Short Courses
Undergraduate Programmes
A qualification from the Faculty of Law at UWC will equip you for entry into the legal profession – in the private or public sector, as an attorney or an advocate, as a legal adviser or a legal academic, or possibly, in time, as a magistrate or a judge. You will develop a comprehensive knowledge of law and how it is best applied in a South African context and in accordance with the Constitution.The Faculty houses four departments, namely, Criminal Justice and Procedure, Mercantile and Labour Law, Private Law, and Public Law and Jurisprudence. Together, these departments teach a wide range of modules encompassing both South African and international law.
With its qualified and experienced staff, and its involvement in the international legal community, the Faculty of Law at UWC is the ideal place for you to commence your career as a legal professional.
The requirements listed below are minimum requirements. They qualify you to apply for a place as a student in the Faculty of Law, but they do not guarantee that you will be offered a place.
The Faculty can only accommodate a limited number of students and only the applicants with the best results will therefore be offered a place.
(a) The National Senior Certificate for Bachelors Degree study plus a score of no less than 37 points calculated according to the university’s approved points system, as well as the following specific programme requirements:
(b) A qualification or level of competence which the Senate of the University has deemed to be equivalent to the requirements stipulated (a) above.
(a) The National Senior Certificate for Bachelors Degree study plus a score of no less than 37 points calculated according to the university’s approved points system, as well as the following specific programme requirements:
(b) A qualification or level of competence which the Senate of the University has deemed to be equivalent to the requirements stipulated (a) above.
(a) The National Senior Certificate for Bachelor’s Degree study plus a score of no less than 37 points calculated according to the University’s approved points system, as well as the following specific subject requirements:
(b) A qualification or level of competence which the Senate of the University has deemed to be equivalent to the requirements stipulated in (a) above.
(a) The National Senior Certificate for Bachelor’s Degree study with 4 subjects at a rating of 4, with a score of no fewer than 30 points calculated according to the University’s approved points system, as well as the following specific subject requirements:
(b) A qualification or level of competence which the Senate of the University has deemed to be equivalent to the requirements stipulated in (a) above.
The Faculty can only accommodate a limited number of students and only the applicants with the best results will therefore be offered a place.
Admission Requirements
Four Year LLB
Minimum requirements for applicants who matriculated from 2008:(a) The National Senior Certificate for Bachelors Degree study plus a score of no less than 37 points calculated according to the university’s approved points system, as well as the following specific programme requirements:
- Level 4 (50-59%) in English (Home or First Additional Language)
- Level 3 (40-49%) in another language (Home or First Additional Language)
- Level 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics or level 5 (60-69%) in Mathematical Literacy
(b) A qualification or level of competence which the Senate of the University has deemed to be equivalent to the requirements stipulated (a) above.
Five Year LLB
Minimum requirements for applicants who matriculated from 2008:(a) The National Senior Certificate for Bachelors Degree study plus a score of no less than 37 points calculated according to the university’s approved points system, as well as the following specific programme requirements:
- Level 4 (50-59%) in English (home or first additional language)
- Level 3 (40-49%) in another language (Home or First Additional Language)
- Level 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics or level 5 (60-69%) in Mathematical Literacy
(b) A qualification or level of competence which the Senate of the University has deemed to be equivalent to the requirements stipulated (a) above.
Two Year LLB
A BA (law) or B Com (law) degreeThree Year LLB
A Bachelor's degree without legal subjectsBA (Law)
Minimum requirements for applicants who matriculated from 2008:(a) The National Senior Certificate for Bachelor’s Degree study plus a score of no less than 37 points calculated according to the University’s approved points system, as well as the following specific subject requirements:
- Level 4 (50-59%) in English (Home or First Additional Language);
- Level 3 (40-49%) in Additional Language (Home or First Additional Language); and
- Level 3 (40- 49%) in Mathematics or level 5 (60-69%) in Mathematical Literacy
(b) A qualification or level of competence which the Senate of the University has deemed to be equivalent to the requirements stipulated in (a) above.
BCom (Law)
Minimum requirements for applicants who matriculated from 2008:(a) The National Senior Certificate for Bachelor’s Degree study with 4 subjects at a rating of 4, with a score of no fewer than 30 points calculated according to the University’s approved points system, as well as the following specific subject requirements:
- Level 4 (50-59%) in English (Home or First Additional Language), and
- Level 3 (40-49%) in Another Language (Home or First Additional Language), and
- Level 4 (50-59%) in Mathematics
(b) A qualification or level of competence which the Senate of the University has deemed to be equivalent to the requirements stipulated in (a) above.
