Program Overview

Programme: LLM

The primary purpose of an LLM by dissertation is to educate and train law graduates as researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level, which is predominantly focused on one or more legal disciplines, or prepare graduates for advanced and specialised professional employment.

Programme Information

Also, consult General Regulations G.30-G.56 as well as the LLM Policy Document of the Faculty of Law. The minimum duration of the 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.

Registration and Renewal of Registration

If admitted, a student can register immediately for the LLM by dissertation programme. The following two or three modules must be registered for and completed within one year of registration:

1. Research methodology (RHP 802) (non-credit bearing) offered by the Faculty of Law
2. Research proposal and oral defence of the research proposal (RHP 804) (non-credit-bearing)
3. Structured research proposal preparation (RHP 806) (non-credit-bearing)

Admission Requirements

• LLB degree or BProc degree or relevant degree from a foreign university that allows entrance to a master's degree
• A weighted average of at least 65% at final-year level or a weighted average of below 65%:
  • relevant work experience
  • other academic qualifications
• An admissions examination may be required
• A portfolio consisting of:
  • recent research-based essays or assignments
  • a letter of motivation

Research Information

With regard to the abovementioned curriculum, the relevant General Academic Regulations apply, and the dissertation counts 100% for the final mark. The dissertation consists of words – including footnotes but excluding the table of contents and the bibliography. The final copy of the dissertation must be accompanied by a proof of submission of an article to a journal accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training. The article must be based on the research that the student has conducted for the dissertation and be approved by the supervisor.

Agreement

A written agreement between the student and supervisor must be signed. The document serves as the basis for the interaction between the student and the supervisor. It indicates their individual roles, responsibilities, and expectations and makes it clear that they are entering into a binding undertaking with each other. The supervisor has the responsibility to ensure that the dissertation is properly prepared by the student.

Pass with Distinction

For the degree to be awarded with distinction, a student must obtain a minimum of 75% for the dissertation.

Core Modules

• LLM 890: Dissertation: Law 890
  • Credits: 200.00
• RHP 802: Research methodology 802
  • Credits: 0.00
  • 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
    7. Substantive themes in legal research
• RHP 804: Research proposal and oral defence of the research proposal 804
  • Credits: 0.00

The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.