Study Law
LLB, 4 years (NQF 8), then practical vocational training and Legal Practice Council competency examinations before admission
Pay in South AfricaR590–980ka year · typical R790kWork abroad2.9 of 5best: Australia, United KingdomAI outlookEvolvingAI changes parts of the daily work
Getting inHighcompetition for places · 4 years LLB
- School subjects
- Maths recommendedMaths Literacy accepted
Entry details and typical minimums
Strong English, History and a second language are the most useful. All eight universities we cover accept Mathematical Literacy for the LLB, some at a higher level than Mathematics (level 4 at UJ, level 5 at UKZN, level 6 at UFS and Wits); UJ also asks for an APS of 32 instead of 31.
Typical minimums: Varies; LLB is high-APS at leading faculties and several universities also require a National Benchmark Test result. Check each faculty's Mathematics rule.
Sources: Legal Practice Council · UKZN Undergraduate Prospectus 2027, p.24 (Bachelor of Laws: Maths 3 or Maths Lit 5) · UJ 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus, p.82 (LLB: APS 31 with Mathematics or 32 with Mathematical Literacy)
Pay
Yearly gross pay, turned into rand at the exchange rate. The dot is the typical figure. How pay is measured
- USAR1.8–4.0m
- UAER1.9–2.6m~
- GermanyR1.9m
- NetherlandsR1.2–2.1m
- IrelandR1.0–3.0m~
- CanadaR1.2–2.3m
- New ZealandR880k–2.2m
- UKR990k–1.8m
- AustraliaR1.0–2.1m
- South AfricaR590–980k
~ limited evidence
Working abroad 2.9 of 5
Score out of 5. Tap a country for steps and visas.
- 4AustraliaExams or bridging · high demand
- 3UKExams or bridging · some demand
- 3USAExams or bridging · some demand
- 3CanadaExams or bridging · some demand
- 3New ZealandExams or bridging · some demand
- 3UAEExams or bridging · some demand
- 3IrelandMajor requalification · some demand
- 2NetherlandsStarts over · some demand
- 2GermanyStarts over · some demand
AI outlook
EvolvingAI changes parts of the daily work
Only admitted lawyers may appear in court or sign off advice, but research, drafting and review are tasks AI tools already handle well, so the work is shifting towards judgement, advocacy and client trust.
Hands-on In-person care Licensed & accountable
Careers
No global recognition framework; common-law heritage helps, but is not recognition
South Africa's mixed Roman-Dutch and English common-law system makes an SA LLB legible to assessors in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. That eases assessment, but every one of those countries still requires local law exams or study and local admission.
Where to study 8
First-year tuition, as published. My Matric Map can check your results against each of these. Tap a university for its entry requirements and dates. Compare study costs
- UCTBachelor of Laws (LLB), four-year undergraduate route · 2027 intakeR80 410
- WitsBachelor of Laws (LLB), four-year stream · 2027 intakeR47 930–
R83 760 - UPBachelor of Laws (LLB) · 2027 intakeR65 000–
R75 000 - StellenboschLLB (four-year) · 2027 intakeR61 120
- UJBachelor of Laws (LLB) (B4L03Q) · 2027 intakeR50 370–
R57 850 - UKZNBachelor of Laws - LLB (KN-H-BL1 Howard College / KN-P-BL1 Pietermaritzburg) · 2027 intakeR54 911
- NWUBachelor of Laws (LLB) · 2027 intakeR58 109
- UFSBachelor of Laws (LLB) - four years, academic plan BC340000 · 2027 intakeR49 130
Country by country: steps, exams, visas and pay sources
Law is the least portable of the people professions because every country regulates its own law. An SA LLB is respected common-law training, but practising abroad means local exams almost everywhere.
Professional regulator: Legal Practice Council
Where it can take you
- 4 AustraliaExams or bridging · high demand
- 3 United KingdomExams or bridging · some demand
- 3 IrelandMajor requalification · some demand
- 3 United StatesExams or bridging · some demand
- 3 CanadaExams or bridging · some demand
- 3 New ZealandExams or bridging · some demand
- 3 United Arab EmiratesExams or bridging · some demand
- 2 NetherlandsStarts over · some demand
- 2 GermanyStarts over · some demand
Law → United Arab Emirates
Overall 3/5 · ModerateOnshore courts are for UAE nationals; SA lawyers work as registered legal consultants or in the DIFC and ADGM.
- Recognition
- 3/5 · Exams or bridging. Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
- Demand
- Some demand
Sources: UAE Legislation - Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2022 (advocacy and legal consultancy), Article 10 p. 7 (read via Wayback copy of 26 September 2026; site blocks scripts) · Dubai Legal Affairs Department - legal consultant registration · DIFC Courts - guidelines for registration of practitioners · ADGM Courts - FAQs
Pay, in rand at the exchange rate
Typical gross pay in each country, turned into rand at the exchange rate. Compare salaries switches between the exchange rate, buying power and after tax, and says how each works.
