SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Laws: International Law

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
19688	Master of Laws: International Law
ORIGINATOR
Rand Afrikaans University
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	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 2663/05	2006-07-01	2009-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-06-30		2013-06-30

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

The purpose of this qualification is to develop the learner's intellectual, theoretical and practical competencies at an advanced and analyse the principles of international law and apply them.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

The learner is expected to solve problems by applying theory, decided cases and state practice.

The dissertation indicates the learner's ability to give an account of his/her theoretical knowledge of the relevant principles of international law and practically apply those principles to his/her topic. The dissertation must be an original contribution and must extensively refer to decided cases, the relevant authorities and state practice generally accepted on the topic. The dissertation must be of a high enough standard to be presented for publication in a reputable legal journal, or if a seminar is chosen the learner must show research capabilities, originally and ability to present a two-hour paper to his/her peers and present a written document comparable to an article which is published in a reputable legal journal. The presentation must be scholarly and indicate analytical and interpretative shields.

The minimum entry requirements is an LLB degree or (equivalent qualification). Students gain entry at the beginning of and for purposes of any of the five modules. Credit is received for every successfully completed module.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING:

If the normal admission requirements are not met, application can be made for recognition of prior learning. Prior learning can include prior qualifications and other formal and informal learning as well as relevant experience.

Recognition of prior learning in the case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the University concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. For this post-graduate qualification, recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and the outcomes of the qualification.

Recognition of prior learning by the Faculty takes place in terms of an assessment procedure. This procedure includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee, which takes the final decision.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The learners should be able to:

1. Problem solving skills
Learners must be able to analyse, and identify international law problems based on the theoretical principles, case law and state practice.

2. Team ship
Learners must actively participate in their group.

3. Self-responsibility skills
To be a successful LLM-student certain characteristics are headed. These are self-study, self-discipline, initiative, independent assessment and the ability to write a dissertation or present a seminar.

4. Research skills
The ability to plan and conduct advanced research, and be capable of giving a scientific account thereof in the field of International Law is imperative.

5. Communication skills
Communication and communication skills, both orally and in writing, are keys to the effective practice of the law at an advanced level and to high-level research. Learners should therefore be able to demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing in the course of practicing law at an advanced level.

6. Technological and environmental literacy
Learners should be able to demonstrate their ability to utilise science and technology effectively in the course of the study and research required by the qualification.

7. Developing macro vision
Learners must be able to show their ability to comprehend the interrelatedness of the law with other fields and with the South African perspective of the International Law.

8. Learning skills
Learners must be able to demonstrate their ability to independently and innovatively undertake high-level research.

9. Citizenship
Learners must be able to show a greater awareness and knowledge of societal issues, South Africa's position in the world and the value of International Law for South Africa.

10. Cultural and aesthetic understanding
Learners must be able to demonstrate a well-developed sensitivity for cultural and aesthetic realities in the South Africa society and be aware of the role of international politics.

11. Employment seeking skills
Learners should be able to access advanced employment opportunities, particularly where international law has a high profile.

12. Entrepreneurship
Learners should be able to demonstrate the application of entrepreneurial skills in the practice of law at an advanced level.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Can the learners:

1. Demonstrate, in written or oral form, an ability to identify, analyse and solve high-level legal problems.

Solve relevant legal problems by skilfully identifying, analysing, and commenting on same.

2. Display an ability to function effectively in and lead a high level team.

Demonstrate the ability to participate effectively in debating solutions and approaches to particular legal problems.

3. Undertake independent research and writing at an advanced level.

Analyse related legal problems and their solutions independently.

4. Display an ability to conduct a high-level research project successfully.

Define a particular related topic, arrange the subject-matter coherently, accurately and succinctly reflect, formulate and interpret scholarly opinion on the topic.

5. Advise clients on the legal implications of and on solutions for particular international law problems.

Write a report in which a particular related problem is identified, analysed, and discussed.

6. Make use of written and electronic data in writing a report/assignment and dissertation.

7. Participate in a seminar on the implications of relevant legal information for other related disciplines in the field of international law and relations.

Report on a coherent approach towards problem-solving and policy-making with regard to international law issues.

