LLB SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS FOR 2025

Applications for the Faculty of Law's donor-funded LLB Scholarships for 2025 are now CLOSED. Please review the table below to see what donor-funded scholarships the Faculty offers.

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All applicants for the Faculty's donor-funded LLB scholarships are notified of their application outcome, whether successful or not. 

(For more information about LLB scholarship applications, contact Gaby Ritchie in the Law Faculty's Marketing Office).

The following LLB scholarships are open for applications (more detailed information and specific application forms follow below the table) - please note that all of these scholarships are for South African students from previous/historical disadvantage:

Excellence in Law Scholarships

UCT’s Faculty of Law continuously raises funding in support of scholarships for academically promising students who, without scholarship support, would be unable to pursue a degree in Law. The Faculty is particularly committed to attracting talented black South African learners to study Law, and has therefore established the Excellence in Law Scholarships as part of this commitment. The value of the scholarship is up to R70,000 (depending on total fees for a particular student and on available funding), paid into a recipient’s fee account and is only applicable for fees.

Please note:

1. These scholarships are for South African students from previous/ historical disadvantage, with demonstrated financial need (in line with NSFAS and UCT gap funding requirements). Once these criteria are met, applications will then be assessed on academic merit. Please note that in light of the withdrawal of NSFAS support for graduate LLB students, the application process has become increasingly competitive, so decisions will ultimately be based on academic record and performance. 
2. If students who are awarded Law Faculty scholarships based on academic merit then subsequently are awarded NSFAS or UCT Gap funding, the Law Scholarship will be adjusted/ reduced/ rescinded accordingly to ensure that the greatest possible number of students can access financial support. In essence, students currently funded by NSFAS or UCT Gap funding are not eligible for a Faculty scholarship.
3. LLB scholarship applications are considered by the Faculty's Undergraduate Scholarships Committee.
4. Applications forms will be made available when the call is announced (Please note separate form for the Everard and Joan Macfarlane Family Leadership Scholarship and the Sir Frank Berman Fellowship).
5. All applications must be submitted to lawscholarships-ug@uct.ac.za
6. Applications sent to other addresses will not be considered.
7. All applications must include an official up-to-date (ie. the most recent you are able to access) transcript or matric certificate.
8. All applications must be submitted as a SINGLE PDF FILE.
9. DEADLINE: CLOSED

Everard and Joan MacFarlane Family Leadership Scholarship

The Everard and Joan MacFarlane Family Leadership Scholarship is a prestigious new two-year scholarship award, established by Roger MacFarlane - a Faculty alumnus - and his family, for University of Cape Town Law students in their intermediate and final year of their LLB programme. Awards are made to students going into their intermediate year of study. Students who have completed their preliminary courses are eligible to apply.

This scholarship is geared to contribute to the demographic transformation of the Law Faculty student body and, in turn, the South African legal profession. As such, this scholarship is for law students with financial need who are previously disadvantaged South Africans, and who also meet the criteria related to leadership and social engagement. Therefore black (broadly black) South African students registered in the UCT Law Faculty in their Prelim year of study (or Prelim B for 4-yr LLB students), who will be doing their Intermediate year in 2023, on UCT Gap or Bursary funding, are eligible to apply. Selection is primarily based on academic performance and MacFarlane Leadership Scholars are expected to have an excellent academic record.

In particular, successful applicants will be able to demonstrate leadership potential and social engagement through a history of participation in student life and leadership, and a commitment to social justice. Applicants will be able to provide evidence of a practical commitment to improving the lives of disadvantaged groups or communities.

The scholarship award is valued at approx R85,000 per annum, for a maximum of two years, to be paid into the recipient’s fee account. Renewal of the scholarship for the second year is dependent upon satisfactory academic performance in the first year, and full participation in the related programme activity. The application form is available in the table above. DEADLINE: CLOSED

The Sir Frank Berman Fellowship

Sir Frank Berman was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UCT Trust in the UK, from 2010 until 2020. Now serving as a member of the Board, Sir Frank has been involved with the UCT Trust UK since 1999. Sir Frank is a British barrister and leading authority in international law. He joined HM Diplomatic Service in 1965 and was Legal Adviser to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 1991 to 1999. 

In recognition of Sir Frank’s contribution to the UCT Trust, and to UCT Law, the Sir Frank Berman Fellowship has been established through the generosity of those who have worked with him.

A maximum of three scholarships of R60,000 are to be awarded each year. The application form is available in the table above. DEADLINE: CLOSED

External Undergraduate Scholarship Opportunities

1. The Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund offers bursaries to students either entering the 2-year graduate LLB programme, with a Law undergraduate degree, or students going into their third year of a 4-year LLB. This bursary is available for a maximum of two years.  To apply, call the LPF directly on 021 424 4608 or email them for more information. All of the information on eligibility and "how to" is available in the Bursary Flyer. The closing date for applications for this bursary is 15 AUGUST each year.

2. The UCT Handbook on Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students includes a comprehensive list of external bursary and scholarship opportunities appropriate for Law students. Please consult this handbook in detail, and follow up on listed opportunities.