South Africa · line: the South African figure · pay range · starting pay · hover or tap a bar for details · gross pay a year, low to high estimate; the bar ends at the typical figure · * weaker figure
| Country | Typical gross pay | Range and starting pay | Occupation and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | ZAR 785 600 Middle of the pay scale, as gross pay 2026 |
ZAR 594 800 to 976 500 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026), Appendix C · Converted to gross: bottom (basic notch) x 13/12 + housing; top (package) x 0.909. PUBLIC proxy. Asst State Attorney Gr 2 (LP4), notches 1-27: basic notch to notch 19, TCE package from notch 20, so the top is not like-for-like. Starting ZAR 284 900 During the 2-year articles (Candidate Attorney Gr 1, LP1) after the LLB, 2026 · DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026), Appendix C · Candidate attorney LP1 basic x 13/12 (housing not confirmed for fixed-term articles). Basic notch; LP2 yr R304,299. Private firms: LPC minimum only R96,000/yr urban, R72,000 rural (Sched 2A, GG 51050, 2024). Admitted: LP3 R392,625. |
Assistant State Attorney Grade 2 (LP 4), OSD for Legally Qualified Personnel (Appendix C, PERSAL 249/250) DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026) · Gross pay: mean of the converted LP4 bottom and top (notch 1 basic R526,488 x 13/12 + housing = R594,800; notch 27 package R1,074,222 x 0.909 = R976,500); notches 1-19 are basic, from notch 20 TCE package. PUBLIC-SECTOR proxy for a mostly private profession. Scale R526,488-R1,074,222 (switches from basic notch to TCE package at notch 20). LP3 entry R392,625-R422,376. Private-sector cross-check: PayScale South Africa median R373,600 (crowd-sourced, low confidence). |
| United Kingdom | GBP 56 977 Median 2025 |
GBP 42 015 to 77 509 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time · SOC 2412 Solicitors and lawyers, full-time, April 2025. Mean 73,424; large City firms pay far above p75. Starting GBP 30 000 Newly qualified solicitor (after degree, SQE and 2 years' qualifying work experience), 2026 · National Careers Service job profile: solicitor ('Starter' salary) · NCS starter 30,000. Law Society dropped its trainee minimum in Sep 2026 (was 24,916; 28,090 London) and now suggests the Real Living Wage. |
SOC2020 2412 Solicitors and lawyers ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time · Median gross annual pay, full-time employees, April 2025. CV 4.5%; mean is 73,424. |
| Ireland | EUR 78 833 Middle of the advertised range 2026 |
EUR 50 000 to 150 000 salary survey range, 2026 · Morgan McKinley Ireland Salary Guide 2026 (permanent salaries) · low confidence · Solicitor (private practice), lowest to highest across bands and 5 cities (same source as typical). MM 0-3 yrs PQE: 50,000-90,000. Starting EUR 28 829 Trainee solicitor during the 2-year in-office training (after degree, FE-1 exams), 2026 · Law Society of Ireland Education Committee, 2026 PPC trainee salary guidance (recommended 'living wage') · EUR15.40/h x36h x52. Only the statutory minimum (EUR509.40/wk, 26,488/yr) is compulsory; large Dublin firms pay much more. CSO HEO12 BAL year-1 median ~29,640. |
Solicitor (Legal: Private Practice) Morgan McKinley Ireland Salary Guide 2026 (permanent salaries) · Midpoint of each published band (0-3/3-5/5+ yrs) averaged over bands and the 5 listed cities. Range EUR50,000-150,000; Dublin private practice pays markedly more than the regions. |
| Netherlands | EUR 79 456 Median 2025 |
EUR 57 408 to 106 496 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · CBS StatLine 86355NED Werknemers; uurloon en beroep (p25/p75 gross hourly) · BRC 2014 0621 Juristen, employees, 2025: p25 27.60/h, p75 51.20/h x2080, excl. holiday pay (as typical). Starting EUR 53 206 New wo-master graduate, 1 year after leaving university, 2024 · CBS StatLine 83815NED Uitstromers ho; uurloon na verlaten onderwijs (median, cohort 2022/'23, 1 yr after leaving) · Wo-master 'Recht': median 25.58/h x2080, Oct 2024, employees. All law masters; advocaat-stagiaires (3-yr traineeship) at large firms earn more. |
BRC 2014 0621 Juristen CBS StatLine 86355NED Werknemers; uurloon en beroep · Median gross hourly x2080 (40h x52). Hourly excl. holiday pay, NL full-time ~36-38h; errors largely offset. Covers advocaten, judges, notaries, in-house counsel; self-employed excluded. |
| Germany | EUR 95 064 Median 2025 |
Starting EUR 63 969 New judge/prosecutor (R1 entry) in North Rhine-Westphalia, after degree, 2-year Referendariat and second state exam, 2026 · Besoldungstabelle Nordrhein-Westfalen 2026 (valid 1 Apr 2026-28 Feb 2027) · Varies by state; excludes family allowance. Large law firms pay graduates much more; small firms often less. |
