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Faculties & Programmes

Faculty of Law

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.
 

Four Year LLB

This is the standard LLB stream in the Faculty and can be entered into after completing matric. It is currently the largest stream in terms of student numbers. Students in this stream mostly do law subjects, apart from in the first year when non-legal electives can be chosen from modules hosted by other faculties. The purpose of this programme is to prepare students for a career in law, such as an attorney, an advocate, a prosecutor, a legal advisor, or an academic.

Five Year LLB

This stream can be entered into after completing matric. Students are allocated to this stream on the basis of the Faculty's selection criteria. This programme is known as the Foundation Programme or Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP). The only difference compared to the four year LLB is that the first year of the 4 year LLB programme is completed over two years.

Two Year LLB

This stream can be entered into after having completed a BA (law) or B Com (law) degree, and having obtained sufficient credits that can count towards the LLB degree. Students can be given credit (totalling not more than 50% of the credits for the LLB) for modules completed in the BA (law) or B Com (law) degrees. Students then complete the four year LLB over two years.

Three Year LLB

This stream can be entered into after having completed a Bachelor’s degree without law subjects, and having obtained sufficient credits that can count towards the LLB degree. Students can be given credit (totalling not more than 50% of the credits for the LLB) for modules completed in the first Bachelor’s degree. Students then complete the four year LLB over three years.

BA (Law)  [Not yet offered]

This is a three-year programme where students complete selected modules from the first three years of the LLB programme alongside subjects from other faculties. Thereafter a student can register for the LLB programme at level three and complete the LLB in two years. The aim is to provide students with a broader academic background for a future career in law, or for a career outside of the legal field where legal knowledge is an essential requirement.

BCom (Law)

This is a three-year programme where students complete selected modules from the first three years of the LLB programme alongside subjects from the EMS Faculty. Thereafter a student can register for the LLB programme at level three and complete the LLB in two years. The purpose of this programme is to provide students with a broad formative education with various career options, specifically in the corporate world.

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.

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
OR
(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
OR
(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) degree

Three Year LLB

A Bachelor's degree without legal subjects

BA (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
OR
(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
OR
(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:

APPLY HERE 

Please complete ALL the required fields to ensure that your application is processed.

Contact Faculty Office:
021 959 3291

Enquiries to:
lawundergradenq@uwc.ac.za

Certificates

Rampant corruption in both the public and the private spheres appears to be the defining characteristic of our society despite global efforts to reduce this scourge. Action to eliminate the effect of corruption would safeguard public money, strengthen the economy, ensure sustainable enterprises and thereby improve the quality of life of our citizens.

The Higher Certificate in Forensic Examination endeavours to assist in achieving these objectives by presenting a one-year programme in the fundamentals of investigation and execution of the appropriate law. The carefully compiled modules are couched at an accessible level for students who have had little formal training on the subject matter and are presented by lecturers who are experienced in the specific field.

The programme is aimed at those planning a career in forensic examination and also to those aiming at furthering their careers in the public service; in particular prosecution and the police service, as well as in the commercial sector in particular banking and other officials with financial responsibility.

Course Outline

Internal Auditing 124 
Covers analysis of business processes,  drafting, risk analysis matrix, designing compliance and substantive tests,  understanding and applying a code of ethics, computer assisted auditing techniques for obtaining  evidence.
 
Criminal Law 112  
Emphasises understanding criminal liability, definitions and elements of fraud, theft, corruption and money laundering, case studies.
 
Law of Evidence 122 
Examines the course of criminal trials, the rights of witnesses, the rules of exclusion of evidence.
 
Labour Law 112 ( deals with procedures for a disciplinary enquiry, application of concepts of substantial and procedural fairness to disciplinary procedures.
 
Administrative Law 113  
Includes examining administrative actions and accessing information held by the state.
 
Investigation of Crime 123  
Focuses on the collection and systemizing of evidence, interviewing, interrogation and polygraph analysis.
  • 3 modules in the first semester with your Final Assessment in June.
  • 3 Modules in the second semester with your Final Assessment in November.
  • You need to obtain 50% year mark to be able to qualify for the Final Assessments.

