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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Laws 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97755  Master of Laws 
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu 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  Not Applicable  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 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is aimed at broadening the general legal knowledge of learners about other legal systems and allowing them to specialise in a particular field. The areas of specialisation for this Master of Laws (LLM) Degree are Public Law; Private and Customary Law; and Criminal Procedural Law. Qualifying learners will be able to demonstrate the ability to initiate, plan, organise, manage and execute independent legal research and compile a dissertation on the preferred topic.

Rationale:
The Master of Laws (LLM) qualification will be offered through the distance mode of learning. The targeted market for this qualification are law practitioners such as law lecturers, judges, lawyers, prosecutors, registrars and clerks of court, of whom most are unable to study fulltime due to their work circumstances. This qualification will assist in the socio-economic development of the country and give law practitioners an opportunity to improve their knowledge in the respective fields of law. Additionally, there is an urgent need to develop research and analytical lecturers, lawyers and judges to respond to local, national, regional and international needs.

Furthermore, the qualification seeks to:
  • Enhance learners' ability to conduct major legal research.
  • Develop learners' capacity to make informed high level legal decisions based on research.
  • Prepare law graduates for advanced and specialised professional development. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Prior learning will be recognised, subject to the requirements of the qualification and as per the University's RPL policy. RPL may be used by learners to demonstrate competence for admission into this qualification. This qualification may be achieved in part through recognition of the prior learning processes. Credits achieved by RPL may not exceed 50% of the total credits and must not include credits at the exit level. Evidence of prior learning will be assessed through formal RPL processes using recognised methods. Any other evidence of prior learning will be assessed through RPL processes to recognise achievement thereof.

    Entry Requirements:
    Access criteria to this qualification include:
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This is a Master of Laws Degree by full dissertation worth 180 Credits.
  • Research dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Initiate, plan, organise, manage and execute independent legal research and compile the dissertation on the preferred topic. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Scientific data are acquired, analysed and interpreted according to recognised legal methods.
  • High level legal problems are identified, analysed and solved in written and oral form.
  • The effective use of scientific and technological aids in conducting legal research is demonstrated.
  • An understanding of the interrelatedness of the law with other fields and with society in general, as well as the influence of the law on society and vice versa is communicated.
  • Legal opportunities are explored and utilised while addressing social, economic and ethical problems applicable to the topic of the research dissertation.
  • The research results are communicated effectively and appropriately in a clear and concise way through a written research report.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment will be appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose and exit level outcome of the qualification is achieved.

    Regular feedback will also be provided to learners on work submitted (i.e. research proposal, individual chapters, first and second drafts and seminar presentations).

    The research dissertation will be examined internally and externally on final submission by the learner. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    United States of America:
    The Columbia Law School presents the LLM Degree to prepare learners for leadership roles in academia, the judiciary, public service, civil rights and human rights advocacy, corporate law, and other legal and non-legal fields. This qualification offers learners a chance to specialise in a particular field; or to acquire knowledge of the American legal system and international law, or other legal systems. The research project will be undertaken in Criminal Law and Procedure; Human Rights; Racial, Economic, and Social Justice; Civil Procedure and Dispute Resolution, among others. The Columbia Law School will enable learners to attend weekly lectures, roundtable discussions, and conferences, which will serve as catalysts for scholarly work and learner involvement on legal issues and activities.

    Namibia:
    The Faculty of Law at University of Namibia offers a Master of Laws Degree by research at NQF Level 9 in any field of law approved by the Faculty. The target market for this qualification will be found in private law firms, the Ministry of Justice and other related ministries, government department, parastatals, the Office of the Prosecutor-General, the magistracy etc. The areas of specialisation within which the research topic will be chosen include Civil or Common Law; Arbitration Law; Constitutional Law; Commercial Law. Full-time learners are expected to complete the approved dissertation for the Degree within one academic year; whereas part-time learners must finish the research project within two academic years.

    Conclusion:
    The Master of Laws compares well with the above two cited international qualifications with regard to the purpose, areas of specialisation, NQF Level in the case of Namibia, target market, and option to pursue it on a part-time basis for working learner. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification only allows for systemic articulation both horizontally and vertically with qualifications offered by other institutions, provided learners meet the minimum admission requirements. The possibilities are:

    Horizontally:
  • Master of Laws in Constitutional and Administrative Law, at Level 9.
  • Master of Laws in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa, at Level 9.

    Vertically, this qualification also articulates with:
  • Doctor of Laws, at Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. Walter Sisulu 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.