Outcome: National Review of LLB Programmes Improvement Plan

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) is an independent statutory body established by the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997. As the Quality Council for Higher Education, it advises the Minister of Higher Education and Training on all higher education issues and is responsible for quality assurance and promotion through the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC).

Earlier in 2017, the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) approved the findings of the National Reviews Committee (NRC) with regard to the LLB programme at the University of South Africa, and placed the LLB programme on Notice of withdrawal. The HEQC then further required the submission of an improvement plan (IP) by 6 October 2017 identifying clear targets, resource allocations and milestones to be achieved within a specified timeframe. The HEQC, on the basis of the improvement plan made a final decision whether to accredit, re-accredit or de-accredit the Unisa LLB.

The outcomes of the College of Law improvement plan was received on 14 November 2017. The HEQC was satisfied with the progress the College of Law has made towards improving the quality of the LLB programme. The HEQC has therefore revised Unisa’s LLB accreditation outcome from "Notice of Withdrawal of Accreditation" to "Re- accreditation subject to meeting specified conditions that deals mainly with tracking of students at risk, and student support". Subsequent to the above, the HEQC requires submission, by the 10^th of May 2018, of a progress report regarding the implementation of the improvement plan and the condition of re-accreditation. It must be noted that the condition is a short term condition. In essence, the University has cleared all the concerns raised by the CHE and must now show evidence of tracking students at risk.

The University of South Africa and the College of Law are therefore proud to announce that our LLB was re-accredited following the National LLB Review. This is a monumental achievement which should be celebrated amongst staff, students and all stakeholders. As the only university offering a dedicated distance legal education qualification, the College of Law will continue to strive for excellence in tuition and student support.