The legal profession plays a fundamental role in shaping society, protecting rights, and upholding justice. In South Africa, the demand for skilled legal practitioners remains high, with opportunities across the public sector, private firms, NGOs, and corporate institutions.
For aspiring legal professionals, bursaries offer financial support to study towards qualifications in law and related fields.
Why Study Law?
Law is more than a degree—it’s a commitment to ethical service, critical thinking, and social responsibility. Legal studies prepare students to understand the country’s legislative framework, interpret statutes, and advocate for justice. Whether one aims to become an advocate, attorney, legal advisor, or compliance officer, a legal qualification opens multiple doors.
Fields of Study in Law
Students interested in law may specialize in a variety of disciplines, including:
Civil Law
Focuses on private disputes between individuals or entities, covering areas like property, contracts, and family law.
Criminal Law
Concerns offenses against the state, such as theft, assault, and fraud. Careers in this field include prosecutors and defense attorneys.
Constitutional and Human Rights Law
Deals with interpreting and enforcing the Constitution and protecting individual rights and freedoms.
Corporate and Commercial Law
Involves business transactions, company law, intellectual property, and competition law. Often pursued by those working in legal departments of private firms.
Environmental and Natural Resources Law
Focuses on legal matters related to land use, mining, water rights, and environmental protection.
Labour and Employment Law
Deals with disputes between employers and employees, union rights, contracts, and workplace fairness.
International Law
Covers global agreements, treaties, and the relationships between states. Also includes humanitarian and refugee law.
Minimum Requirements to Study Law in South Africa
To pursue a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree at a South African university, students typically need:
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a bachelor’s pass
- High scores in English (usually a minimum of 60–70%)
- Strong critical thinking and language skills
- Analytical ability and attention to detail
Institutions Offering Law Degrees
Most major universities in South Africa offer undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in law, including:
- University of Cape Town
- University of the Witwatersrand
- Stellenbosch University
- University of Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Johannesburg
- Nelson Mandela University
- North-West University
- University of the Free State
- Rhodes University
- University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Walter Sisulu University
- University of Limpopo
Private law colleges and distance learning institutions also offer accredited legal courses and diplomas.
Types of Law Bursaries Available
South African law students may qualify for a range of bursaries based on academic merit, financial need, or demographic representation. Bursary types include:
Public Sector Bursaries
Offered by government departments such as the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Legal Aid South Africa, and provincial education departments.
Private Law Firm Bursaries
Leading law firms and corporate legal departments provide bursaries and sponsorships to top-performing students, often with internship opportunities.
NGO and Non-Profit Organisation Bursaries
Organisations involved in human rights, environmental justice, and public interest litigation often fund students who share their vision and mission.
Corporate and Commercial Sector Bursaries
Companies across banking, insurance, and consulting sectors offer legal bursaries to develop future in-house legal advisors or compliance officers.
What Law Bursaries Typically Cover
Law bursaries may include full or partial coverage of:
- Tuition fees
- Registration costs
- Prescribed textbooks
- Accommodation and meals (where applicable)
- Living allowance or travel stipends
Some bursaries come with post-study obligations, such as working for the sponsoring organisation for a set period.
Career Opportunities in Law
Graduates with legal qualifications can work in:
- Law firms (as attorneys or advocates)
- The judiciary (as magistrates or clerks)
- Government departments (as legal advisors or prosecutors)
- Corporations (in legal compliance or contract management)
- Non-profit or human rights organisations
- Academia and legal research
With further specialization, lawyers can also venture into fields like arbitration, forensic investigation, or international relations.