Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

The LLB programme is a four-year undergraduate programme. However, prospective students have three direct routes to attain (a) law degree(s) at the University of Pretoria:

(a) Attainment of a BCom (Law) degree (three years) and thereafter completion of an LLB degree (two years), resulting in two degrees over a minimum of five years;

(b) Attainment of a BA (Law) degree (three years) and thereafter completion of an LLB degree (two years), resulting in two degrees over a minimum of five years; or

(c) Attainment of an LLB degree (minimum four years).

Another route is the attainment of any prior recognised degree and thereafter completion of an LLB degree (minimum four years).

Please note that it is often evident in practice that not all students are able to cope with the demands of the legal profession after four years of study. Therefore it is generally recommended that students first complete either the three-year BA (Law) or three-year BCom (Law) degree and thereafter complete the LLB degree as set out above.

For further information, please access our website: click here

Career Opportunities (with at least an LLB degree and preferably after admission as an attorney or advocate)

• Officer of the court, such as attorney, advocate, court orderly, National Prosecuting Authority, public prosecutor and state advocate
• Court Administration, such as court manager, clerk of the court, registrar, maintenance officer, maintenance investigator, maintenence clerk, interpreter, stenographer and judge's clerk
• Justice and Constitutional Development, such as Office of the Chief State Law Adviser, State attorney, legal administration officer, Master of the High Court and Ofice of the Family Advocate
• Legal academics: Law lecturers at the various universities and colleges (lecturer, senior lecturer, Associate Professor, Professor, Head of a Department or Law School, Deputy Dean and Dean)
• Judiciary: Magistrate or Judge
• Legal Aid and advice:  Legal Aid Board, Legal Resources Centre/Justice Centres, Lawyers for Human Rights, Clinica and Para-legals operating in Community Advice Centres, University Law Clinics and Para-legal Advice Offices
• Other areas:
  • Law Reform Commission
  • NGOs
  • Legal advisers
  • South African Police Service
  • Correctional Services
  • Military

Important information for all prospective students for 2023

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click here for this Faculty Brochure.

Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS. 

You will be considered for final admission to degree studies if space allows, and if you have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification with admission to bachelor’s degree studies, and comply with the minimum subject requirements as well as the APS requirements of your chosen programme.

Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2023: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.

International students: Click here.

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.

Closing dates: Same as above.

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.

Note: 

• Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP, as per faculty-specific requirements.
• Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
• Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the programmes for which they apply.

Closing date for applications from returning students

Unless capacity allows for an extension of the closing date, applications from returning students must be submitted before the end of August via your UP Student Centre.

All modules will only be presented in English, as English is the language of tuition, communication and correspondence at the University of Pretoria.

Faculty Yearbooks: click here. 

The University of Pretoria has decided not to set a specific closing date for applications to non-selection programmes for 2023. Applications will close when the available study spaces are filled (close on availability of space). Once the available number of study places for a specific programme are filled, no further applications for that particular programme will be considered. All applicants are therefore strongly advised and encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible after 1 April 2022 and to check the application site (UP Student Portal) regularly.  

For the fourth year in a row, according to the THE (Times Higher Education) ranking, University of Pretoria Law ranks best in South Africa and Africa - a feat unequalled in Africa.

The Faculty of Law has as its mission the creation and sustenance of a research and education environment that is grounded in values of social justice and excellence.

As the law is increasingly becoming multifaceted and in certain areas more global, the Faculty maintains professional relations with many international bodies, such as the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the World Bank and foreign universities.

• Disclaimer: This publication contains information about regulations and programmes of the University of Pretoria. Amendments to or updating of the information may be effected from time to time without prior notification. The accuracy, correctness or validity of the information contained here is therefore not guaranteed by the University at any given time and is always subject to verification. The user is kindly requested to verify the correctness of the information with the University at all times. Failure to do so will not give rise to any claim or action of any nature against the University by any party whatsoever.