University of the Free State Law

The UFS is a research-led, student-centred, and regionally-engaged university that contributes to the development and social justice through the production of globally competitive graduates and knowledge.

University of the Free State Law Programmes

Postgraduate Programmes offered in the Faculty of Law

• Advanced Diploma in Estate and Trust Administration
• Postgraduate Diploma in Investment Planning
• Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning
• Interdisciplinary Master of Human Rights
• Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning
• Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law
• Various Short Learning Programmes
• LLM and LLD

Undergraduate Programmes offered in the Faculty of Law

BACHELOR OF LAWS (LLB)

The LLB degree prepares students for entry into the legal professions, for a wide range of careers which require the application of law, and for postgraduate studies in law.

The successful candidate will be able to:

• be a lifelong student with the ability to be well-informed of the most recent legal developments;
• take part as a responsible citizen in local, national, and international communities;
• be sensitive as a lawyer to the cultural and ethnic diversity in the community; and
• explore educational and career possibilities and develop entrepreneurial skills.

The successful candidate will, more specifically, be able to:

• identify and solve legal problems through critical and creative thinking;
• approach and study personal and professional activities in a responsible, ethical, and effective manner;
• do effective legal research by gathering, analysing, and critically evaluating information;
• communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• cooperate effectively with others in society;
• use technology effectively and responsibly to the advantage of the community as a whole; and
• see the law as a component in a system of interdependent systems within the community where problem-solving cannot occur in isolation.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the four-year LLB, a candidate should be in possession of a National Senior Certificate (from 2008) or National Certificate (Vocational) with an AP score of at least 33 points, with a minimum performance mark of 70% (performance level 6) in Afrikaans Home Language, Afrikaans First Additional Language , English Home Language or English First Additional Language, and (2) a minimum performance mark of 70% (performance level 6) in Mathematical Literacy or a minimum performance mark of 50% (performance level 4) in Mathematics.

If you have matriculated before 2008, the requirement is that a candidate be in possession of an endorsed Senior Certificate (until 2007) with an M-score of at least 34 points or have a previous degree on an NQF 7.

To be admitted to the five-year LLB, a candidate should be in possession of a National Senior Certificate (from 2008) or National Certificate (Vocational) with an AP score of at least 28 points, with a minimum performance mark of 50% (performance level 4) in Afrikaans Home Language, Afrikaans First Additional Language, English Home Language or English First Additional Language.

If you have matriculated before 2008, the candidate should be in possession of an endorsed Senior Certificate (until 2007) with an M-score of at least 28 points

Undergraduate Application

• Please consult the 2023 Undergraduate Prospectus to ensure you meet the minimum entrance requirements before applying.
• Each prospective student must complete the online application.
• Once your online application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a student number (Reference number).
• Receiving a student number (Reference number) does NOT imply that you have been accepted by the University of the Free State yet. 
• In the case of applicants re-writing Grade 12 subjects, applications will be processed on the current results available. If Grade 12 has been written more than once then your combined results must be submitted with your application. 
• Applicants writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) through IEB or SACAI examining bodies can apply online by selecting “National Senior Certificate” under the Results Detail page of the online application process.
• Applicants currently in Grade 12 are requested to provide school stamped copies of final Grade 11.
• Applicants transferring from another university/tertiary institution are required to declare their previous studies when applying as well as upload a full academic record/transcript and degree/diploma certificate (where applicable).
• The University of the Free State does  not accept the General Education Development (GED) test for entry into any of its curricular undergraduate qualifications.  The GED is no longer recognised by Universities South Africa (USAf), and is not equivalent to a South African grade 12 (NSC/IEB/SACAI).  Applicants who completed the GED and would like to study towards an undergraduate curricular qualification are advised to register and complete a grade 12 NSC/IEB/SACAI or international equivalent thereof.
• Applicants who did not complete SC/NSC/IEB must have USAF accreditation from the examination board for South African Universities. online for conditional exemption, foreign conditional exemption or mature age conditional exemption or send an email to [email protected].
• To apply for the University Access Programmes (UAP), please ensure you meet the minimum admission requirements before applying. 

Postgraduate Application

• It is important to note that ALL Postgraduate programmes are selection programmes.  Please consult the  2023 Postgraduate Prospectus.
• In some instances Honours, Masters and Doctoral students are expected to apply directly to the department or to pre-register.  Please refer to the specific Faculty and departmental information to determine whether you need apply directly or to pre-register.  Visit the Faculty and specific department web page for more information. 
• Each prospective student must complete the online application.
• Once your online application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a student number (Reference number).
• Receiving a student number (Reference number) does NOT imply that you have been accepted by the University of the Free State yet. 
• Admission is a separate process when your application will be evaluated by the relevant faculty.
• Before you submit your online application and upload/email documents, please visit the relevant faculty/department website to confirm additional documentation that may be required e.g. departmental application form, CV, motivation, reports, dissertation/thesis proposal etc.  Visit the Faculty and specific department web page for more information. 
• Applicants transferring from another university/tertiary institution are required to upload a full academic record/transcript, degree/diploma certificate and SAQA certificate if you hold a foreign/ international qualification .
• Advanced Diploma qualifications are classified as undergraduate.  It is however processed (administratively) as a postgraduate qualification due to previous studies involved

University of the Free State Law Contact Details

Tel: +27 51 401 2451

Fax: + 27 51 401 3043

E-mail: [email protected]