LLB Four Year stream
- UWC APS points score,
- Performance in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy; and
- Performance in English
LLB Five Year stream
- UWC APS points score,
- Performance in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy; and
- Performance in English
LLB Two Year stream
- Performance in Bachelor's degree
LLB Three Year stream
- Performance in Bachelor's degree
BA (Law)
- UWC APS points score,
- Performance in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy; and
- Performance in English
BCom (Law)
- UWC APS points score,
- Performance in Mathematics
- Performance in English
Recognition of Prior Learning is an alternative admissions route into the university.
Applicants who do not have the required formal qualifications may bid for admission by writing tests of academic readiness or by completing a portfolio development course.
Enquiries to: rmcube@uwc.ac.za
The table below indicates how UWC points are calculated:
Certificate
Diploma
Postgraduate Programmes
The Faculty of Law offers LLM/MPhil and LLD/PhD degrees in several areas of specialisation.The Faculty is home to four departments: It is also home to the Dullah Omar Institute for Constitutional Law, Governance and Human Rights (DOI); the Centre for Legal Integration in Africa (CLIA); the Centre for Transformative Regulation of Work (CENTROW), which includes the Social Law Project (SLP); the African Centre for Transnational Criminal Justice; the Global Environmental Law Centre (GELC); and the Centre for African Fintech, Innovation and Law; as well as a Law Clinic.
The Faculty offers doctoral degrees in a number of specialisation areas, including the following:
Admission to the doctoral programme depends on an evaluation of performance in earlier degrees, particularly the proven ability to conduct research on an advanced level.
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- Comparative Labour Law;
- Comparative Constitutional Law;
- (Transnational) Criminal Justice;
- Environmental Law;
- Human Rights Protection;
- Law, State and Multi-Level Government; and
- Mercantile Law, including Tax Law, Corporate Law, Competition Law, Trade Law and Investment Law.
Admission requirement
Admission to the doctoral programme depends on an evaluation of performance in earlier degrees, particularly the proven ability to conduct research on an advanced level.APPLY HERE
The Faculty of Law offers LLM/MPhil degrees in a number of speacialised areas namely:
Admission to the master's programme requires a minimum of 60% over the last two years of the LLB or equivalent degree.
While the minimum admission requirement is 60%, applicants with 65% or higher will be given priority in the selection process.
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UWC's LLM graduates hold their own in the global effort to facilitate transnational business.The course was established in 2003, with the University of Pretoria, to address the skills shortage in managing the legal challenges of international trade and business in Africa.
Application close: 31 August 2025
- Human Rights Protection;
- Labour Law;
- Law, State and Multilevel Government;
- Comparative Constitutional Law;
- Environmental Law;
- Mercantile Law, including Corporate Law, Tax Law, Competition Law, Trade Law and Investment Law;
- (Transnational) Criminal Justice;
- Legal Pluralism and Family Law;
Admission requirements
Admission to the master's programme requires a minimum of 60% over the last two years of the LLB or equivalent degree.While the minimum admission requirement is 60%, applicants with 65% or higher will be given priority in the selection process.
APPLY HERE
1. Comparative Constitutional Law
The programme has a strong comparative focus that transcends South African Constitutional Law and seeks to expose students to the methodology of comparative constitutional law and different options of constitutional design and operation.2. Competition Law and Policy
This area of specialisation offers modules that focus on the substantive principles of South African competition law, the enforcement thereof, and its policy underpinnings; the connection between South African competition law and labour law; Mergers and Acquisitions; as well as Intellectual Property.Download Brochure
3. Corporate Law
The Faculty is offering an exciting, rich and brand new LLM specialisation in Corporate Law! This LLM/MPhil specialisation will initially consist of three modules which represent our contribution to the knowledge economy and our response to contemporary topical aspects of the law and industry needs. The modules on offer will cover a wide range of issues from corporate governance, corporate financial regulation, corporate insolvency and the regulation of mergers and acquisitions.Download Brochure
4. Environmental Law
The LLM by coursework, offered by the Global Environmental Law Centre (GELC) equips students with an advanced understanding of the scope and evolution of environmental law, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the major concepts, cases, principles and key debates that shape effective environmental law and governance frameworks and approaches.5. Human Rights Protection
The Faculty of Law offers a high quality Master's programme in Human Rights Protection. The programme includes two new modules, Constitutional Property Law and Land Reform and Housing Law. These new modules reflect on multiple areas of law, including property law, human rights law, constitutional law, and administrative law.Download Brochure
6. Legal Pluralism & Family Law
