Why study Law at Emeris

Legal education combines theoretical knowledge with practical and professional skills development. You will spend a lot of time analysing and researching cases. We use real-world examples to demonstrate how the theory of law is applied. By working with real cases, you will gain insight into how law applies to real life. 

The IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Law, the IIE Bachelor of Laws (LLB), the IIE Bachelor of Arts in Law degrees and the IIE Higher Certificate in Legal Studies are available at Emeris. All of these qualifications will provide you with a strong grounding in the nature, structure and function of the law and prepare you for a wide range of legal careers.

Studying to become a lawyer means you will graduate equipped with the skills for a range of professional paths. These skills include research, critical analysis, the synthesis of complex ideas, and effective written and oral communication. 

These transferable skills are valued across a range of professional sectors. In addition, Law is one of the world’s oldest academic and professional disciplines. 

Law Careers to Pursue

The legal profession offers a variety of exciting career paths. Depending on your interests, you may choose to pursue litigation, corporate law, public law, policy work or alternative legal careers.

If you pursue litigation, potential areas of specialisation include:

• Criminal law
• Employment law
• Family law

If you prefer corporate law, specialisation options include:

• Mergers and acquisitions
• Corporate governance
• Tax law
• Property and real estate law

Beyond traditional legal careers, many law graduates go on to become politicians, managers, consultants, lobbyists, lecturers or journalists.

IIE Higher Certificate in Legal Studies

The IIE Higher Certificate in Legal Studies, NQF Level 5, one-year qualification available at Emeris, provides you with a broad range of foundational legal skills, including communication, key aspects of South African law and legal office management. In addition to developing core legal knowledge, this qualification will also enhance your independent research abilities and support the development of essential skills and competencies required to succeed in the legal work environment.

IIE Bachelor of Arts in Law

The IIE Bachelor of Arts in Law, NQF Level 7, three-year qualification available at Emeris, opens the door to a wide range of specialised career opportunities in areas such as media, journalism, criminology and communication sciences. This qualification also creates a pathway to further postgraduate study, including the IIE Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. Alongside developing both theoretical understanding and practical insight into law, language, communication science, criminology and the media, the degree strengthens the core skills and competencies needed for diverse career options, advanced study and continued professional growth.

IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Law

The IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Law, NQF Level 7, three-year qualification available at Emeris will equip you with foundational and specialised legal knowledge, whilst the commerce subjects will allow you to develop a specialisation in tax, accounting or governance and compliance. This qualification will also develop general skills and competencies in numeracy, literacy and articulation.

IIE Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

The IIE Bachelor of Laws, NQF Level 8 qualification available at Emeris is aligned with contemporary legal and societal needs, with well-defined priorities to guarantee relevance while addressing the needs of society. There is a growing need for multi-dimensional graduates with the ability to participate in an increasingly complex and dynamic local and global economy.

The qualification can be completed as a four year IIE Bachelor of Laws or alternatively as a second IIE Bachelor’s degree after a first IIE Bachelor’s degree with sufficient law related credits (i.e. IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Law) and it aims to produce competent, skilled and dynamic legal graduates, equipped with a firm knowledge and understanding of the relevant legal principles.

The qualification provides a critical understanding of theories, concepts, principles, ethics, perspectives, methodologies and procedures of the discipline of law. IIE law graduates are encouraged to contribute meaningfully to society through ethical and socially responsive legal practice.

Once you have graduated with the IIE Bachelor of Laws and want to be eligible to practice as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court in South Africa, you will need to be a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa.

This qualification may also provide access to further postgraduate study, including the IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance and a Masters degree, such as the IIE Master of Laws in Integrative Dispute Resolution and Advanced Litigation Techniques and IIE Masters of Business Administration. All these qualifications are available at Emeris.

What are My Career Outcomes?

Successful completion of these qualifications will allow for career opportunities in the following areas:

• Attorney of the High Court and Advocate of the High Court, including criminal law, commercial law, constitutional law, human rights, children’s rights, international trade and more
• Judge, magistrate, public prosecutor, legal aid and law clerk in the Constitutional Court
• Legal advisor or counsel in corporate commercial entities, municipalities and government departments
• Competition authorities and regulatory bodies
• Company secretary in financial institutions such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa and African Development Bank, FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank, ABSA and Capitec
• Human rights organisations such as Lawyers for Human Rights