Minimum APS for Law (LLB) in South Africa 2026 — Requirements at All Universities
Law (LLB) is one of South Africa's most popular and competitive undergraduate degrees. Whether you want to become an attorney, advocate, magistrate, or corporate counsel, the 4-year LLB is your entry point to the legal profession. This guide covers the minimum APS scores, subject requirements, and application tips for all South African law schools in 2026 — and why the LLB is one of the few professional degrees where Mathematical Literacy is accepted.
LLB APS Requirements at All South African Universities — 2026
| University | Min APS for LLB | English Requirement | Maths Requirement |
|---|
| UCT | 34–38 | 60%+ (FAL or HL) | Math Lit accepted |
| Wits | 34–38 | 60%+ (FAL or HL) | Math Lit accepted |
| Stellenbosch | 32–36 | 60%+ (Afrikaans or English HL) | Math Lit accepted |
| UP | 32–36 | 60%+ | Math Lit accepted |
| UKZN | 30–34 | 55%+ | Math Lit accepted |
| UJ | 30–34 | 55%+ | Math Lit accepted |
| UFS | 30–34 | 55%+ | Math Lit accepted |
| NWU | 30–34 | 55%+ | Math Lit accepted |
| UWC | 30–34 | 55%+ | Math Lit accepted |
| UNISA (distance learning) | 28–32 | 50%+ | Math Lit accepted |
Subject Requirements for Law in South Africa
The LLB has more flexible subject requirements than Medicine or Engineering:
- English — the most critical subject. Most universities require English First Additional Language or Home Language at 60%+ (Level 5). Aim for 70%+ at UCT and Wits. All legal study in South Africa is conducted in English (and Afrikaans at Stellenbosch).
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy — both accepted at virtually all SA law schools. Pure Mathematics gives you a higher APS, which matters at competitive universities.
- History — not compulsory but strongly recommended. Legal reasoning, constitutional law, and South African jurisprudence are deeply rooted in historical context.
- Business Studies or Economics — recommended if you are interested in commercial law, corporate law, or tax law — among the highest-paying legal specialisations.
Law Career Paths and Salaries in 2026
After completing your LLB (4 years), you have several career paths:
- Attorney: Complete 2 years of articles of clerkship at a law firm. Admitted by the High Court. Salary: R180 000–R600 000+/year. Senior partners at top firms earn R1M+.
- Advocate: Complete pupillage (approximately 1 year at the Bar). Can appear in all courts including the Constitutional Court. Salary: R400 000–R1 300 000+/year at the Bar.
- Magistrate: Employed by the Department of Justice. Regular promotion path to magistrate and later regional court president. Salary: R500 000–R800 000+/year.
- Corporate Counsel: In-house legal adviser at a corporation, bank, or government entity. High demand and competitive salaries. R400 000–R900 000+/year.
- Legal Compliance Officer: Growing role as regulation increases across banking, mining, healthcare, and financial services. R300 000–R750 000/year.
Use Career Helper's APS Calculator to see your exact law school qualification status. Take the RIASEC Quiz to confirm your fit for an Investigative or Social career like law.