NMU LLB – One of Three

Nelson Mandela University’s Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme is one of only three LLB programmes in the country to have been given confirmed accreditation by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

The CHE (the council responsible for quality assurance in higher education) and the South African Law Deans’ Association undertook a national review of the country’s Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programmes. This was done to strengthen the quality of legal education provision across South African universities. This peer-driven exercise focused on the re-accreditation of existing programmes based on specific criteria and the LLB qualification standard.

Subsequent to the publication of the review’s outcome earlier this year, the CHE called for the submission of improvement plans with respect to progress made towards improving the quality of programmes offered by the 17 participating universities.

Following the evaluation of the improvement plans and the revised final re-accreditation outcomes Nelson Mandela University along with the University of Pretoria and the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal were the only programmes to receive the thumbs up. Nine universities will be re-accredited subject to meeting specified conditions; three were given notice of withdrawal of accreditation and one and has had its accreditation withdrawn.

“The confirmation that the Faculty of Law’s flagship LLB programme has been fully accredited by the CHE is a significant milestone for Nelson Mandela University, and is testament to years of hard work, innovation and desire for transformation on the part of Faculty staff and students,” said Executive Dean of the Law Faculty, Professor Avinash Govindjee.

“The accreditation means that the Faculty’s LLB and Improvement Plan, which itself is a product of extensive staff and student consultation, meets the national qualification standard and programme criteria. 

“Particularly pleasing is the acknowledgement by the CHE of the Faculty’s demonstrated commitment to address issues of staff diversity and equity. The Faculty strives to exemplify the values of Nelson Mandela University and looks forward to introducing a revised and improved LLB degree on an incremental basis in the coming years.”