Applying to UCT Law

You're interested in studying Law, and you'd like to know where to start.

You have come to the right place - all the information you need is at the links below. For information on postgraduate Law programmes, head over to the School for Advanced Legal Studies.

**CHOOSE LAW - a booklet with all the info you need about studying Law at UCT

FAQs - all about applying to study Law

UCT Open Day 2024 - Saturday 4 May

UCT Law participates in the UCT's annual Open Day event. The Law Faculty's 2023 Open Day page provides some insight into the format of the UCT Open Day - and will be updated soon with details of the 2024 Open Day.

Recordings of previous years' sessions are available - look on the Students site for recordings and more info.

How to apply to UCT for admission to the LLB programme

We have developed a great 5-minute video on the ins and outs of applying for the LLB programme at UCT. This should be watched in conjunction with the general video on applying to UCT.

Applying to study for my LLB - what are the things I need to know about how to apply?

Please note the following very important information about the UCT application platform and choosing the LLB degree programme suitable for you:

Applications for admission to all LLB programmes for 2025 are open from 2 April - 31 July 2024.
We offer three different ways of studying for your LLB (detailed in the application video linked above)

2-year graduate LLB as part of the combined stream BCom Law + LLB/ BA Law + LLB / BSocSci + LLB. You have to have completed your undergraduate, or be in the final year of your undergraduate degree, to be eligible to apply for this option.
3-year graduate LLB for applicants with no Law courses in their undegraduate degree.You have to have completed your undergraduate, or be in the final year of your undergraduate degree, to be eligible to apply for this option.
4-year undergraduate LLB - if you have no undergraduate qualifications and/ or are busy with matric, then this is the only LLB option you are eligible to apply for.

When applying to UCT, you are able to include your first choice programme and a second choice programme. If you're wanting to do the Combined Stream law studies, your first choice will need to be your home faculty for your undergraduate degree (ie. Commerce or Humanities). You are not able, at this stage, to include an application for the LLB part of your Combined Stream programme. The second choice programme is not for your combined stream LLB. Rather it is to give you the option to include an application to another Faculty or another specialisation as part of your current application for admission to UCT in 2025.

Further, please note:

All three LLB programmes (the 2-year graduate combined stream LLB; the 3-year graduate LLB; and the 4-year undergraduate LLB) are treated as undergraduate degrees and applicants must follow the processes and deadlines set out for undergraduate applications.
For additional clarity on applying for the GRADUATE LLB options (2-year combined stream or 3-year), for those who already have an undergraduate degree or are in their final year of their undergraduate programme, please refer to these three images which highlight the selections you need to make at particular stages of the application process (if you do NOT already have an undergraduate degree, or are NOT currently in the final year of your undergraduate programme, then you are NOT eligible to apply for either the 2-year or 3-year graduate LLB options, and you will get an error message):

Applying to UCT and applying to study Law - Frequently Asked Questions

1. When do applications to UCT open each year?

Applications for study at UCT are usually open between April and July each year. Keep an eye on this page for specific dates from year to year. Applications for 2025 are open from 2 April - 31 July 2024.

2. How do I apply?

You must apply online. The UCT Online applications site will be active from April of a given year at applyonline.uct.ac.za. Full information on applying to UCT can be found at http://www.students.uct.ac.za/students/applications/apply/undergraduates.

3. What are the admission requirements at UCT?

Find all the info you need on admission requirements at this link:

http://www.students.uct.ac.za/students/applications/admission-requirements/eligibility

4. Do I have to take the NBTs to apply to UCT Law?

To apply to UCT for any undergraduate programmes, you will need to write the NBTs. For more info, go to http://www.students.uct.ac.za/students/applications/admission-requirements/national-benchmark-tests and look for updates. For 2025 applications, the latest you can take the tests and still have time to submit as part of your application is October 2024. Have a look at the NBT site for more detailed information on test dates, how to book and where to write.

5. Where can I find information about all the degree programmes that UCT offers?

There is loads of information online – but the best place to start to get a good overview of everything on offer at UCT is to look at the Undergraduate Prospectus.

