Africa is a vast continent with diverse cultures, landscapes, and higher education systems. The African Union has 55 member states.
African universities appear in global rankings. Students interested in studying law can compare universities by degree structure, postgraduate options, admissions requirements, language of instruction, tuition, and location.
Listed below are five law faculties to consider. This is an editorial selection rather than a formal ranking. Several featured universities appear in the Times Higher Education Law 2026 subject ranking: the University of Cape Town at 101–125, the University of Pretoria at 126–150, Stellenbosch University at 151–175, and the University of the Witwatersrand at 201–250.
Top Law School in Africa
1. University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town‘s Faculty of Law offers undergraduate and postgraduate legal study. Its postgraduate portfolio includes postgraduate diplomas in law, LL.M. routes, MPhil routes, Ph.D. study, and the Doctor of Laws.
Prospective undergraduate students should consult UCT’s current undergraduate prospectus and Faculty of Law handbook for the available LL.B. routes and admissions details. Postgraduate applicants can use the university’s law postgraduate page to compare specializations and formats.
2. University of Pretoria
- Study Program
- Degree options highlighted: LL.B., LL.M., MPhil, LLD, and Ph.D.
The Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria offers undergraduate and postgraduate legal study. In the Times Higher Education Law 2026 subject ranking, the university is placed in the 126–150 band globally.
The University of Pretoria offers a four-year LL.B. Its 2026 undergraduate brochure also describes a route in which students first complete a three-year BA specializing in Law or BCom specializing in Law and then apply for the LL.B., which takes another two to three years.
At the postgraduate level, the faculty lists LL.M./MPhil and LLD/Ph.D. programs. It also offers a one-year, full-time LL.M. specializing in Corporate Law through coursework. Applicants should review the current program page before applying because admissions requirements and intake details can change.
3. Stellenbosch University
Another law faculty in South Africa is the Faculty of Law at Stellenbosch University. The faculty was established in 1921 and has a long history of legal education.
The faculty’s 2026 brochure lists a five-year BAccLLB, a three-year BA (Law), a three-year BCom (Law), and a four-year LL.B. as a first degree. The LL.B. can also be completed as a second degree: in two years by BA (Law) or BCom (Law) graduates, or in three years by graduates from other fields.
The postgraduate portfolio includes a two-year Postgraduate Diploma in Tax Law; one-year postgraduate diplomas in Intellectual Property Law and Public Procurement Policy and Regulation; LL.M. options by coursework or research; a professional LL.M. in Public Procurement Law; and the LLD.
4. University of Witwatersrand
- Study Program
- Degree options highlighted: BA with Law, BCom with Law, LL.B., PGDip in Law, LL.M., and Ph.D.
The University of the Witwatersrand School of Law is part of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management in Johannesburg, South Africa. In the Times Higher Education Law 2026 subject ranking, Wits appears in the 201–250 band globally. Nelson Mandela studied law at Wits but did not complete his degree there; he completed his BA and LL.B. through the University of South Africa.
Wits lists undergraduate routes that include BA with Law, BCom with Law, and LL.B. study. Students who complete BA with Law or BCom with Law before the LL.B. can receive credit for law courses taken during their first degree and complete the LL.B. over two additional years.
At the postgraduate level, Wits states that the PGDip in Law and the LL.M. by coursework and research report can each be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time. It also lists research degrees as the Ph.D. in Law and the LL.M. by dissertation.
5. Cairo University
- Study Program
- Study options highlighted: undergraduate and postgraduate law study, with Arabic, English, and French sections listed on the faculty website
The only faculty on this list outside South Africa is the Faculty of Law at Cairo University in Egypt. The university’s official Faculty of Law website lists Arabic, English, and French sections, as well as postgraduate study. Students considering Egypt can also review our guide to affordable universities in Egypt.
Applicants should consult the relevant section for the current admissions requirements and language expectations. The faculty website also publishes information about postgraduate study and master’s and doctoral theses.
Africa has a range of law faculties and legal study options. The institutions featured above include the University of Cape Town, the University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University, the University of the Witwatersrand, and Cairo University. Students should review current admissions details, fees, and program formats on each university’s official website before applying. If you’re interested in studying law in South Africa, check out our list of the best law universities in South Africa and start your journey toward a fulfilling legal career.
We hope that this article on Best Law Universities in Africa was helpful. Check our Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying law abroad.
