The degree is awarded on the strength of a dissertation of approximately 40 000 words.  It is examined by an internal and external examiner.  The topic must fall within the focus of law, justice and sustainability.  There must be sufficient expertise available in the Faculty to provide effective study supervision.

Duration (minimum and maximum duration :

• For full-time students, the study period is at minimum one year and the maximum
  duration of study is three years.
• For part-time students it is minimum one year and the maximum duration of study is four years.
• If a student has not completed the study within the maximum duration of studies allowed, the student may be terminated

Admission requirements:

• Students must have met all the requirements set by this University or any other South African university for the LLB degree.
• An evaluation certificate as issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) must be submitted if a previous qualification was obtained in a foreign country.
• An average of 60% for the final year of the LLB degree (or similar recognised four-year degree) and a sub-minimum of 65% for the research project (where applicable).
• Students must furnish a concept note (a four-page mini proposal) submitted with the application form as proof of his/her research skills before the applicant receives permission to register.
• Students are strongly encouraged to interact with a potential a supervisor prior to the application process.

Further requirements

• Research Master’s degree students must (in consultation with his/her supervisor) submit the research proposal six months after the final date of registration (and no later than 31 October) in their first year of registration to the Higher Degrees Committee for approval.
• A student is required to successfully complete a research discussion within six months after the approval of the research proposal.

• Allocation of supervisors or promoters
  Students applying for a research LLM programme must consult with possible supervisors simultaneously with the application process before registration. The Faculty Board may, in exceptional circumstances, approve the appointment of a co- or assistant supervisor on the grounds of relevant technical expertise despite such a person not being in possession of a doctoral degree.

Outcomes:

On completion of this programme, the student should be able to demonstrate:

• A comprehensive and systematic knowledge base in a specific field of study and the ability to apply the knowledge;
• A coherent and critical understanding of the methodology of the specific field of study to rigorously critique and evaluate current research in this field, participate in scholarly debates and research relating to theory and practice;
• An ability to use advanced information retrieval and processing skills to identify, critically analyse and synthesise information relevant to complex and/or real-world problems, cases, and issues in the specific field of study, where applicable. The student should also be able to debate solutions from theoretical and research perspectives published in current literature and present the information to specialist and non-specialist audiences using IT effectively; and
• The ability to critically evaluate and apply the ethics, values, rules, norms, and regulations pertaining to the specific field of study.

Curricula Master of Laws – Research Enquiries - Law-Postgrad-Enquiries@nwu.ac.za