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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Postgraduate Diploma: Law 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
3415  Postgraduate Diploma: 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
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  240  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  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 primary purpose of this qualification is for qualified learners (i.e. learners with an LLB degree) to acquire additional advanced knowledge and reflective understanding of the substantive law, and the applied competence that will enable them to practice advanced legal science in the service of the community. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The qualification is designed to enhance, and thereby advance, the basic levels of knowledge and skills obtained by learners in their undergraduate (LL.B.) studies, by requiring them to apply this knowledge and skills to study material and a research project that seeks to develop a more refined understanding of the doctrines, principles and rules of the various branches of the law. The purpose may be summarised as follows:
1) to prepare learners for the advanced practice of law and
2) to create opportunities for specialised postgraduate study of the law.
  • The minimum entry requirements is an LLB degree (or equivalent qualification) at NQF level 7.
  • A learner may receive credit for a maximum of half the modules on the basis of corresponding modules already passed towards a previous degree. A learner who has already passed Credit Law will be given credit for Credit Agreements and Financing Costs

    Recognition of prior learning:
    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 postgraduate 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 outcomes of the qualification. Through recognition of prior learning, learners may gain
  • access
  • or advanced placement
  • or recognition of status on condition that they continue their studies at this University

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

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learners should be able to:

    1. Problem solving skills
    Based on their advanced knowledge and reflective understanding of and insight into the substantive law, learners will be able to identify, analyse, reflect on and solve advanced legal problems responsibly and creatively.

    2. Teamship
    Learners will acquire an enhanced awareness of the necessity of teamwork and an enhanced ability to function effectively within a team or organisation.

    3. Responsibility skills
    Learners will be able to organise and manage themselves and their activities as law practitioners responsibly and effectively.

    4. Research skills
    Learners will be able to do research at an advanced level over the whole field of the substantive law.

    5. Communication skills
    Communication and communication skills, both orally and in writing, are keys to the effective practice of the law. Through their advanced knowledge and reflective understanding of and insight into the substantive law and their ability to apply their knowledge and understanding in real-life situations, learners will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively, which will enhance their self-confidence.

    6.Technological and environmental literacy
    The ability of learners to utilize science and technology effectively and with sensitivity for environmental needs, in the service of the community will be enhanced.

    7. Developing macrovision
    Learners will demonstrate an enhanced insight into the interrelatedness of the law with other fields and with society in general, as well as the influence of the law on society and vice versa.

    8. Learning skills
    Being a postgraduate qualification aimed at advanced and reflexive studies, the learning skills of learners will be enhanced quite substantially.

    9. Citizenship
    As the qualification is aimed at the provision of better qualified law practitioners with a greater awareness and knowledge of societal issues learners' social responsibility as citizens will be enhanced.

    10. Cultural and aesthetic understanding
    Through their advanced study of law, learners will be more aware of and sensitive to cultural and aesthetic realities in society.

    11. Employment seeking skills
    Through the acquisition of advanced knowledge and understanding of the law, one of the benefits of the qualification is that it provides learners with a competitive advantage in seeking employment.


    12. Entrepreneurship
    The qualification provides learners with more opportunities to develop and implement entrepreneurial skills. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Can the learners:

    1. Demonstrate, in written or oral form, the required advanced knowledge and reflexive understanding of the law

    Demonstrate, in written or oral form, an ability to identify, analyse, reflect on and solve advanced legal problems

    2. Display an awareness of and an ability to function effectively in a team.

    3. Demonstrate an ability to function effectively, in terms of organization and management, by themselves

    4. Display an ability to reflect on and conduct a research project successfully.

    5. Demonstrate the ability and the confidence to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

    6. Demonstrate the effective utilization of scientific and technological aids.

    7. Display, by solving real-life legal problems, a reflexive understanding of the place and the role of the law in society

    8.Display a thorough and detailed advanced knowledge and reflexive understanding of the substantive law

    9. Display an understanding of the role of the law in the development of people.

    10. Display an awareness and sensitivity for societal realities.

    11. Display an awareness as to how the qualification can be utilized to access the labour market.

    12. Display an ability to develop and maintain a career in law.


    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

    Assessment seeks (1) to evaluate learner performance in order to determine whether learners comply with assessment criteria; and (2) to encourage and guide the improvement of learner performance. Assessment is therefore based on the principle of continuous and regular assessment in each course and complete and prompt feedback.

    As the qualification is designed to enhance and advance the knowledge and skills gained in the undergraduate studies, learners are primarily assessed on their ability to apply their knowledge of the law to complex sets of facts that demand for their solution an integration of the rules and principles of different branches of the law, as well as an awareness of the interrelatedness of the law with other facets of society.

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    Formative assessment is aimed at the development of a life-long learning culture based on self-study and continuous study. Formative assessment is conducted by means of continuous self-assessment, seminars, peer assessments, assignments of various kinds, class tests, and regular oral and written tests- applied for every module. Discussion of tests and assignments and other forms of feedback are an integral and critical part of assessment

    Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of

    Summative assessment, in conjunction with formative assessment, determines whether the learner passes each module. Summative assessment consists of an oral or written examination and the writing of the mini-dissertation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Access to qualifications on a lower level;

    The recognition of modules previously passed allows entry in mid-stream. A learner may receive credit for a maximum of half the modules, on the basis of corresponding modules already passed towards a previous degree A learner who has already passed Credit Law will be given credit for Credit Agreements and Financing Costs
  • Access to qualifications on the same level:
    As the qualification is unique in South Africa at this stage, exit in mid-stream in order to finish this particular qualification elsewhere is not possible. Exit in mid-stream to join other postgraduate qualifications at this level is possible.
  • Access to qualifications on a higher level:

    It should be possible to obtain credits for modules that may form part of postgraduate qualifications on a higher level. 
    		•

    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.
    Prior moderation of the examination in every module by one external moderator.
    Moderation of results, and remark of papers in the examination for each module by an external moderator in particular or doubtful cases.
    Moderation of results by the relevant Dean and/or Dean's committee.
    Overall assessment and moderation by a Faculty Examination Committee.
    Appeals to the Dean by individual learners. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All internal and external assessors (moderators and examiners) will be required to:
  • have an appropriate law qualification and/or equivalent practical experience 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.