There is no single “business law requirement” in South Africa, because business law is taught through different qualifications, each with its own entry rules. You can study it in a diploma, as modules in a BCom Law, or as part of the LLB. Only the LLB route leads to practising as an attorney or advocate.
Below is what the official sources we checked say about each route. Always confirm the current figures with the institution for your intake year.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Diploma route: Durban University of Technology (DUT) Diploma in Management Sciences (Business Law), which does not qualify you to practise
- Commerce route: BCom Law, offered for example by UJ and Unisa
- Legal route: the LLB, with entry rules set by each university
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
For the DUT diploma (full-time, Durban campus), NSC applicants need a minimum of 25 points excluding Life Orientation, English at rating 3 (Home Language) or 4 (First Additional Language), Mathematics at rating 3 or Mathematical Literacy at rating 4, and two further 20-credit subjects at rating 3. These figures come from the DUT 2024 handbook, so check the current year before applying.
DUT states that this programme does not equip students to practise as attorneys or advocates. It points to roles such as compliance officer and contract manager.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Commerce routes lean on Mathematics. Unisa’s Bachelor of Commerce in Law is an NQF level 7, 360-credit degree with an APS of 21 and at least 50% in Mathematics. UJ also publishes BCom Law criteria that require Mathematics; confirm its figures on UJ’s admissions pages.
For the LLB, entry follows each university’s own LLB rules, so read the page of the university you are targeting.
Documents and Application Requirements
Apply through the institution’s own admissions portal. The documents required are listed by each institution on its application page and differ by institution and intake. Closing dates and fees are set per institution and are not stated here because they have not been verified.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
If your goal is to practise, choose a route that ends in an LLB. Under the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 you qualify for admission as a legal practitioner with an LLB from a registered South African university (not less than four years, or not less than five if preceded by another bachelor’s degree), plus practical vocational training and a competency-based assessment.
If you already hold an LLB, specialising in commercial law is a postgraduate step. Unisa’s Course in Corporate Law requires an LLB or BProc, or an equivalent NQF qualification or substantial relevant practical experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is business law?
Business law covers the rules that govern companies, contracts and commercial dealings. In South Africa you can study it as a diploma, as modules within a BCom Law, or within the LLB.
Can I study business law as a course?
Yes. DUT offers a Diploma in Management Sciences (Business Law), and the topic also appears as modules in BCom Law and LLB programmes. The diploma does not qualify you to practise.
Do I need Mathematics?
It depends on the route. The DUT diploma accepts Mathematics at rating 3 or Mathematical Literacy at rating 4. Unisa’s BCom Law needs 50% in Mathematics, and UJ’s BCom Law criteria also require Mathematics.
What is commercial and business law at postgraduate level?
It is a specialisation after the LLB, for example Unisa’s Course in Corporate Law for LLB or BProc holders.
Can I practise law with business law modules in a BCom?
Not on a BCom alone. You need an LLB, then practical vocational training and a competency-based assessment.
Which route should I choose?
Choose the diploma if you want compliance or contract-management work, and an LLB if you want to practise as an attorney or advocate. A BCom Law can be a stepping stone toward the LLB, depending on the university’s rules.
Confirm all figures with the institution you apply to. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.