Postgraduate Diploma: Labour Law
Purpose:
Sources: SAQA official qualification record, SAQA registered qualifications record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Postgraduate Diploma
Credits
120
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
University of South Africa
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security
Subfield
Justice in Society
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2024-07-01
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2028-06-30
Last date for achievement
2031-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The primary purpose of the qualification is for learners to acquire advanced knowledge, skills and applied competence in a number of areas relating to Labour Law for intellectual growth and to add value to the legal system and society.
This qualification is therefore to provide South Africa and the global community with postgraduate learners accomplished in Labour Law, to ensure continued innovation and an increase in the knowledge-base of the learners.
The qualification is to further provide South Africa and the global community with Postgraduate learners who understand the constructive role they need to play as intellectual leaders in their society and who are empowered and equipped with the required knowledge and analytical skills to play a key role in the continued shaping of the legal system in a just society based on the values of a Constitutional Democracy.
Rationale
The Postgraduate Diploma allows learners who have completed the Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts: Law and Bachelor of Commerce: Law Degrees to obtain a Postgraduate qualification in Labour Law. In the past few years that the Master of Laws Degree has been in existence, a need has arisen for a different type of qualification dealing with similar topics covered in the Master of Laws Degree. A Postgraduate Diploma is the ideal choice in that it will enable learners to acquire the relevant expertise and knowledge without having to comply with the requirement of submitting a dissertation (as is the case in the Master of Laws Degree). This qualification aims to generate a high turnover of graduates to help boost the required number of trained professionals more quickly.
The qualification is to provide South Africa and the global community with Postgraduate learners skilled in Labour Law to ensure that there is continued professional development within the Labour Law sector. The qualifying learner is therefore to be able to provide leadership and work in a variety of contexts related to labour law.
This qualification aims to meet the growing need in society for lawyers with specialised, applied training and enables the learner to meet the increasing range of problems presented by the demands of dealing with all aspects of workplace law and dispute resolution globally. Qualifying learners will be equipped to apply their skills and knowledge in their respective professions, which include prosecutors, legal advisors, mediators, arbitrators, conciliators, attorneys, advocates and paralegals.
Entry requirements and RPL
It is assumed that the applicants have
- Well-developed information retrieval skills and presentation skills following prescribed formats, using IT skills.
- An ability to present and communicate information and their own ideas and opinions in well-structured arguments, showing an awareness of audience and using academic/professional discourse.
- A capacity to operate in variable and unfamiliar learning contexts, requiring responsibility and initiative.
- A capacity to accurately self-evaluate and identify and address own learning needs.
- An ability to effectively interact in a learning group.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
The learners who do not meet the minimum requirements for the qualification can gain access through RPL. This qualification can be achieved in part (50%) through RPL. Assessors will assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning.
Access to the Qualification
The minimum admission requirement is a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts: Law, or Bachelor of Commerce: Law Degree.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
The qualification comprises 5 Compulsory modules totalling 120 Credits at NQF Level 8
- Individual Labour Law, 24 Credits.
- Collective Labour Law, 24 Credits.
- Employment Discrimination Law, 24 Credits.
- Social Security Law, 24 Credits.
- Workplace Safety Law, 24 Credits.
Exit level outcomes
- Identify and understand divergent problems encountered in labour law and in everyday life.
- Think critically and analytically within a contextual framework related to Labour Law.
- Identify, analyse and solve complex legal problems pertaining to Labour Law.
- Engage with the legal text pertaining to Labour Law.
- Contribute to the realisation of a just society based on a legal democracy.
Critical Cross-Field Outcomes
All Critical Cross-Field Outcomes will be embedded appropriately in the modules which constitute the qualification. They will be assessed within the context of the qualification.
Associated assessment criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
- Legal issues pertaining to Labour Law are identified, analysed and dealt with in real or simulated fact scenarios.
- Daily occurrences relating to Labour Law are interpreted and analysed within a legal framework.
