Application and admission to UCT's School for Advanced Legal Studies

The School for Advanced Legal Studies offers both coursework and research programmes.  The application requirements and processes are slightly different depending on whether one's focus is coursework or research.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Applications for research degrees and coursework-based programmes are open between specified dates. Applications for study in the following year open in the April of the current year. The application platform is at applyonline.uct.ac.za (this platform is accessible during the registration period: April to August for research degrees; April to September for degrees with coursework).
  • For additional information on the Faculty's postgraduate programmes watch this information video - with discussions on programmes, degree options, research, supervisors, funding and more.

Admission Requirements

Do you satisfy the admission requirements for the postgraduate Law programme you want to apply for? Have a look at the Faculty Handbook before you apply for one of our postgraduate diploma programmes, or any of our LLM, MPhil and PhD programmes. If you meet the admission requirements, you can apply online here during the applicable period.

UCT has a detailed information booklet on how to apply to UCT for postgraduate study, and there is also specialised information on applying to do your PhD at UCT - so, if a PhD is your goal, read this information carefully.

Please note: UCT Law does not have a formal second semester intake, so all coursework programme applicants must apply by 30 September. If you have any queries in this regard please direct them to law-studies@uct.ac.za.

Are you an International applicant?

There are particular requirements for international applicants and prospective students. You would need to obtain an international student study permit from the South African Embassy/High Commission or Consulate in your home country which will allow you to enter South Africa for study purposes.

International postgraduate applicants are therefore encouraged to apply by no later than 31 August in the year prior to the intended year of study to enhance the chances of receiving visas in time for registration. Please note there are often significant delays in processing visa applications.       

Details of required application documents are outlined here (please note that late or incomplete applications will not be considered).