SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Laws 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
122316  Bachelor of Laws 
ORIGINATOR
Stadio (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  480  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0724/24  2024-06-04  2027-06-04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-04   2034-06-04  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Laws qualification is to equip learners with the knowledge and appreciation of the values and principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. This qualification promotes a critical understanding of theories, concepts, ethics, perspectives, methodologies, and procedures of the discipline and sub-disciplines of law, it also establishes the ability to apply the acquired knowledge appropriately to academic, professional and career contexts. The qualification enables learners to take responsibility and be accountable for applying the law in academic, professional, and societal contexts. It also provides opportunities for upward mobility, between the different sectors of the law as well as the different sectors of the economy if pursuing a career in the commercial environment.

This qualification aims to produce competent, skilled, and dynamic legal learners, equipped with a firm knowledge and understanding of the relevant legal principles. It will furthermore provide the necessary preparation for master's level study and develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of the discipline.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Apply skills, knowledge and values acquired to practical scenarios and research with the desire to uphold the values of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
  • Play an active part in redressing the inequalities of the past by drawing guidance from the fundamental philosophies of Batho Pele (people-first) and ubuntu.
  • Demonstrate ethical and responsible behaviour to contribute to a just society governed by the rule of law, and with due consideration for the advancement of human rights.
  • Present information and evidence professionally to address legal challenges.

    This qualification is designed to foster theoretical engagement, application to real-world scenarios and intellectual independence. The qualification strengthens and deepens learners' knowledge and equips them to qualify as well-rounded legal practitioners with advanced and specialist knowledge, relevant competencies, and lifelong learning skills in law. Learners will demonstrate these competencies in the context of the challenges inherent in a rapidly changing national and global business environment such that they are equipped as responsible professionals who are suitably qualified to fulfil the responsibilities and practices required of well-rounded jurists.

    Rationale:
    This qualification recognises the skills and knowledge expected of stakeholders or individuals seeking positions in the law environment, which includes formal legal practice and other careers which require understanding and application of the law. The qualification is designed to equip learners for the demands of the legal and academic environments in democratic South Africa, as well as to take responsibility in relevant societal contexts. This qualification aims to produce competent, skilled, and dynamic legal learners equipped with a firm knowledge and understanding of the relevant legal principles. It furthermore provides the foundation for master's level study and develops research capacity in the methodology and techniques of the discipline.

    Learners with this qualification may therefore become Legal Advisors, Prosecutors, Attorneys, Advocates, Magistrates, and Judges. Learners will also be able to take up posts in the commercial environment as Legal advisors, Company Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). Learners will be able to utilise their knowledge when embarking on a journey of entrepreneurship. The flexible structure of the qualification enables individuals and legal bodies to assist in selecting outcomes that meet the diverse roles and contexts required by the profession.

    This qualification will provide a framework of knowledge and skills needed in the legal fraternity as well as the public sector. This will be essential to progress along a career path for learners who wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of the field of law to become knowledgeable workers and/or practitioners, able to make a difference in the relatively new democracy.

    The qualification will allow the learner to work towards a nationally recognised complete qualification. The qualification will allow those in formal education and those already employed in organisations access due to its flexibility. The qualification has building blocks that can be developed further and will lead to a more defined specialised career path at a Master's degree level.

    Investing in education is critical to economic and social development in Africa, especially in providing its people with greater opportunities for personal and collective advancement. The Qualification for the Transformation on Higher Education: Education White Paper 3 (DoE, 1997) is clear regarding the importance of training effective role-players in all fields, especially with the view of addressing the imbalances of the past. Human resource development: the mobilisation of human talent and potential through lifelong learning to contribute to the social, economic, cultural, and intellectual life of a rapidly changing society.

