There is no separate undergraduate degree or entry route called corporate law. In South Africa you qualify through an LLB (with entry rules set by each university), and corporate law is a specialisation you take through LLB modules, a postgraduate LLM or a short course.
That means the requirements you need depend on the step you are at: getting into an LLB, becoming an attorney, or specialising afterwards.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Undergraduate: an LLB, with entry rules set by the university (see the linked university guides below)
- Becoming an attorney: practical vocational training plus a competency-based assessment
- Specialising: an LLM, such as the University of Pretoria’s, or Unisa’s Course in Corporate Law
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
To be admitted and enrolled as a legal practitioner you need an LLB from a registered South African university. The Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 sets a course of not less than four years, or not less than five years if the LLB is preceded by another bachelor’s degree.
If you prefer a commerce start, UJ’s BCom (Law) is a commerce route that lists Mathematics in its criteria; confirm the figures on UJ’s admissions pages for your intake year.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Undergraduate subject and APS requirements belong to the LLB or BCom Law you choose, not to corporate law as such. Read the guide for your university, such as the LLB UNISA, UKZN or TUT pages linked below.
For postgraduate study, the University of Pretoria’s LLM in Corporate Law (coursework) lists an LLB or BProc (or a relevant foreign degree), a weighted average of at least 65% at final-year level, and an admission test in October or November of the year of study. Confirm this on the UP yearbook.
Documents and Application Requirements
Unisa’s Course in Corporate Law (76917) is a one-year course for legal and accounting practitioners, auditors and company secretaries. Admission needs an LLB or BProc, or an equivalent NQF qualification or substantial relevant practical experience, and applications go through the Law Society of South Africa. It uses the short-learning-programme application route, not the main undergraduate window. The fee and dates are not stated here; confirm them with Unisa.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
After the LLB, candidate attorneys serve a practical vocational training contract of 2 years, with at least 150 notional hours of structured coursework during or within one year after the contract. The period is 1 year if you completed a structured coursework programme of at least 400 notional hours over not more than six months. The contract must be lodged with the Legal Practice Council provincial office within 2 months of its date, per the LPC requirements document.
Admission also requires passing the competency-based assessment for candidate legal practitioners. We have not described how competitive articles are at commercial firms because no official source covers it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is corporate law?
Corporate law deals with companies and commercial transactions. It is a specialisation reached through the LLB, then optional postgraduate study or short courses.
Is there a corporate law degree?
Not as a separate undergraduate entry route that we could verify. You specialise through LLB modules, an LLM or a short course.
What are the corporate law requirements in South Africa?
An LLB from a registered university, then practical vocational training and a competency-based assessment to be admitted. Specialist courses add their own entry rules, as above.
Is there a corporate law course at Unisa?
Yes. Unisa offers the one-year Course in Corporate Law (76917) for those with an LLB or BProc, an equivalent NQF qualification or substantial relevant experience. Apply via the Law Society of South Africa.
Is a commerce background useful?
It can help with the subject matter, and UJ and Unisa offer BCom Law routes. It does not replace the LLB needed to practise.
When do I apply for articles?
Once you have a contract, it must be lodged within 2 months of its date. Confirm dates and timing with the LPC.
Do I need an LLM?
No. An LLM is optional specialisation. Admission as a legal practitioner requires the LLB, practical vocational training and the assessment.
Confirm requirements with the Legal Practice Council and the university you apply to. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.