- UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMMES
BACHELOR OF LAWS (L.L.B.)
Preamble
The Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) is offered under 3 modes; mode 1- LL.B. 5-year programme, mode 2- LL.B. 3-year programme, and mode 3- LL.B. 2-year programme.
Mode 1 – LL.B. 5-year programme
The normal requirements for entry into the LL.B. 5-year programme are:
- Sat for a minimum of six (6) subjects in LGCSE or COSC examination
- LGCSE or equivalent with at least four subjects passed with a C-grade and two other subjects passed with at least a D- grade.
- A minimum of a C-grade in English Language.
- A total not exceeding 26 Average Point Score (APS) is the acceptable achievement of a candidate.
Mode 2 – LL.B. 3-year Programme
The normal requirements for applicants shall be:
A Bachelors’ Degree from any other discipline with at least a Second Class Second-Division Pass (i.e. at least a 60 percent average or equivalent).
Mode 3 – LL.B. 2-year Programme
The normal requirements for applicants shall be:
BA Law with a minimum of PASS
CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN INSURANCE LAW
The programme is a Certificate in Insurance Law at Level 5 of the Lesotho Qualification Framework (LQF) and Level 5 of SADC Qualifications Framework (SADCQF).
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements into the certificate programme will be based on one of the following:
- A Cambridge Overseas Schools Certificate (COSC), Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE), or equivalent certificate; or
- Recognition of prior learning.
Duration
It shall normally extend over a minimum of three (6) months. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Faculty may, with the approval of Senate, agree to an extension for a specific period, not exceeding a full academic year. The programme comprises of ten (10) courses that are taught over a period of (3) months. The remaining three (3) months will consist of registration, assessment, examination periods and University vacations.
Mode of Learning
The courses will combine theory and practice in the form of case studies. Students are expected to read on their own. Lectures are conducted in a structured but discursive manner allowing for questions and discussions. Practical examples are routinely considered with reference to case law, experience from the industry and other available resources.
Course Rationale
The COP is a qualification developed as part of the fit and proper requirements for insurance intermediaries in Lesotho. The programme aims to provide students with introductory knowledge on key aspects of the insurance sector such as the legal framework governing Lesotho’s insurance sector, the role of the Regulator in the insurance sector, ethical considerations in the insurance business among other things. The programme will also equip students with cognitive and conceptual tools such as problem solving skills, application skills, and to some extent analytical skills which will enable students to deal with risk and compliance management, ethical considerations, and dispute resolution in the insurance business. It will introduce students to the fundamental aspects of the regulation of insurance business in Lesotho by emphasizing selected general principles in insurance and related areas together with more specific areas, such as insurance products, risk management and others. The programme is designed to equip students with the relevant knowledge and practical skills required to successfully operate within the insurance environment in Lesotho.
- POSTGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMMES
- POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN LABOUR LAW (CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION) – 13 WEEKS
Career Enhancement – Law
The program enhances a person’s skills through the courses it offers.
These courses are Labour law, Labour economics, Labour relations, Law of evidence, Conciliation theory, Arbitration theory, Human resources management and Board governance.
Career Opportunities: Independent Conciliator or Arbitrator for the Directorate of Dispute Prevention and Resolution (DDPR); in Human Resources Departments, function as Labour Relations Advisor or Specialist; Consultant in Labour Law, Labour Relations and Alternative Dispute Resolution; Legal Advisor for non-governmental organisations or community-based organisations.
Entry Requirements:
- A recognised Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of Second Class-Second Division
Or
- A recognised Bachelor’s Degree with Pass, coupled with extensive work experience.
Duration:
Thirteen (13) Weeks.
Mode of Learning
The Faculty offers the program in block teaching mode. It is offered through blended learning which is a combination of online learning and face-to-face learning.
- POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PENSION LAW
The Executive Professional Development Programme
This is an executive professional development programme targeting the busy professionals who wish to gain specialized knowledge in pension law. The programme is comprehensive and practical, ideal for decision makers and advisors of the pension fund business.
