UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

Postgraduate Overview

Reasons to choose postgraduate study at Wits Law School (Download)

Quick Comparison of Postgraduate Offerings at Wits Law School (Download)

The School of Law offers postgraduate programmes by Research or by Coursework.

Choose a research programme only if you have the inclination, the aptitude and the time to conduct in-depth research at an advanced level on a specialized topic. Choose a coursework programme if you wish to acquire specialized knowledge in particular areas of the law without the need for extensive research, and are able to attend seminars at Wits after hours.

Postgraduate offerings by Research 

  • Master of Laws (LLM) by Dissertation
    An advanced research degree entailing the completion of a dissertation of 60 000 words, requiring independent and sustained original research

Postgraduate offerings by Coursework

  • Mandela Institute Certificate Courses
    These courses are aimed at practitioners and other law graduates who want to undertake a single postgraduate course and who prefer not to engage in extensive research. They can be done either as attendance courses, or as a certificate of competence.
  • Postgraduate Diploma In Law
    The School of Law is proud to introduce the Postgraduate Diploma in Law programme with effect from 2012. The programme is aimed at practitioners and law graduates of outstanding caliber, who wish to acquire a high quality postgraduate qualification which is similar in content and level to the LLM by Coursework and Research Report programme, but which does not carry the research component. Students need to take four postgraduate courses in an area of specialization.
  • Master of Laws (LLM) by Coursework and Research Report
    This programme is aimed at practitioners and other law graduates who want to obtain a specialized or general postgraduate law degree which includes a research component. Students need to take four LLM courses, one attendance course in Research Methodology and complete a 10, 000 word Research Report, as well as two 5,000 word Research Essays.

Closing date for applications for LLM by Coursework and Postgraduate Diplomas:

South African students: 31 October 2011  
Foreign Students: 30 September 2011

Eligibility:

  • LLM by Coursework: Average of 70% for undergraduate LLB or equivalent professional or academic qualifications
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Law: Average of 65% for undergraduate LLB or equivalent professional or academic qualifications
  • Mandela Institute Certificate: A tertiary qualification or appropriate work experience

Students who are interested in completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Law or LLM by Coursework and Research Report, but who do not qualify for admission to these programmes, are advised to register for one or more Mandela Institute Certificate courses. Successful completion of a certificate of competence  course increases your chances of being admitted to these programmes, since it demonstrates ability to cope with postgraduate studies in law at an advanced level. In addition, a student who is granted permission to convert, may obtain credits for some of the completed Certificate Courses provided they are equivalent to a LLM or Postgraduate Diploma courses. Please enquire about the equivalence of your Mandela Institute certificate course if you intend to enrol for a Postgraduate Diploma or the LLM by Coursework and Research Report at a later stage.


For general information about postgraduate degrees at Wits, visit the postgraduate website.