Four High School Subjects Needed to study Law (LLB): Become a Lawyer in South Africa

If you are serious about becoming a lawyer in South Africa, it all starts with choosing the right subjects in high school, from Grade 10 up to Grade 12.. While there is no single subject that will guarantee you a place in law school, there are four high school subjects that consistently show up as essential or recommended by South African universities offering the LLB degree. These subjects help boost your Admission Point Score (APS) and prepare you for the kind of thinking and language skills law studies demand.

In this article, we break down the most important subjects and show you exactly what top law faculties like UCT, Wits, UJ, UP, UKZN, Stellenbosch, and UFS require. We also link you directly to their course pages so you do not have to guess what they want.

Four High School Subjects Needed to study Law (LLB)

The most common Grade 10 to 12 four subjects you will need to study any law courses (towards becoming a Lawyer) in South Africa are: English (compulsory and most weighted), Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy , and (depending on university), Additional LanguageHistory or Business Studies (strategically useful):

1. English (Home Language or First Additional Language)

Let’s get this out the way first: English is non-negotiable. Every single university requires a minimum achievement in English, with most asking for Level 5 or higher (60%). At the University of Cape Town, a strong English mark is key to doing well on the Faculty Points Score (FPS). Similarly, Wits requires Level 6 in English, while UJ and UP both set the bar at Level 5 or 6.

Why so much pressure on English? Because law is all about reading, writing, arguing, and understanding complex legal language. If you cannot interpret the meaning behind words or express your arguments clearly, you’ll struggle in the LLB programme.

2. Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy

Here’s where things get interesting. Some universities accept Mathematical Literacy, but others prefer Mathematics — and that small difference can decide your fate. For example, Wits LLB clearly outlines that Mathematics at Level 5 or Mathematical Literacy at Level 6 is required. At UJ, you need Level 3 in Maths or Level 4 in Maths Lit, depending on your APS.

UKZN gives you some leeway by accepting either subject, but again, you must hit the right level: Maths at Level 3 or Lit at Level 5. Stellenbosch University recommends at least 60% in Mathematics if you’re combining law with Economics (like in BCom Law).

Even though you do not need to be a maths genius to become a lawyer, the subject shows that you can think logically and solve problems — and that matters in law.

3. Another Language (Additional Language)

Most universities calculate your APS using your second-best language, and many will count this as part of your top six subjects. At UJ, for instance, you must have Level 4 in your Additional Language, and UKZN includes both Home Language and First Additional Language in its APS calculation.

In practice, knowing more than one language is a strength in a country like South Africa, where courts and legal processes often include multiple languages. It also gives you an edge when dealing with clients or working in rural areas where legal literacy is low.

4. History or Business Studies (Recommended but not compulsory)

Now we enter the realm of strategic subjects. None of the universities require subjects like History, Business Studies, or Life Sciences for law — but they absolutely help.

History trains your ability to build arguments, analyse evidence, and understand systems — which mirrors the kind of essay-writing and critical thinking you will need in the LLB programme. Business Studies, on the other hand, is a great fit if you want to specialise in commercial law, contracts, or corporate law later.

Although not listed as mandatory, universities like University of the Free State (UFS) and University of Pretoria (UP) do assess applicants holistically, and choosing law-related high school subjects might just make your application stand out.

Do All Law Faculties Offer the Same LLB?

No, and this is where many learners make mistakes. Some universities offer a straight four-year LLB, like UP and UKZN. Others, like Wits and Stellenbosch University, also offer BA (Law) or BCom (Law) that lead into a postgraduate LLB.

Understanding the structure of your degree is as important as choosing the right subjects. If your maths marks are stronger than your languages, consider a BCom Law route. If you’re a history or literature person, go for BA Law.

Legal Specialisations and Relevant High School Subjects

Earlier, we spoke about the four high school subjects needed to study law in South Africa: English, Mathematics (or Mathematical Literacy), an Additional Language, and History or Business Studies. Now let us take that a step further.

Once you have passed matric and get into an LLB programme, you will start to see that law has many branches, and if you already have an idea of which path interests you, you can choose high school subjects that support your future studies. Here is an explanation of various legal specialisations and the Grade 10 subjects that are mostly relevant for each.

