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: 

Doctor of Laws 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15581  Doctor of Laws 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  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 
1. To enable learners to pursue specialised areas of their choice, in the field of law and to obtain specialised knowledge in such field at a Postgraduate level.
2. To provide South Africa and the legal profession with:
  • Competent specialists in a particular field of law;
  • Academic lawyers/scholars/researchers of quality. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Laws, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Learners must display a detailed expert knowledge and understanding of the South African Law, as well as a basic comparative knowledge of other legal systems in the selected field of research.
    2. Learners must demonstrate the capacity/ability to design conduct and write up research that is original, relevant and contribute to the knowledge and insight into the field of study and can respectively stand alongside refereed and published research in the same field and practical application in the social context.
    3. Learners must demonstrate an understanding of the scientific procedures and an ability to cope with research techniques.
    4. Learners must demonstrate an understanding of the literature related to the research problem.
    5. Learners must demonstrate the ability to write a dissertation that is linguistically acceptable.
    6. The Learner must be able to organise and manage his/her activities responsibly and effectively. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. In depth evaluation of learner's knowledge and understanding of the relevant principles, doctrines theories and conflicting opinions in relation thereto.

    2. Write research proposals and indicate if the learners are able to identify a problem or problems in the application of a legal principle or principles, formulate research problems and subsets of problems and suggest possible solutions to the problem
  • Formulate hypotheses;
  • Know, select and utilise research instruments and research methods relevant to legal research and investigation into legal problems;
  • Where applicable, select and use appropriate data analysis methods and conduct field work;
  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, analyse and interpret findings of an investigation and formulate findings;
  • Create a new model, theory or new principles that can be applied to solve the problem that is investigated.
    3. Identify and analyse different scientific procedures in terms of the problems being researched.
    4. Critically read, interpret and analyse literature from different sources,
  • Search for additional literature and materials relevant to the identified research problem,
  • Compare the writings of different authors on the same topic or related topics and identify aspects on which they agree and on which they hold different opinions,
  • Systematise and synthesise reading material on the topic being researched,
  • Draw conclusions from different readings and indicate anomalies,
  • Create a theoretical framework by the literature review,
  • Compile a complete bibliography
    5. Write a thesis that shows that a learner can express him/herself clearly,
  • Write a thesis that is linguistically correct, acceptable and of a high standard,
  • Write a dissertation that is technically well presented and has an acceptable lay out,
  • Should meet deadlines for submission of writings.

    Integrated Assessment Procedures To Ensure That The Purpose For The Qualification Is Achieved:
    An integrated assessment will be applied at the exit level to assess:
  • Process
  • Substance/knowledge
  • Skills
  • Values

    Any one or combination of more than one of the following will be used to achieve an integrated assessment.

    Formative Assessment:
  • Written/oral/examination;
  • Self assessment;
  • Peer review;
  • Thesis.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Thesis. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers possibilities of horizontal articulation only.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Laws in International Law, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Laws in Private Law, NQF level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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 Fort Hare 


    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.