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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Laws 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
22415  Master of Laws 
ORIGINATOR
University of Zululand 
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
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 
To provide for an intermediary degree between the LLB basic legal qualification viz LLD. The LLM is taken by either the course work research and examination (oral and written) or the oral examination and the research-dissertation option. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Students commencing LLM programme should already have acquired a knowledge base reflected in the LLB programme or its equivalence form experience credited as adequate prior learning to commence studies at this level. Students must have passed a module during the early stages of the LLM programme. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. Demonstrate mastery of theoretically sophisticated subject matter with a comprehensive knowledge of the field of study

2. Critically review evidence supporting conclusions and investigate contradictory information

3. Critically evaluate the literature pertaining to the field of study

4. Deploy confidently well-developed research skills

5. Effectively engage in debate in a professional manner and contexts

6. Effectively interact within a learning or professional group with demonstration of leadership 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
1. In depth evaluation of learners knowledge and understanding the relevant principles, doctrines theories and conflicting options in relation thereto

2. Write research proposals and indicate that learners are able to identify a problem or problems in the application of a legal principles and

3. Formulate research problems and subsets of problems

4. Formulate hypothesis

5. Know, select and utilise research methods relevant to legal research and investigation into legal problems

6. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, analyse and interpret findings of an investigation

7. Identify and analyse different scientific procedures in terms of the problems being researched

8. Critically read, interpret and analyse literature from different sources

9. Search for additional literature and materials relevant to the identified research problems

10. Compare the writings of different authors on the same topic or related topics and identify aspects on which they hold different opinions

11. Systemise and synthesise reading material on the topic being researched

12. Draw conclusions from different readings and indicate anomalies

13. Create a theoretical framework by the literature review

14. Compile a complete bibliography

15. Write a dissertation that shows that a learner can express him/herself clearly

16. Write dissertation that is linguistically correct, acceptable and of a high standard

17. Write a dissertation that is technically well presented and has an acceptable lay out

18. Should meet deadlines for submission of writings


INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The following methods shall be incorporated to achieve an integrated assessment contribution to the purpose of the qualification;

a) Oral test
b) Written test
c) Tasks or reports
d) Dissertation/thesis
e) Research presentation 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
The candidate shall be able able to proceed to an LLD programme of study. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
External assessors as moderators or promoters with the appropriate assessor registration. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
Minimum for LLM programme offering is an equal qualification for registration of an assessor i.e. the assessor must possess an LLM qualification as a minimum 

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 Zululand 


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.