15 Best Law Schools in South Africa
Just like any other higher education field, becoming a lawyer is at the top for those who aspire to work in law firms, become an academic, or choose a relevant profession. And if you are done with your matriculation, the next step is to find a top institution that offers a degree in Law.
However, it can be a bit challenging. And to find a law school that is quality and ensures an extensive learning experience for students, research is the key. Here is a detailed list of all the popular law schools in South Africa and what it requires for you to be a part of them. So, dive right in for more.
1. University of Cape Town
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-Private Partnership
- Admission Requirements: Metric certificate or exemption certificate from the Joint Matriculation Board.
- Alumni: Roger Ebert, Richard E. Grant
The University of Cape Town is by far the oldest institution in South Africa. It was founded in 1829 and is the first university to ever have science laboratories. According to the motto of the university, it is aimed towards the safeguarding of human rights and the development of South African democratic norms, as opposed to past injustices.
The Department of Law is one of the oldest at UCT and has a wide range of courses (of varying lengths). It also has an online library where you can access all the courses and books. The best part about this department is that it offers fully-funded scholarships to needy and deserving students.
The application acceptance rate is also 50%, which is pretty flexible. The university arranges NBTs or National Benchmark Tests each year. The academic year lies between April and December.
Tel: +27 021 650 212
Email: [email protected]
2. University of Western Cape
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-private partnership
- Admission Requirements: Matriculation certificate NSC, Exemption certificate by Joint Matriculation Board
- Alumni: Allan Boesak, Zackie Achmat
UCW, or the University of Western Cape, is another research-based university. This institution was founded against the oppression and discrimination against apartheid and ever since that, it has made its name in the historic transformation of the South African nation. Currently, it offers a range of programs for both social and natural science.
The Faculty of Law is divided into multiple departments, including Criminal Justice and Procedure, Mercantile & Labor Law, Private Law, and Public Law & Jurisprudence. It further has a range of short and long courses, and the highest degree it offers is a Doctorate.
To secure admission to the faculty of law, the students must have a 60% aggregate. They must equally pass at this rate in the major subjects related to the relevant subject. Similarly, the passing rate is high.
Tel: +27 21 959 2911
Email: i[email protected]
3. University of South Africa – UNISA
unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public
- Admission Requirements: National Senior Certificate, metric diploma, national senior vocational certification, or full/ conditional exemption certificate by HESA (Higher Education South Africa)
- Alumni: Nelson Mandela, Robert Mugabe
UNISA, or the University of South Africa, is the most popular public-sector university in South Africa. It is an open distance learning school that allows South Asian students to facilitate their remote study. It currently has over 370000 students from different parts of Africa.
The College of Law is divided into multiple schools, including the School of Law, the School of Criminal Justice, and so on. It offers a wide range of degrees, along with non-formal diplomas and short courses. It also encourages community engagement and research for higher qualifications.
The academic calendar at UNISA starts in August and ends in October. To secure their place in the College of Law, they must qualify for the requirements as per the specific degree program at the College of Law, UNISA. The acceptance rate is high, and there is a higher chance that you will get into a degree of your own choice.
Tel: 012 429 8476; 012 429 978; 012 429 4105
Email: [email protected], [email protected]; [email protected]
4. University of Johannesburg
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-Private partnership
- Admission Requirements: Matriculation Certificate, Exemption Certificate by Joint Matriculation Board
- Alumni: Bontle Modiselle, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk
The UJ, or University of Johannesburg, is a cosmopolitan research-based institution for social sciences. It has a total of 50,000 on its campus, most of which are international students. This college has the largest contact with public universities in South Africa.
The faculty of law at UJ is known for its traditional programs, BA Law, LLB, BCom Law, and LLM. Given that it is a research university, the students have to complete their dissertations for some courses. Apart from this, it offers non-formal short courses and diplomas for tax law, criminal justice, labor law, corporate law, and so on.
The admission/ academic calendar starts in April and ends mostly in October. You can download the prospectus from its original website to get reliable information about admissions. The students can also chat with a consultant on the university website (Monday and Friday).
Tel: +27 11 559 4555
Email: [email protected]
5. NorthWest University
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-private partnership
- Admission Requirements: National Senior Certificate Matric Certificate, exemption certificate by the Joint Metric Board
- Alumni: F.W. de Klerk, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters
NWU, or NorthWest University (Founded 2004), is a multi-campus institution with a large student body and multiple faculties. It has both international and local students. It ranks number 8 across all South African universities, with an equal male-female ratio.
The Department of Law at NWU is known for its range of short and long courses. It requires students to complete their legal education, undertake research, and participate in the community. It expands their legal engagement in accordance with the constitution. All in all, the curriculum at NWU Law Dept is all-rounded and encapsulates all sorts of laws.
