The LLB programme is a four-year undergraduate programme. However, prospective students have three possible 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).

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

• 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.

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

• Officers of the court, such as attorneys, advocates, court orderlies, National Prosecuting Authority, public prosecutors and state advocates
• Judiciary and administrative officers
• Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
• Legal academics
• Law Reform Commission
• NGO’s
• Legal advisers
• South African Police Service
• Correctional Services
• Legal Aid and advice

Important information for all prospective students for 2022

• The admission requirements apply to students who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications.
• Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to:
  • Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2022: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.
• Citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens) should also refer to:
  • Brochure: Newcomer’s Guide 2021, available at click here.
  • Website: click here.
• School of Tomorrow (SOT), Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) and General Education Development Test (GED): The University of Pretoria no longer accepts qualifications awarded by these institutions.
• National Certificate (Vocational) (NCV) Level 4: The University of Pretoria may consider NCV candidates, provided they meet the exemption for bachelor’s status criteria and the programme requirements.

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme at the University of Pretoria (UP) –

• is a registered student at another tertiary institution, or was previously registered at another tertiary institution and did not complete the programme enrolled for at that institution, and is not currently enrolled at a tertiary institution, or has completed studies at another tertiary institution, but is not currently enrolled at a tertiary institution, or has started with tertiary studies at UP, then moved to another tertiary institution and wants to be readmitted at UP.

A transferring student will be considered for admission based on

• an NSC or equivalent qualification with exemption to bachelor’s or diploma studies (whichever is applicable); and meeting the minimum faculty-specific subject requirements at NSC or tertiary level; or having completed a higher certificate at a tertiary institution with faculty-specific subjects/modules passed (equal to or more than 50%), as well as complying with faculty rules on admission;
• previous academic performance (must have passed all modules registered for up to the closing date of application ) or as per faculty regulation/promotion requirements;
• a certificate of good conduct.

Note: Students who have been dismissed at the previous institution due to poor academic performance, will not be considered for admission to UP.

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme –

• is a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP, or was previously registered at UP and did not complete the programme enrolled for, and did not enrol at another tertiary institution in the meantime (including students who applied for leave of absence), or has completed studies at UP, but is not currently enrolled or was not enrolled at another tertiary institution after graduation.

A returning student will be considered for admission based on

• an NSC or equivalent qualification with exemption to bachelor’s or diploma studies (whichever is applicable); and meeting the minimum faculty-specific subject requirements at NSC or tertiary level; or previous academic performance (should have a cumulative weighted average of at least 50% for the programme enrolled for);
• having applied for and was granted leave of absence.

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.  The Admissions Committee may consider such students if they were not dismissed more than twice. Only ONE transfer between UP faculties will be allowed, and a maximum of two (2) transfers within a faculty.

Important faculty-specific information on undergraduate programmes for 2022

• The closing date is an administrative admission guideline for non-selection programmes. Once a non-selection programme is full  and has reached the institutional targets, then that programme will be closed for further admissions, irrespective of the closing date. However, if the institutional targets have not been met by the closing date, then that programme will remain open for admissions until the institutional targets are met.
• The following persons will be considered for admission: Candidates who have a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement; candidates who are graduates from another tertiary institution or have been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution, and candidates who are graduates of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
• Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
• Grade 11 results are used for the conditional admission of prospective students.
• A valid qualification with admission to degree studies is required.
• Minimum subject and achievement requirements, as set out below, are required.
• All modules will be presented in English, as English is the language of tuition, communication and correspondence. 
• Applicants complying with the minimum admission requirements are admitted as they apply according to the places available. The application process will allow for diversity in admissions. Ideally the faculty strives to admit at least 50% first-year black (African, Indian and coloured) students. The admission process should not lead to a situation where less than 50% first-year black (African, Indian and coloured) students are admitted. If this should happen, the admissions should be adjusted to give preference to the most meritorious black (African, Indian and coloured) candidates.
• Candidates who have graduated and candidates with an APS of 38 or higher and an achievement level of at least 5 in English, may be selected if there are places available, at the discretion of the faculty’s Admissions Committee, based on the NSC or equivalent qualification results, the complete university academic record and certificate of conduct.

University of Pretoria website: click here

* Spaces are limited and candidates are urged to apply as early as possible in the year.

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.