After graduation, all law students need to attend law school. It’s ideally done whilst a student is doing their articles. Alternatively, law school can be attended after graduation whilst students are looking for articles. In this post, we discuss everything you need to know about Law schools in South Africa.
When do students attend Law School?
Becoming a lawyer is one of the most prestigious careers one can choose. With that being said, becoming a lawyer can be extremely challenging. Students will first need to study at an accredited tertiary institute or university. Once they’ve graduated and received their degree, they will need to attend law school. Law school is an essential aspect of every lawyer’s career.
Law schools in South Africa
There are two types of Law schools in South Africa. Graduates can either choose to either go to full-time law school or a part-time law school. This decision is dependent on each individual’s preferences. For instance, most candidate attorneys choose to go to part-time law school. The reason is that it is easier to manage. Part-time law school requires graduates to attend school twice a week for six months.
On the other hand, graduates who attend full-time law school choose to dedicate all their time to it. Full-time law school requires graduates to attend school Monday- Thursday. Furthermore, if a student is working they can opt to attend law school after work. If they are not working they can opt to take the morning classes. The duration of full-time law school is also six months.
What is the purpose of law school?
In a nutshell, law school was created to help graduates prepare for their board exams. Furthermore, graduates cannot write board exams if they haven’t attended law school.
Law schools in South Africa offer graduates study material, notes, textbooks, and much more. Graduates get to practice past papers to help guide them while they’re studying. The lecturers also train and guide students during these classes. Students will also receive In-depth explanations of what to expect in their board exams.
Furthermore, law school aids in assisting graduates/ candidate attorneys to think analytically. This helps significantly with the practical aspect of their careers. Certain law schools offer courses that other universities do not offer. This includes courses such as advocate training, conveyancing, etc. These part-time courses are excellent to have in addition to attending law school.
Last, but not least, a graduate cannot get admitted if they do not complete law school. In conclusion, law school is an essential part of any lawyer’s career.
What happens after completing Law school?
Upon completing law school, graduates receive a certificate. This certificate states that the student has successfully completed law school. Thereafter, graduates can apply for their board exams.
During the process, most graduates choose to work at a law firm. While working, they also continue studying in order to prep for their board exams.
Costs of Law Schools in South Africa
Law schools in South Africa are quite costly. One can expect to pay more for full-time law school as opposed to part-time law school.
The average cost of law schools in South Africa ranges between R32, 000 – R40, 000. This is all dependent on the law school a graduate chooses to attend.
If you’re looking for education funding for your law study, visit here to get the latest updates.
Choosing law schools in South Africa
There are a total of 17 law schools in South Africa. Furthermore, most of the law schools in South African rank amongst the best on the continent. Graduates can choose to attend a private or public law school.
Here is a list of the best law schools in South Africa:
– University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town is one of the top-listed and most sought out law schools in Africa. UCT accommodates around 1000 students each year. Students who apply for this program will need to have an APS score of at least 36 points. You can also in this article.
– University of Witwatersrand
Wits is one of the best universities in Gauteng. Students who apply for an LLB degree need to acquire an APS score of at least 43 points.
– University of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg is another excellent facility for students. The and also a lot cheaper than Wits. Getting into the University of Johannesburg is also a lot easier than getting into Wits. Students need a minimum APS score of 29 points to study law at this institute.
– University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria has been ranked in the top 100 law faculties in the world! Their vision is to become an internationally recognized leader in socially relevant legal research and education. The minimum admission requirement is to have an APS score of at least 32.
– Stellenbosch University
Based in the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University is another well-recognized university. Students will need an average of 70% in their National Senior Certificate (this excluded Life Orientation). Furthermore, students require at least a level 5 in their home language.
– North West University
North West University is based in Potchefstroom. Their goal is to enforce excellent ethics and skills to all their law students. NWU accommodates students who have a minimum APS score of 28 points. Furthermore, students need to achieve a level 5 (60-69%) in their home language.
– University of KwaZulu- Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is one of the largest contact law schools in South Africa. The entrance requirement is a minimum score of 32 APS points. English Home Language level 5 or English First Additional Language level 6. Furthermore, students also need to have a level 5 in Mathematical Literacy or level 3 in mathematics.
Conclusion
South Africa has some of the Best Law Schools in the World. With that being said, it’s safe to say that each of these universities has very high standards. Therefore, it’s important for students to produce excellent results in order to get accepted.
Studying law requires a lot of hard work and effort. Students will need to be focused, determined, and dedicated if they would like to attain a law degree.
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