To secure admission at the NWU, the students must pass the law test, along with a 60% aggregate (28 APS score) and NSC certificate. They also should have 60-69% (Level 5) in their home language.
Tel: +27 18 299 1111; +27 18 299 2222
6. Stellenbosch University
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-private partnership
- Admission Requirements: NSC (National Senior Certificate), 50-59% aggregate
- Alumni: Mike Horn, Thabo Mbeki
Almost a hundred years ago, in 1859, SU or Stellenbosch University was founded with four major faculties. These faculties included Arts, Natural Science, Social Science, and Education). Currently, it is known as a carbon-neutral university with a number of faculties and a strict climate policy.
Fakulteit Regsgeleerdheid, or Faculty of Law at SU, is a mature campus located between the mountains of Cape Winelands. It was founded in 1866 and teaches almost all the traditional and modern law degrees. The graduates from this campus have become renowned judges, attorneys, advocates, politicians, and academics. In 1976, its Masters’s degree was introduced.
The dept has a wide range of short and long-degree programs for students. It has a few strict admission requirements, which means you will have to compete with brilliant minds to get a place. The best part is that students can also apply for bursaries at the time of admission.
Tel: +27 021 808 4853; +27 021 808 3600; +27 021 886 6253
Email: [email protected]
7. University of Kwazulu-Natal
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-Private partnership
- Admission Requirements: Matric certificate, exemption certified by Joint Matriculation Board
- Alumni: Tshepo Motsepe, Blade Nzimande
UKZN, or the University of Kwazulu Natal, is one of the older universities in SA and spreads over almost five campuses. It offers a range of programs with a higher percentage of international students.
The Law and Management Studies department at the university consists of four schools. Law students are enrolled in the School of Law under a separate registrar and professional college director. It has both a Masters’s and Bachelors’s program for an all-encompassing law degree (with specialization in a relevant field of their choice).
The admission process is quite extensive for UKZN and involves the verification of some relevant tests. They must have a passing certificate by HESA at a SA university. For foreign students, the SAQA or South African Qualification Authority verifies the record of their previous study.
Tel: +27 31 260 2216
Email: [email protected]
8. University of Fort Hare
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-private partnership
- Admission Requirements: Matric certificate, exemption certified by Joint Matriculation Board
- Alumni: Robert Mugabe, Seretse Khama
The University of Fort Hare is located in the Eastern Cape and was built in the 18th century after a long process of peacebuilding. Before the formation of this university, it was a British base and was utilized for military conquests.
The dept of Law has a wide range of degree programs, and the highest level of qualification from the faculty is Doctorate. The faculty is based on research and social engagement and requires Master’s or higher-qualification students to work on a dissertation.
To secure admission to the university, the student must have a level 3 in English Home and a Level 4 in Additional English. Apart from this, they must have a Level 4 in the subjects designated by the university for that particular field. The entry test score would also be added to the aggregate (min 4).
Tel: +27 43 704 7520
Email: [email protected]
9. University of Witwatersrand
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-private partnership
- Admission Requirements: Matriculation certificate, certificate of exemption by HESA
- Alumni: Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela Mandela
WITS, or the University of Witwatersrand, is an international university with hundred years of excellence. It is a research university and is ranked No 1 in the Faculty of Humanities.
The Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management at WITS is located at the heart of the university. It has a wide range of degree programs. However, it has a relatively low acceptance rate. Hence, you will have to put in extra effort for the admission.
Students can apply to three degree programs at a time. The academic calendar goes between June and September. You must have to fulfill the requirements specified for each degree program, along with a matric certificate.
Tel: +27 011 717 1888
Email: [email protected]
10. Nelson Mandela University
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-private partnership
- Admission Requirements: Matriculation Certificate, Exemption Certificate (Joint Matriculation Board)
- Alumni: Wayne Parnell, Amanda Black
NMMU, or Nelson Mandela University, came into being in 2005 as a result of the merging between the UPE University of Port Elizabeth and Vista University. It is a higher education institution named after the revolutionary leader and offers a diverse experience to its students.
The Faculty of Law at NMMU is divided into four major departments, including Public Law, Mercantile Law, Private Law, and Criminal & Procedure Law. It further has a wide range of degrees, the highest being Doctorate. It also encourages students to work on a dissertation.
You can calculate your applicant score using previous results and entry tests. The acceptance rate is fairly high, and admission is not difficult at the Faculty of Law. The students can also contact the Student Recruitment Specialist to answer any query regarding their chances at the department.
Tel: +27 41 504 2190
Email: [email protected]
11. University of Limpopo
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-private partnership
- Admission Requirements: Matriculation Certificate, Exemption Certificate (Joint Matriculation Board)
- Alumni: Tito Mboweni, Lazarus Chakwera
The merger between the Former Medical University of South Africa and the University of North in 2005 resulted in the foundation of the University of Limpopo. It has a 350 ha campus, just across the North-West of Pretoria.