KldB 2010 73134 Rechtsanwälte/-anwältinnen - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten BA Entgeltatlas (Beschäftigungsstatistik), Stichtag 31.12.2025 · Median monthly gross full-time x12. Employees in social insurance only (no self-employed/Beamte); capped at 8,050 EUR/mo. Employed lawyers only; partners/self-employed excluded. n=31,972. |
| United States | USD 159 670 Median 2025 |
USD 102 990 to 221 370 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · BLS OEWS May 2025 national (via BLS Public Data API) · OEWS May 2025 national annual 25th/75th percentile for SOC 23-1011; p10 $78,360, p90 $351,600; not top-coded. Starting USD 72 100 1 year after a JD (CIP 22.01, professional doctorate), after bar exam, 2022 · College Scorecard field-of-study data (Jun 2026 release), EARN_MDN_1YR · Grad-weighted median of program medians, earnings 1 yr after completion (2018-20 grads, CY2020-21, 2022 $; working & not enrolled, incl. part-time). Very bimodal: big-firm associates start far higher than public-interest/small-firm lawyers; median hides this. |
23-1011 Lawyers BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 national · OEWS national median annual wage, May 2025. |
| Canada | CAD 124 301 Median 2024 |
CAD 93 288 to 177 133 25th to 75th percentile, 2024 · Job Bank wage data 2025 release (LFS 2023-2024), national quartiles · Job Bank Q1/Q3 hourly C$44.85/C$85.16 x2080, NOC 41101, LFS 2023-24. Low/high (~p10/p90): C$62,858/C$222,851. Starting CAD 90 900 2 years after a JD/LLB (professional degree), i.e. after articling and bar admission, 2024 · Statistics Canada Table 37-10-0281 (ELMLP), graduates two years after graduation · Median employment income 2 yrs after graduation (2022 grads, measured 2024, 2024 $); excludes full-time students, includes part-time/part-year workers. Bimodal: large-firm associates start well above public-sector/small-firm lawyers. |
41101 Lawyers and Quebec notaries Job Bank wage data (open data), Labour Force Survey · National median hourly wage C$59.76 x 2080 h. Job Bank/LFS reference period 2023-2024, published 19 Nov 2025. |
| Australia | AUD 107 640 Median 2025 |
AUD 87 200 to 185 400 25th to 75th percentile, estimated from tax statistics (includes part-time), 2024 · ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24, Individuals Table 14A (occupation unit group x taxable income range); medians from Table 15B · low confidence · p25/p75 interpolated from 5 taxable-income bands (linear density matched to band means). Includes part-time/part-year earners and non-wage income; 2023-24 dollars, not uprated. Starting AUD 80 000 About 4 months after completing the bachelor's degree, full-time employed domestic graduates (many still completing practical legal training before admission), 2025 · QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025 national report tables: median full-time salary, undergraduates, by 45 study areas ('Law') · Law graduates, 2025 survey (2024: 75,300). Postgraduate (JD) median 92,000. |
Solicitors (ANZSCO 2713) ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025 (customised report), via JSA Occupation Profiles · Median $2070/wk x52; FT non-managerial adult-rate employees, before tax. Solicitors only (barristers are 2711). Excludes partners/self-employed principals. |
| New Zealand | NZD 132 000 Median 2026 |
NZD 85 000 to 215 000 careers service range, 2026 · Tahatu Career Navigator job profile: Lawyer ('most common' pay range) · Tahatu 'most common' band (full published range 63,000-383,000); Stats NZ IDI/Census + IR data, percentiles not defined, no vintage stated. Starting NZD 64 000 Law graduate, year 1 after the LLB (incl. Profs/admission year), 2026 · Tahatu Career Navigator study page 'Bachelors degrees in law (LLB)': median employed income 1 year after completion (Stats NZ IDI + IR) · Published in $ thousands; vintage not stated; includes part-year/part-time earners. Year-1 p25-p75 54k-74k; year 5 97k. |
Lawyer Tahatu Career Navigator (Ministry of Education / Tertiary Education Commission careers service) · Published range $63,000-$383,000, most common $85,000-$215,000. Very wide range. From Stats NZ Census/IDI + Inland Revenue data; no vintage stated (year = year observed). |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 456 000 Middle of the advertised range 2026 |
AED 384 000 to 528 000 salary survey range, 2026 · Robert Walters Middle East Salary Survey 2026 (recruiter, advertised roles) · low confidence · Same RW row as typical (associate, regional firm), basic pay x12. Not official starting: NQ associate 27k-34k/mth (avg 30.5k = 366,000), for already-qualified lawyers. |
Associate, private-practice regional firm Robert Walters Middle East Salary Survey 2026 (recruiter, from advertised roles) · Recruiter data from job ads, basic pay. Average AED 38,000/month (32,000-44,000) x12. Newly qualified average AED 30,500. UK/US firms pay more. |
General information, not immigration or legal advice. Researched 2026-10-07.