Are you interested in the future of law in Africa? The Centre for Legal Integration in Africa in the Department of Private Law at UWC is offering an interdisciplinary Master of Laws with a focus on legal pluralism. The programme presents the interaction of legal orders in Africa as a cultural struggle with enormous significance for legal identity in the continent. It is presented by global experts in the field, with the core module of Legal and Cultural Pluralism and a basket of electives in Children’s Rights, International Family Law, International Protection of Human Rights Law, and Islamic Law and Jurisprudence.7. Tax Law
This programme covers domestic and international taxation, as well as tax administration principles. Students will be taught by eminent scholars in the field of taxation, including Judge Dennis Davis.Download Brochure
8. Transnational Criminal Justice
The programme examines how the criminal law aspects of international law and the international law aspect of criminal law combine to provide a legal mechanism for national and international response to human rights violations both at the level of the international criminal justice system and in the context of transitional justice in postconflict societies.Download brochure
9. LLM in International Trade, Investment and Business Law
The University of the Western Cape's LLM in International Trade, Investment and Business Law equips bright minds to navigate the legal and administrative structures of international markets. The programme develops students' crucial thinking skills and supplies them with practical, transferable capabilities to positively influence global economic development.UWC's LLM graduates hold their own in the global effort to facilitate transnational business.The course was established in 2003, with the University of Pretoria, to address the skills shortage in managing the legal challenges of international trade and business in Africa.
Admission Requirements
- Four-year LLB degree (or South African Qualifications Authority equivalent)
- Admission is based on merit: > 65% average during LLB
- Relevant work experience will be an advantage.
Application close: 31 August 2025
(Only applicable to LLM in International Trade, Investment and Business Law)
Other postgraduate programmes offered by the Faculty
- Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law
- Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law
- Postgraduate Diploma in Tax Law
- Postgraduate Diploma in Fintech Law & Regulation
- Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Law
1. POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN LABOUR LAW (7701)
H.28 ADMISSION
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a student shall be required to meet the following criteria to be enrolled for the Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law – PGDip (Labour Law):
An applicant must be in possession of a Bachelor of Laws degree obtained from a South African University or have obtained another qualification which in the opinion of the Senate is of an equivalent standard (See also Rule A.2.1.4).
H.29 SELECTION
Final selection shall be based on an applicant meeting the criteria as determined by the Faculty.
H.30 DURATION
Unless Senate decides otherwise the duration of the programme shall be one year full-time or two years part-time.
H.31 CURRICULUM
H.32 ASSESSMENT
H.32.1 Assessment is governed by Rule A.5 as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1.
H.32.2 Unless the Faculty Board otherwise decides, a student, in respect of modules enrolled for at this University, must:
H.32.2.1 submit at least one research essay of approximately five thousand words for every module or equivalent form of assessment of the student’s research ability (which shall be submitted for assessment at least two calendar weeks before the dates scheduled for the examination referred to in Rule H.32.2.2), and
H.32.2.2 sit for an examination or final assessment in each module, the format of which shall be determined by the relevant academic department.
H.33 PROGRESSION RULES
H.33.1 Full-time
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a full-time student shall complete the programme in one year. A student who has passed at least 90 credits may be allowed to proceed with his/her studies to complete the programme in the following year.
H.33.2 Part-time
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a part-time student shall complete the programme in two consecutive years and accumulate at least 60 credits in the first year in order to proceed with his/her studies. A student who has accumulated 90 credits within two years may be allowed to proceed with his/her studies to complete the programme in the following year.
H.34 RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION
Renewal of registration shall be governed by Rule A.4.1, as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1 or as provided for in the Faculty rules.
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a student shall be required to meet the following criteria to be enrolled for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law – PGDip (Public Law):
An applicant must be in possession of a qualification at NQF Level 7 or have obtained a qualification that in the opinion of the Senate is of an equivalent standard (See also Rule A.2.1.4).
Access to the programme can also be provided in terms of the University’s RPL policy (Rule A.2) in terms of the criteria stipulated by Senate.
H.36 SELECTION
Final selection shall be based on an applicant meeting the criteria as determined by the Faculty.
H.37 DURATION
Unless Senate decides otherwise the duration of the programme shall be one year full-time or two years part-time.
H.38 CURRICULUM
H.39 ASSESSMENT
H.39.1 Assessment is governed by Rule A.5 as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1.