Duration: 
One year (approximately thirty-four weeks).

Classes: 
Lectures will be presented on Mondays and another day of the week, commencing at 18:00.​

Admissions requirements:
Matric certificate and 3 years working experience.

Fees:
2021 Academic year is currently R14 233.  Fees may increase next year.

Please be advised that NSFAS does not fund 1 year part time programmes at UWC.

Please read  NSFAS Circular 3 till 6 for their benefits:

NSFAS
 
  • Graduation takes place with the rest of the University 
Applications: 
Applications can be made online Click Here. 
 
Contact: 
Farieda Hendricks, Administrator:  Higher  Certificate in Forensic Examination
Room 114, 1st Floor, Faculty of Law
e-mail:  fhhendricks@uwc.ac.za
Telephone:  021 959 3592
​​

Open Day Gallery

Faculty of Law Degree Programmes -  Professor Wessel Le Roux                       

 

Faculty of Law Alumna - Melene Rossouw



Law Faculty Top Achievers Programme - Marivyn Blaire Tchokonte                 

 

 Graduate Lecturing Assistance - Dr Tinashe Kondo        



Moot Court Society - Thama Mabuda



 

Postgraduate Programmes

The Faculty of Law offers LLM/MPhil and LLD/PhD degrees in several areas of specialisation. The Faculty hosts four departments: Criminal Justice and Procedure; Mercantile and Labour Law; Private Law; and Public Law and Jurisprudence. 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; and the Global Environmental Law Centre (GELC); as well as a Law Clinic.

The Faculty offers doctoral degrees in a number of specialisation areas, including the following:
 
  • Comparative Labour Law;

  • Comparative Constitutional Law;

  • Criminal Justice; Environmental Law;

  • Human Rights Protection;

  • Law, State and Multi-Level Government; and

  • Mercantile Law.
 

Admission requirement

Admission to the doctoral programme is based on submission of an (approximately 2 pages) abstract with research questions.

The Faculty of Law offers LLM/MPhil degrees in a number of speacialised areas namely:
 
  • International Human Rights Law
  • Labour Law
  • Law, State and Multilevel Government
  • Mercantile Law
  • Criminal Justice
  • International Family Law
  • International Trade

Below are details of specialisations for which there are possibly a limited number of academic bursary opportunities in 2022
 
  • Comparative Constitutional Law
  • Transnational Criminal Justice
  • Tax Law
  • Environmental Law
  • LLM in International Trade, Investment and Business Law
 

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.

Modules:
  • Comparative Constitutional Law
  • Constitutional Law, Politics and Theory
  • Constitutional rights interpretation
  • Constitutional Design in Divided Societies
 

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.

Modules:
  • International Criminal Law
  • Transitional Justice
 

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.

Modules:
  • International Tax Law
  • Tax Administration Law
 
 

Environmental Law 

Environmental law is an innovative, dynamic, and rapidly developing field that seeks to address a complex range of challenges relating to, amongst others, sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity loss; marine and freshwater pollution, ocean governance, air quality management, waste management, illegal trade in endangered species, and ethical considerations relating to human and non-human environmental rights. The cause, effects and potential solutions to these complex challenges often transcend national boundaries and are increasingly global in scope. The LLM by coursework, offered at the University of Western Cape’s 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. Students will develop the necessary skills to critically consider the role of environmental law, both in the domestic (South African) and international context in addressing contemporary environmental problems..

Modules:
  • International Environmental Law
  • Advanced Environmental Law

 

 

Legal Pluralism

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.

Modules:
  • Legal Pluralism
  • Cultural Pluralism


 

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: > 60% average during LLB
  • Relevant work experience will be an advantage.

 

Download Brochure


 

Other postgraduate programmes offered by the Faculty

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law

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
 
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.

 

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC LAW (7711)

H.35 ADMISSION
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
 
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.
 

Deadline for applications:

10 December 2021.
APPLY NOW

LLM Programmes:
lloubser@uwc.ac.za
OR
lawpostgradenq@uwc.ac.za

Doctorate programme:
rmeyer@uwc.ac.za

Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law:
The Social Law project - ebooys@uwc.ac.za