The Unisa LLB is offered by distance learning and requires a National Senior Certificate with bachelor degree endorsement, together with the Academic Point Score and language requirements Unisa sets for the qualification.
Unisa is the largest provider of law qualifications in South Africa, and its distance model makes the LLB accessible to working students. The trade-off is that completion rates in distance law study are lower than in contact programmes, and the degree commonly takes longer than the minimum.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Unisa assesses LLB applications on the following.
- A National Senior Certificate with bachelor degree endorsement
- The Unisa Academic Point Score, calculated from six recognised 20-credit subjects excluding Life Orientation
- A minimum percentage in the language of teaching and learning
- Access to a computer and the internet, since delivery is by distance and online learning
- An offer of placement, which you must accept online before registering
- Limited spaces, since Unisa states that meeting the requirements does not guarantee a place
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Unisa calculates its Academic Point Score on the National Senior Certificate 1 to 7 achievement scale using six recognised 20-credit subjects, to a maximum of 42, excluding Life Orientation. Unisa also states that meeting the general and specific admission requirements does not guarantee a place, since some qualifications have limited spaces.
Unisa also offers a Higher Certificate in Law, which requires a National Senior Certificate with at least 40 per cent in the language of teaching and learning. It is an accessible entry point for applicants who do not meet LLB entry, and it can articulate towards further study.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
There is no prescribed matric subject combination for law. What matters is the language of teaching and learning result, since the discipline rests on reading dense text accurately and constructing precise written argument.
Mathematics is generally not required for the LLB, though it counts towards your Academic Point Score.
Applicants who already hold a degree may qualify for credit towards the LLB. Unisa evaluates recognition of prior learning case by case, and requires a completed DSAR04 form with a certified academic record.
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
Distance study demands self-discipline. Law is reading-intensive and the workload is substantial, and students who underestimate it commonly stall in the first year.
The LLB is the academic qualification only. Practising as an attorney or advocate requires practical vocational training and admission by the court, governed by the Legal Practice Council.
Apply during Unisa published application window, which is separate from the registration period, and accept your offer of placement online before registering. See law requirements for the national picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need for the Unisa LLB?
A National Senior Certificate with bachelor degree endorsement, the Unisa Academic Point Score for the qualification, and the language requirement.
How does Unisa calculate the APS?
On the NSC 1 to 7 scale using six recognised 20-credit subjects, to a maximum of 42, excluding Life Orientation.
What if I do not meet LLB entry?
The Higher Certificate in Law requires a National Senior Certificate with at least 40 per cent in the language of teaching and learning and can articulate towards further study.
Does the LLB let me practise?
It is the academic qualification. Practical vocational training and admission follow, governed by the Legal Practice Council.
Source: University of South Africa official admission pages, checked August 2026. Confirm current requirements with Unisa and admission requirements with the Legal Practice Council. See law requirements and browse all education requirements.