    There is a clearly defined goal to develop learners on a national level for entry into legal practice or into a wide range of other careers, which require the application of law, and for post-graduate learners in law (Qualification Standard for Bachelor of Laws, CHE, 2015:8). The Institution focuses especially on national needs and, in line with our mission statement, specifically on the need for quality, accessible, and recognised education in the field of law.
    However, the LLB Standard was followed and applied in the development of the LLB. The Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 (that commenced incrementally from 2015 to 2023) created a single Legal Practice Council to regulate the legal practice but it has not assigned any powers to the Council to endorse qualifications. Section 26 of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 sets a South African LLB as the minimum legal qualification for entry into the traditional practice (attorneys and advocates). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

    RPL for exemption of modules:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    RPL for credit:
  • Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
  • Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to bachelor's degree studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV), NQF Level 4 granting access to the bachelor's degree studies.
    Or
  • Higher Certificate in Law, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 490 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 5, 100 Credits:
  • Introduction to Law, 20 Credits.
  • Legal Skills, 20 Credits.
  • Legal Foundations, 20 Credits.
  • African Studies, 20 Credits.
  • Introduction to Leadership and Ethics, 20 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 6, 140 Credits:
  • Social Justice, 20 Credits.
  • Law of Persons, 10 Credits.
  • Family Law, 10 Credits.
  • Law of Succession, 20 Credits.
  • Law of Contract, 20 Credits.
  • Statutory Interpretation, 20 Credits.
  • Labour Law, 20 Credits.
  • Human Rights Law, 10 Credits.
  • African Customary Law, 10 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 7, 130 Credits:
  • Administrative Justice, 10 Credits.
  • Constitutional Law, 20 Credits.
  • Criminal Law, 20 Credits.
  • Special Contracts, 10 Credits.
  • Company Law, 10 Credits.
  • Jurisprudence in an African Context, 10 Credits.
  • Law of Property, 20 Credits.
  • Law of Delict, 20 Credits.
  • Insolvency Law, 10 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 8, 110 Credits:
  • Legal Research Methodology, 10 Credits.
  • Legal Research Essay, 20 Credits.
  • Civil Procedure, 20 Credits.
  • Criminal Procedure, 20 Credits.
  • Law of Evidence, 20 Credits.
  • Law of Damages, 10 Credits
  • International Law, 10 Credits.

    Elective modules, Level 8, 10 Credits: (Choose one from the following)
  • Intellectual Property Law, 10 Credits.
  • Law Relating to Business Distress, 10 Credits.
  • Legal Strategy, 10 Credits.
  • Practical Legal Training, 10 Credits.
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes
    1. Apply fundamental legal and related concepts, principles, theories, methods, techniques, and strategies through legal research to solve legal problems.
    2. Act as a responsible practitioner of law through the application of constitutional values and related legal principles.
    3. Analyse information and evidence critically to evaluate and develop arguments relevant to a particular legal challenge in a specific context.
    4. Present information and evidence professionally to address legal challenges.
    5. Demonstrate ethical and responsible behaviour to contribute to a just society governed by the rule of law, and with due consideration for the advancement of human rights. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Illustrate knowledge of aspects of private, public, and mercantile law.
  • Analyse and comment on the law.
  • Explain and critically analyse the law in various contexts.
  • Find, select, organize, use, and evaluate legal information.
  • Solve complex legal problems in various contexts.
  • Apply advanced knowledge of selected areas of the law.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Illustrate the capacity and accountability of the legal practitioner to shape and transform the legal system and to promote social justice.
  • Promote constitutional principles and values.
  • Illustrate an understanding of the functions of the role players and the legal processes of a constitutional state.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Read and interpret legal information.
  • Exemplify knowledge of the dynamic nature of law and its relationship with relevant political, economic, commercial, and social contexts.
  • Analyse texts or scenarios to identify key issues.
  • Explain how the law balances competing interests in society.
  • Determine and identify the authoritative value of various sources of legal information.
  • Make critical judgments on the merits of different arguments.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Apply effective communication skills in various contexts.
  • Exemplify familiarity with legal discourse.
  • Use techniques of legal reasoning, methodology and argumentation to research credible conclusions.
  • Present reasoned choices in the event of alternative solutions for an identified issue.
  • Illustrate academic integrity in research.
  • Use technology to access legal information and to present, evaluate and communicate research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Recognize and reflect on the role of law in South African society (and beyond).
  • Apply knowledge of ethical considerations in law.
  • Act ethically and with integrity within the institution and beyond. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Namibia
    Institution: University of Namibia (UN)
    Qualification title: Bachelor of Laws Honours
    Duration: Four years full-time.
    NQF Level: 8
    Credits: 536

