How many points do you need to study law in South Africa?
Asked by: Mrs. Camylle Vandervort | Last update: March 30, 2026Score: 5/5 (43 votes)
To study law in South Africa, you generally need a strong Matric pass, with an Admission Point Score (APS) ranging from around 28 to 37+ points, plus strong English marks (often 60-70%) and acceptable math/maths literacy; however, requirements vary significantly by university, with some needing much higher scores (like UCT's 34+ points for their system, potentially ~500+ in their scoring) and others (like Unisa) offering options with lower APS (e.g., 18 for a Diploma).
How many points are needed for law in South Africa?
To be admitted to the four-year LLB, a candidate should be in possession of an endorsed Senior Certificate (until 2007) with an M-score of at least 34 points; or the candidate should be in possession of a National Senior Certificate (from 2008) or National Certificate (Vocational) with an AP score of at least 33 points ...
What marks do you need to be a lawyer in South Africa?
Passing matric with the right marks
To be admitted to UP's Undergraduate LLB programme, you need an APS of at least 32. You will also have to pass English home language or first additional language with 60-69%. However, to get admitted to the UNISA LLB programme you only need an APS of 20 or higher.
How many years do you study for law in South Africa?
The minimum duration is 4 years. Students who have passed phased out modules will retain the credit and do not need to pass the replacement modules. However, phased out modules must have been passed for this specific qualification and it does not necessarily mean the modules are equivalent.
How many points do you need to study law at UCT?
A: You need a minimum of 510 points. However, if you qualify on various disadvantage factors, the points are calculated differently. Go to www.law.uct.ac. za/applying-uct-law; have a look at the "Choose Law" booklet at that link; and watch the short application video, linked off that page.
What you can expect to earn as a Lawyer in South Africa
How many points to get into Harvard law?
Based on recent class data, the median LSAT score for admitted students is 174, with the middle 50% ranging from 171 (25th percentile) to 176 (75th percentile). While a score below 171 is possible with a standout application, aiming for 174 or higher maximizes your chances.
What are the top 5 law schools?
The top 5 law schools consistently include Yale, Stanford, Harvard, University of Chicago, and Columbia/NYU/UC Berkeley, though rankings vary slightly by source (like U.S. News vs. QS/THE), with Yale, Stanford, and Harvard often leading, followed closely by UChicago, Columbia, and NYU in various orders for top spots, frequently cited in "T14" lists. For example, recent rankings place Stanford, Yale, UChicago, UPenn, and UVA in the top tier, while others highlight Yale, Stanford, Harvard, UChicago, and Columbia as the elite group.
Are lawyers well paid in South Africa?
LLB degree holders working as general counsels in commerce and industry can earn between R1,000,000 to R3,500,000 annually, with varying salaries for junior and senior roles.
What kind of law is UCT best for?
With expertise in every legal field, and flagship programmes in Intellectual Property, Criminology, Commercial Law, Labour Law and Human Rights (amongst many others), the UCT Law School carries a proud tradition of being the alma mater to world-renowned legal practitioners, members of the judiciary locally and ...
How old is the youngest lawyer?
The youngest lawyer is generally considered to be Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother Peter's previous record, though she'll be sworn in and licensed in March 2025 after turning 18, as most jurisdictions require lawyers to be 18. She accelerated her education, starting law school at 13 while in junior high and graduating early.
How hard is it to become a lawyer in South Africa?
The basic requirement is an LLB degree from any South African university. Having achieved this, the next step is to apply to the High Court to be included on the 'roll' of advocates. To do this, an applicant must satisfy the court that he/she is both qualified and able to be a member of the profession.
Is law school harder than med school?
Medical school is generally considered harder due to its intense, fact-heavy curriculum requiring massive memorization and dealing with life-or-death stakes, while law school focuses more on reading, critical thinking, and analysis, though both are rigorous and demand significant commitment. Med school involves vast scientific knowledge and clinical rotations, whereas law school builds analytical "thinking like a lawyer" through heavy reading, writing, and case application, culminating in high-stakes final exams.
What type of lawyer makes the most money?
The highest-paid lawyers are often in specialized fields like Patent Law, requiring science/engineering backgrounds, and Corporate Law, especially those advising major firms, plus Securities & Antitrust Lawyers, Medical Malpractice, and Intellectual Property (IP) Law, where high stakes and complex regulations drive huge incomes, particularly in BigLaw or in-house roles with bonuses.
Do you have to pass the bar to be a lawyer?
Upon passing the bar exam, you are qualified to become a lawyer in California.
How many years is law at UCT?
The degree is offered in three streams: a three or four-year Humanities or Commerce degree with Law as a major, followed by a two-year graduate LLB degree; a three-year graduate LLB stream, where a non-Law undergraduate degree is followed by the graduate LLB programme.
What is the easiest university to get into for law?
The criteria for the easiest law schools to get into can vary depending on acceptance rates, GPA and LSAT scores, but some of the easiest law schools to get into include the Vermont Law School, University of North Dakota, Whittier Law School and Oklahoma City University.
What is the lowest paid lawyer?
There's no single minimum salary for lawyers, as pay varies wildly by location, firm size, and specialization, but entry-level salaries range from around $50k-$70k in public interest/small firms to over $200k at big corporate firms, with overall averages often near $100k-$120k. The lowest earnings are typically in public service, while high-paying areas include corporate law, IP, and big cities like NYC or D.C.
What is a divorce lawyer called?
First things first: what do family law attorneys do? As the term implies, family lawyers focus on issues that have an impact on families. They deal with matters such as divorce proceedings, adoptions, and child custody.
What is the #1 law firm in America?
There's no single "number 1" law firm, as rankings vary by criteria (revenue, prestige, size, practice area), but Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, and Baker McKenzie consistently appear at the top for revenue/size, while firms like Cravath and Wachtell Lipton are top for prestige/profitability, according to sources like Vault, Wikipedia, IE, and Vault.
What is the happiest law school?
1 in Best Quality of Life, Best Professors, Best Classroom Experience | University of Virginia School of Law.
What does 1L, 2L, and 3L mean in law school?
In law school, 1L, 2L, and 3L refer to a student's year: 1L is the first year (first-year law student), 2L is the second year, and 3L is the third and final year, replacing typical undergraduate terms like freshman or sophomore. These abbreviations help identify a student's level of experience, with 1Ls focusing on foundational subjects like Torts and Contracts, 2Ls gaining more course freedom, and 3Ls preparing for graduation and the bar exam.