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
83934  Master of Laws 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
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  600  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0328/24  2024-11-21  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 
This qualification includes the various specialisations in Laws. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

Purpose:

1. To equip the learner with a deeper understanding of a chosen area in law

2. Equip the learner with greater skills in comparative research of legal issues

3. Develop in the learner critical and evaluative thinking

4. Provide society with a citizen who can enter an academic career, and the teaching and research of law

5. Enable the learner to apply his/her specialised knowledge and skills to the benefit of clients and society as a whole. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
LL B degree from Vista University or a recognised tertiary institution. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The learner has a deeper insight into and knowledge of:
  • South African law in the research topic
  • The law in comparative jurisdictions in the area of the research topic
  • The methodologies and methods that underlie scientific research

    Associated assessment criteria are whether the learner knows how to submit scientifically correct reports and findings. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The learner is able to:

    1. Make scientific use of particular methodologies and research methods, including the comparative method

    2. Collect, analyse and interpret data

    3. Formulate, write and record his/her research findings

    4. Recommend and substantiate proposals for the reform of the law where necessary

    5. Communicate his/her insights to interested parties

    6. Disseminate his/her findings through specialised academic publications


    Associated assessment criteria are whether the learner is able to:

    1. Deliver scientifically based work that is publishable

    2. Demonstrate the ability to apply different analysing tools to the data

    3. Make some contribution to the knowledge of law

    The values instilled in the learner are amongst others:

    1. Independent assessment, self study, self discipline and initiative

    2. Underlying ethical values in research

    Associated assessment criteria are whether the learner:

    1. Is able to undertake independent research and writing at an advanced level

    2. Is able to independently analyse problems relating to his/her area of speciality

    3. Attains and maintains a high level of ethical standard in regard to the research undertaken, such as due recognition of sources

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

    Formative assessment is undertaken by amongst others the following: continuous supervision by the supervisor, regular individual or group contact between the supervisor and the learner, through individual or group discussions based on submissions of the learner.

    Summative assessment will be undertaken by the supervisor and at least two external assessors approved by the university senate. A pass mark of 50% is required. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Internally

    Vertically:
    None
    Horizontally:
    Diploma in Legislative Drafting

    Externally

    Vertically:
    Doctorate at other institutions
    Horizontally:
    Possible accreditation at other institutions in the instance where the research is incomplete. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Faculty Board, Senate and Council 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors should hold appropriate qualifications on NQF level 7 or 8. Internal assessors will be academics from the relevant departments, selected on the basis of their insight and expertise in the modules being assessed. External assessors will comprise academics from other institutions, selected for their expertise in the field. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    This qualification includes the following specialisations:
  • Master of Laws in International Human Rights Law and HIV in Africa
  • Master of Laws in Socio-economic Rights 
    		•

    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 Pretoria 


    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.