How Good is Unisa Llb

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How Good is Unisa Llb

I am a prosecutor and have studied through Unisa all my teritary ed life! I know (personally) many attorneys and advocates who obtained their LLB degrees through Unisa. They have been employed by many top legal firms not because of the university they attended but because they passed with excellent marks!
I have been responsible for training law graduates in the prosecution of crime in the NPA and can safely and confidently say that a Unisa graduate is usually a knowledgeable, hard working independent thinking individual who knows how to attend to matters without being spoon-fed and supervised 24/7.
Unisa is recognised worldwide as a top university. I am not sure if that is so with the “normal” universities.
I wonder what Unisa would have to say about being “classed” in this way!

Shaida Mahomed was recently admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa. Mahomed obtained her LLB degree from Unisa with 18 distinctions. She served her articles of clerkship at the Unisa Law Clinic.

Before serving her articles, she attended the 2011 Law Society Day School for Legal Practice, where she obtained best performance certificates for Labour Dispute Resolution, Legal Costs, and Forms of Business Enterprise, as well as certificates for outstanding performance in High Court Practice and Commercial Litigation. She was awarded the Best Overall Performer and member of the Best Firm. Mahomed was awarded the best performing student in the Commercial Module.

Mahomed is involved in three student and community outreach programmes at the Law Clinic:

  • Practical Legal Training Programme, assisting with preparation of lectures, presentation of lectures to students, marking of student assignments, and preparation of certificate and year-end functions
  • Moot Court Committee, providing assistance with organising trips to the constitutional court, organising internal moot court competition, and organising and preparing certificate and year-end functions
  • Street Law/community outreach programme, assisting with presentation of workshops to the students in the various regions, preparing presentations, preparing notes for students, and preparations for certificate functions

Mahomed has successfully completed the Unisa assessor’s training course.

According to Hadley Saayman, Head of the Unisa Law Clinic, in addition to completing the necessary academic, vocational and ‘on-the-job’ training, one needs a range of skills in order to become a successful attorney. Citing The University of Law 2013, he said these included:

  • An analytical, enquiring mind–with the ability to draw out key issues from a mass of information
  • Clear verbal, listening and written communication skills to gather information and articulate it to others
  • The aptitude to solve problems in a practical way that helps your client
  • Patience, close attention to detail and strong organisational skills
  • The ability to work under pressure to strict deadlines

It is clear that Shaida Mahomed has all of these attributes, and more.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.