    Entry requirements
  • A student is eligible to register for the LL B (Honours) if he/she holds a School Leaving Certificate entitling him/her to degree studies.
    Or
  • Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) Ordinary
    Or
  • Higher Level or a recognized equivalent qualification.
    And
  • A student must obtain a minimum of 30 points in five subjects according to UNAM rating with at least a B symbol in English as a Second Language or higher.

    Qualification Structure
    Modules
    Year 1
  • Introduction to Law, compares with Introduction to Law.
  • Law of Persons.
  • Constitutional Law.
  • Family Law compares with Family Law.
    Year 2
  • Law of Property compares with Law of Property.
  • Administrative Law compares with Administrative Justice.
  • Criminal Law compares with Criminal Law.
    Year 3
  • International Law.
  • Law of Delict compares with Law of Delict.
  • Law of Evidence.
  • Research Methodology compares with Legal Research Methodology.
  • Law of Associations.
  • Commercial Law.
    Year 4
  • Jurisprudence compares with Jurisprudence in an African Context.
  • Research Project.
  • Legal Aid Clinic / Professional Ethics

    Electives:
  • Maritimie Law.
  • Environmental Law.
  • Private International Law.

    Qualification progression: Master's degree qualification.

    Similarities
  • University of Namibia (UN) and South African (SA) qualifications accept learners who completed a Senior Secondary Certificate and a Higher Certificate in Law.
  • UN and SA qualifications are offered for four years full-time.
  • UN and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Jurisprudence in an African Context, Legal Research Methodology, Criminal Law, and Introduction to Law.
  • Both qualifications have compulsory and elective modules.
  • Both UN and SA qualifications are at NQF Level 8.
  • Both UN and SA qualifications progress to a master's degree qualification in a related field.

    Difference
  • The University of Namibia (UN) qualification has 536 credits, while the South African SA qualification has 480 credits.

    Country: Scotland
    Institution: University of Edinburgh (UE)
    Qualification title: LLB Law (Ordinary and Honours)
    Duration: Four years full-time.

    Entry requirements
    The standard entry requirement is:
  • SQA Highers: AAAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
    Or
  • Undergraduate entry requirements for students from South Africa.
    Students from South Africa will normally be considered with the Matric - National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Independent Exam Board (IEB.

    Qualification structure
    Modules
    Year 1
  • Family Law compares with Family Law.
  • Public Law.
  • European Union Law.
    Year 2
  • Property law.
  • Jurisprudence compares with Jurisprudence in an African Context.
  • Delict compares with Law of Delict.
  • Criminal Law compares with Criminal Law.
    Year 3
  • International Law
  • Property Law compares with Law of Property.
  • Family Law, comperes with Family Law.
    Year 4
  • Legal Research and Writing, compares Legal Research Methodology.
  • Dissertation.

    Registration/accreditation of the qualification: Our LLB programmes are accredited by the Law Society of Scotland. You will be required to study certain courses to graduate with a fully qualifying degree.

    Similarities
  • University of Edinburgh (UE) and South African (SA) qualifications require learners who completed the Independent Exam Board (IEB) and the National Senior Certificate (NSC) respectively.
  • UE and SA qualifications are offered for four years full-time.
  • UE and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Criminal Law, Legal Research and Writing, Property Law, Jurisprudence, and Delict. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Law, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Family Law, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Laws, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Law in Intellectual Property Law, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Criminology, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Laws in Advanced Criminal Justice, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Laws in Commercial Law, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Laws in Constitutional Theory, Law, and Litigation, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Laws in Corporate Law, NQF Level 9.

    Diagonal Articulation
  • No diagonal articulation options available. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Stadio (Pty) Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.