Master of Laws in Labour Law

Qualification stream:	Curriculum 2017
Qualification code:	90054 - N17
Qualification type:	Coursework
NQF level:	9
Total credits:	180
SAQA ID:	101116
Rules: The curriculum consists of four (4) compulsory modules, a research proposal module and a mini dissertation. Students may register for the research proposal module after two (2) modules have been passed. Students are required to first register and comply with the requirements for the research proposal module before registration for the mini dissertation will be allowed.
Purpose statement: The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide LLM graduates with the knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in a number of legal fields to ensure opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and valuable contributions to society. The second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa and the global community with graduates in a number of learning fields to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened. The third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa and the global community with graduates who understand the constructive role they need to play as intellectual leaders in their society, and who are empowered and equipped with the required research and analytical skills to play a key role in the continued shaping of the legal dispensation in a just society based on constitutional democracy within a world legal order.

Who can register?

Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted. Returning students must please check their myLife e-mails for confirmation. New Unisa students will receive confirmation via the e-mail address they provided at the time of application.
Re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) and students who officially deferred their studies must register online during the approved registration period for 2026.
Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply for admission during the next application period or check whether the qualification for which you intend to apply is on the list of qualifications that you can apply for until the end of June 2026.

When can I register?

Registration opens	Registration opens	Registration closes	Final date for payment
Master's & doctoral qualifications	7 January 2026	31 March 2026	31 March 2026
MCompt, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Leadership (MBL) qualifications * All GSBL students with a 7-series student number should contact the Graduate School of Business Leadership for assistance with re-registration: www.unisa.ac.za/sbl	7 January 2026	21 February 2026	21 February 2026

Click here for the master's & doctoral qualifications: exceptions.

Time limits for this degree

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.14 and 4.15 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.

Coursework master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
Research master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
Doctoral degree: A maximum of six years with an option to apply for one additional year.

Both you and your supervisor are responsible for ensuring that you complete your studies within the approved duration for your qualification.

Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs)

Unisa has identified the following 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) to be operationalised within the colleges:

Marine studies
Aviation and aeronautical studies
Automotive
Energy
Space study and square kilometre array
Fourth IR and digitalisation
Natural sciences (biotechnological studies)
Health studies/medicine
Feminist, womanist and Bosadi theorisations
Student support and co-curricular activities

If you are interested in any of these areas, please discuss it with your supervisor to incorporate one or more of the CNAs into your studies.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

Master's & doctoral degrees