H.39.2 Unless the Faculty Board otherwise decides, a student, in respect of modules enrolled for at this University, must:
H.39.2.1 participate in a variety of formative assessments, including assignments, presentations, and tests, will be used. Feedback will be given to students on their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the progress they are making,
H.39.2.2 sit for an examination or final assessment in each module, the format of which shall be determined by the relevant academic department.
H.39.2.3 An integrated assessment approach is envisaged in terms of which both the theoretical knowledge of students and their acquired skills will be assessed by way of tests, exams, practical assignments, case studies, and portfolios.
H.40 PROGRESSION RULES
H.40.1 Full-time
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a full-time student shall complete the programme in one year. A student who has passed at least 60 credits may be allowed to proceed with his/her studies to complete the programme in the following year.
H.40.2 Part-time
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a part-time student shall complete the programme in two consecutive years and accumulate at least 30 credits in the first year in order to proceed with his/her studies. A student who has accumulated 90 credits within two years may be allowed to proceed with his/her studies to complete the programme in the following year.
H.41 RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION
Renewal of registration shall be governed by Rule A.4.1, as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1 or as provided for in the Faculty rules.
Email fmoosa@uwc.ac.za | cc: lawpostgradenq@uwc.ac.za & fhhendricks@uwc.ac.za
topics, but also broader aspects of financial services law and regulation. It also takes a comparative approach to examine how other African jurisdictions are responding to similar legal and regulatory challenges and opportunities seen in South Africa's Fintech sector. The PGDip is, as such, designed to equip participants with the policy, legal and regulatory insight needed to understand and contribute effectively to the Fintech sector in South Africa and beyond.
These modules are:
professionals, offering flexible and accessible virtual learning.
Download PGDip in FinTech Law & Regulation Brochure
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a student shall be required to meet the following criteria to be enrolled for the Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law – PGDip (Labour Law):
An applicant must be in possession of a Bachelor of Laws degree obtained from a South African University or have obtained another qualification which in the opinion of the Senate is of an equivalent standard (See also Rule A.2.1.4).
H.29 SELECTION
Final selection shall be based on an applicant meeting the criteria as determined by the Faculty.
H.30 DURATION
Unless Senate decides otherwise the duration of the programme shall be one year full-time or two years part-time.
H.31 CURRICULUM
| Module Name | Alpha Code | Cred |
| Labour Law in Context 711 | PGL711 | 30 |
| The Right to Fair Labour Practices 712 | PGL712 | 30 |
| Labour Dispute Resolution 721 | PGL721 | 30 |
| Advanced Dispute Resolution Procedure 722 | PGL722 | 30 |
| FINAL TOTAL | 120 |
H.32 ASSESSMENT
H.32.1 Assessment is governed by Rule A.5 as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1.
H.32.2 Unless the Faculty Board otherwise decides, a student, in respect of modules enrolled for at this University, must:
H.32.2.1 submit at least one research essay of approximately five thousand words for every module or equivalent form of assessment of the student’s research ability (which shall be submitted for assessment at least two calendar weeks before the dates scheduled for the examination referred to in Rule H.32.2.2), and
H.32.2.2 sit for an examination or final assessment in each module, the format of which shall be determined by the relevant academic department.
H.33 PROGRESSION RULES
H.33.1 Full-time
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a full-time student shall complete the programme in one year. A student who has passed at least 90 credits may be allowed to proceed with his/her studies to complete the programme in the following year.
H.33.2 Part-time
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a part-time student shall complete the programme in two consecutive years and accumulate at least 60 credits in the first year in order to proceed with his/her studies. A student who has accumulated 90 credits within two years may be allowed to proceed with his/her studies to complete the programme in the following year.
H.34 RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION
Renewal of registration shall be governed by Rule A.4.1, as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1 or as provided for in the Faculty rules.
2. POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC LAW (7711)
H.35 ADMISSIONUnless Senate decides otherwise, a student shall be required to meet the following criteria to be enrolled for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law – PGDip (Public Law):
An applicant must be in possession of a qualification at NQF Level 7 or have obtained a qualification that in the opinion of the Senate is of an equivalent standard (See also Rule A.2.1.4).
Access to the programme can also be provided in terms of the University’s RPL policy (Rule A.2) in terms of the criteria stipulated by Senate.
H.36 SELECTION
Final selection shall be based on an applicant meeting the criteria as determined by the Faculty.
H.37 DURATION
Unless Senate decides otherwise the duration of the programme shall be one year full-time or two years part-time.
H.38 CURRICULUM
| Module Name | Alpha Code | Cred |
| Administrative Law 711 | ADL711 | 30 |
| Constitutional Law 713 | CLL713 | 30 |
| Local Government 712 | LGL712 | 30 |
| Multi-level Governance 714 | MLG714 | 30 |
| FINAL TOTAL | 120 |
H.39 ASSESSMENT
H.39.1 Assessment is governed by Rule A.5 as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1.