8. Undertake advanced research and writing a dissertation on an applicable international law topic.

9. Debate the impact on society in general, and on certain interest groups in particular, of related international law and national law and principles.

10. Reveal an ability to distil moral and cultural values underlying related international law issues.

11. Display an awareness as to how the qualification can be utilised to access the field of where international law is very relevant.

12. Display an ability to develop and maintain a career, either as law advisor or practitioner.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT APPROPRIATELY INCORPORATED TO ENSURE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE QUALIFICATION IS ACHIEVED:
Assessment seeks to (1) evaluate learner performance in order to determine whether learners comply with assessment criteria; and (2) encourage and guide the improvement of the learner performance. Assessment is therefore based on the principle of continuous and regular assessment and complete end prompt feedback. Assessment consists of two components, formative assessment and summative assessment. Active class participation plays an important role.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICES THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
Formative assessment is aimed at the development of a life-long learning culture based on continuous self-study. More particularly, in this qualification, formative assessment aims at the preparation of learners for writing an examination at the en of each module and for writing a quality dissertation or offering a quality seminar programme. Formative assessment is conducted by the class discussions, seminars and the writing of the dissertation.

Regular meetings between learners and their study leaders take place during which all aspects pertaining to the preparation for and drafting of the research dissertation (or the preparation of the seminar programme) are discussed. Study leaders assess learners continuously and, equally important, guide them through the process.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT PACTICES THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of:

Both in the examinations at the end of each module and in the dissertation, learners are assessed on their ability to integrate prior knowledge gained in preceding studies with a deeper, high-level knowledge of relevant topics dealt with in the course of the qualification, and of the research topic gained from the research into the topic and from the scholarly writings thereon. In the summative assessment, the four modular examinations and the final dissertation or seminar as submitted are examined by a panel of not less that two examiners (see also par 10). The qualification is obtained if the learner passes all four modular examinations and the dissertation of seminar programme.

As a further demonstration of the learner's ability in this regard, the learner may be required to submit a publishable article based on the dissertation or the seminar that in a reputable law journal under the name of the learner or the names of both the learner and the study leader.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

ACCESS TO QUALIFICATIONS ON A LOWER LEVEL;
A student can gain entry at the beginning of and for purposes of any of the five modules, and may receive credit for any successfully completed module. It is therefore, in principle possible for learners to enter the qualification in mid-stream. Any relevant "credit:" obtained elsewhere may impact on the number of outstanding modules to be completed. It is also possible to exit the qualification at a lower level by obtaining an endorsed Post-Graduate Diploma in International Law after successful completion of the four taught semesters. In the event that the Post-Graduate Diploma in International Law has been awarded, it is not possible to obtain the LLM in International Law as well.

ACCESS TO QUALIFICATIONS ON THE SAME LEVEL:
In the event of changing to the LLM degree by dissertation, course work modules completed successfully may serve to credit the learner with exemption from the requirement to do the oral examination for purposes of the LLM degree by dissertation.

ACCESS TO QUALIFICATIONS ON A HIGHER LEVEL:
It is possible for learners to exit the qualification in mid-stream to elevate their research to doctoral level, enabling them to register for the LLD degree. Generally, the qualification enables learners to qualify for doctoral studies, nationally and internationally.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Moderation to ensure fair, reliable and valid assessment is essential.
The following mechanisms are employed:

Criteria for study material, tests and examinations imposed by the University and Faculty Board.

No supplementary examination is granted in a semester module. The subject lecturer may, however, exercise his/her discretion in calling a student for a re-evaluation when a student needs only one coarse to complete the qualification (dissertation or seminar excluded).

Moderation of results by the Dean/Dean's Committee.

Global assessment and moderation by the Faculty Examination Committee

Appeals to the relevant Dean by the individual learners.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

All internal and external assessors (moderators and examiners) will be required to:

have specialised knowledge in the relevant branch of the law;

have the ability to assess learners at this level;

be nominated by the Faculty of Law for this purpose and registered with the appropriate ETQA, requiring them to comply with the other criteria imposed by the relevant SGB.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006.

NOTES

Old qualification.

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.

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