University of Pretoria - Faculty of Law LLM (International Trade and Investment Law in Africa) (Coursework)
University of Pretoria - Faculty of Law

University of Pretoria - Faculty of Law

LLM (International Trade and Investment Law in Africa) (Coursework)

Pretoria, South Africa

LLM

1 up to

2 years

English

Full time

On-Campus

Key Summary

    About: The LLM (International Trade and Investment Law in Africa) is a coursework program focusing on the unique aspects of trade and investment law within the African context. This program provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of legal frameworks governing international trade relationships and investments in Africa, equipping students with essential analytical and practical skills needed in this dynamic field.
    Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue careers in various sectors including international law firms, government agencies, NGOs, and multinational corporations. Opportunities exist in roles such as legal advisors, policy analysts, and compliance officers.

Programme information

This is a selection programme and only selected applicants will be admitted to the programme.

A limited number of approximately 15 to 25 students are selected per year. Depending on the availability of funding, scholarships covering at least tuition, accommodation, and official programme activities are covered for as many of these students as possible. Students who do not receive scholarships may be admitted as self-funding students, provided they meet all the minimum criteria below, and provided they guarantee payment of at least all or a significant part of tuition, accommodation, and official programme activities, to an amount set by the Centre annually. New applicants are only admitted every second year. The programme is presented at the University of the Western Cape in the other alternate years.

In addition to the general admission requirements, the following specific selection criteria are used in combination to select the eligible students:

  • a demonstrated professional, academic, and personal interest in and commitment to international trade and investment law
  • an indication that the applicant would be likely to put the qualification to good use in his or her future career, preferably in his or her country of origin (the ‘multiplier effect’);
  • geographic representation (in the sense that an overrepresentation of students from a particular African country will be avoided, given the pan-African scope and ambitions of the programme);
  • gender representation (in the sense that an equitable balance between women and men is sought);
  • equitable representation of persons from vulnerable communities (such as persons with disabilities, persons belonging to indigenous communities, and LGBTI persons).

All complete applications are processed and considered by the LLM programme coordinator, who identifies a number of eligible candidates three times the available positions, for consideration by the Director of the International Development Law Unit (IDLU). The Director of IDLU presents the suggested candidates to the Director of the Centre for Human Rights and the Assistant Director of the Centre for Human Rights, for their confirmation.

The curriculum consists of:

  • Two modules, each counting 30 credits.
  • A module in research methodology (RHP 801) (this module must be completed during the first year of registration).
  • A research proposal (RHP 803).
  • A mini-dissertation of 23,000 to 25,000 words.

Also consult General Academic Regulations G30-G55 as well as the LLM/MPhil Guideline Document of the Faculty of Law and the programme-specific regulations set out in respect of each programme.