H.39.2 Unless the Faculty Board otherwise decides, a student, in respect of modules enrolled for at this University, must:
H.39.2.1 participate in a variety of formative assessments, including assignments, presentations, and tests, will be used. Feedback will be given to students on their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the progress they are making,
H.39.2.2 sit for an examination or final assessment in each module, the format of which shall be determined by the relevant academic department.
H.39.2.3 An integrated assessment approach is envisaged in terms of which both the theoretical knowledge of students and their acquired skills will be assessed by way of tests, exams, practical assignments, case studies, and portfolios.
H.40 PROGRESSION RULES
H.40.1 Full-time
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a full-time student shall complete the programme in one year. A student who has passed at least 60 credits may be allowed to proceed with his/her studies to complete the programme in the following year.
H.40.2 Part-time
Unless Senate decides otherwise, a part-time student shall complete the programme in two consecutive years and accumulate at least 30 credits in the first year in order to proceed with his/her studies. A student who has accumulated 90 credits within two years may be allowed to proceed with his/her studies to complete the programme in the following year.
H.41 RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION
Renewal of registration shall be governed by Rule A.4.1, as stipulated in the University Calendar: General Information Part 1 or as provided for in the Faculty rules.
3. Postgraduate Diploma in Tax Law
Taxation is a challenging field of study, while at the same time offering the opportunity of a rewarding career as a tax practitioner or tax lawyer. The PG Diploma in Tax is an accredited qualification offered by UWC's Faculty of Law for legal practitioners and other professionals interested in pursuing a post-graduate course in the specialist area of taxation. In 2025, the 120-credit programme at NQF level 8 will be offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. A student registering full-time will be required to complete the programme within one (1) year, while students registering part-time will be required to successfully complete it within two (2) years. The programme comprises four (4) compulsory modules which are designed to enhance a student's knowledge and understanding of certain fundamental principles of income tax, international tax law, estate planning, and tax administration law. A student completing this programme will be able to, inter alia, analyse complex factual scenarios, identify critical legal issues, and provide sound advice on an appropriate solution.- Programme is offered to full-time and part-time students. Full-time is one year; part-time is two years.
- No requirement for doing a thesis or research paper;
- Programme has four compulsory modules, including Estate Planning, Advanced Income Tax Law, Tax Administration Law, and International Tax Law;
- Programme presenters include Prof Fareed Moosa and Judge Dennis Davis.
Email fmoosa@uwc.ac.za | cc: lawpostgradenq@uwc.ac.za & fhhendricks@uwc.ac.za
4. Postgraduate Diploma in FinTech Law & Regulation
The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Fintech Law and Regulation has been developed in response to the fast-growing Fintech sector in South Africa, as well as the policy position of the Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group (IFWG) for the country to become a "leading Fintech hub for Africa, promoting financial inclusion while spurring competition, digital skills, and economic growth through innovation." The programme - a one year, fully online postgraduate diploma - not only covers Fintech-specifictopics, but also broader aspects of financial services law and regulation. It also takes a comparative approach to examine how other African jurisdictions are responding to similar legal and regulatory challenges and opportunities seen in South Africa's Fintech sector. The PGDip is, as such, designed to equip participants with the policy, legal and regulatory insight needed to understand and contribute effectively to the Fintech sector in South Africa and beyond.
Programme covers:
The PG Dip consists of four modules, carefully designed to build knowledge and expertise across the policy, legal and regulatory dimensions of Fin Tech.These modules are:
- Concepts in Fintech Law
- Banking and Financial Regulation
- FinTech Payment Regulation
- Trade-offs in Fintech Regulation
Mode of delivery
All aspects of the programme, including teaching and assessment, are delivered online. This makes it well suited to workingprofessionals, offering flexible and accessible virtual learning.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:- Understand how Fintech firms and innovations are reshaping the financial sector
- Explain how South Africa's financial sector, and those of other selected African countries, are regulated, and identify key policymakers, regulators and laws
- Identify the policy and regulatory issues in digital payments, including in respect of electronic money, crypto assets and central bank digital currencies
- Analyse how to balance the opportunities and risks associated with Fintech
- Apply learning to practical scenarios and legal or regulatory challenges
Download PGDip in FinTech Law & Regulation Brochure
Postgraduate applicants are reminded to complete the online application form and submit all required documents by no later than 31 October 2025
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
