Short Course
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:


Certificates
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; and the Global Environmental Law Centre (GELC); as well as a Law Clinic.
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.
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 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.
Postgraduate applicants are reminded to complete the online application form and submit all required documents by no later than 30 September 2025
APPLY HERE FOR GENERAL PG APPLICATIONS
APPLY HERE FOR GENERAL PG APPLICATIONS