Fully Accredited Law Studies

Law & Legal Studies FAQs

The Law field of study offers a diverse range of qualifications, from the professional LLB and BCom Law degrees to Paralegal studies. This overview provides clear answers for students researching law entry routes, NQF levels, and legal career pathways in South Africa.

Explore Programmes
Download Prospectus

NQF Levels 5-8

Full Progression

SAQA Approved

Fully Accredited

Online Study

Flexible Options

Multiple Paths

Law & Commerce

Law Studies: Quick Summary

The field of Law provides structured academic pathways from NQF Level 5 to NQF Level 8. It includes the professional Bachelor of Laws (LLB), the BCom in Law, and qualifications in paralegal practice. This field prepares students for admission as attorneys or advocates, as well as corporate roles in compliance, governance and labour relations.

Core Legal Entities

LLB

Degree

Bachelor of Laws. The professional undergraduate degree required for legal practice pathways in South Africa.

NQF Level 8

Standard

National Qualifications Framework Level 8. A professional degree level equivalent to honours-level academic weighting.

LPC

Regulator

Legal Practice Council. The national statutory body regulating legal practitioners.

SAQA

Authority

South African Qualifications Authority. The body that oversees the National Qualifications Framework and registers national qualifications.

Qualifications and Core Degrees

The field of Law offers programmes across Law and Paralegal Practice Key qualifications include:

  • Professional Degrees
    Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
  • Undergraduate Degrees
    Bachelor of Commerce in Law (BCom Law)
  • Higher Certificates
    Paralegal Practice
  • Short Learning Programmes
    Skills courses for paralegal and conveyancing secretaries

LLB stands for Legum Baccalaureus, which is Latin for Bachelor of Laws. The double L represents the plural form of the word “laws” in Latin.

The LLB is an NQF Level 8 qualification in South Africa. Level 8 indicates a professional degree comparable in academic weighting to an honours qualification and allows access to LLM postgraduate studies.

Most students complete the LLB in four years full-time. Part-time study may take longer depending on module load.

While the national minimum is 480 credits, the Boston LLB consists of 540 credits. This credit structure provides a comprehensive foundation in substantive and procedural law.

These are not separate undergraduate degrees. All students complete the standard four-year LLB first. Specialisation happens later during practice or postgraduate study.

Entry requirements and pathways

Anyone who meets admission requirements, typically including, but not limited to, a National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor’s pass.

No. Pure Mathematics and History are not required subjects. Mathematical Literacy is generally accepted, and Boston City Campus does not have a mathematics requirement to study the LLB or BCom Law.

Traditional public universities often require an APS of roughly 28 to 39. Boston City Campus does not work on a point system; we focus on the NSC Bachelor’s pass and English proficiency.

Not directly. A Higher Certificate may provide a recognised bridging pathway.

Yes, if you meet progression requirements after completing the certificate. However, this is at the discretion of the institution you are applying to for LLB admission.

Often yes, depending on institutional policies and credit recognition.

Which is better LLB, BA Law or BCom Law?

The best option depends on career goals.

  • LLB is required for legal practice.
  • BCom Law suits corporate and compliance careers.
  • BA Law combines legal study with humanities.

LLB vs BCom Law

BCom Law

  • NQF Level 8
  • Duration four years

Required if you want to practice as an attorney or advocate.

BCom Law

  • NQF Level 7
  • Duration three years

Ideal for some careers in compliance, governance, taxation, and corporate law environments.

Short Courses and Alternative Study Fields

Yes. Short Learning Programmes include:

Paralegal programme
Conveyancing Secretary programme
Executive Secretary Legal programme

These programmes focus on practical workplace skills.

The Higher Certificate is an NQF Level 5 qualification that allows progression to degree studies.

Short courses focus on practical workplace skills and do not carry academic credit.

Studying Law Online

Yes. Boston City Campus offers a structured online learning model, with support.

Yes. Many students study part-time while working by spreading modules over a longer period.

Professional Admission Roadmap and Careers

  1. Complete the LLB
  2. Complete Practical Vocational
  3. Training (articles)
  4. Pass competency assessments
  5. Apply for admission to the High Court of South Africa
  1. Complete the LLB
  2. Complete pupillage
  3. Pass Bar examinations
  4. Apply for admission
  • Judges are appointed later in a legal career after significant experience as attorneys or advocates.
  • Appointments are made by the President based on recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission.
  • ENSafrica
  • Bowmans
  • Webber Wentzel
  • Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
  • Werksmans Attorneys
  • Commercial law
  • Cyber law
  • Compliance and governance
  • Labour law

Law Careers Outlook

  • Attorney
    Client representation, litigation and advisory work.
  • Advocate
    Specialist courtroom advocacy and legal opinions.
  • Compliance officer
    Corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
  • Legal advisor
    Corporate policy, contracts and regulatory interpretation.

Salary Questions

How much do Candidate Attorneys (CAs) and Pupils earn in South Africa?

Salaries for those completing their Practical Vocational Training (PVT) vary significantly based on the firm’s size, location, and specialisation. However, as of LPC Notice 2683 of 2024, there are now legally mandated minimum remunerations.

1. The Legal Minimums (LPC Gazette)

The following minimum monthly stipends are legally required for any CA or Pupil:

Category

Area

Minimum Per Month

Minimum Per Annum

Candidate Attorney

Rural

R6,000

R72,000

Candidate Attorney

Urban

R8,000

R96,000

Pupil (Advocate)

National

R8,000

R96,000

Note: These figures represent the floor, not the ceiling. Most firms, especially in commercial hubs like Sandton, Cape Town, and Umhlanga, pay significantly above these rates.

Yes. Top tier commercial law firms often require long hours and demanding workloads.

Costs and Funding

Yes. Top tier commercial law firms often require long hours and demanding workloads.

NSFAS funds undergraduate study at public universities, not private institutions.

Common Clarifications

Successful students often study four to six hours per day outside of lectures.

While some memorisation is required in some part of your studies, law mostly requires reasoning, interpretation, analysis, and application of principles.

The double L represents the plural Latin form for “laws”.

No. Professional admission steps such as articles, competency exams, and admission by the HC of SA and registration with the LPC are required.

The volume of reading and the development of analytical legal writing.

A BCom Law degree takes a minimum three years but does not allow legal practice.
An LLB takes four years and is required to practice as an attorney or advocate.

No. An LLB Qualification does not need to registered with the LPC. It is an academic qualification that must be registered with SAQA & DHET. The LPC only enters the picture after you have finished your qualification and have finished articles and admitted.