LL.M. in Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa 2027 at University of Pretoria (Hybrid; Apply by 13 November 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 and 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. The Centre is an academic department and NGO at the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria.

This two-year programme is offered as a blended learning course comprising online interaction and residential block-weeks in Pretoria. Two contact sessions, each lasting one week, will be scheduled every year, giving four contact sessions over two years. The 2027 intake runs from January 2027 to December 2028.

The programme page says the degree is open to individuals with an LLB degree or equivalent, and to non-lawyers with at least an honours degree in an academic discipline relevant to sexual and reproductive rights in Africa.

• A degree allowing access to the legal profession.
• At least a 4-year honours degree in an academic discipline relevant to sexual and reproductive rights in Africa, or any other qualification in such a discipline that allows admission to a master's programme at the institution where the undergraduate qualification was obtained.

• Applicants must have excellent academic credentials and demonstrate human rights experience or interest.
• Foreign qualifications are subject to South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) requirements. A SAQA evaluation certificate is required for university admission, and holders of non-South African degree certificates are encouraged to have their qualifications evaluated by SAQA.
• A maximum of 15 students are selected each year. This is a selection course.

• 2026 cost estimation: R 38 000 for Southern African students and R56 000 for non-Southern African students.
• Up to 15 full scholarships are available for African citizens.
• Students who do not receive scholarships may be admitted as self-funding students, provided they meet all the minimum admission criteria.

Apply online through the University of Pretoria online application (www.up.ac.za/online-application), using the Apply online link on the programme page. The Centre's page on the application process gives further steps.

• Application deadline: 13 November 2026 (extended). Applications must be submitted before this date to be admitted to the 2027 academic year.
• Course duration: January 2027 to December 2028.

In the short term, the LLM aims to equip learners with:

• knowledge and understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights from domestic, regional and global international perspectives;
• research skills in sexual and reproductive health and rights;
• advocacy skills for promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights;
• practical skills for securing the realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The goals go beyond the enrichment of the learner. In the long term, the programme aims to bring tangible social benefits to individuals and communities in the African region and beyond:

• grooming leaders with a capacity to influence the social transformation of societies;
• raising public awareness and understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights;
• enhancing the capacity of groups, networks and organisations that promote these 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;
• influencing interventions and policy-making at national and regional levels.