6. I want to study Law at UCT – what are my options?

There are three ways to do an LLB:

firstly, you could do a combined degree, where you do a 3-year undergraduate degree in Commerce or Humanities with Law subjects and then go on to the Law Faculty to do a 2-year LLB degree (eg. BComm LLB)
secondly, you could register for a 3-year graduate LLB if you have an undergraduate with no law subjects, but decide you want to study Law after completing your first degree. Please note that for the 3-yr LLB, you do not need to take the NBTs for your application. You would need to have at least a 65 % GPA to be considered for admission, which is highly competitive.
and thirdly, you could do a 4-year straight LLB where you would register straight away in the Law Faculty.

There is a handy video on the UCT website which explains all about the LLB programme options!

7. I want to study Law at UCT - what subjects must I have, and how many points do I need to be considered for a place on the LLB programme?

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). UCT takes redress into account which ensures that disadvantage is factored into the calculation and the score requirements. The point requirements therefore vary because the university is committed to ensuring redress and that students with historical disadvantage have a fair chance at being offered a place on the Law programmes. All of this is outlined in the attached booklet. For details, look at the Choose Law booklet or contact the Faculty Office on law-studies@uct.ac.za.

8. I am studying Law at another university – can I transfer to UCT?

Transferring students need to follow the same application process as first-time applicants to UCT for the LLB.

A UCT student in good academic standing may apply to transfer to the LLB degree, but must satisfy the requirements for admission to the LLB with their matric and NBT results. Successful applicants may be granted credit or exemption or both for courses already completed, up to a maximum of four full courses (or the equivalent).

A non-UCT student who has NOT been excluded from another university may apply to transfer to UCT as an LLB student but must satisfy the requirements for admission to the LLB with their matric and NBT results. Successful applicants may be granted credit or exemption or both for courses already completed, up to a maximum of four full courses (or the equivalent).

Credit and exemption will only be granted for courses taken at another institution if the Faculty is satisfied that the courses are substantially equivalent, in both content and standard, to the courses offered at UCT. Such transferring students will be required to complete the remaining courses prescribed for the LLB at this University over a period of not less than two years.

For more information, contact the Law Faculty Office on law-studies@uct.ac.za.

9. I have been made an offer to study Law at UCT. What now?

Once you have been made a firm offer to study at UCT, based on your final matric results, you are ready to start your first year. Details about Orientation, laptop requirements and other important notices are available on this site. Orientation dates will be made available once they have been finalised by the university. Perhaps you have questions about credit transfers, financial support, parent orientation sessions, or other issues - have a look at this download to see if your questions are answered.

There is plenty more information on the whats and hows of being a UCT Law student - have a browse through, along with information about the Law Students Council who would be your spokespeople and representatives in the Faculty of Law.

Courses

You may want to find out about available courses in the Faculty of Law - you can find all courses listed in the Faculty Handbook, or on the websites of each of our three Departments - Private Law, Commercial Law and Public Law.

Staff

You might be wondering who the Dean of Law is, or who the academic staff are (check the departmental pages above), or who it is you are talking to the in the Faculty Office.

Library

You may wonder where the Law Library is, and who the Law Library staff are who will be assisting you as you navigate your way around the best-stocked Law Library on the continent.

Additional Information on studying Law at UCT

1. Why study Law?

2. Why study Law at UCT?

3. How many points do I need to be offered a place at UCT Law?

4. What matric subjects do I need?

The Law Students' Guide - Orientation, Registration, Student Societies, and more

We have provided plenty of information to give you an idea of starting out as a Law student at UCT. Have a look at all of that information, and if you have further questions or are looking for something you can't find, please email lawcares@uct.ac.za

Please note - Professional Qualification

The Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 provides that the LLB is the universal legal qualification for admission and enrolment as an advocate or attorney. Normally those who wish to enter private practice as advocates are required to become members of a Bar Association by undergoing a period of training in pupillage with a practising member of the Bar and by sitting an admission examination. Before admission as an attorney, an LLB graduate must serve as a candidate attorney with a practising attorney. Attendance at a practical legal training course or performance of community service may reduce the period required to serve articles. Thereafter candidates write a professional examination set by the relevant provincial Law Society.