Master of Laws (Criminal Justice) at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

This programme provides the opportunity to develop specialist skills in criminal justice, taking into account recent theoretical and doctrinal developments in South Africa and other jurisdictions. Particular attention is paid to the effect of the introduction of the Bill of Rights on existing rules of South African law. The programme is presented in a semi-distance format, in which home studying is complemented by a week-long contact session at NMMU for each module.

Faculty: Law | Duration: 1 years | Study mode: part-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

To produce graduates with advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of the field of criminal justice and an enhanced capacity for independent research, as well as to develop the skills necessary to solve criminal justice problems. The published curriculum is an NQF Level 9 qualification of 180 credits.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Lawyer.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Unless Senate decides otherwise, candidates shall be admitted to the studies for the Master of Laws/Magister Legum Criminal Justice course work and research degree only if they have obtained a Bachelor of Laws/Baccalaureus Legum degree or a qualification deemed by Senate to be the equivalent thereof, and have achieved an average mark of at least 60% for the aforementioned degree or qualification, and have been approved as candidates for the Master of Laws/Magister Legum (Criminal Justice) (Coursework and Research) degree by the Faculty of Law Postgraduate Studies Committee, on the recommendation of the Head of the Department following a selection process approved by the Faculty of Law Management Committee.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

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