Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law focusing on Criminal Justice, Human Rights and Detention

Want to be at the cutting edge of justice and human rights in Africa? This course opens up vital debates on how power is exercised through detention and criminal justice - and how law can be used to challenge abuse, inequality, and corruption.

From prisons, police cells, and immigration centres to the criminalisation of poverty and petty offences rooted in colonial legacies, you’ll explore how domestic, regional, and international standards shape real lives and state accountability. Whether you aim to work in law, governance, or human rights advocacy, this Post-graduate Diploma will equip you with the knowledge and critical tools to question the status quo and drive reform where it matters most.

If you are interested in the answers to these questions, apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law, focusing on Criminal Justice, Human Rights and Detention, offered by the Dullah Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape.

What will you learn?

The Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) is a unique programme, aimed at practitioners and researchers. The course covers four modules being:

Detention and Oversight: Why do places of detention matter for lawyers, policymakers, and human rights defenders? This module equips you with the knowledge to navigate and apply domestic, regional, and international standards governing the deprivation of liberty. You will learn how oversight mechanisms — from national human rights commissions to the UN’s preventive visits — shape accountability and protect human dignity. If you want to work in law, governance, or human rights, this module will give you the tools to critically assess detention practices and engage with one of the most dynamic areas of international law.

African Criminal Justice Systems and Human Rights: Across Africa, criminal justice systems are where inequality, discrimination, and corruption often play out most visibly. This module helps you understand and challenge how laws — from colonial-era petty offences to new by-laws criminalising poverty — affect the lives of marginalised groups and shape state–citizen relations. By combining human rights analysis with real-world case studies, the course prepares you to question the purpose of criminalisation, address systemic abuses, and contribute to reform. If you want to be at the forefront of debates on justice and human rights in Africa, this module is essential.

Administrative Law: This postgraduate module in Administrative Law equips students with a solid grounding in both the theoretical and practical dimensions of the field. By the end of the course, students will be able to discuss and critically engage with the core principles of administrative law, evaluate the scope and limits of administrative powers and jurisdiction, and analyse administrative action within the framework of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA). They will also develop the ability to apply the requirements for valid administrative action to real-world scenarios. The module covers the foundations of administrative law, the structure and interpretation of PAJA, and the concepts of administrative power and jurisdiction. It further examines the nature of administrative action, mechanisms of control over such action, and the essential requirements for its validity. Finally, students will engage with standing and procedural issues in administrative law litigation and explore the remedies available to ensure accountability and fairness in administrative decision-making.

Constitutional Law: This module provides students with a deep understanding of the values, principles, and structures underpinning the South African Constitution. It explores the historical foundations of constitutionalism in South Africa and equips students to articulate the values that inform the constitutional order. The course enables students to evaluate the basic principles of the Constitution, interpret its provisions in hypothetical scenarios, and critically assess the structure of government, including the relationship between the organs of state and the different spheres of government. Particular attention is given to the Bill of Rights, focusing on the scope, content, and permissible limitations of fundamental rights. The module also examines the doctrines of federalism and separation of powers, while situating the constitutional framework within broader comparative and international contexts.

The Programme is multi-disciplinary, reflecting foci on law, political science, economics, finance and public administration to ensure a realistic and holistic approach to all aspects of governance.

Accreditation

The Diploma is accredited by the Higher Education Department, as a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law, at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 8.

Lecturers

Students are taught by distinguished scholars in criminal justice, human rights, detention and oversight. These include Prof Lukas Muntingh, Dr Jean Redpath, and Ms Clare Ballard. In addition, we regularly bring in experienced practitioners as well as scholars as guest lecturers.

Is this Programme for me?

The PG Dip aims primarily at criminal justice system officials, especially those working in or with custodial settings, as well as rights advocates and researchers. These could be public servants, members of the legal profession, the private sector, consultants and members of civil society organisations.

