The University of South Africa (UNISA) offers several law qualifications at undergraduate, honours, and certificate levels. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of fees and admission requirements for each programme.
UNISA Law Courses Fees and Requirements
Important Notice About Course Codes
UNISA does not offer a generic “law course.” Law modules are grouped under the subject category “Education; Law; Psychology; Public Administration and Services”. When you register for a specific law module (e.g., Introduction to Law, Criminal Law), it will fall into one of the fee categories listed below.
There is also a specialised Corporate Law Certificate Course offered jointly by UNISA and the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA), which has a different fee structure.
Admission Requirements by Qualification
Higher Certificate in Law (98751)
This is an entry-level qualification for students who do not meet the direct requirements for the LLB degree.
– Duration: 1 year
– Basic Requirement: National Senior Certificate (NSC) with admission to Higher Certificate studies, or an equivalent qualification
– Alternative Access: Applicants who do not meet the statutory requirements for the LLB should apply for this certificate first
Applications for the current academic year typically open in the fourth quarter of the previous year and close before the end of that year. There may be limited spaces for late applications depending on qualification availability.
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
This is the standard professional law degree for those wanting to become legal practitioners.
– Duration: 4 years
– NSC Requirement: Degree endorsement with at least 50% in the language of teaching and learning (English)
– SC Requirement: Matriculation exemption with at least a D symbol on Higher Grade (HG) or C symbol on Standard Grade (SG) in English
– Alternative Access: Higher Certificate in Law or Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice with 60% average; or a 360-credit Diploma in Law or related field at NQF Level 6
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / LLM (Master’s)
For postgraduate studies, UNISA offers LLB Honours and LLM programmes.
– Application Period for the Current Academic Year: Typically September to November of the preceding year
– Some qualifications may remain open until January or June of the current academic year
– Applicants will be informed of outcomes from mid-February to early March of the current year
Specific LLM (Coursework) Requirements:
– A recognised LLB degree or equivalent qualification
– Research outline is not required for coursework master’s degree programmes such as LLM (coursework)
Important Documents for Postgraduate Application:
– Academic documents (degrees and academic records of all completed qualifications)
– Valid ID/passport
– Curriculum Vitae (CV)
– SAQA evaluation certificate for foreign qualifications
Application Process and Fees
Step 1: Check Your Qualification
Visit the UNISA website to confirm that you meet the specific admission requirements for your chosen law programme.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
You will need the following scanned and uploaded:
– Copy of your school qualifications (Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate)
– Copy of your official tertiary academic record(s) (if applicable)
– Copy of your ID document (RSA students) or ID/passport (international students)
– Copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable)
– Sworn translations of documents not in English or Afrikaans
File Requirements: PDF, DOC, or TIF files only | Maximum 2MB (2048KB) per file | Black and white only
Step 3: Apply Online
– Go to the UNISA online application system
– Apply for a student number if you do not already have one
– Complete the application and upload all required documents before the closing date
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
The application fee is R150 for online applications.
The application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through UNISA, do not qualify for admission, or cannot be offered a space due to limited spaces.
Tuition Fees for LLB and LLB Honours Modules
Fees for law modules fall under the subject group “Education; Law; Psychology; Public Administration and Services”. The fees are determined by the type and level of the module.
Compulsory miscellaneous fees are also payable on registration.
