LLM

This program offers legal education at the highest level in a range of focused study areas of academic and practical importance. The purpose of this program is to enable law graduates to specialize, gain deeper insight into selected fields of law, and become specialist practitioners and leaders in their chosen fields.

The degree is awarded on the successful completion of four taught modules and a research project of between 15,000 and 20,000 words on an approved topic.

Students can either follow the general program or a specialized program (Alternative Dispute Resolution, International Trade Law, Intellectual Property Law, or Labour Law).

The program requires class attendance in Stellenbosch throughout the year, with classes generally being presented once a week per module in the evening from 18:00 to 20:00.

All modules are taught in English and students enrolling in this programme must be proficient in English.

I. The LLM Programmes at Stellenbosch

1.1 Stellenbosch University offers six LLM programs by coursework, namely:

The general LLM by coursework;

• The LLM in International Trade Law;
• The LLM in Intellectual Property Law;
• The LLM in Labour Law;
• The LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution;
• The LLM in Public Procurement Regulation and Policy;

1.2 The curriculum for the general LLM by coursework is not formally organized on a departmental basis, and there is no uniform set of prescribed modules. Instead, students are invited to compile a curriculum from modules offered by the Faculty. Selections must meet the formal degree requirements and are subject to approval by the Faculty Board. The timetable also restricts the options available to the student. This is inevitable. The timetable, while leaving room for inter-disciplinary choices, permits student specialization by the selection of modules within the broad areas of either Private, Mercantile, or Public Law. In addition to the modules, a research paper must be completed. For more information on the research paper see paragraph 18 below.

1.3 The LLM in International Trade Law comprises the following modules: International Sales Law; International Commercial Arbitration; Sustainable Development Law; Payment and Guarantees in International Contracts; Carriage of Goods by Sea; Legal Aspects of World and Regional Trade; and International Tax Law (all modules from the Department of Mercantile Law). Students must complete 4 of the 6 modules (2 modules per semester). In addition to the modules, a research paper must be completed. For more information on the research paper see paragraph 18 below

1.4 The LLM in Intellectual Property Law comprises three compulsory modules and one elective (all modules from the Department of Mercantile Law). The compulsory modules are Copyright Law, Patent Law, and the Law of Registered Design, as well as Trademark Law. Students take either Intellectual Property Law in the Digital Environment or Competition Law as their elective. In addition to the modules, a research paper must be completed. For more information on the research paper see paragraph 18 below.

1.5 The LLM in Labour Law comprises four compulsory modules, Employment Rights, Selected issues in International Labour and Social Security Law, Equality in the Workplace, and Selected issues of Collective Labour Law (all modules from the Department of Mercantile Law). In addition to the modules, a research paper must be completed. For more information on the research paper see paragraph 18 below.

1.6 The LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution comprises three compulsory modules and one elective. The compulsory modules are International Commercial Arbitration, Mediation, and Selected Dispute Resolution Techniques. Students can choose International Sales Law or Employment Rights, as their elective module. In addition to the modules, a research paper must be completed. For more information on the research paper see paragraph 18 below.

1.7 The LLM in Public Procurement Regulation and Policy is a professional LLM degree and comprises two compulsory modules and two electives. The professional LLM is differently organized from the LLM programs above.

1.7 With the exception of the LLM in International Trade Law, Intellectual Property Law, Labour Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Public Procurement Regulation and Policy, under university regulations, the degree certificate will not reflect any chosen field of specialization.

1.8 The LLM by coursework is not a correspondence course. Class attendance at Stellenbosch is required.