The program comprises of ten intricate courses, namely, Introduction to Lesotho’s Private Pension Fund System, Pension Funds and the Employment Connection, Death Benefits Before Retirement, Deductions from Pension Benefits, Disability Benefits, Member’s Right to Information, Financial Planning and Pension Funds, Governance of Pension Funds, Investment Regulation, The Role of and Functions of the Regulator.
The following are some of the topics covered in the programme:
- The regulatory and legislative framework of the pension fund business in Lesotho
- Pensions and the employment relationship
- Pension plan funding requirements and investment principles
- Pension fund governance models and policies
Entry Requirements
- A recognised Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of Second Class-Second Division
Or
- A recognised Bachelor’s Degree with Pass, coupled with extensive work experience.
Teaching methods
A detailed course outline with a comprehensive reading list and bibliography will be provided for each of the courses. Courses will combine theory and practice in the form of case studies. Case studies will be developed and provided to students. Students are expected to read on their own. Lectures are conducted in a structured, but discursive, manner allowing for questions and discussions. Practical examples are routinely considered with reference to case law, experience from the industry and other available resources. The courses are taught online.
Duration
The programme shall ordinarily extend over a period of nine (9) months.
- MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
MASTER OF LAWS – 1 YEAR FULL TIME / 2 YEARS PART TIME
Modes of the Degree
The Faculty of Law offers the degree of Master of Laws (LL.M) in three modes, viz.:
- the structured general, unspecialised mode;
- the structured specialised LL.M degree mode; and
- the full dissertation mode.
- The Structured General LL.M Mode
The Structured General LL.M degree allows a candidate to determine the content of
their degree through their course selection. A candidate registered in the Structured
General LL.M degree programme may select any courses from the list of the courses
that are on offer across specialisation areas. During the first semester candidates shall
take LAW 8000 and up to three (3) elective courses. In the second semester,
candidates shall take the remaining required courses and complete their research and
dissertation writing. The minor dissertation shall not exceed 25 000 words (including
footnotes).
- The Specialised LL.M by Coursework
The specialisation areas for the coursework LL.M degrees comprise the following:
- Master of Laws in Commercial Law
- Master of Laws in Constitutional Law
- Master of Laws in Human Rights Law
- Master of Laws in International Economic Law
- Master of Laws in Intellectual Property Law
- Master of Laws in Labour Law
- Master of Laws in Law, Governance, and Development
- Master of Laws in Pension Law
During the first semester candidates shall take LAW 8000-4 and any one (1) or two (2)
courses. In the second semester, candidates shall take the remaining one (1) or two (2)
required courses and complete research and dissertation writing. The minor dissertation
shall not exceed 25 000 words (including footnotes). To obtain a Specialised LL.M
degree a candidate must complete four (4) courses within the course list for that
particular specialisation.
- LL.M by Full Dissertation Mode
The LL.M degree by dissertation only is offered in the following specialisation fields:
- Master of Laws in African Customary Law
- Master of Laws in Constitutional Law
- Master of Laws in Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
- Master of Laws in Cyber Law
- Master of Laws in International Commercial Arbitration
- Master of Laws in International Economic Law
- Master of Laws in International Law
- Master of Laws in Jurisprudence
- Master of Laws in Mercantile Law
- Master of Laws in Pension Law
- Master of Laws in Private Law
- Master of Laws in Public Enterprises Law
- Master of Laws in Revenue Law & Taxation
- Master of Laws in International Economic Law
The minimum duration of a Master of Laws (LL.M) by dissertation shall be two academic
years, which is four (4) semesters.
- PhD in Law
General Overview
- The minimum registration period for the degree is three (3) years and the maximum is four (4) years for full-time students.
- For part time students, the minimum registration period for the degree is three (3) years and the maximum is six (6) years.
- An extension of these periods will only be entertained in exceptional circumstances.
Mode of the Degree: Full research mode
The PhD degree is offered in the following fields:
- Administrative law
- Labour Law
- Commercial Law
- Family Law
- Constitutional Law
- Mercantile Law
- Criminal Law
- Conflict of Laws
- Customary Law
- Private Law
- Human Rights Law
- International Commercial Arbitration Law
- International Law
- Social Security Law
- Jurisprudence
- International Trade Law
- Water Law
- International Economic Law
- Procedural Law
- Law of Evidence
- Pension Law