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Law Bursaries South Africa 2027

Law is a professional field of study that can lead to careers in legal practice, government, business, compliance, research and other areas. Students who want to study Law in South Africa can find financial support from law firms, government departments, municipalities, companies, public entities, trusts and foundations.

This page lists Law bursaries in South Africa, including scholarships specifically intended for Law students and broader bursary programmes that include Law among their eligible fields of study.

CAREERS AND QUALIFICATIONS WITHIN LAW

A Law qualification can lead to different careers depending on the area of Law you want to enter. The qualification and professional requirements depend on the career path you choose.

CAREERTYPICAL QUALIFICATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
AttorneyLLB followed by the required practical vocational training and admission requirements
AdvocateLLB followed by the required practical vocational training and admission requirements
Legal AdviserLLB
Legal OfficerLLB
Public ProsecutorLLB
Compliance OfficerLLB or another relevant qualification, depending on the position
Legal ResearcherLLB; postgraduate qualifications may be required for specialist positions
Legal AcademicLLB followed by relevant postgraduate Law qualifications
Corporate Legal CounselLLB followed by the relevant professional and career requirements

The LLB is the principal undergraduate university qualification associated with entering the legal profession in South Africa. Students who intend to practise as attorneys or advocates must also meet the applicable practical vocational training and admission requirements.

Other Law-related careers may have different requirements. Students should therefore check the qualification and professional requirements for their intended career before choosing a course.

WHERE TO FIND LAW BURSARIES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Law bursaries are offered by organisations across different sectors. A bursary does not have to contain the word “Law” in its name to be relevant to a Law student.

  • Law firms: Law firms may offer bursaries and scholarships specifically for students pursuing legal careers.
  • Government departments: National and provincial government departments may fund Law together with other priority qualifications.
  • Municipalities: Municipal bursaries may include Law among their approved fields of study.
  • Public entities: Public-sector organisations may support Law alongside other professional qualifications.
  • Companies: Corporate bursaries may include Law together with Commerce, Finance, Management and other fields.
  • Trusts and foundations: Scholarship programmes may support Law students based on academic performance, financial need, leadership or other criteria.
  • Professional organisations: Legal and other professional organisations may provide funding for students studying Law.

Students should check the study level, approved qualification, university requirements, academic criteria, financial requirements and closing date for each bursary before submitting an application.

You can also search the Government Bursaries South Africa, General Bursaries South Africa and Bursary Alerts sections for additional opportunities.

LAW BURSARIES

The following bursaries and scholarships are included in the Grads24 Law bursary directory. The list includes Law-specific opportunities as well as broader bursary programmes that may include Law among their eligible fields of study.

These opportunities differ considerably in their eligibility requirements. Some are specifically designed for Law students, while others support several fields of study and may include Law in particular application cycles.

For example, Grads24’s current Bowmans listing identifies Law as the study area and lists LLB, BCom Law and BA Law among the qualifications considered. The programme also requires applicants to meet its academic, financial-need and university requirements.

The Bheki Mlangeni Memorial Scholarship is another specifically Law-focused opportunity, with the published Grads24 listing aimed at final-year LLB students at Wits or UWC.

For broader bursaries, check the approved fields for the relevant intake before applying. A programme that has previously supported Law may not necessarily include the same qualification in every application cycle.

For bursaries currently accepting applications, see Bursaries Open for Application.

WHERE TO STUDY LAW IN SOUTH AFRICA

South African students can study Law at universities across the country. The programmes available, admission requirements and qualification structures differ between institutions.

  • University of Cape Town (UCT)
  • University of the Western Cape (UWC)
  • Stellenbosch University
  • University of Pretoria (UP)
  • University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
  • University of Johannesburg (UJ)
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
  • North-West University (NWU)
  • Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
  • University of South Africa (UNISA)
  • University of the Free State (UFS)
  • University of Limpopo (UL)
  • University of Venda (UNIVEN)
  • University of Fort Hare (UFH)
  • University of Zululand (UNIZULU)
  • Walter Sisulu University (WSU)

The LLB is the principal undergraduate Law qualification for students intending to enter the legal profession. Some universities also offer Law-related qualifications such as BCom Law, BA Law and other programmes that combine Law with another field.

Before applying, check the university’s current admission requirements, the exact qualification being offered and whether the programme meets the requirements for your intended career.

You can also browse the Bursaries South Africa 2027 directory for funding opportunities in other fields of study.

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This bursary information was last updated in September 2026.

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