FOCUS ON: LLM/MPhil, Master's in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa

The MASTER’S (LLM/MPhil) IN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATISATION IN AFRICA is a regional cooperation initiative presented by the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria (South Africa), in conjunction with the faculties of law at Université d'Abomey-Calavi (Benin), Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), American University in Cairo (Egypt), Catholic University of Central Africa (Cameroon), Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (Mozambique), Université Gaston Berger de Saint Louis (Senegal), University of Ghana, University of Lagos (Nigeria), University of Mauritius, Makerere University (Uganda), University of Venda and the University of the Western Cape (South Africa).

During an intensive one-year course, students are taught by eminent lecturers in the field of human rights and gain invaluable practical exposure. The Master’s programme is structured such that students spend the first semester in Pretoria. The first semester runs from mid-January to end of July. During the first semester students register for 6 academic modules. In addition to the 6 modules, the students study a language, either French, advanced English or Portuguese.

The first semester is structured such that it involves both theoretical and practical learning approaches. Part of the practical aspect of the semester includes Friday debates to help hone students’ presentation skills. Students also attend a South African Constitutional Court case and write a shadow judgment which is assessed. In addition students undertake study visits to various destinations. The class is divided into six groups and each group undertakes an on-site study visit to one of the following destinations: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and a group remained in South Africa (going to the northern part of the country – Thohoyandou).

Lecturers on the programme are experts in human rights and democratisation with many travelling from different parts of Africa and the world.

For further information visit the official LLM/MPhil site.