Law school in South Africa means a university law faculty offering the LLB. Entry requires a bachelor pass, a strong language result, and the points score the faculty sets, which for law is generally high because demand exceeds places.
South Africa does not have the separate graduate-entry law school model used in some countries. Law is an undergraduate degree here, entered from matric or after another degree, within a university faculty.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Law faculties assess the following.
- A bachelor pass
- The language of instruction at a high level
- An additional language, where the faculty requires it
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, with requirements differing by faculty
- The faculty APS, which for law is generally high
- Additional selection at some faculties, including written assessment
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The four-year LLB is entered directly from matric. Graduates of other degrees can enter a shortened LLB, which is the closest South African equivalent to graduate-entry law study.
Faculties set their own minimums above the national pass level, and because law attracts far more applicants than there are places, the score that actually secures admission is set by competition each year.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Language ability is the consistent requirement across faculties, since the discipline is built on precise reading and written argument.
There is no national subject prescription for law, so requirements differ between faculties more than in most fields. Check each one separately.
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
- A SAQA evaluation certificate, if you hold a foreign qualification
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Apply to several faculties. Cut-offs move with demand each year, and a score sufficient at one faculty may not be at another.
Understand what the degree leads to. The LLB is the academic qualification; practical vocational training and admission by the court follow, governed by the Legal Practice Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is law a graduate degree in South Africa?
No. It is an undergraduate degree entered from matric, though graduates of other degrees can enter a shortened LLB.
What APS do I need for law school?
It differs by faculty and is generally high. Because demand exceeds places, the effective cut-off is set by competition each year.
Do all law faculties require the same subjects?
No. There is no national subject prescription for law, so requirements differ between faculties more than in most fields.
Does the LLB let me practise?
It is the academic qualification. Practical vocational training and admission follow, governed by the Legal Practice Council.
Confirm entry requirements and closing dates with each law faculty separately. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.