Corporate Law High Subjects Required

Subjects: Business Studies, Accounting, Mathematics

If you are interested in how companies function, how contracts are formed, or how business disputes are resolved, this area may be suitable for you. Corporate lawyers work with businesses on compliance, mergers, employment contracts, and other matters. Taking Business Studies helps you understand commercial operations, while Accounting provides a solid foundation in managing financial records. Mathematics develops logical reasoning skills that are useful for interpreting data and figures.

For example, the University of Johannesburg LLB programme values strong analytical skills that subjects like these help to develop.

Criminal Law High Subjects Required

Subjects: History, Life Sciences, English

Criminal law involves cases that range from theft and fraud to more serious offences. Criminal lawyers either defend individuals or represent the State. Studying History offers context on justice systems and the evolution of laws, while Life Sciences can be helpful when dealing with forensic reports or understanding human behaviour. Maintaining excellence in English is essential for constructing clear arguments and analysing legal texts.

Family Law High Subjects Required

Subjects: Life Orientation, History, English

Family law covers areas such as divorce, child custody, adoption, and domestic disputes. This field requires empathy and a careful approach to sensitive personal matters. Life Orientation (a mandatory subject) helps in understanding ethics and human values, whereas History, which is an elective subject, provides perspective on how family structures have evolved. Strong English skills are necessary to draft legal documents and communicate effectively in complex situations.

Intellectual Property Law High Subjects Required

Subjects: Visual Arts, Design, Business Studies

Intellectual Property Law is about protecting creative works, including music, inventions, logos, and written content. For those with a creative flair, subjects like Visual Arts or Design help to understand the nature of creativity and design. Coupling this with Business Studies gives you insight into how creative works can be commercialised and protected legally.

Environmental Law High Subjects Required

Subjects: Geography, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences

For students who are passionate about the planet and want to address issues like pollution, climate change, and resource management, Environmental Law is a promising specialisation. Geography provides knowledge about land use and spatial planning, Life Sciences helps in understanding ecosystems, and Physical Sciences is useful when dealing with technical scientific data.

Labour Law High Subjects Required

Subjects: Business Studies, History, Life Orientation

Labour Law focuses on workplace rights, employment contracts, disputes between employers and employees, and issues such as unfair dismissal. Business Studies offers insights into how organisations function, History provides an understanding of labour movements and the evolution of workers’ rights, and Life Orientation strengthens the grasp of ethics and social values.

Tax Law High Subjects Required

Subjects: Accounting, Mathematics, Business Studies

Tax Law involves assisting individuals and businesses with taxation matters, ensuring that all tax matters are compliant with the law. In this field, Accounting is fundamental as it teaches how to analyse financial records, Mathematics enhances the ability to work with numerical data, and Business Studies provides a broader view of organisational practices and economic principles.

Human Rights Law High Subjects Required

Subjects: History, Life Orientation, English

Human Rights Law is dedicated to advocating for justice, equality, and fairness. It addresses issues such as discrimination, gender equality, and the rights of disadvantaged groups. History explains the origins and evolution of human rights, Life Orientation nurtures an understanding of personal and social ethics, and excellent English skills are important for effective communication and advocacy.

Real Estate and Property Law High Subjects Required

Subjects: Geography, Business Studies, Accounting

In Real Estate and Property Law, lawyers deal with matters such as land sales, property disputes, leasing, and development rights. Geography provides an understanding of spatial relationships and land usage, Business Studies introduces you to the economic aspects of property transactions, and Accounting is essential for managing the financial side of these deals.

Medical and Health Law High Subjects Required

Subjects: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, English

Medical and Health Law covers areas such as patient rights, medical negligence, and healthcare regulations. Life Sciences contributes to a better understanding of human biology, Physical Sciences supports knowledge of scientific research and technical reports, and English remains crucial for writing clear legal documents and arguments.

In summary, as you plan your future during Grade 10, think about what kind of legal career you are most excited about. The core subjects of English, Mathematics (or Maths Literacy), an Additional Language, and History or Business Studies provide a strong foundation. Beyond that, your elective choices can begin to align with the specific legal fields that interest you. It is important to choose subjects that not only meet university entry requirements but also inspire and prepare you for the diverse opportunities in law.