A Bachelor of Law, the LLB, requires a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a bachelor pass plus the English, Mathematics and points (APS) requirements each university sets. Examples for the 2027 intake: Wits asks for an APS of 46 or more, Unisa for an admission score of 20 with degree endorsement, and UCT sets no specific subjects but requires the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs).
The LLB is the bachelor of law degree South Africa requires before you can be admitted as a legal practitioner. It is not enough on its own: practical vocational training and a competency-based assessment follow, governed by the Legal Practice Council.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Pass level: a bachelor pass at most universities; Unisa asks for degree endorsement and at least 50% in the language of teaching and learning.
- English: a faculty-set level. Wits asks for level 6; Rhodes for 60% in Home Language or 70% in First Additional Language.
- Mathematics: Wits asks for Mathematics at level 5 or Mathematical Literacy at level 6; Rhodes for 50% in Mathematics or 60% in Mathematical Literacy; UCT does not require it.
- APS: Wits 46 or more, Rhodes normally 45 across six subjects, Unisa 20.
- Selection: UCT requires the NBTs for the four-year LLB.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The bachelor of law course can be entered in three main ways. The four-year undergraduate LLB is entered directly from matric (Wits, UCT and Rhodes offer it). Wits and UCT also offer a three-year LLB for graduates; Wits asks for an undergraduate average of at least 65% and UCT for a minimum 65% GPA. Wits runs a two-year LLB for its own BA(Law) and BCom(Law) graduates. See the Wits LLB page and the UCT Faculty of Law admission page.
Unisa offers the LLB (98680) by distance learning at NQF level 8 with 480 credits. Besides an NSC with degree endorsement, it accepts a Higher Certificate in Law or Criminal Justice with an average of at least 60%, a 360-credit Diploma in Law or a related NQF level 6 diploma, and a B Iuris, B Proc, BCom Law or BA Law degree. See the Unisa LLB page.
The Legal Practice Act requires an LLB of not less than four years, or not less than five years if it is preceded by another bachelor’s degree, for admission as a legal practitioner.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Law has no national list of required matric subjects. The bachelor of laws subjects that matter are English and, at some faculties, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy. UCT states there are no specific subject requirements, and Mathematics is not required. The prerequisites at Rhodes, for the undergraduate LLB 1 route, are a bachelor’s pass with normally an APS of 45 across six subjects and the English and Mathematics percentages listed above. See the Rhodes LLB page.
Compare more universities in our law requirements guide, and see UJ law requirements for UJ. UJ’s own figures are on its programme page; check them there.
Documents and Application Requirements
Apply through each university’s own portal; Unisa accepts undergraduate applications online only. The documents requested differ by university, so follow the checklist on the portal you use. Two requirements are stated on faculty pages: UCT’s four-year LLB needs NBT results, and the graduate LLB routes at Wits and UCT are assessed on your undergraduate results.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place. Wits may wait-list applicants with an APS of 40 to 45 who meet its subject levels, and Rhodes limits its places and gives preference to qualifying Black South African and disabled applicants.
Dates for the 2027 intake have mostly passed: Wits closed on 30 September 2026 and Unisa’s window ran from 17 August to 9 October 2026. For a later intake, check each university’s page for the new dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bachelor of law degree?
It is the LLB (Bachelor of Laws), the degree that leads, with practical vocational training and the assessment, to admission as a legal practitioner under the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014.
How long is the LLB?
Wits and UCT describe the LLB from matric as four years. Graduates can take a three-year LLB at Wits or UCT, and Wits has a two-year LLB for its own BA(Law) and BCom(Law) graduates. The Act sets a minimum of four years, or five if the LLB is preceded by another bachelor’s degree.
Do I need Mathematics for the LLB?
It depends on the university. Wits asks for Mathematics at level 5 or Mathematical Literacy at level 6, Rhodes for 50% in Mathematics or 60% in Mathematical Literacy, and UCT does not require Mathematics.
Is the shortened LLB the same qualification?
Both are routes to the LLB. The Act, however, states its minimum durations by route, so confirm with the university and the Legal Practice Council how a shortened route counts.
What are the bachelor of law prerequisites?
An NSC bachelor pass at most universities, or for graduate routes a degree with an average of 65% at Wits and UCT. Unisa also admits applicants with a Higher Certificate in Law or Criminal Justice (60% average) or a 360-credit Diploma in Law.
Does the LLB let me practise?
No. Practical vocational training follows: a 2-year contract with at least 150 notional hours of structured coursework, or 1 year if a structured coursework programme of at least 400 notional hours was completed. You must also pass a competency-based assessment. See the LPC requirements for registering a practical vocational training contract.
Confirm subject requirements, points methods and closing dates with each law faculty, and the route to practice with the Legal Practice Council. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.