The Bachelor of Laws, the LLB, is the qualification required to practise law in South Africa. It requires a bachelor pass and the subject and points requirements each faculty sets, and it can be taken as a four-year degree from matric or as a shortened programme after another degree.
The LLB is the academic qualification only. Practising as an attorney or advocate requires further steps after it, and those are governed by the Legal Practice Council rather than by the university.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Entry to the LLB is assessed on the following.
- A bachelor pass, since it is a degree
- English at the level the faculty requires, commonly high
- An additional language at the level required by some faculties
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, with acceptance and levels differing by faculty
- The institution APS, which for law is generally high
- Faculty-specific selection, which at some institutions includes a written assessment
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The four-year LLB is entered directly from matric. The alternative is completing another degree, commonly a BA or BCom, and then entering a shortened LLB, which suits applicants who miss the direct-entry cut-off.
Both routes lead to the same qualification. The degree-first route takes longer but gives you a second discipline, and many practising attorneys and advocates entered law that way.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Law has no universally required matric subject in the way medicine requires life sciences. What faculties consistently assess is language ability, because the discipline is built on precise reading and argument.
Points calculations and subject requirements differ noticeably between faculties. See law requirements for the national picture and UJ law requirements for a worked example.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications normally require the following.
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Your National Senior Certificate or latest statement of results
- Proof of the application fee, where one is charged
- Your final matric results, used to confirm any conditional offer
- Academic transcripts, if you are applying with prior tertiary study
- A SAQA evaluation certificate, if you hold a foreign qualification
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Apply to several faculties, apply early, and check the closing date for the specific intake. Law cut-offs move with demand each year, so a score sufficient last year is not a reliable guide.
Practising as an attorney or advocate requires steps beyond the degree, including practical vocational training and admission by the court. Those requirements are set by the Legal Practice Council rather than by the university.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the LLB?
Four years entered directly from matric, or a shortened programme after completing another degree.
Do I need Mathematics for the LLB?
It differs by faculty. Some accept Mathematical Literacy at a higher APS. Check each faculty separately.
Is the shortened LLB the same qualification?
Yes. Both routes lead to the same LLB.
Does the LLB let me practise?
It is the academic qualification. Practical vocational training and admission by the court follow, governed by the Legal Practice Council.
Confirm subject requirements, points methods and closing dates with each law faculty. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.