Master of Laws (LLM) (IP Law) Stellenbosch University

Master of Laws (LLM) (IP Law) Stellenbosch University

This specialised LLM programme is the only fully accredited Master of Laws with a focus on Intellectual Property Law as a legal discipline distinct from Private Law or Mercantile Law. It is therefore not offered as a conglomerate degree of selected IP-related modules under the auspices of a generic LLM, but a bespoke, predetermined programme with a highly specialised focus on Intellectual Property Law.
Therefore the LLM (IP Law) is a structured, research-orientated programme focused on issues of Intellectual Property Law designed to train specialised academics and equip students with the necessary critical assessment skills, insight and analytical ability to practice effectively in the fields of IP law and occupy the position of experts in IP Law.
The LLM (IP Law) consists of three compulsory taught modules, each designed to provide the student with a sound theoretical knowledge of the subject matter in addition to detailed instruction on issues pertaining to litigation and vesting/registration of IP rights, a choice of two highly specialised elective modules and a compulsory research module consisting of a research assignment.
This programme contains the following modules:

  • Compulsory:
    • Copyright Law 811
    • Trademark Law 811
    • Patent Law and the Law of Registered Designs 811
  • Elective: (choose one of the following)
    • Intellectual Property in the Digital Environment (EIP Law) 811
    • Competition Law 847
  • Compulsory research component:
    • Intellectual Property Law: Research Paper 814

The LLM (IP Law) is a specialised academic qualification that incorporates all of the necessary practical knowledge needed to evaluate and critically assess the practice of IP law and advise on relevant issues in detail or formulate an expert opinion. As a comprehensive review and analysis of South African, foreign and International Intellectual Property Law, the LLM (IP Law) may benefit students who endeavour to become a trademark practitioner or (in select cases) a patent attorney by providing them with a sound understanding of the law and preparation for the relevant admission/practitioners’ examinations administered by the SAIIPL.

Programme Coordinator
Prof Sadulla Karjiker
Accreditation
Department of Higher Education and Training (South Africa) NQF Level 9 CESM Classification 12 (Law) Majors (CESM Category) 120307 (Intellectual Property) SAQA Registered
Credit Value
180 (4×30 + 1×60)
Duration
1 year (full time), 2-3 years (part time)
Awarding Institution
University of Stellenbosch
Residential Campus
Stellenbosch Main Campus

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Admission requirements

A student with an LLB degree conferred by this University or any other bachelor’s degree in Law (excluding the BIuris degree) and who has attained an average of 60% in the final year of this degree or a comparable achievement in another (for example, foreign) qualification, or a student who has attained a level of proficiency or accomplishment in Law which, in the judgement of the Senate, is regarded as adequate for this purpose, may apply in writing to read for a Master’s degree in Law. The Senate will consider every application on merit.
Note

  • International students applying for admission to the LLM programme (by coursework) are required to submit proof of their current level of proficiency in English (for example, through IELTS or TOEFL scores).  Students with English as home language or students who have completed their first degree in English are exempted from this requirement.
  • Admission to this programme is subject to post-application selection based on the selection criteria for this programme and the applicable admissions policies of Stellenbosch University.

 

Application procedure

To apply for admission to this programme (for either the January or June enrolment), all prospective students must complete the online application form for admission to study at Stellenbosch University. Please visit www.maties.com to apply or contact the Admissions Officer to the Faculty of Law.
Applications Now Open
 

Selection Essay

Applicants may be required to submit an essay in support of his/her application for admission to this programme. The selection essay should indicate the reason for the application and outline any personal and/or professional factors that should be brought to the attention of the course coordinator and admissions officer.

The selection essay should be addressed to:
The Admissions Officer, Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Law
The formal requirements of the selection essay are:

  • English (UK)
  • Word count: 300 to 800 words
  • Typewritten, Arial, 12pt, 1,5 line spacing, justified, A4

 

Registration procedure

Students that successfully navigate the selection process will be informed in writing of the status of their application and the online registration procedure to follow.

Admissions Officer

For any programme-specific enquiries please contact:
Ms Karin Wiss
Faculty of Law
Ou Hoofgebou, Room 2026, Corner of Victoria & Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
Email: karinwiss@sun.ac.za
Tel: +27(0) 21 808 3780

Lecture Schedule

This programme will be presented by way of weekly formal lectures and/or tutorial discussion classes where applicable presented by the lecturer/module coordinator and a team of guest lecturers. Except under specific circumstances and by prior arrangement, attendance is compulsory at every lecture.

  • 2 Lectures per week of 2 hours per lecture.
  • All lectures are scheduled after office hours between 17:00 and 20:00.

Venue

All lectures will be presented in the Law Faculty Building (the Ou Hoofgebou) of Stellenbosch University.

Assessment

Each constituent module of this programme will follow a bespoke assessment strategy based on a combination of assessment measures selected from the standard assessment policy, chosen as the most effective and appropriate means of evaluating student progress and achievement in that particular module depending on the nature of the module content, practical requirements of the field of law and teaching methodology.
All modules will be assessed by means of (any combination of the following):

  • A written formal mid-term test
  • A written open-book mid-term test
  • A prepared oral presentation
  • A formal oral test
  • A series of prepared written assignments / thought papers
  • A formal written research paper / essay assignment
  • A series of unannounced class tests

In addition, every student must pass a formal, written final examination paper for each module. The final examination may take the form of a prepared open-book formal examination of 4-8 hours, a take-home examination paper of 18-24 hours or an extended formal examination. All examinations may be conducted with the aid of a personal computer and delivered as typewritten scripts.
A final grade of 50% or higher (calculated as a combination of the examination mark and the other assessment grades) is required to complete the module. A passing grade (50%) for each module must be attained in order to graduate from this programme.

Structure

The programme consists of three compulsory modules and one elective module (30 credits each) and a research component (the IP Law research paper) of 60 credits for a total of 180 credits. Students must complete all five modules in order to complete the programme.