The university requires all the new applicants to have at least Level 3 in their English Home and Additional language. Apart from this, they have a minimum value of achievement set by specific programs under each department. They can also calculate their APS score at the university’s official website.
Tel: +27 015 268 2808
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] ,
12. University of the Free State
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-private partnership
- Admission Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC), 30% aggregate
- Alumni: Maye Musk, Wayde Van Niekerk
The UFS, or University of Free State, is a multi-campus university created in 1904. It has 120 years of experience in higher education.
The Department of Law is located at the South Campus, UFS. The minimum qualification it offers is the LLB degree, from where students start their legal careers. Apart from this, it has a wide range of degrees to specialize in the Constitutional Law of SA.
To secure a place in LLB, the university requires its students to have at least an M-score (34 points) in the National Senior Certificate. They must also have 33 points in vocational education and 70% performance in language, which is (Level 6 in Home and Additional English, Level 2 in Maths literacy, and Level 4 in Maths).
Tel: +27 51 401 2451; +27 51 401 3043
Email: [email protected]
13. University of Pretoria
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-Private Partnership
- Admission Requirements: Metric certificate or certificate of exemption (along with specific program criteria)
- Alumni: Caster Semenya, Maye Musk
The University of Pretoria, or UP, was created in 1908 with just four professors. Currently, it is one of the larger research-based internationally-recognized universities. Currently, the university has a 42-58 male-female ratio with 56,43 enrollments each year.
The Faculty of Law at UP was established in 1908 and is an internationally-recognized university with relevant legal education and research. It offers approx 66 full-time academics along with short and long degrees in various law fields. Not only this, it has almost 26 NRF-rated researchers.
The LLB program is administered by the Faculty of Law and is only offered on a full-time attendance basis. However, the BA Law and Bcom Law program is supervised by the Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences respectively. Each degree has specific prerequisites for admission, available on the university website.
Tel: 012 420 3111
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
14. Rhodes University
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-private partnership
- Admission Requirements: Matriculation Certificate, Exemption Certificate by Joint Matriculation Board
- Alumni: Wilbar Smith, Alice Krige
Rhodes University was founded in 1904 under the supervision of Dr Sizwe Mabizela. The motto of this university is “Where Leaders Learn,” which is why it gives extra attention to extracurricular activities, including clubs and societies. They allow students to build their personalities by participating in social, cultural, and intellectual activities.
The Department of Law at Rhodes University provides students with legal practices in the commerce and political industry. It promotes community engagement and has various clubs for students to interact with each other according to the constitution of South Africa.
To apply for the law program, you need to get an application for ethical approval and clearance policy. Students are also required to fulfill the LLM applications. Likewise, the acceptance rate is quite high, which means more chances of you getting into the university.
Tel: +27 46 603 811
Email: [email protected]
15. The University of Venda
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Bachelor, Master and Doctorate Programs Available
- Funding: Public-private partnership
- Admission Requirements: Matriculation Certificate, Exemption Certificate by Joint Matriculation Board
- Alumni: Ronald Lamola
Last but not least, Venda University or UNIVEN, is yet another leading school for law in the Thohoyandou district of Limpopo. It was established in 1982 and is known for its range of courses, from humanities to social sciences, applied and natural science.
The OR Tambo Department was established in 1999, which later became the Faculty of Management, Commerce, and Law FMCL. It aims to train public servants and government officials through a short course and complete degree programs. It runs on the long institutional plan of 2021-25.
The acceptance rate is pretty flexible; hence your chances of getting into the university are feasible. Likewise, the department offers a range of short and long courses from which you can choose the degree program that suits your criteria best.
Tel: +25 15 962 8311
Email: [email protected]
FAQs
What happens after completing law school?
Upon completion of LLB, the students get a graduate certification from the university. This verifies the fact that the graduates have the formal education to work at any law firm relevant to their education (law field). They can also go for extensive law study through a Masters’s or Doctorate program.
How much does it cost to study law in South Africa?
On average, it costs around R32000-R40,000 to complete a minimum level of law qualification in South Africa. Also, a large part of it comes down to whether you are studying at a public or private-public university. That being said, most universities offer law bursaries for deserving students.
How long is a law school in South Africa?
The LLB or Bachelor in Law takes approximately four years in South Africa, along with several other subjects such as commerce, humanity, and social sciences. Apart from this, Diploma, Master, and Doctorate programs have different lengths.
Final Thoughts
Want to become a lawyer in the future and don’t know where to begin? Start your search by locating all the top universities for law in South Africa. Though it can be challenging, be determined for the mission and put all your focus towards research. I hope this guide has helped you in figuring out what universities are best for you.