Keith Mack
South Africa has a diverse, multicultural environment that enhances the learning experience for law students, offering valuable opportunities to understand different cultures and make connections. The country's legal system is shaped by a blend of Roman-Dutch, English common law, and customary law. There are several universities in South Africa that offer law degrees, including the University of Cape Town (UCT), the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of Pretoria (UP), and the University of the Western Cape (UWC). These universities offer a range of law programmes, including LLB, LLM, and LLD degrees, with specializations in areas such as international trade, investment, and business law and medical law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Top law schools in South Africa | The University of Cape Town, The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), The University of Johannesburg (UJ), The University of Pretoria (UP), Stellenbosch University |
| University of Cape Town's (UCT) reputation | Producing top legal professionals, requiring a minimum APS score of 36 for LLB candidates |
| University of the Witwatersrand's (Wits) reputation | Rigorous LLB programme, located in Gauteng |
| University of Johannesburg's (UJ) reputation | Affordable and accessible LLB programme, inclusive approach to legal education, requires a minimum of 29 APS points |
| University of Pretoria's (UP) reputation | Ranked among the top 100 law faculties globally, known for innovative legal research and socially relevant education initiatives, requires a minimum APS score of 32 |
| Stellenbosch University's reputation | Emphasizes academic excellence and cultural diversity, prospective LLB students need an average of 70% in their National Senior Certificate (excluding Life Orientation) |
| University of the Western Cape's (UWC) reputation | Offers an LLM in International Trade, Investment and Business Law, houses four departments: Criminal Justice and Procedure, Mercantile and Labour Law, Private Law, and Public Law and Jurisprudence |
| IIE's Varsity College's reputation | Small class sizes, collaborative and interactive debates, stimulating discussions on current legal topics, and participation in various initiatives and events |
| Types of degrees | LLB, LLM, LLD |
| LLB degree description | Three to four-year full-time programme that serves as the foundational step for legal studies in South Africa |
| LLM degree description | Allows students to specialize further in specific areas of law after completing the LLB, usually takes one to two years, including advanced classes and research studies |
| LLD degree description | The highest academic achievement in law, designed for legal scholars and practitioners who aim to advance legal theory and practice, requires extensive research and a doctoral thesis spanning three to five years |
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What You'll Learn
University of Cape Town (UCT)
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is one of the universities in South Africa where you can study law. The UCT Faculty of Law is the smallest faculty at the university, with close to 1,200 undergraduate and postgraduate students annually. The university offers a range of LLB programmes for prospective law students to choose from. The rigour of the degree programmes at UCT Law ensures that its graduates are highly sought after, not only in South Africa but also internationally. The core objective of the faculty remains teaching and research, with a clear awareness of the social and global context in which its graduates will find their place.
UCT Law graduates are known for their capacity in legal theory and its application, as well as their achievement of practical experience in law. The faculty aims to develop the next generation of skilled legal professionals who will ensure the maintenance and strengthening of an open, free, and democratic South Africa. The faculty's commitment to furthering the goals of the Constitution is evident in its teaching and research endeavours.
The University of Cape Town's Faculty of Law regularly hosts moot court competitions, such as the Christof Heyns African Human Moot Court Competition, providing students with opportunities to apply their legal knowledge and skills in a competitive environment. The faculty also boasts a number of postdoctoral research fellows, including Dr Charlene Musiza, who contribute to the academic excellence of the institution.
The University of Cape Town Law School offers a diverse range of courses and specialisations. For instance, the Faculty of Law at UCT has a Refugee Rights Unit, supervised by Professor Fatima Khan, where students can pursue doctoral research. The faculty also offers scholarships, such as the Khoro Makhesha LLB Scholarships, to support students in their legal studies. Additionally, UCT Law hosts conferences and events that address pertinent legal issues, such as Criminal Justice Reform in Africa, in collaboration with other esteemed institutions.
The University of Cape Town's Faculty of Law is an excellent choice for aspiring law students seeking a rigorous academic programme that equips them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the legal field, both locally and internationally. With its commitment to academic excellence, practical experience, and social awareness, UCT Law plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of legal professionals in South Africa and beyond.
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University of Pretoria (UP) Faculty of Law
The University of Pretoria Faculty of Law, founded in 1908, is the highest-ranked law faculty in Africa and in South Africa, according to the 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The faculty consists of six academic departments, six centres, two law clinics, and the Pretoria University Law Press (PULP). The six academic departments are the Departments of Jurisprudence, Mercantile Law, Private Law, Procedural Law, Public Law, and Centre for Human Rights. The faculty offers undergraduate LLB degrees, as well as postgraduate LLM/MPhil and LLD/PhD degrees.
The Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) publishes and distributes scholarly legal texts in English, Afrikaans, French, Arabic, and Portuguese. PULP also publishes a series of collections of legal documents related to African public law and legal textbooks from other African countries. Law students at the University of Pretoria participate in various activities, including The Constitutional Tribunal, which is the judicial body of student governance that adjudicates disputes between student organisations, and the Pretoria Student Law Review (PSLR), a student-driven initiative providing an interactive platform to discuss legal matters.
The University of Pretoria Faculty of Law has a strong focus on socially relevant legal research and education, with a mission to create and sustain an environment grounded in the values of social justice and excellence. The faculty has over 66 full-time academics, with more than 70% holding doctoral degrees in various fields of law. This ensures that students receive the guidance and support they need to graduate on time and prepare for various law-related career opportunities.