First and Second Level Modules
These are the introductory law modules typically taken in your first two years.
| Module Type | Semester | Total Fee | Minimum on Registration | Balance Due Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Module (Standard) | S1 | R3,275.00 | R1,080.00 | Balance by 31 March of the current year |
| Module (Standard) | S2 | R3,275.00 | R1,080.00 | Balance by 15 May of the current year |
| Module (Standard) | Year | R3,275.00 | R1,080.00 | Two instalments by 31 March and 15 August of the current year |
Third and Fourth Level (Advanced/Honours Level)
These are the higher-level modules, including most third-year LLB modules and all Honours-level modules.
| Module Type | Semester | Total Fee | Minimum on Registration | Balance Due Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Module/Paper (Advanced) | S1 | R6,440.00 | R2,125.00 | Balance by 31 March of the current year |
| Module/Paper (Advanced) | S2 | R6,440.00 | R2,125.00 | Balance by 15 May of the current year |
| Module/Paper (Advanced) | Year | R6,440.00 | R2,125.00 | Two instalments by 31 March and 15 August of the current year |
Half Modules
Some law modules are offered as half-modules (fewer credits).
| Module Type | Semester | Total Fee | Minimum on Registration | Balance Due Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half Module | Year | R1,640.00 | R540.00 | Two instalments by 31 March and 15 August of the current year |
Note: Fees for fourth-level modules are charged the same as for Honours-level modules (the R6,440.00 rate).
Corporate Law Certificate Course (LSSA & UNISA)
This is a specialised short course in Corporate Law aimed primarily at legal practitioners. It is offered jointly by the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) and UNISA.
– Duration: March to December (two compulsory semesters)
– NQF Level: 7 | Credits: 24
– Registration Closes: End of February
Target Audience:
– Primary: Legal practitioners (attorneys and advocates) with LLB or BProc degrees
– Others: Applicants with appropriate degrees or relevant experience may apply by written submission with supporting documents
Registration Fees (VAT Inclusive):
– Practising legal practitioners: R14,700
– Non-practising legal practitioners/others: R17,575
Payment Plan: Available (refer to the official brochure for details)
Bank Account for Payment:
– Account Name: Law Society of South Africa
– Bank: FNB Pretoria
– Branch code: 251445
– Account No: 6200 9641 079
– Reference: Surname, initials, cell number
Payment Guidelines for All Students
Minimum Payment at Registration
A minimum amount is payable before the closing date for registration for each module. The university will not be able to process your registration without this minimum payment.
Payment Methods
– Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
– Bank deposit
– Credit card
All fees must be paid into the UNISA official bank account with the correct reference number. Without the correct reference, your registration cannot be processed.
Sponsors/Employers
If your employer or sponsor is paying your fees, you must obtain a letter confirming they assume responsibility. UNISA can provide a quotation, but registration will only be activated upon receipt of the minimum payment by the relevant closing date. It is your responsibility to ensure your sponsor pays on time. No late payments are accepted.
Contact for Payment Queries
Email proof of payment to: susdepid@unisa.ac.za
Banking Details
Visit www.unisa.ac.za/feepayment for banking details and payment information.
Important Notes for International Students
– You need a SAQA evaluation certificate for your foreign qualifications
– You may apply for admission without a SAQA certificate, but if accepted, you must submit it to UNISA by mid-December of the current application cycle
– The application for SAQA evaluation requires payment directly to SAQA in foreign currency
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Summary Table
| Qualification | Duration | Key Requirement | Total Fees (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Certificate in Law | 1 year | NSC (Higher Certificate admission) | Varies by module registration |
| Bachelor of Laws (LLB) | 4 years | NSC (Degree endorsement) + 50% in English | Standard modules: R3,275 each; Advanced modules: R6,440 each |
| LLB Honours | 1 year | LLB degree | R6,440 per module |
| LLM (Coursework) | 1–2 years | LLB degree or equivalent | R6,440 per module |
| Corporate Law Certificate | 10 months | LLB/BProc (practitioners) | R14,700 – R17,575 |
Key Resources
– UNISA Official Website: www.unisa.ac.za
– Application Status: Check online via the application system
– Payment Enquiries: susdepid@unisa.ac.za
– Law Society of South Africa (LSSA): www.lssa.org.za
– SAQA (Foreign Qualification Evaluation): www.saqa.org.za
Disclaimer: Fees are subject to annual change. This information is based on current fee structures. Always verify current fees on the official UNISA website before registering.