What is required to study law in South Africa?
Asked by: Magdalen Ruecker Sr. | Last update: September 17, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (66 votes)
Entry Requirement A National Senior Certificate with degree admission. English Home Language level 5 or English First Additional Language level 6. Mathematical Literacy level 5 or Mathematics level 3. Life Orientation level 4.
How long does it take to become a lawyer in South Africa?
It takes at least seven years to become an attorney and an additional year to become an advocate. Only some foreign-trained lawyers are able to avoid repeating their LLBs at a South African law school – as usually a South African qualification is necessary.
What marks do I need to study law in South Africa?
- A minimum score of 37 points according to the university's points system.
- Specific requirements:
- English (Home or First Additional Language): Level 4 (50-59%).
- Another language (Home or First Additional Language): Level 3 (40-49%).
- Mathematics: Level 3 (40-49%) OR Mathematical Literacy: Level 5 (60-69%).
Is studying law in South Africa worth it?
Choosing law as a career can be rewarding and exciting but it also requires hard work, dedication and a high level of commitment. The legal industry in South Africa is exceptionally competitive and there are many different career paths to choose from.
Does law pay well in South Africa?
Mid-level lawyers, such as associates, earn between R650,000 to R850,000 per year, while senior associates earn R850,000 to R1,400,000 annually.
DO I REGRET THE DECISION TO STUDY LAW? || SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTUBER
Which country is best to study law in Africa?
#1 in Africa: University of Cape Town, South Africa
The University of Cape Town Faculty of Law is a leader in African legal education.
Which field of law is most in demand in South Africa?
What types of lawyers are in high demand in South Africa? High demand exists for lawyers in corporate, criminal, human rights, environmental, and intellectual property law.
What are the minimum requirements to study law in South Africa?
- A National Senior Certificate with degree admission.
- English Home Language level 5 or English First Additional Language level 6.
- Mathematical Literacy level 5 or Mathematics level 3.
- Life Orientation level 4.
- Minimum composite Academic Point Score (APS) 32 not including Life Orientation.
Which college is best for law in South Africa?
The best law universities in South Africa include the University of Cape Town (UCT), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Regenesys School of Law, University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of Pretoria (UP), Stellenbosch University, North-West University (NWU), and University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Can I study law without maths in South Africa?
There are no specific subject requirements for Law, and you don't need to have Maths as a matric subject. You would need to have achieved a certain number of points with your matric results (which is calculated largely on the basis of adding up your 6 core subject results (not LO).
How many hours do lawyers work in a week?
Although most lawyers have a regular 40-hour week, a significant percentage of them work more frequently. The average weekly work hours for various types of lawyers are: Lawyers working for large firms: 66 hours per week. Lawyers working for small and medium-sized firms: 42-54 hours per week.
Which law pays the most?
What are the highest-paid types of lawyers? The highest-paid lawyers typically specialize in fields such as corporate law, intellectual property, tax law, medical malpractice, and entertainment law. These areas command higher salaries due to the complexity, demand, and financial stakes involved.
Can a foreigner become a lawyer in South Africa?
See 'Becoming a legal practitioner'. Further requirements with regard to admission are provided in the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014. A person must be a South African citizen or permanent resident and be otherwise fit and proper in the opinion of the court to be admitted as a legal practitioner.
How long does it take to become a doctor in South Africa?
A 5-year Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery. A 2-year clinical internship. 1 year of compulsory community service. Once a student has completed his or her training, the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa) certifies the student and he or she officially becomes a doctor.
At what age do you become a lawyer?
The average age of law students is 25 or younger. Only 20% of law students are 30 or older. While only a small percentage of law students are above the age of 40, there have been several successful older graduates.
How long is law school in South Africa?
The four-year programme comprises mostly law subjects with several Humanity or Commerce subjects at first year level. You must take certain core law subjects if you wish to graduate with an LLB. Other subjects form a set of electives you can choose from.
How much does it cost to study law in South Africa for international?
South African Law School Fees
For domestic LLB students in South Africa, tuition fees can range from approximately R20,000 to R80,000 or more per year. On the other hand, international LLB students may face varying tuition fees ranging from around R40,000 to R150,000 or more per year.
How much do lawyers earn in South Africa?
Find out what the average Lawyer salary is
How much does a Lawyer make in South Africa? The average lawyer salary in South Africa is R 360 000 per year or R 185 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 156 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 2 352 000 per year.
What is the most wanted job in South Africa?
The top careers in South Africa for 2024 include Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity, Healthcare and Medical Services, Renewable Energy and Environmental Sciences, Finance and Financial Technology (FinTech), Education and E-Learning, Engineering and Construction, Marketing and Digital Marketing, and Logistics ...
Is there a shortage of lawyers in South Africa?
The paper concludes that there are not enough lawyers in the country at present to provide access to justice in the narrow sense, and suggests how this shortage can be overcome by using mechanisms that provide alternatives to lawyers.
Which lawyers go to court the most?
Criminal defense lawyers may appear in court more frequently than other types of lawyers, especially if a case goes to trial.
What country pays lawyer the most?
The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. The legal field presents numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to create significant impacts locally and globally.
What is the cheapest country to study law in?
Where is the cheapest place to study law? A. A study has found that The US is the most expensive place to study law, while Germany, China and Sweden are among the cheapest. The tuition might differ because of location, university and more.
Which country has strongest law in the world?
Denmark. Denmark is renowned for having one of the best and most effective legal systems in the world, considering its remarkably transparent and stable government.