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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96611  Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law is designed to enable learners to develop theoretical competencies and practical skills to operate effectively in the field of public law, which is an imperative for the success of the State on the different levels of government.

Upon completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law, the qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and engagement with public law principles and rules;
  • Gather, analyse, interpret and/or apply the Constitution, legislation, case law, international jurisprudence and academic writing within the field of public law;
  • Understand, interpret and apply administrative law principles and rules, including the provisions of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, to practical scenarios;
  • Analyse and articulate the fundamental legal, political and financial concepts, principles, theories and practices of multilevel government in South Africa and other devolved countries in Africa;
  • Explain the constitutional and legislative framework for local government in South Africa, and demonstrate an understanding of its application in relevant contexts.

    Rationale:
    The qualification is aimed primarily at public servants working in local, provincial and national government. The qualification is aimed at equipping learners with knowledge and skills in interpreting and applying general as well as specialised rules and principles of public law.

    Many individuals, specifically public servants, have a Bachelor's degree (NQF level 7), and thus do not have the required formal qualifications for entry into a Master's qualification. The qualification is designed to assist learners to gain access, as well as to improve their competencies in public law by way of a formal qualification. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the university's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In the RPL process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course to support the learners' admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the learner' interest in in the discipline as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB), NQF Level 8 or its equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Administrative law 711, 30 Credits.
  • Multi-level governance 714, 30 Credits.
  • Local Government 712, 30 Credits.
  • Constitutional Law713, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and engagement with public law principles and rules.
    2. Gather, analyse, interpret and/or apply the Constitution, legislation, case law, international jurisprudence and academic writing within the field of public law.
    3. Understand, administrative law principles and rules, including the provisions of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, to practical scenarios.
    4. Analyse and articulate the fundamental legal, political and financial concepts, principles, theories and practices of multilevel government in South Africa and other devolved countries in Africa.
    5. Explain the constitutional and legislative framework for local government in South Africa, and demonstrate an understanding of its application in relevant contexts. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Evaluate administrative powers and jurisdiction;
  • Analyse administrative action as per the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act;
  • Apply the requirements for valid administrative actions to practical scenarios;
  • Locate the South African system of provincial and local government within current international debates on decentralization, federalism and Intergovernmental relations;
  • Articulate the legal framework for provincial governance;
  • Compare and contrast the different sources of provincial government finance;
  • Identify strategies to integrate ethics and good governance into overall management and leadership culture within local government;
  • Locate the South African system of local government within current international debates on decentralization, federalism and the role of local government;
  • Elaborate on the legal framework for municipal governance;
  • Evaluate the basic constitutional principles;
  • Interpret the Constitution and selected statutes in hypothetical scenarios;
  • Articulate and evaluate the structure of government and the relation between the different organs of state, as well as the different spheres of government and their powers;
  • Evaluate the scope, content and limitation of the rights in the Bill of Rights.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The University adopted a Continuous Assessment System. Assessment consists of number assessment events throughout the year and a variety of assessment instruments are used (for example, tests, essays, practical reports, project reports and oral presentations).

    Formative assessment: Learning and assessment are integrated: a variety of modules is included in the qualification; therefore, different types of formative assessment will be applied according to the nature of each module. Assessment during the year will consist of a combination of assignments including activities such as, portfolios, self-assessment tasks.

    Summative assessment: Examinations, or equivalent assessment such as a portfolio of evidence, assess a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the learner' ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of the module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Various international Universities either offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Law or Graduate Diploma in Law. The curriculum of these qualifications differs in content and purpose from this Postgraduate Diploma. In some instances, the curriculum consists of a suite of modules from which to choose from and is country specific.

    The University of Law (UK) with multiple Campuses offers a Graduate Diploma in Law. The curriculum covers Public Law, European Union Law, Criminal Law, Contract Law, Land Law, and Equity and Trusts Law.

    Birmingham City University (UK) offers a Postgraduate Diploma as an alternative access to become a law professional. The curriculum consists of Criminal Law, Law of Obligations, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Property Law, Law of the European Union, Independent Research Project and Legal Method. Learners need to complete one core module plus five optional modules.

    University of Sidney Graduate (Australia) offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Law. The Diploma enables learners of law and other disciplines to develop advanced knowledge and skills for legal or professional practice or higher learning, and is a pathway for entry to a Master's degree which is similar to this qualification.

    Conclusion:
    The Postgraduate Diploma is unique to South Africa and the content aim and purpose is specific to South African circumstances. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Laws (LLM), Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 Western Cape 


    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.