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 Law 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
80606  Postgraduate Diploma in Law 
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand 
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  Not Applicable  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 to extend and deepen the professional competence of qualified lawyers. This qualification will provide working lawyers with an opportunity to undertake advanced reflection and development in specialised areas of law by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods within the area of specialisation. The value added to the individual by this qualification is the emphasis on further advancement and specialisation in a chosen profession. Society will benefit through the training of persons with highly specialised knowledge and skills.

At the end of the Postgraduate Diploma: Law the learner will have gained knowledge and experience in a highly specialised area of Law and should be able to:
  • Access and process information using a range of technologies.
  • Produce and communicate information in an appropriate manner.
  • Display theoretical awareness, critical analytical competence and problem solving skills within a highly specialised discipline.
  • Demonstrate research competence in order to produce short papers and solve complex legal problems within a specialised area of Law.
  • Demonstrate an ability to manage him/herself effectively and independently by completing tasks independently and within an appropriate time frame.
  • Demonstrate socio-systemic competence by being able to contribute, in a scholarly and practical manner, to the advancement of knowledge relating to social and environmental matters.

    Rationale:

    There is a great demand from professionals for higher qualifications in the fields of Tax Law, Labour Law, Pension Fund Law, Corporate Law, Communications Law and Environmental Law.

    The need for this kind of qualification is clear from the current demand. The need for highly specialized legal knowledge has been exacerbated by the introduction of the 4-year LLB, which allows for less specialisation than was available under the 5-year LLB.

    Although Wits also offers LLM degrees in various fields of specialisation, not all learners have the ability or the time to complete the arduous research component required in the LLM. The Postgraduate Diploma, which contains no research component beyond what is required for specific courses, will fulfil this need.

    Typical learners will be professional lawyers, including attorneys, legal advisors in the public and private sector and lawyers working for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who need to improve their knowledge and skills in highly specialised areas of practice. Society and the economy will benefit by the provision of highly specialised skills in commercially relevant areas. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    To be considered for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma in Law, learners must have successfully completed an LLB or recognised equivalent qualification. Students, who obtained their LLB equivalent from a university in which the language of instruction was not English, will be required to meet the English Language competence in line with University Policy and be accepted by the School of Law.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process but who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential - or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified under 'Learning Assumed to be in Place', may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

    Access to the Qualification:

    A LLB or recognised equivalent tertiary legal qualification. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Fundamental and Core component modules, together totalling 60 credits, are compulsory.

    Learners must choose a minimum of 60 credits from the Elective Component.

    A minimum of 120 credits is required to obtain the qualification.

    Fundamental Component:
  • Company Law I, 30 Credits at NQF Level 8.

    Core Component:
  • Company Law II, 30 Credits at NQF Level 8.

    Elective Component:
  • Select at least two of the following to complete the qualification:
    > Advanced Contract Law, 30 Credits at NQF Level 8.
    > Competition Law, 30 Credits at NQF Level 8.
    > Intellectual Property Law, 30 Credits at NQF Level 8.
    > International Trade Law, 30 Credits at NQF Level 8.
    > Law of Banking and Finance, 30 Credits at NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Access and process legal information using a range of technologies.

    2. Produce and communicate information in a manner appropriate to the discipline of Law.

    3. Display theoretical awareness, critical analytical competence and problem-solving skills within the discipline of Law.

    4. Demonstrate legal research competence.

    5. Demonstrate the ability to manage self effectively and independently when performing legal tasks.

    6. Demonstrate social competence and responsibility as a legal practitioner.

    7. Demonstrate eco-systemic competence from a legal perspective.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This qualification enables all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Legal information is accessed and processed by using a range of technologies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Legal information is correlated and communicated to the relevant stakeholders in a manner that is appropriate to the discipline of Law.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Material pertinent to the case in hand is researched, and critically analysed within the discipline of Law.
  • Solutions that are within the discipline of Law are proposed for any related problems that are encountered.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Advanced legal research skills are used to produce short papers and solve complex legal problems within a specialised area of Law.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Legal task tasks undertaken independently are consistently managed efficiently, effectively and ethically within an appropriate time frame.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Social awareness is consistently demonstrated and clients are competently and ethically handled within the discipline of Law.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Scholarly and practical legal knowledge is offered in matters pertaining to society and the environment.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated assessment will be achieved from a variety of strategies. These integrated assessment techniques will include written examinations, group and individual projects and assignments and presentations. Some of the criteria may be assessed through observation of the learners during their classes. Integrated assessment will be both summative and formative.
    There will also be written essay questions, objectively structured problem solving exercises will require integration of information from different areas of the course content. Oral examinations may be required. Formative integrated assessment will take place during seminar presentations and discussions during which students are expected to participate in self-assessment, peer assessment and assessment by members of the relevant academic staff. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Universities in the USA do not usually offer Diplomas in Law. However, certain universities in the UK do offer diplomas in specific areas. For example, the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London offers a Diploma in Comparative Law in its Department of Law. Cambridge University offers diplomas in Legal Studies and International Law.
    There are differences in content because of the different systems of Law in the different countries. Competencies to be achieved are, however, similar. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with:
  • Master of Laws: NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal University requirements govern how and by whom moderation is performed. For example, external examiners are appointed. Such moderation seeks, inter alia, to ensure that, where appropriate, our graduates will be able to comply with professional and statutory requirements. Further, whether an academic entity has a professional orientation or not, the University ensures that its activities are moderated by internal and external review quinquennially. The Senate Standing Orders on Assessment of Students' Academic Performance regulate such matters. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Internal University quality requirements govern how and by whom assessment may be performed to ensure that assessors have the competence required to assess a qualification of this nature. The University has a Senate Policy on the Assessment of Students Learning which regulates such matters.

    The procedures described below are broader than an 'assessor' focus: The Human Resources practices and procedures for selecting new staff set the standard, and competence as an assessor is usually demonstrated by the experience the person has, which is probed in the interview and through referees reports. HR policies and practices encourage staff to study further, whether within their disciplines or as educators (e.g. postgraduate qualifications in tertiary education, science education etc.). The HR performance management system places teaching and learning as a key performance area (KPA) for every member of the academic staff, and within in that KPA, the development of competence in assessment methods is encouraged. The Centre for Learning, Teaching and Development (CLTD) offers staff induction programmes where the University's policy and standing orders on assessment are explained to new academic staff. The CLTD offers targeted education and training courses, and there is a strong focus on improving assessment practices, e.g. the annual CLTD colloquium on assessment. CLTD also manages the evaluation of lecturer performance called Assessment for Lecturer Performance (ALP) and course surveys for student feedback on the quality of courses. Education Development Officers in each faculty assist staff with designing and updating their courses with the inclusion of new teaching and assessment practices. CLTD considers applications for funding for training opportunities which have a specific teaching and learning focus, rather than a discipline-based focus. The Senate Committee on Teaching and Learning considers assessment issues which affect the whole University, and the system of periodic reviews (quinquennially) of Schools contains a section on teaching which asks questions on assessment. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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 Witwatersrand 


    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.