Program Overview

Programme: LLM specialising in Corporate Law (Coursework)

The LLM specialising in Corporate Law (Coursework) is a postgraduate programme offered by the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria.

Programme information

A limited number of approximately between 10 and 15 students are selected per year. New applicants are only admitted every second year. Applicants are required to write an admission test during October/November of the year in which the study commences. The test is designed to assess the basic competency of the candidates in respect of corporate and securities law and is also intended to equalise the different competencies, degrees and experience of students.

Subject to the general selection guidelines, the 10-15 students with the highest marks will be admitted to the programme. The minimum duration of a programme is 1 year (2 semesters) and the maximum duration is 2 years (4 semesters). The study period may only be extended in an individual case with the approval of the Faculty Postgraduate Committee on recommendation of the relevant head of department, based on good reason shown and if the student has a reasonable prospect of completing the programme in a further year of study.

Unless the specific requirements listed for a particular programme indicate otherwise, the Master of Laws degree by Coursework is awarded once a student has successfully completed courses in research methodology, three 30-credit modules prescribed for the particular programme, the submission of a research proposal and the submission of a mini-dissertation.

Admission requirements

General Admission Regulations:

All applications must be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Certified full academic transcripts from undergraduate to current level;
2. Certified copy of ID or passport;
3. A research concept note (not applicable to honours or coursework master's degrees): A description of the proposed research field indicating a research topic and the broad scope of the proposed study, not exceeding 500 words.

All applicants with international qualifications must submit the following documents, subject to provision number 9:

1. A SAQA evaluation of the completed qualification or a comprehensive Foreign Qualification Report
2. TOEFL or IELTS or Pearson Test of English or Oxford Test of English test results (if applicable)
3. Certified copy of passport.

All postgraduate applications are subject to departmental admissions processes. Admissions is based on the content of and performance in the prior degree, bridging arrangements (where required), academic merit and prior work experience (if applicable). Admission to all qualifications is subject to supervisory capacity and/or research projects in the field of specialisation in a department, therefore the relevant department has the right to limit the number of students per year. Complying with the minimum admissions requirements, does not automatically guarantee admission to the degree. Proposed research studies for masters and doctoral applicants should align with the research focus of the relevant department.

Minimum admissions requirements:

1. Bachelor of Laws degree or BProc degree or relevant degree from a foreign university that allows entrance to the formal legal profession
2. A weighted average of at least 65% at final-year level

Other programme-specific information

Mini-dissertation

In addition to the relevant prescribed coursework modules, a mini-dissertation is required for fulfilment of the Master of Laws degree by Coursework in the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria. The mini-dissertation must generally comprise 13 000 15 000 words including footnotes but excluding the list of contents and the bibliography.

Examinations and pass requirements

In the event of having failed all modules during a particular year of study, a student will only be allowed to continue with his/her studies with the consent of the Faculty Postgraduate Committee.

No supplementary examination will be granted with regard to LLM modules, but the General Academic Regulations and rules apply with regard to special and ancillary examinations.

Pass with distinction

For the degree to be awarded with distinction a student must obtain an average of at least 75% for all the coursework modules (not rounded), as well as a minimum of 75% for the mini-dissertation. The modules must have been written for the first time.

General information

The official language of tuition is English. Limiting of modules on offer in a particular academic year and availability to foreign students. 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. The dean may, on recommendation of the relevant head of department, determine the maximum number of registrations for a specific elective module in terms of the prescribed guidelines. The dean may also, on recommendation of the relevant head of department, determine that a particular LLM module will not be offered where on the first day of lectures four or fewer students are registered for such module. A student may not register more than twice for the same module. In order to pass a module, the student must obtain a final mark of 50%.

Core modules

• LRR 801: Law of securities 801
  • Credits: 30.00
  • Module content:
    1. Shares and debentures
    2. Capital rules
    3. Acquisition of capital and quasi shares
    4. Secondary markets
• MKR 801: Company law 801
  • Credits: 30.00
  • Module content:
    1. The company concept
    2. Capacity and representation of the company
    3. Duties of the company director
    4. Minority protection
• MND 800: Mini-dissertation 800
  • Credits: 100.00
  • Module content:
    1. The student must submit a research proposal during his/her first year of registration for the LLM degree to the supervisor prior to commencing with the writing of the mini-dissertation.
    2. A mini-dissertation (MND 800) of 13 000 to 15 000 words inclusive of footnotes but excluding the list of contents and the bibliography, is required. The mini-dissertation must be submitted to the supervisor not later than August of the second year of registration for the LLM programme. The mini-dissertation must deal with the subject content of one of the modules or a combination of the modules registered for by the student for his/her LLM degree. Any request for an extension of the period for submission of the mini-dissertation may only be granted by the Dean on recommendation of the LLM Committee
• RHP 801: Research methodology 801
  • Credits: 5.00
  • Module content:
    1. Planning and organising a research project
    2. Drafting a research proposal: Hypotheses and research question
    3. Theory in research and methodological approaches to legal research
    4. Language
    5. Citation and ethics of citation
    6. Drafting of chapters and presentation
• RHP 803: Research proposal 803
  • Credits: 5.00
  • Module content: Development and presentation of a research proposal. (A research proposal must be submitted to the supervisor and accepted in the first semester of the second year of study before the student will be allowed to register for the mini-dissertation.)

Elective modules

• LBR 802: Liquidation and business rescue 802
  • Credits: 30.00
  • Module content:
    1. Compromises and arrangements in terms of section 311 of the Companies Act 61 of 1973
    2. Initiation and consequences of the winding-up of companies and close corporations
    3. Administration of insolvent estates and the drafting of liquidation and distribution accounts
    4. Judicial management and other business rescue mechanisms
• TAX 801: General principles of income tax 801
  • Credits: 30.00
  • Module content:
    1. The basic principles pertaining to gross income
    2. Specific inclusions in gross income interest, royalties, etc
    3. General principles pertaining to deductible expenses
    4. Examples of allowable and non-allowable deductions rent, improvements, royalties, etc
    5. Capita selecta pertaining to income tax
• TOR 802: International take-overs and reorganisations 802
  • Credits: 30.00
  • Module content: This module deals with aspects of the following topics: (a) South African take-overs and reorganisations (b) International (USA and EU) take-overs and reorganisations (c) Competition law