The legal profession is one of the most influential and respected fields in South Africa, attracting thousands of students each year. Whether you aspire to practise as an attorney, argue cases as an advocate, or advise businesses as a corporate legal professional, a law degree is your first step into the profession. Many aspiring students wonder about why credits matter and the credits required to study Law in South Africa. The South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) standardises all degrees, including law, ensuring consistency and credibility.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about credits, including how many credits are required to study Law in South Africa, how the Law degree aligns with NQF, and how long it takes to complete the Regenesys programme.
Table of Contents
Understanding Credits in South African Higher Education
To fully grasp how many credits are required to study law in South Africa, it is important to first understand what credits mean within the education system.
Credits in South Africa are regulated by the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), which ensures that all qualifications meet national standards. A credit reflects the amount of learning required to complete a module, expressed in study hours.
Under the NQF system:
- 1 credit equals 10 notional hours of study
- Credits account for all learning activities, including lectures, reading, research, assignments, and self-study
- Earning credits confirms that a student has achieved the expected outcomes of a module or programme
For instance:
- A 120-credit qualification requires about 1,200 learning hours
- The Regenesys LLB degree requires 485 credits, equal to approximately 4,850 learning hours
This structured system provides clarity on student workload and ensures consistency across higher education institutions in South Africa.
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LLB Degree Structure and Credit Requirements
When looking at how many credits are required to study law in South Africa, the requirement set by Regenesys Law School is to fulfil 485 credits. Upon completion, students receive an NQF Level 8 qualification, as set by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). These credits are distributed across four years of full-time study, with each year divided into two semesters. An online study option is also available, but the total credit requirement remains the same.
The LLB degree is carefully structured to include both core modules and electives, ensuring that students develop a broad and practical understanding of law. In the early years, students build foundational knowledge, while the later years introduce specialised areas and practical applications.
Some of the core modules covered include:
- Constitutional Law
- Labour Law
- Commercial and Corporate Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Criminal Law 1
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Module Breakdown by Year
To better understand how many credits are required to study law in South Africa, it is useful to look at the year-by-year structure of the LLB degree. The programme follows a structured path over four years of full-time study, with each year divided into two semesters.
The table below helps to break down the modules students are required to complete each year to fulfil the credit requirements. These help to provide clarification on how many credits are required to study law in South Africa.
|
Year |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Electives (Choose Any 2) |
|
Year 1 |
Computer Literacy Law of Persons Legal English Pillars of South African Law 1 Foundational Personal Mastery |
Computer Literacy (Legal Research) Emotional and Spiritual Intelligence Pillars of South African Law 2 |
Business Management Economics Financial Accounting |
|
Year 2 |
Constitutional Law Jurisprudence Law of Contract 1 Roman Law |
Bill of Rights Law of Contract 2 – Specific Contracts Legal Interpretation Legal Pluralism Patent and Copyright Law |
– |
|
Year 3 |
International Law Intellectual Property Law Law of Evidence Law of Business Entities |
Administrative Law Introduction to Tax Law Law of Evidence 2 Law of Property Research Methodology |
– |
|
Year 4 |
Criminal Law 1 Law of Civil Procedures 1 Law of Criminal Procedures 1 Legal Ethics and Practice |
Criminal Law 2 Law of Civil Procedures 2 Law of Criminal Procedures 2 |
Accounting for Legal Practice Deceased Estates Environmental Law Insurance Law International Business Law Medical Law |
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Workload, Progression and Graduation
Understanding how many credits are required to study law in South Africa provides insight into the time, effort, and commitment needed to succeed in an LLB programme. Credits serve as a measure of workload, guide progression, and ultimately determine readiness for graduation and professional practice.
- Workload: Completing the required credits per year requires completing lectures, assignments, research, case analysis, and independent learning. These help students develop both knowledge and practical skills.
- Progression: Students must successfully complete all required credits to advance to the next year. Failing a module means retaking it to earn the missing credits, ensuring mastery of essential legal concepts.
- Graduation: A total of 485 credits is required to earn an LLB at Regenesys. Completing both core modules and electives ensures that graduates have a well-rounded legal education.
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Approach
The Regenesys Bachelor of Laws is a fully CHE-accredited and SAQA-registered programme aligned at NQF Level 8, ensuring its credibility and recognition. The programme provides a clear structure of 485 credits while offering flexibility in how those credits are completed.
Highlights of the Regenesys approach include:
- Flexible study options: Contact and online study formats
- Practical integration: Focus on case law, research, and practical applications
- Ethical grounding: Emphasis on integrity, justice, and social responsibility in law
- Supportive learning: Access to experienced faculty and a global alumni network
Conclusion
The legal profession remains one of South Africaā€™s most respected and impactful career paths, offering opportunities to practise as attorneys, advocates, or corporate legal advisors. Understanding how many credits are required to study law in South Africa is essential for planning your academic journey, managing your workload, and ensuring graduation.
The Regenesys LLB provides a fully CHE-accredited and SAQA-registered programme at NQF Level 8, structured around 485 credits over four years, with flexible full-time and online study options. Completing all credits equips students with practical skills, ethical grounding, and professional readiness.
If you are ready to start working towards a legal career, visit the Regenesys Education website and enrol for the upcoming intake today!
How Many Credits are Required to Study Law in South Africa ā€“ FAQ
How many credits are required to study law in South Africa at Regenesys?
The Regenesys LLB requires 485 credits at NQF Level 8, spread over four years of full-time study or through flexible part-time/online options.
What does a single credit represent in terms of study hours?
One credit equals 10 notional hours of learning, which includes lectures, assignments, research, and self-study.
How are credits distributed across the LLB programme?
Students typically complete 120 credits per year, divided over two semesters, covering both core modules and electives.
Can I study the LLB part-time or online?
Yes, Regenesys offers contact and online learning, allowing students to complete all 485 credits at a pace that suits their schedule.
What happens if I fail a module or exam?
Any failed module must be retaken to earn the corresponding credits, ensuring mastery of essential legal concepts before progression.