The faculty is also home to several centres and institutes, including the Centre for Advanced Corporate & Insolvency Law, Centre for Child Law, Centre for Human Rights, Centre for Intellectual Property Law, Centre for Medicine & Law, and the Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa. These centres and institutes offer specialised programmes and contribute to research and outreach initiatives, such as the Centre for Human Rights' work on adapting a Bill of Rights and creating the South African Constitution during Apartheid.
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University of Johannesburg (UJ)
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) offers traditional law programmes such as BA Law, BCom Law, and LLB, as well as LLM degrees by dissertation, coursework, and LLD degrees in various important fields. The LLB degree is the minimum qualification for practising law in South Africa. The degree equips students with practical and theoretical skills to enter the legal profession. The minimum period of study for the degree is three years on a full-time basis. The University of Johannesburg also offers a unique, innovative Virtual Reality Courtroom Game for its law students. This is Africa's pioneering virtual reality game for law students, incorporating Artificial Intelligence in legal practices.
The University of Johannesburg's Faculty of Law has a strong non-formal programmes division that offers postgraduate diplomas, certificates, and short courses in specialised areas such as tax law, compliance, criminal justice, and forensic investigation. The Soweto Law Clinic, which is the first custom-built law clinic in the country, is a point of pride for the university. It is intended to provide services to an area that played a significant role in the creation of South Africa's democratic society.
The University of Johannesburg's Doornfontein Campus Clinic has achieved a top compliance rating in Gauteng. The University's Occupational Health Practice (OHP) is also noteworthy.
The University of Johannesburg is an excellent choice for those seeking a legal education in South Africa. With its diverse range of programmes, innovative use of technology, and commitment to serving the community, UJ provides a well-rounded and engaging law school experience.
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University of the Western Cape (UWC)
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) offers a range of law programmes to its students. The Faculty of Law at UWC has four departments: Criminal Justice and Procedure, Mercantile and Labour Law, Private Law, and Public Law and Jurisprudence. The faculty offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Undergraduate Courses
UWC's Faculty of Law offers undergraduate courses that provide a comprehensive knowledge of law and its application in the South African context. The minimum requirements for applicants who matriculated from 2008 include the National Senior Certificate for Bachelor's Degree study with a score of no less than 37 points, calculated according to the university's approved points system.
Postgraduate Courses
UWC offers several postgraduate specialisations, including an LLM in International Trade, Investment, and Business Law. This programme, established in collaboration with the University of Pretoria, aims to address the skills shortage in managing the legal challenges of international trade and business in Africa. Admission requirements include a four-year LLB degree (or equivalent) with a 60% average, and relevant work experience is considered an advantage.
UWC also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law, with specific enrolment criteria determined by the Senate. Additionally, UWC has recently introduced an LLM specialisation in Corporate Law, consisting of three modules that contribute to the knowledge economy and address contemporary industry needs.
Short Courses
The University of the Western Cape also offers short courses, such as the Foundations of Medical Law, which is designed to raise awareness of legal issues that may arise in medical practice. This course is particularly relevant for health workers seeking to understand the underlying principles of medical law and key court cases in this area.
Research and International Recognition
The UWC Law Faculty has approximately 2,400-2,800 students, including a significant number of international students and doctoral candidates. The faculty aims to become widely recognised as one of the top law faculties in Africa and internationally by 2035. It boasts a diverse group of permanent academic staff members from various countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, and the Netherlands.
The Centre for the Transformative Regulation of Work (CENTROW) was established by the UWC Law Faculty in 2020 to shape policy and legislation on the future of work in South Africa. The faculty is also home to the Dullah Omar Institute for Constitutional Law, Governance, and Human Rights.
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The IIE's Varsity College
The LLB degree at The IIE's Varsity College is a four-year, full-time programme with lectures and tutorials scheduled during the day from Monday to Friday. The academic year runs from February to November, and the degree is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as a 530-credit qualification. The programme provides a broad range of specialised law-related career opportunities, including in media, journalism, psychology (criminology), and communications sciences.
The overarching vision of the Faculty of Law at The IIE's Varsity College is to produce high-performing, quality graduates who are equipped to thrive in the evolving landscape of the legal profession. The college fosters a vibrant community with small class sizes, where students can engage in collaborative and interactive debates, stimulating discussions on current legal topics, and participate in various initiatives and events. These opportunities provide a platform for students to build valuable connections within the legal profession.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Cape Town (UCT), the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of Pretoria (UP), and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) are some of the universities in South Africa that offer law degrees.
The University of Cape Town is one of Africa's top institutions for law studies, known for its academic excellence and practical legal training. The University of Pretoria is also highly regarded, with the top ranking in Africa according to the 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Other top law universities in South Africa include the University of Johannesburg and Stellenbosch University.
The requirements for studying law in South Africa vary depending on the university and programme. For example, the University of Cape Town requires a minimum APS score of 36 for LLB candidates, while the University of Johannesburg accepts a minimum of 29 APS points. International students from Africa applying with A levels usually need a higher level pass equivalent to 26 APS. There are also specific English proficiency requirements for South African students: 50% for First-Language English and 60% for Second-Language English.
The LLB degree is a foundational step for legal studies in South Africa, typically lasting three to four years. The LLM degree allows for further specialisation in specific areas of law, usually taking one to two years. The LLD degree is the highest academic achievement in law, involving extensive research and a doctoral thesis over three to five years.
