University of Cape Town

What you'll study

This master’s programme combines comparative and transnational legal study with in-depth analysis of Chinese law as it shapes commercial, investment and regulatory relationships across Africa. Core teaching typically covers Chinese public and private law doctrines, law and development, cross-border investment and trade law, dispute resolution (including international commercial arbitration and investor‑state dispute settlement), and the governance of natural resources and infrastructure projects involving Chinese actors.

• Comparative Chinese Law: foundational concepts in Chinese constitutional, administrative and commercial law and their institutional contexts.
• International Trade and Investment: rules and practice relevant to Sino‑African trade, bilateral investment treaties, and multinational contracting.
• Energy, Resources and Project Finance: legal frameworks governing extractive industries, infrastructure deals and public–private arrangements with Chinese companies.
• Dispute Resolution: arbitration, mediation and litigation pathways used in China–Africa commercial disputes and enforcement of foreign judgments and awards.
• Regulation and Compliance: anti‑corruption, export controls, competition law and regulatory compliance issues affecting Chinese entities operating in Africa.
• Research Methods and Dissertation: advanced legal research skills with an opportunity to produce a substantial thesis on a China–Africa legal issue.

Delivery normally combines seminars, case study workshops, guest lectures from practitioners (including visiting Chinese and African academics), and a supervised research project. Students can expect a mixture of doctrinal study, policy analysis and practical problem‑solving applied to cross‑jurisdictional disputes and transactions.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a recognised law degree (such as an LLB, JD or equivalent) or an appropriate graduate legal qualification. A strong undergraduate or honours-level academic record in law is expected. The programme is also suitable for practising lawyers and professionals with substantial legal or policy experience, provided they can demonstrate the ability to undertake graduate study.

Typical application components include certified academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, a personal statement outlining research interests or professional objectives related to Chinese law and Africa, and academic or professional references. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English in line with the university’s graduate study requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of this pathway move into a range of careers across public, private and non‑profit sectors. Common trajectories include:

• Private practice with international or regional law firms advising on cross‑border transactions, investment projects and dispute resolution involving Chinese parties.
• In‑house legal and compliance roles within multinational corporations, Chinese state‑owned enterprises, and African companies engaged in trade and infrastructure.
• Government and regulatory positions focused on trade policy, investment promotion, negotiation of bilateral agreements and oversight of foreign projects.
• Work with international organisations, development banks and NGOs on legal, policy and governance issues arising from China–Africa economic engagement.
• Academia and legal research, including teaching or further doctoral study in comparative or transnational law.

Why study at University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Law is one of Africa’s established centres for legal education and research, offering proximity to dynamic legal practice and policy debates on the continent. The university benefits from dedicated expertise in China–Africa legal relations, frequent engagement with visiting scholars and practitioners, and research networks that span African and Chinese institutions.

Students gain exposure to a comparative curriculum taught by faculty with experience in transnational commercial law, arbitration and development, and have access to UCT’s research centres, libraries and forums for policy engagement. Cape Town’s position as a regional legal hub also provides practical opportunities for internships, clinics and professional networking with firms, government agencies and international organisations active in Sino–African legal matters.