Deadline: 31 July 2026
The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, South Africa, is calling for applications for the Master’s degree (LLM) in Sexual & Reproductive Rights in Africa (SRRA) for the Class of 2027. The programme is open to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds including lawyers, advocates, researchers, social activists and educators. This two-year programme is offered as a blended learning course comprising of online interaction and residential block-weeks in Pretoria. Two contact sessions, each lasting one week, will be scheduled every year (four contact sessions over a period of two years).
Eligibility
- The degree is open to individuals with an LLB degree or equivalent.
- To non-lawyers with at least an honours degree in an academic discipline relevant to sexual and reproductive rights in Africa.
- Other relevant requirements
- Foreign qualifications are subject to South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) requirements. A SAQA evaluation certificate is required for university admission.
- Applicants must have excellent academic credentials and demonstrate human rights experience or interest.
- A maximum of fifteen students will be accepted for the 2026 academic year.
How to apply
- Click here to read about the application process
- Click here to apply online (please note – you must create an account on the Submittable platform before you can apply)
All holders of non-South African Degree Certificates are encouraged to evaluate their qualifications with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
Course duration (two years)
2027 intake: January 2027 – December 2028
Application deadline: 31 July 2026
This is a selection course, applications must be submitted before 31 July 2026 to be admitted to the 2027 academic year.
Scholarships
A maximum of 15 students are selected each year. Students who do not receive scholarships may be admitted as self-funding students, provided they meet all the minimum admission criteria.
Goals of the programme:
The LLM (Sexual & Reproductive Rights in Africa) has short-term as well as long-term goals. In the short term, it aims to secure the following goals:
- to equip the learner with knowledge and understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights from domestic, regional and global international perspectives
- to equip the learner with research skills in sexual and reproductive health and rights
- to equip the learner with advocacy skills for promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights
- to equip the learner with practical skills for securing the realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights
The goals of the Master’s programme go beyond the mere enrichment of the learner. In the long-term, the LLM Programme should yield to individuals, and communities in the African region and beyond, tangible social benefits, including:
- grooming of leaders with a capacity to influence the social transformation of societies
- raising of public awareness about sexual and reproductive health and rights
- increasing the public understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights
- enhancing the capacity of groups, networks or organisations that promote sexual and reproductive health and rights and related rights, including the rights of women and sexual minorities
- advancing the reproductive and sexual health and rights of individuals and communities
- combating discrimination and stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health and rights
- influencing interventions in sexual and reproductive health and rights national and regional levels
- influencing policy-making in sexual and reproductive health and rights at the national and regional levels