Bachelor of Laws [also known as LLB]

The Bachelor of Laws [also known as LLB] programme is a four-year undergraduate programme. However, there are three direct routes to a recognised legal qualification at the University of Pretoria:

(a) Attainment of a Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Law degree (three years) and thereafter completion of a Bachelor of Laws [also known as LLB] degree (two years), resulting in two degrees over a minimum of five years;

(b) Attainment of a Bachelor of Arts specialising in Law degree (three years) and thereafter completion of a Bachelor of Laws [also known as LLB] degree (two years), resulting in two degrees over a minimum of five years; or

(c) Attainment of a Bachelor of Laws [also known as LLB] degree (minimum four years).

Another route is the attainment of any prior recognised degree and thereafter completion of a Bachelor of Laws [also known as 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 Bachelor of Arts specialising in Law or three-year Bachelor of Commerce specialising in Law degree and thereafter complete the Bachelor of Laws [also known as LLB] degree as set out above.

For further information, please access our website: click here

Career Opportunities (with at least a Bachelor of Laws [also known as 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, Clinics 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 2026

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.

Candidates that fulfil the requirements for admission to this programme will be considered. Candidates are urged to apply as early as possible from 1 April.

Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS. 

Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.

Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.

Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Successful candidates will be notified once admitted or conditionally admitted.

Unsuccessful candidates will be notified after 30 June.

Applicants should check their application status regularly on the UP Student Portal at click here.

Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the International undergraduate prospectus 2026: Applicants with a school leaving certificate not issued by Umalusi (South Africa), 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 be presented only in English, which is the University's official language of tuition, communication and correspondence.

The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Law has once again achieved the highest ranking in Africa and secured a remarkable 65^th position globally in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Subject Rankings, which were announced on 26 October 2023.

This is the seventh year that the Faculty of Law at UP leads the rankings on the continent.  This prestigious recognition is a testament to the University’s unwavering commitment to legal education and its success in cultivating a rigorous academic environment. UP’s Faculty of Law is renowned for its comprehensive curriculum, distinguished faculty and its contribution to legal research, scholarship and advocacy. The University’s leading position in this field underscores its vital role in promoting social justice, equity and legal literacy, setting a high standard for legal education globally.

• 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.