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: 

Master of Laws 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
8147  Master of Laws 
ORIGINATOR
Rhodes 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
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 
1. The first purpose of the degree is to provide the opportunity to undertake specialised research into a specific area of the law.
2. A second purpose is to train skilled researchers in law.
3. A third purpose is to equip learners with the techniques for independent research, analysis and articulation of ideas, which are transferable to postgraduate study, to advanced practical legal training and to a wide range of careers. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The learner must possess:

1. An ability to communicate coherently in English, preferably both orally and in writing. 2. Knowledge and experience of the general principles of South African Law.
3. Basic research skills necessary for postgraduate studies.
4. An LLB or BProc degree.
5. Prior learning and abilities of persons who do not have the required degree qualification will be tested by means of personal interviews and/or assessment of the prospective learner 's experience and/or assessment of written work submitted by the prospective learner.

Recognition for prior learning:

Candidates are granted credit for equivalent prior learning and experience as determined by the University rules governing the recognition of prior learning and experience. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Learners will be able to demonstrate:

1. A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the chosen field of research.
2. An awareness of the critical techniques necessary for the study and application of legal principles and the evaluation of competing legal theories.
3. The ability to analyse and evaluate legal texts and cases, and to select and apply relevant principles of law from them.
4. The ability to think laterally and innovatively when applying legal concepts and principles to issues presented by specific sets of facts.
5. An understanding of law in its wider social, political and theoretical context, both national and international, as well as in its application by the legal profession and judiciary.
6. Sound judgment and objectivity in analysing information and performing tasks.
7. Competence in reporting and disseminating research findings.
8. Broader skills for dealing with issues of professional and personal life, including: a methodical approach to problem solving; confidence in written communication; the ability to manage time effectively; and the productive use of information technology. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
1. A detailed understanding of the principles of law in the selected field of research.
2. A detailed appreciation of the critical techniques necessary for the study and application of legal principles and the evaluation of competing legal theories.
3. The ability to identify, define and provide solutions to research problems.
4. The ability to assess accurately and evaluate critically legal literature and other source material.
5. The capacity for independent analysis, synthesis and evaluation of information.
6. The ability to explain, orally and in writing, the principles of law in legal and social contexts.
7. Developed research skills, including the use of technology, necessary for legal research in a modem environment and the confidence to deploy them.
8. The ability to produce a dissertation or thesis on the research topic.
9. An appreciation of the purpose of the academic study of law and of the ethics and practice of scholarship.
10. An understanding of law in its wider social, political and theoretical context, both national and international, as well as in its application by the legal profession and judiciary.
11. An appreciation of the need to respond ethically and to operate with integrity and with moral courage; in professional contexts as well as in general life.

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

1. Assessment procedures adhere to the requirements of Rhodes University's assessment policy.
2. Formative assessment is provided on oral reports and written material submitted during the course of the research.
3. Summative assessment is on a written thesis which, after consultation with the supervisor, is submitted for assessment. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
Candidates who obtain an LLM degree will have access to a PhD programme in law at any University in the world. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
Assessment of the thesis is conducted by at least one internal examiner and at least two external examiners. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
Either a bachelor's degree in law, with extensive academic experience in the applicable field and a demonstrable ability to supervise a research candidate or a master 's degree in law and ability to supervise a candidate in the applicable field. 

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. Rhodes University 


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.