Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Bachelor of Laws

Qualification code: 98680
NQF level: 8
Total credits: 480
SAQA ID: 6009
APS/AS: 20
Rules:
The LLB degree comprises of 40 modules: 37 compulsory modules and 3 optional modules. In order to complete, the qualification students must comply with the 480 (40 modules) credit requirement. The minimum duration is 4 years. PLEASE NOTE: Exemption for the subjects that were passed more than ten years ago in pursuance of a qualification that has not been completed yet is not granted automatically. A curriculum vitae setting out to what extent the applicant has remained in touch with relevant legal rules should accompany the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) application for such exemptions. Students who have passed phased out modules will retain the credit and do not need to pass the replacement modules. However, phased out modules must have been passed for this specific qualification and it does not necessarily mean the modules are equivalent. Students MUST consider the implications of pre-requisites when registering.
Purpose statement:
The purpose of this generic LLB qualification is to assist employers, professional associations, curriculum developers and learning-programme providers, education and training bodies, accrediting bodies and moderators, and students and their families, to understand factors determining the level and nature of the LLB qualification. The term 'generic' is not synonymous with 'general'. The term generic means that the essential minimum-required outcomes and their assessment criteria have been identified in an abstract way, and are not linked to a preconceived curriculum (content). The qualification, therefore, sets a minimum standard of outcomes with which all LLB qualifications of at least 480 credits within the 'career-focused track' of the NQF would have to comply for accreditation. This qualification does not seek to make all LLB degrees identical but rather to provide a framework within which providers can be innovative and stakeholder-driven in a liberated way. Further aims of the qualification are: To produce law graduates who have a systematic and coherent body of knowledge and an understanding of relevant concepts and principles; a high level of cognitive and other generic skills including problem-solving and the practical application of principles; written and spoken communication, numeracy and computer literacy; and competence in applying knowledge through basic research methods and practice. To provide law graduates with sufficient depth of knowledge and skills for continued and lifelong personal intellectual growth, including postgraduate study. To provide suitably qualified law graduates having initiative, responsibility, and the requisite ethical standards to participate in promoting the administration of justice and the development of legal institutions in South African society. To provide the South African community with lawyers who are empowered to accept their responsibility towards the realisation of a just society based on a constitutional democracy and the rule of law within an international legal order.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.
  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

First level

Students who have completed Afrikaans or English at NQF Level 5 will retain credit and do not need
to register for the SCL1501.
Students who has passed SCL1502 or ENN106J shall be exempted from doing IRM1501.
Students who have passed FLS1501 and FLS1502 shall be exempted from doing HLF1501 and
PLS1502.
Students who have passed FLS1501 or FLS1502 shall be required to register for HFL1501,
but do not have to register for PLS1502.
Students who have passed CRW101U or EUP1501 do not need to register for SJD1501.
Students who passed 2 ILW and 2 IND modules shall be exempted from doing FAC1503.
Students who passed only IND201V or IND202W retain credit for the module passed and
must not register for IND2601 but must register for FAC1503.
Students must take ILW1501 and SCL1501 in their first year of registration

Second level

Students who have passed CIP2601 will retain credit for the module but must refer to the rules at
the 3rd level with regard to CIP3701.Students who have passed CMP2601 will retain credit for the
module but must refer to the rules at the 3rd level with regard to CMP3701.
It is strongly recommended that modules are registered in the following order on 2nd level:

1st semester: ADL2601, CRW2601, CSL2601, IND2601, MRL2601
2nd semester: CRW2602, FUR2601, IOS2601, PVL2601, PVL2602

ALL MODULES ARE 12 CREDITS AND THE TOTAL CREDITS ALLOCATION FOR THE 2ND LEVEL IS 120-CREDITS:

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
.
ADL2601 - Administrative Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & SJD1501
CRW2601 - General Principles of Criminal Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & SJD1501
CRW2602 - Criminal Law: Specific Crimes Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & SJD1501
CSL2601 - Constitutional Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PLS1502
FUR2601 - Fundamental Rights Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PLS1502
IND2601 - African Customary Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PLS1502
IOS2601 - Interpretation of Statutes Pre-requisite:ILW1501
MRL2601 - Entrepreneurial Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501
PVL2601 - Family Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PVL1501
PVL2602 - Law of Succession Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PVL1501

Third level

Students who have passed CIP2601 and CIP3701 are exempted from registering for CIV3701 and
the student shall retain credit for the second module which can be used as substitute for any other
module except on NQF level 8 (this will ensure that these students will retain the 24 credits).
Students who have passed CMP2601 and CMP3701 are exempted from registering for CPR3701 and
the student shall retain credit for the second module which can be used as substitute for any other
module except on NQF level 8 (this will ensure that these students will retain the 24 credits).
Students who have passed EVI3701 and EVI3702 are exempted from registering for LEV3701 and
the student shall retain credit for the second module which can be used as substitute for any other
module except on NQF level 8 (this will ensure that these students will retain the 24 credits).
Students who have passed HMLLB80 shall be exempted from doing LME3701.

