Master of Philosophy

Purpose

The qualification aims to enhance the basic knowledge and skills of entry-level lawyers and other graduates in specialised areas, by providing an opportunity for graduates to tailor their basic qualifications to a rapidly changing world of work.

Rationale

The Master of Philosophy qualification will equip the student with the knowledge and skills necessary either for employment in a related field (including teaching and research positions) or for further independent research toward the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning which has taken the student to a level equivalent to a qualification specified under the heading, Learning. Assumed to be in Place, may be considered for admission. An applicant who, after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential but is in need of further academic development must be directed to other suitable learning programmes prior to admission or to parallel programmes after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A relevant Level 8 Degree.

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at Level 9 totalling 240 Credits.

Compulsory modules, 120 Credits

• Dissertation (CML5606W), 120 Credits.

Elective modules, 120 Credits (Select four modules of 30 Credits each or their equivalent)

• Law in Action (PBL5849F), 30 Credits.
• Principles of Intellectual Property Law (CML5678F), 30 Credits.
• Workplace Discrimination and Equality Law (CML5676S), 30 Credits.
• Corporate Financing (CML5672S), 30 Credits.
• Negotiation (CML5671F), 30 Credits.
• Law and Regional Integration in Africa: Comparative Perspectives (CML5664F), 30 Credits.
• Advanced Tax Law (CML5663W), 60 Credits.
• Tax Law (CML5661W), 60 Credits.
• Electronic Intellectual Property Law (CML5657S), 30 Credits.
• Advanced Company Law: Corporate Governance (CML5655S), 30 Credits.
• Individual Employment Law (CML5651F), 30 Credits.
• International Economic Law (CML5640F), 30 Credits.
• Commercial Arbitration (CML5641S), 30 Credits.
• Mediation (CML5631S), 30 Credits.
• Carriage of Goods by Sea (CML5626S), 30 Credits.
• Admiralty Jurisdiction and Practice (CML5624F), 30 Credits.
• Advanced Company Law: Securities (CML5601F), 30 Credits.
• Collective Labour Law (CML5613S), 30 Credits.
• Maritime Law and Marine Insurance (CML5690F), 30 Credits.
• Intellectual Property Law, Development and Innovation (CML5691S), 30 Credits.
• Police and Policing: Explorations in Security Governance (PBL5844S), 30 Credits.
• Theories of Crime and Social Order (PBL5820F), 30 Credits.
• Land Use Planning Law (PBL5641F), 30 Credits.
• Pollution Law (PBL5643S), 30 Credits.
• International Protection of Human Rights (PBL5631S), 30 Credits.
• Human Rights Law (PBL5634F), 30 Credits.
• Principles of Environmental Law (PBL5640F), 30 Credits.
• Refugee Law and Human Rights (PBL5653F), 30 Credits.
• Forensic Science and Law (PBL5847S), 30 Credits.
• International Protection of Women's Human Rights (PBL5651S), 30 Credits.
• Natural Resources Law (PBL5642S), 30 Credits.
• International Criminal Law (PBL5807S), 30 Credits.
• Punishment and Human Rights (PBL5815S), 30 Credits.
• International Rights of the Child (PBL5628F), 30 Credits.
• International Law on Disputes and Use of Force (PBL5618S), 30 Credits.
• International Environmental Law (PBL5619F), 30 Credits.
• International Law of the Sea (PBL5602S), 30 Credits.

1. Substantive knowledge within a particular area of law.
2. Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
3. Proficiency in socio-legal research and writing skills.
4. Ability to apply disciplinary knowledge to the wider employment market.
5. Communicate-verbally and orally-with professional constituencies.
6. Appreciate values underlying professional and ethical conduct.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the theory and law in a specialised area to enable critique of current practices in the field.
• Demonstrate competence in accessing and assessing information on a specialised area.
• Demonstrate competence in applying that law to practical situations.
• Demonstrate the ability to design, select and apply an appropriate problem-solving approach in the area of specialisation.
• Demonstrate the ability to research independently, evaluate critically, and write articulately and accurately on the specialist area of law.
• Demonstrate competence in performing research projects.
• Show intellectual independence in a specialised area of law.
• Show a heightened awareness of ethical issues related to the practice of the area of law.
• Demonstrate competence in articulating and communicating professional solutions arising out of the area of law.
• Show independence of thought, awareness of ethical issues and reflection.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and Summative Assessment

The approach is one of Integrated Assessment utilising the following criteria: validity, reliability, academic integrity, transparency, fairness, achievability and timely feedback. Each module within the specialisations includes more than one assessment opportunity and there is provision for the use of more than one type of assessment opportunity (prepared and unprepared written tests, oral examinations, oral presentations, written assignments, online assessments). Each module includes elements of Formative and Summative Assessment and a final grade of 50% or higher is required to complete each module.

The Integrated Assessment consists of written papers in four approved courses, or the equivalent, and completion of a research dissertation of 25 000 words under supervision on a subject approved by Senate which must be in a subject of legal interest related to one of the approved courses. The rules provide for an oral or written examination on the subject matter of any approved course taken by a student. External examiners are appointed for every paper written to examine any work submitted as part of coursework and to examine the required dissertation.

The required dissertation must demonstrate competence in the following areas, all of which are assessed in the examination of the dissertation:

• Precise research problem formulation.
• Familiarity with and integration of the specialised literature that informs the research question.
• Appropriate design and execution of the research.
• Use of appropriate methods of analysis.
• Integration of findings.
• Ability to address the ethical problems that might attend the research.
• Appreciation of the methodological limitations of the study.
• Use of the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

The faculty Board considers the recommendations of the external examiner and decides whether to award the Degree and whether to award it with distinction.