Programme Overview

The programme comprises four modules of 30 NQF credits each. The modules are taught in succession, and are the following:

Detention and Oversight: (first semester: February-April): This module explores legal and human rights standards on deprivation of liberty and the role of oversight mechanisms in ensuring accountability and dignity. It provides frameworks for critically assessing detention practices within domestic, regional, and international law.
Administrative Law (first semester: April-June): An introduction to administrative law with a special focus on procurement and planning.
Constitutional Law (second semester: July-August): An introduction to constitutional law with a focus on structures of government, the Bill of Rights, spheres of government, and the public service.
African Criminal Justice Systems and Human Rights (second semester: September-October): This module examines how African criminal justice systems reflect inequality, discrimination, and corruption, with particular impact on marginalised groups.

Seminars

Students are required to complete these four modules. Each module comprises 14 seminars of two hours, taught over seven weeks. In 2026, we will use online or hybrid methods of teaching and learning. Attendance at seminars is compulsory.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, you will be able to:

Evaluate the purpose, scope, and impact of criminalisation and its implications for human rights in Africa.
Assess the operation of criminal justice systems, including informal processes, and their socio-economic effects on individuals and communities.
Interpret legal standards on detention, and critically evaluate oversight mechanisms, measurement methods, and impacts on vulnerable groups.
Explain key principles of administrative and constitutional law, including powers, jurisdiction, and structures of government.
Interpret and apply the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and comparative constitutional frameworks in practice.
Analyse administrative action and validity under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act.

How long is the Programme?

You can complete the Programme (by attaining the required 120 NQF credits for the 4 modules) in a year or over two years. We accept students twice every year, namely in January (for a start in the first semester) and in May (for a start in the second semester). The academic year of the university runs from January to December. As such, any registration between this period counts as a full year.

What can I do with this Diploma?

The PG Dip is a gateway to more senior positions in government, the private sector and civil society. Completion of the PG Dip may also assist students to gain access to Master’s degree studies.

What are the requirements for admission?

To qualify for admission, you must have an undergraduate degree, with an average of 60% in the final assessment of the exit modules in relevant courses such as law, political science, public administration, and economics, together with at least three years of relevant experience in governance- and human rights-related work. A good internet connection and a reliable/alternative power supply are requirements.

International applicants who wish to apply for admission must have their foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The online application for the evaluation of foreign qualifications can be accessed HERE. The relevant Evaluation Certificate or proof of submission of the evaluation application must accompany the application.

How much does it cost?

The tuition fees for the 2025 academic year were R13,140.00 per module, which made it R52,500.00 for the entire Programme. It is anticipated that the 2026 fees will be approximately 5% more. Modules fees must be paid upfront before the beginning of the relevant Module. In addition, registration fees (R1,735.00 in 2025) must be paid each calendar year, to enable registration. Invoices for payments can be requested via the University’s website https://quote.uwc.ac.za/default. When requesting kindly indicate the modules: ADL711, CRJ 711, PUB 711, CLL713. Students from African countries pay module fees applicable to South African students, but must pay full programme fees upfront in every year of registration. Overseas international students (those from outside Africa) pay higher fees and must pay full programme fees upfront in every year of registration. Fees are adjusted upwards annually.

How do I apply?

If you have an undergraduate degree in fields such as law, political science, public administration, and/or economics, apply here.

Assessment

A minimum of 50% is required to be attained in each module forming part of this qualification. The continuous assessments will constitute 50% of the overall mark for a module while the final examination assessment make up the remaining 50% of the overall mark.

By when must I apply?

Applications for the 2026 academic year are OPEN. We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applications will be assessed for the next available intake.

Enquiries

Enquiries may be directed to Ms Crystal Nitsckie.

Africa Criminal Justice Reform
Dullah Omar Institute
University of the Western Cape,
Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, RSA

Tel: +27 21 959 2950/2951

Email: acjr-pgdip@uwc.ac.za