Advocate
Specialise in arguing cases in court, usually briefed by attorneys and working from chambers.
What the job involves
- Argue cases in the High Court and other forums.
- Draft pleadings, opinions and heads of argument.
- Work independently from chambers, briefed by attorneys.
School subjects you need
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy accepted. Confirm the exact requirement with the institution you apply to.
- English
- History
- Dramatic Arts (public speaking)
- A second language
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 30–36 for LLB
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- English: 60%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- LLB, then pupillage4 years + 1 year pupillage
Pupillage is largely unpaid, followed by the bar examination and admission as an advocate.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- Little or no income during pupillage
- Mid-career
- R50 000 – R120 000 per month once briefs are established
- Senior
- R200 000+ per month (senior counsel varies greatly)
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Umeli ogxile ekumeleni amacala enkantolo. Kudinga i-LLB ne-pupillage.
Afrikaans: Spesialiseer in hofpleitwerk. 'n LLB en pupilskap is nodig.