicate legal knowledge, concepts and advice using relevant technologies clearly and persuasively.
  • Collaborate in team settings to produce measurable outcomes.
  • Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate solutions in legal situations.
  • Reflect on feedback and critique on own performance to support personal and professional development.
  • Adopt professional and ethical behaviour and/or personal citizenship that reflect the interrelationship between ethics, code of conduct, justice, and community service.

    Qualification structure:
    Students are required to complete 22 Compulsory Modules and 10 LAW Elective Modules.

    Year One - Semester One:
    Compulsory Modules, 60 Credits:
  • Legal Process, 15 Credits.
  • Contract Law I, 15 Credits.
  • Torts I, 15 Credits.
  • Legal Writing and Research, 15 Credits.

    Year One - Semester Two:
    Compulsory Modules, 30 Credits.
  • Contract Law II, 15 Credits.
  • Torts II, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 30 Credits (Select one module from the Law electives):

    Year Two - Semester One:
    Compulsory Modules, 45 Credits:
  • Criminal Law I, 15 Credits.
  • Property Law I, 15 Credits.
  • Constitutional Law I, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 15 Credits (Select one module from the Law electives):

    Year Two - Semester Two:
    Compulsory Modules, 45 Credits:
  • Criminal Law II, 15 Credits.
  • Property Law II, 15 Credits.
  • Constitutional Law II, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 15 Credits (Select one module from the Law electives):

    Year Three - Semester One:
    Compulsory Modules, 45 Credits:
  • Administrative Law, 15 Credits.
  • Human Rights Law, 15 Credits.
  • Equity, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 15 Credits (Select one module from the Law electives):

    Year Three - Semester Two:
    Compulsory Modules, 30 Credits:
  • Evidence, 15 Credits.
  • Law of Trusts, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 30 Credits (Select two modules from the electives):

    Year Four - Semester One:
    Compulsory Modules, 30 Credits:
  • Civil Procedure I, 15 Credits.
  • Corporations Law, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 30 Credits (Select two Laws modules):

    Year Four - Semester Two
    Compulsory Modules, 45 Credits:
  • Civil Procedure II, 15 Credits.
  • Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, 15 Credits.
  • Statutory Interpretation, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 15 Credits (Select one module from the Law electives):

    Electives Modules:
    10 elective units are to be selected from any of the following streams.

    Criminal Law/Social Justice Electives:
  • Aboriginal Australians in the Criminal Justice System, 15 Credits.
  • Criminal Justice Review Project, 15 Credits.
  • Jurisprudence, 15 Credits.
  • Security and the Law, 15 Credits.
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution, 15 Credits.
  • Coronial Law and Mortuary Practice, 15 Credits.
  • Community Legal Practice, 15 Credits.
  • National and International Mooting Competitions, 15 Credits.
  • Supervised Legal Research Paper, 15 Credits.
  • Contemporary Legal Issues in Australia and Beyond, 15 Credits.
  • International Law, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced Criminal Law, 15 Credits.

    Commercial Law Electives
  • Intellectual Property Law, 15 Credits.
  • Planning and Development Law I, 15 Credits.
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution, 15 Credits.
  • Taxation Law, 15 Credits.
  • Law of Banking and Credit III, 15 Credits.
  • Competition and Consumer Protection Law, 15 Credits.
  • Law of Corporate Insolvency and External Administration, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced Taxation Law, 15 Credits.
  • National and International Mooting Competitions, 15 Credits.
  • Supervised Legal Research Paper, 15 Credits.
  • Contemporary Legal Issues in Australia and Beyond, 15 Credits.
  • International Trade Law, 15 Credits.
  • Mining and Resource Law, 15 Credits.
  • Remedies, 15 Credits.
  • Commercial Practice, Conveyancing and Drafting, 15 Credits.
  • Business Practicum, 15 Credits.

    Government/Private Law Electives
  • Employment Law, 15 Credits.
  • Environmental Law and Administration, 15 Credits.
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution, 15 Credits
  • Community Legal Practice, 15 Credits.
  • National and International Mooting Competitions, 15 Credits.
  • Supervised Legal Research Paper, 15 Credits.
  • Contemporary Legal Issues in Australia and Beyond, 15 Credits.
  • International Law, 15 Credits.
  • Family Law, 15 Credits.

    Both qualifications have the following similar modules:
  • Contract Law.
  • Criminal Law.
  • Property Law.
  • Constitutional Law.
  • Legal ethics.
  • Community legal practice.
  • Commercial Law electives.
  • Tax Law.

    Differences:
    The ECU entry requirements differ slightly from the SA qualification in the following aspects.
    All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
  • Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Advanced Diploma or equivalent.
  • Undergraduate Certificate.
  • Successfully completed 1 Equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL) of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test.
  • University Preparation Course.

    The South African qualification requires a second pass with a Bachelor's Degree endorsement and does not require a special Tertiary Admission Test.

    Qualification structure:
    The ECU qualification comprises both the compulsory and elective modules while the SA qualification consists of only compulsory modules and not electives.

    Learners with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% or higher after their third year of study may be invited to complete an Honours program. Those Learners will transfer to the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) for their fourth and final year of study whereas the learners studying the South African qualification articulate into Master's degree upon completion. The SA qualification contains the research methods which is not covered by the ECU qualifications.


