Message from the Dean

Dean of the Faculty of Law: Prof Steve Cornelius

Welcome to the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria, and thank you for considering UP.

At UP Law, we are shaping minds that shape tomorrow. As one of the leading law faculties in South Africa and Africa, and one of the top law schools globally, we prepare graduates who are ready to lead with impact, serve and make a meaningful difference in society.

Whether you choose an LLB, BCom Law or BA Law, you’ll benefit from exceptional teaching, personalised academic support and opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Our strong partnerships with organisations such as the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the World Bank, leading universities worldwide, and prominent law firms in South Africa and across the globe, provide our students with a truly international perspective. We pride ourselves on exposing students to a diversity of viewpoints and ideas that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives and prepare them to navigate the complex challenges facing the world today.

A legal qualification from UP opens doors across the globe. Employers value our graduates because they leave the university well equipped with the critical thinking, ethical leadership, communication and problem-solving skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Through our career development initiatives and practical learning opportunities, we help our students prepare for their first job, further study or even starting their own firm or business.

Our alumni include judges serving in the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal and High Courts, not only in South Africa but across the African continent, chairs of United Nations Commissions and UN rapporteurs, as well as government ministers and other leaders in government, business and civil society.

Our academics have played a significant role in shaping South Africa’s constitutional democracy and continue to influence legal scholarship, policy and justice across Africa and beyond.

When you join UP Law, you become part of a proud history spanning almost 120 years. You will become part of a community committed to excellence, justice, integrity and service. Here, you’ll be challenged to think critically, act ethically and develop the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact wherever your career takes you.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Faculty of Law. Choose wisely. Choose UP.

The Faculty of Law

Why UP Law?

How to choose between a BA (Law), BCom (Law) or straightforward four-year LLB Degree

Explore Our Campus

Start Your Virtual Experience Start Your Virtual Experience

The University of Pretoria's (UP) Hatfield Campus is situated in Lynnwood Road, Hillcrest, in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria. The campus is one of the most picturesque in the country. It is spread over 24 hectares and also houses most of the University's residences. The lively Hatfield cosmopolitan shopping area is within walking distance of UP's residences.

Academic Programmes

The University of Pretoria (UP) has earned the well-deserved reputation for teaching excellence for more than a century. Highly qualified academics, actively engaged in research and the generation of new knowledge, teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Read more about UP’s undergraduate programmes.

Read More

We're delighted that you're interested in studying with us.

Apply Now

Download our faculty brochure

Download the brochure

A Student's Perspective

A day in the life of a UP Law student

UP Voices

UP Voices

UP Voices

Student Accommodation

Welcome to TuksRes - "Your home away from home"

If you are looking for that special place you can call your home away from home, then a residence at the University of Pretoria (UP) is just the place for you. With us, you will find an environment that is conducive to working and studying hard.

About Student Accommodation
TuksRes Intro
TuksRes Intro

Hatfield Accommodation

College Residence

College Residence

Azalea Residence

Azalea Residence

House Erica

House Erica

House Khutso

House Khutso

House Mags

House Mags

House TAU

House TAU

House Nala

House Nala

House Mopane

House Mopane

Morula Legae

Morula Legae

Madelief Residence

Madelief Residence

Nerina Residence

Nerina Residence

The Tower Residence

The Tower Residence

Tuks Village

Tuks Village

Tuks Ekhaya

Tuks Ekhaya

Let’s start your journey

  • All Interests
  • Student Registration
  • Student Success
  • Student Life
How to choose modules
Credits vs notional hours
Communication channels and Registration
Technologies for student success
Financial Aid
Fly@UP Assist Financial Awards
Student Support
Faculty Student Advisors
Safety on campus
Career Services
Entrepreneurship at UP
Arts & Culture
TuksSport UP Your Game

Other Interests

International Students

International Students

The University of Pretoria (UP) enhances its international standing through multifaceted internationalisation programmes. The programmes are facilitated and coordinated by the International Cooperation Division (ICD), who ensure that the doors of UP are always open to international students, academics, administrative staff, collaborative researchers, policymakers, funding organisations and other stakeholders. On average, UP has over 4,000 international students annually.

The internationalisation programmes spearheaded by the ICD include:

  • International students (including short-term exchange programmes, full academic programmes, joint degrees)
  • International programmes and agreements (including visiting professors, conference attendance, institutional agreements)
  • International mobility projects (students, academic staff and administrative staff covered)

Learn More
Library

Library

The University of Pretoria boasts some of the best university libraries in South Africa. They provide a comprehensive information service for the University's students and staff.

By keeping abreast of the latest technological and professional advances and providing up-to-date information services, the library’s staff members and 11 site libraries are able to provide a relevant and stimulating environment for our students and staff.

Have a look at our world-class libraries:

Library – Message from the Director

Library

Learn More
Future Africa

Future Africa

The University of Pretoria’s Future Africa campus is the place where Africa’s leading scientists and scholars from across the world and from a broad range of disciplines come together to leverage the benefits of transdisciplinary research to address the grand challenges that face Africa and the world.

Issues of critical relevance to Africa are tackled: from sustainable development and good governance, citizen participation and human rights, to advancing innovation for the bioresource economy.

In a world where ideas and technologies evolve rapidly and the challenges we face are multifaceted and transnational, Africa needs a new generation of original thinkers with international perspectives, yet with a scholarly vision and voice that is rooted in Africa.

The Future Africa campus provides a dynamic living, learning and research environment where a community of scholars and other societal role players will engage to advance excellence in scholarship, dialogue and impact. Here the continent’s brightest young geneticists, chemists, economists, lawyers, engineers, social scientists and other specialists are able to work side by side in an environment that facilitates world-class creativity, collaboration and critical thinking.

Video on Future AfricaVideo on Future Africa

Click on the links below to view Panoramas

Learn More
Postgraduate Academic Support

Postgraduate Academic Support

The University of Pretoria (UP) values its people and strives to create an enabling environment to induct researchers into a productive research culture. It is crucially important that researchers obtain support and encouragement when completing postgraduate qualifications, applying for grants, becoming rated or receiving negative feedback on submitted papers or applications.

Learn More
Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities

The University of Pretoria has an institutional commitment to ensure an integrated and inclusive learning experience for students with disabilities. UP’s Disability Unit supports students with disabilities in partnership with departments and faculties.

Learn More
Sport

Sport

With more than 30 sport clubs and 10 sport academies, TuksSport offers a home for dedicated sport people.

TuksSport not only focuses on top performers, but also on club contestants and recreational sport participants. It provides a comprehensive high performance support programme for participants on national and international level, including scientific and medical support, sport testing, training, fitness, technical and tactical expertise, sport injuries and sport psychology.

TuksSport @ UP – message from TuksSport Director

TuksSport UP Your Game

Click on the links below to view Panoramas

Learn More
The Javett Art Centre

The Javett Art Centre

With one foot firmly rooted in academia, and the other embedded in the public, the Javett-UP makes the Pan-African Artistic practices accessible, relevant and engaging. The building is on the south campus of the University of Pretoria and connects the Hatfield campus to the South Campus via a bridge over Lynnwood Road. Underneath the building, the student gallery links UP’s Departments of Architecture and Visual Arts and a number of other exhibition spaces, housing various temporary exhibitions.

Learn More
Skip to content