The UCT Law Professional Masters Programmes

Are you looking for a sharply focused, specialised Masters-level qualification in a particular area of Law? The UCT Law Faculty’s Professional Masters is for you.The UCT Law Faculty offers a Professional Master of Laws (LLM) degree. This degree programme, with 10 specialisations, is examined by both coursework and research tasks.

The Professional Masters is geared both to recent LLB graduates, looking to specialise, and to those who have been in practice for some time who want to upskill in a particular area of Law. This degree option is geared towards developing advanced skills in legal analysis, where the research tasks are practically oriented, and linked directly to coursework.  The Professional Masters is an intensive focus into a particular legal area for those looking to take advanced courses in their particular field of interest.

Professional Masters options include Master of Laws in:

  • Commercial Law
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Environmental Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • International Trade Law
  • Labour Law
  • Marine and Environmental Law
  • Mineral and Petroleum Extraction and Use
  • Shipping Law
  • Tax Law

* All Professional Masters degrees are SAQA-accredited, with their name specialisation.

The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide specialised professional knowledge to better equip lawyers or young LLB graduates working in a particular area of law. This degree responds to the need for advanced and specialised knowledge for application in a professional capacity.

Admission to this LLM degree is generally limited to applicants holding a LLB degree. To graduate with a Professional Masters degree students must select and complete four courses and four research tasks. Full-time students are expected to complete the requirements within one academic year and part-time students are expected to complete the requirements within two years.  To see the requirements in each of these specialist areas please refer to the Law Faculty Handbook.

Students registering for the Professional Masters are required to follow the curriculum and rules as per the current Law Faculty Handbook.