Program Overview

Programme: LLM specialising in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa

The LLM specialising in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa is a selection programme, with only 30 students selected per year. The programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of human rights and democratisation in Africa.

Programme Information

The programme is a coursework programme, with a minimum duration of study of one year. The total credits required for the programme are 200, and the NQF level is 09.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must have a Bachelor of Laws degree or a relevant degree from a foreign university that allows entrance to the formal legal profession. Applicants must also have a weighted average of at least 65% at final-year level.

General Admission Regulations

All applications must be accompanied by certified full academic transcripts from undergraduate to current level, a certified copy of ID or passport, and a research concept note. All applicants with international qualifications must submit a SAQA evaluation of the completed qualification or a comprehensive Foreign Qualification Report.

Programme Structure

The programme consists of seven compulsory modules, a module in research methodology, a research proposal, and a mini-dissertation of 18,000 to 20,000 words.

Core Modules

The core modules for the programme are:

• ACH 802: Accredited course in human rights 802
• AHR 801: Applied human rights 801
• DIA 801: Democratisation in Africa 801
• HRA 801: Human rights in Africa 801
• ICH 801: International and comparative human rights 801
• MND 802: Mini-dissertation 802
• NRM 801: Research methodology for human rights 801
• RHP 803: Research proposal 803
• RVM 801: Introduction to the South African legal system and Bill of Rights 801

Examinations and Pass Requirements

No supplementary examination will be granted with regard to LLM modules. To pass a module, the student must obtain a final mark of 50%.

Pass with Distinction

To be awarded the degree with distinction, a student must obtain an average of at least 75% for all the coursework modules and a minimum of 75% for the mini-dissertation.

General Information

The official language of tuition is English. The dean, in consultation with the head of department concerned, determines which modules will be presented each year, taking into consideration the availability of lecturing personnel, space, and financial implications and/or other circumstances.