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: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
62890  Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  120  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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 
Purpose :

The purpose of the qualification is the advancement of expertise in Labour Law and the development of the necessary skills [such as drafting of documents, resolving of disputes (conducting the necessary research for this purpose), preparing documentation for the CCMA and and Labour Courts] in a changing environment in order to comply with the identified needs of employers and employees.

Students will be professionally competent to:
  • Provide sound advice on matters regarding labour law to a wide range of clients in society and business.
  • Assist employers and employees to understand the intricacies of Labour Law.
  • Promote the principles of fairness and equity in all labour matters.

    Rationale:

    To fulfill a need identified by qualified professionals from different professions as well as labour relations officials to enhance their knowledge and skills of application of labour law and other legislation in the labour environment. The Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Skills Development Act and other related legislation and legal developments became increasingly important in the workplace. Managers, employers (of especially small business enterprises) and human resource managers, among others, need applicable education knowledge to appropriately address labour issues in the workplace. They, however, have no time or need to enroll for a four year professional LL.B Degree, at this stage the only option available to them to acquire and meet the outcomes of knowledge and expertise required, except for non-credit bearing short courses. Even in the legal professions the need for specialization and updating, without commitment to a full postgraduate LL.M, was identified and is also to be addressed by the programme. The programme opens new learning and career pathways. The programme complies with national requirements on NQF Level 7, and as such cater for the learning needs of the target student intake referred to above. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The qualification is generic in nature and therefore applicable to all disciplines of learning and professions. It deals with the legal aspects of the employment relationship affecting every employer and employee in South Africa and internationally.

    Access to the Qualification:

    The entry requirements for the qualifications are in accordance with the general standards required for post-graduate studies as set out in the General Regulations (Advanced and Postgraduate Qualifications) of the University of the Free State under General Regulations Concerning Postgraduate Diplomas, Advanced University Diplomas and Certificates, and complies with current legislation.

    Specific admission requirements:
  • Students with formal learning from any discipline on NQF Level 6, with an appropriate first degree (of which modules in labour law formed part) or equivalent qualification on NQF Level 6.
  • Relevant experience confirmed by a prior learning assessment evaluation according to the policy referred to in par 11 below, will be admitted to the diploma.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    Recognition of prior learning takes place according to a set policy of the University.

    Programme Directors in co-ordination with the Head of the relevant Department in the Faculty of Law deals with RPL applications after it was screened and referred by FSHEC (Free State Higher Education Consortium) to the UFS and the Faculty of Law. For the purpose of this programme RPL applications will be dealt with by the Department of Mercantile Law and the programme director responsible for Post Graduate Qualifications. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Learning Components; Credits:
  • Fundamental; 20 Credits.
  • Core; 100 Credits.

    Total Credits = 120 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Regarding associated assessment criteria, students will have to provide evidence of attaining the required knowledge and expertise by:
  • Presenting and analysing hypothetical case studies and proposals in labour law.
  • Drafting contracts of employment and other documentation used in the employment relationship.
  • Writing opinions on stated cases with suggested strategies to address and resolve the legal problems; writing proposals for the enhancing of fair and equitable labour practices. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:

    Internal assessment takes place by means of written assignments (to fulfill the need for continuous assessment) and a final written assessment, moderated internally and externally. A policy and procedures are in place whereby students have access to memoranda of papers written, can query results and discuss assessments with lecturers. Assessment is conducted and the results published in accordance with the Assessment Policy of the University of the Free State.

    The assessment or written assignments and feedback by lecturers monitor student progress. An open-door policy for students to discuss progress and academic problems is followed by the faculty in accordance with the Education Policy of the University of the Free State. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    None at this stage in view of the localized nature of the South African Law law. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The programme articulates with other programmes in that the proposed one year programme has as its main objective the advancement of expertise in the field of labour law and can be accessed:
  • Where applicable learning is already in place on an undergraduate level.
  • Where a module in basic labour law formed part of an undergraduate programme).
  • Where a need for specialization or updating exists, such as in the legal professions.
  • Where access to the programme will be obtained by recognition of assessed applicable learning.
  • The program will give access to other qualifications on a higher level, e.g. the structured LL.M and other post-graduate programmes which require labour law modules. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Takes place according to the prescribed policy by the University. After internal moderation according to the memoranda submitted by the assessors, all answer papers, set papers and memoranda are submitted to external moderators, formally appointed by the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Law on the ground of their proven expertise in the field of Labour law, for final moderation. 

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

    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 the Free State 


    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.