    Country: New Zealand
    Institution: Auckland University of Technology
    Qualification Title: Bachelor of Laws
    NQF Level: New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) Level 7
    Credits: 480
    Duration: Four years full time

    Entry Requirements:
    Require National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 certificate which consists of 80 credits, including at least 60 credits at level 3 or higher. Can include up to 20 credits at level 2.
    Subject credits
    Total of 42 level 3 credits including:
  • 14 credits from one approved subject.
  • 14 credits from a second approved subject.
  • 14 credits from a third approved subject.

    Purpose/Rationale:
    The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) qualification is designed to maximise career opportunities, and AUT law graduates are highly sought after by law firms, community organisations and other employers.

    The AUT shares the same Graduate Profile for the Bachelor of Laws as the South African (SA) qualification.
    Upon completion of bot AUT and SA qualifications, learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the New Zealand and South African legal framework and its underlying principles.
  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of a range of domestic and international principles of law and their application.
  • Work effectively and productively on their own and/or with others.
  • Identify and offer appropriate responses to ethical issues that may arise in professional contexts.
  • Think critically and apply problem-solving skills to enable effective analysis and evaluation of, and responses to, legal issues.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with and competence in the use of legal databases and other technologies, and the ability to employ effective research strategies for the retrieval, evaluation and application of relevant legal materials.
  • Communicate clearly, appropriately and persuasively with both legal and lay audiences.


    Graduates of AUT's and SA's qualifications are eligible to gain admission as barristers and solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand on completion of their Professional Legal Studies course. As a lawyer, learners might practise in a wide range of legal areas including corporate law, commercial and intellectual property, family law, environmental law, criminal law, taxation, and general practice.

    Law graduates also move into roles such as:
  • In-house lawyers in large New Zealand and multinational businesses and organisations.
  • Patent attorneys.
  • Policy advisors to central and local government.
  • Senior management roles in business.
  • Taxation practitioners in accountancy practices.

    Qualification structure:
    This is a four-year qualification. The eight-semester (four-year) degree is equivalent to 480 credits. Of the credits required for a Bachelor's Degree, a minimum of 72 credits is at level 7 or higher. The degree specify a spread of credit across levels, so that the qualification demonstrates progression, reflects the requirements of the degree definition, and achieves the associated learning outcomes in a way that is appropriate to the subject area"

    Part I
    Compulsory Modules:
  • Legal System (15 points)
  • Personal Property (15 points)
  • Legal Reasoning and Writing (30 points)

    This makes up half of the first-year study (60 points). The other 60 points must be taken from another AUT degree, which allows the learner to broaden their study and enables them to enrol in one of the double degrees.

    If learners complete Part I courses and obtain at least a B grade average in the compulsory law courses, then they will be offered a place in Part II of the programme. Other learners may also be eligible for Part II of the study.

    Part II
    Compulsory Modules:
  • Real Property, 15 points.
  • Trusts, 15 points.
  • Public Law, 30 points.
  • Law of Contract, 30 points.
  • Law of Torts, 30 points.

    Learners who have obtained a 'B' average in their first-year law courses at another New Zealand university can apply for direct entry into Part II of the programme.

    Part III
    Compulsory Modules:
  • Advanced Private Law, 15 points.
  • Public International Law, 15 points.
  • Criminal Law, 30 points.
  • Company Law, 15 points.

    The rest of the modules are selected from law electives.

    Part IV:
    Compulsory Modules:
  • Legal Ethics, 15 points.

    The rest of the modules are selected from law electives.

    Similarities:
    The broad areas of study in the degree make provision for the following modules that are similar to the South African qualification:
  • The law system, legal reasoning and writing, personal property law, the law of contracts, public law, company law, criminal law, international law and legal ethics.
  • Learners can progress from the Bachelor of Laws into the Master of Laws.

    Differences:
  • The AUT qualification differs slightly from the SA qualification in terms of the NQF Level 7 and entry requirements while the SA qualification is registered at NQF Level 8 with 507 Credits.
  • The AUT qualification consists of both compulsory and elective modules while the SA qualification consists of compulsory modules only and not electives.

    Conclusion:
    The international comparison illustrated that this qualification is comparable with what is offered internationally. The subjects of Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Research Methodology as well as Law of Evidence are also prominent internationally. This qualification is unique as it specifically takes into the African context and contains a research component. Internationally the trend is that a degree of four years is the minimum requirement to enter the legal profession.

    The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a well-known and widely available international qualification. It is generally a three to four -year qualification. Most of these qualifications are very flexible in their choice of modules or subjects, presumably because of the broad field of law that needs to be addressed to develop general skills and competencies in law. Almost all the Bachelor of Laws Degrees that were researched nationally, covers the important functions covered in this Degree.

    The research has shown that the degree compares with the international qualifications as it empowers learners with general knowledge of the practice of principles of the law, a good understanding of the common law and a thorough knowledge of research methods and the interpretation of acts. Research has also shown that a learner of this Degree will be able to gain access to international qualifications and acquire knowledge about specific interpretations of fields of law and the regulations as practised in those specific countries. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Law, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Law in Financial Planning Law, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Laws, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Business Administration, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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 


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