It is strongly recommended that modules are registered in the following order on 3rd level:
1st semester: MRL3701, MRL3702, PVL3701, PVL3702, PVL3703
2nd semester: PVL3704, CIV3701, CPR3701, LEV3701, LME3701

ALL MODULES ARE 12 CREDITS AND THE TOTAL CREDITS ALLOCATION FOR THE 3RD LEVEL IS 120-CREDITS

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
.
CIV3701 - Civil Procedure Pre-requisite:SJD1501 & ADL2601
CPR3701 - Criminal Procedure Pre-requisite:SJD1501, PLS1502 & CSL2601
LEV3701 - Law of Evidence Pre-requisite:SJD1501 & CRW2601
LME3701 - Legal Research Methodology Pre-requisite:IRM1501, CSL2601 & FUR2601
MRL3701 - Insolvency Law Pre-requisite:MRL2601
MRL3702 - Labour Law Pre-requisite:ADL2601
PVL3701 - Law of Property Pre-requisite:PVL2601 & PVL2602
PVL3702 - Law of Contract Pre-requisite:PVL2601 & PVL2602
PVL3703 - Law of Delict Pre-requisite:PVL2601 & PVL2602
PVL3704 - Enrichment Liability and Estoppel Pre-requisite:PVL2601 & PVL2602

Fourth level

Students who have passed HMLLB80 are not allowed to register for RRLLB81 but are required to take
another elective on the 4th level if needed to meet the 480-credit requirement for the degree and/or
the 120 credit requirement on exit level (NQF level 8).
Students who have not passed HMLLB80 are required to register for RRLLB81.
Students who have passed HMLLB80 are exempted from registering for LME3701.
Students who have passed MRL4801 are exempted from registering for LML4806.

It is strongly recommended that modules are registered in the following order on 4th level:
1st semester: LCP4801, LJU4801, LJU4802, LML4806, LCP4804
2nd semester: LPL4802, RRLLB81, TLI4801, Elective 1, Elective 2

ALL MODULES ARE 12 CREDITS AND THE TOTAL CREDITS ALLOCATION FOR THE 4TH LEVEL IS 120-CREDITS.

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
LCP4801 - International Law Pre-requisite:CSL2601 & LME3701
LCP4804 - Advanced Indigenous Law Pre-requisite:LME3701 & IND2601
LJU4801 - Legal Philosophy Pre-requisite:CSL2601 & LME3701
LJU4802 - Professional Ethics Pre-requisite:LME3701
LML4806 - Company Law Pre-requisite:LME3701, MRL2601, PVL3702 & PVL3703
LPL4802 - Law of Damages Pre-requisite:LME3701, PVL3702 & PVL3703
RRLLB81 - LLB Research Report Pre-requisite:LME3701
TLI4801 - Techniques in Trial and Litigation Pre-requisite:CIV3701, CPR3701 & LEV3701 or CIV3701, CPR3701, EVI3701 & EVI3702
Group B. Choose TWO of the following modules at NQF level 8
LCP4805 - Environmental Law Pre-requisite:ADL2601, CSL2601 & PVL3703
LCP4807 - International Human Rights Law Pre-requisite:FUR2601 & LME3701
LCP4809 - Education Law Pre-requisite:CSL2601, ADL2601, FUR2601 & LME3701
LCR4802 - Medical Law Pre-requisite:CRW2601, PVL3702 & PVL3703
LCR4803 - Media Law Pre-requisite:CSL2601 & PVL3703
LCR4805 - Selected Private and Criminal Law Principles of the Internet Pre-requisite:CRW2601, CRW2602 & LEV3701
LJU4804 - Private International Law Pre-requisite:CSL2601 & PVL3702
LML4801 - Patent and Copyright Law Pre-requisite:PVL3703
LML4802 - The Law of Competition and Trademarks Pre-requisite:PVL3703
LML4804 - Tax Law Pre-requisite:PVL3702 & PVL3703
LML4805 - Insurance Law Pre-requisite:PVL3702 & PVL3703
LML4807 - Banking Law and Usage Pre-requisite:MRL2601 & PVL3702
LML4810 - Legal Aspects of Electronic Commerce Pre-requisite:PVL3702
LPL4801 - Law of Sale and Lease Pre-requisite:PVL3702
LPL4804 - Conveyancing Pre-requisite:PVL3701
LPL4805 - Notarial Practice Pre-requisite:PVL3701