- Theory is applied to practice (and vice versa) in the context of Labour Law by means of relevant case and literature studies.
- The ability to develop Labour Law within a regional, national and global context to cope with modern-day challenges and problems is demonstrated.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
- Legal problems pertaining to Labour Law are interpreted, analysed and explained within different contexts.
- Unbiased and balanced perspectives are provided on legal problems pertaining to Labour Law.
- A comprehensive and systematic knowledge base in Labour Law and a depth of knowledge in the specialised areas of Labour Law is demonstrated.
- Scholarly opinion pertaining to Labour Law is considered and critically evaluated.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3
- Relevant, current sources and authorities are consulted to address legal problems related to Labour Law.
- The relevance and applicability of legal sources and authorities to an identified complex legal problem related to Labour Law are analysed and critically evaluated.
- Authoritative legal materials relating to identified Labour Law problems are selected.
- Different solutions to a problem pertaining to Labour Law are considered and critically evaluated and the consequences of each solution for future legal development are contemplated.
- Substantiated responses, based on the learners' acquired knowledge base, are provided.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
- Legal texts pertaining to Labour Law is read, understood and interpreted within a contextual framework.
- Views expressed in texts are reflected upon and critically evaluated and debated.
- Legal text is used to support arguments and solutions related to Labour Law.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
- Acquired skills and knowledge are used to advance legal awareness within communities.
- Labour Law problems in society are reflected on and solutions are sought and considered.
- The underlying constitutional values to Labour Law problems are interpreted and applied.
- An awareness and tolerance of diversity is shown and solutions are sought in respect of Labour Law issues.
- Conflicting interests related to labour law within a community (locally, regionally and globally) are dealt with.
- An understanding of the conflicting interests arising from relationships related to labour law is demonstrated.
Integrated Assessment
The learner's competencies will be assessed using an integrated method of both formative and summative assessment. Assignments, examinations and an oral examination will be used in the assessment of the learners.
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
This qualification provides learners with both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities. Horizontally the qualification articulates at NQF Level 8 with:
- Postgraduate Diploma: Law.
- Postgraduate Diploma: Company Law.
Vertically the qualification articulates with cognate Masters' Degrees at NQF Level 9.
International comparability
This qualification compares to other Postgraduate Diplomas in the legal field. The Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law can be compared, in content and duration, to the following qualifications offered by international institutions:
The Queen Mary University of London offers a Postgraduate Diploma in International Dispute Resolution (the qualification is offered through a distance learning model), where teaching operates via an interactive online platform and the circulation of compact discs and other tangible media. Learners will be required to take the following two compulsory modules:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution.
- Advanced Mediation Skills Residential.
Plus either a further two half modules or one full module from the list below
- Multi-party Negotiation and Mediation (half module).
- Labour Disputes and Collective Bargaining (half module).
- International Trade and Investment Dispute Settlement (full module).
- International Construction - Contracts and Arbitration (full module).
- 15,000 word research paper on a topic not covered by the taught elements and to be agreed with supervisor (full module).
Curtin University in Australia offers a Graduate Certificate in Employment Law which aims at providing learners with an analytical framework for addressing legal issues and emphasises legal problem-solving through application of prior decisions in a number of key areas of business law.
The University of Northumbria in the United Kingdom offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Employment Law in Practice which aims at providing learners with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a range of employment law modules and to give learners specialist legal knowledge within a practical context whilst developing expertise in chosen areas and enhancing research skills.
Conclusion
In general, this qualification compares well with its international counterparts. The only major differences are in formatting and scope of coverage or focus. This qualification is presented in the form of distance education and is therefore in line with the NQF objective of providing access, mobility and progression for learners. It is comparable in terms of content and level with the qualifications cited above from the United Kingdom and Australia.
Notes
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015.
NOTES
N/A
Providers currently listed
This reflects provider names published on the official record. It is useful for qualification discovery, but it should not be treated as a substitute for checking the relevant quality body’s latest provider status.
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