Africa is home to some of the most dynamic and respected law schools, playing a central role in shaping legal minds and influencing justice systems across the continent. This article highlights the top 10 best universities in Africa for studying law, based on a thorough evaluation of academic quality, research output, legal tradition, global and African rankings, affordability, facilities, and international support.

The rankings include both English- and French-speaking institutions and consider whether the university follows a common law or civil law tradition, or incorporates elements of both. Each selected university offers comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate programs (such as LLB, LLM, and PhD), and provides solid foundations for students looking to pursue careers in legal practice, academia, or policy-making. Tuition fees for 2025 are included in both U.S. dollars and local currency, offering insight into cost alongside quality.

Whether you’re an aspiring legal scholar, international applicant, or a regional student seeking top-tier legal education, this list provides an informed guide to Africa’s leading law schools.

Top 10 Best Universities in Africa for Law:

  1. University of Cape Town
  2. University of the Witwatersrand
  3. Stellenbosch University
  4. University of Pretoria
  5. University of KwaZulu-Natal
  6. University of Ghana
  7. University of Ibadan
  8. Makerere University
  9. Cairo University
  10. Cheikh Anta Diop University

1. University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Faculty of Law was established in 1859 and is the oldest law school in South Africa. It is located in Rondebosch, Cape Town, and enrols about 1,200 students.

UCT Law offers undergraduate and graduate law programs: an LLB (both as a first and second degree) and postgraduate degrees (LLM, MPhil, PhD) through its School of Advanced Legal Studies. The school follows the South African common-law tradition (based on Roman-Dutch law) and teaches in English.

UCT Law is consistently ranked #1 in Africa and around #150–200 globally, reflecting its strong research output. It is known for an emphasis on human rights and constitutional law, underpinning its leadership in African legal education.

Tuition for first-year law students is about R76,240–R76,810 (≈$4,300) in 2025.

2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

The Wits Law School (Oliver Schreiner School of Law) in Johannesburg traces its roots to 1922, when it began as a certificate program.

Today, it offers a range of law degrees: undergraduate programs (LLB, BA Law, BCom Law) and postgraduate degrees (specialised LLMs, MPhil, PhD). Instruction is in English under South Africa’s common-law system.

Wits Law is ranked about #2 in Africa and around #264 globally. Its high standing is due to internationally recognised scholarship and notable alumni (such as Nelson Mandela and Thuli Madonsela). Wits Law’s faculty are active researchers tackling global legal issues.

First-year LLB tuition is roughly R43,970–R76,820 (≈$2,600–$4,300).

3. Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University (SU) Faculty of Law, founded in 1921, is in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

It offers a four-year LLB and postgraduate programs: LLM by research (first awarded 1976) and LLM by coursework (introduced 1994), plus PhDs and various diplomas. Courses are offered mainly in Afrikaans (with many in English), reflecting South African common law.

SU Law is ranked 3rd in South Africa and among the top 300 globally in QS law rankings. This reflects its strong research culture: the faculty includes 14 nationally rated researchers and four research chairs (in human rights, IP, social justice, property law). It also operates a legal aid clinic.

First-year LLB fees are about R58,633 (≈$3,300) for 2025.

4. University of Pretoria

The University of Pretoria Faculty of Law, established in 1908, is based on the Hatfield Campus in Pretoria, Gauteng.

It consists of multiple departments and centres, and its degrees include the undergraduate LLB and graduate LLM/MPhil and LLD/PhD. Instruction is primarily English (Afrikaans is also available), under a common-law system.

UP Law is ranked #1 in Africa (in both THE and QS subject rankings) and about 78th globally (THE). It has led Africa in law rankings for several years, reflecting very high research output and impact.

First-year LLB tuition is roughly R52,000–R65,000 (≈$3,000–$4,000).

5. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

The UKZN School of Law, formed in 2004 by merging former Natal institutions, teaches on both the Durban (Howard College) and Pietermaritzburg campuses.

It offers a full-time (and part-time) LLB and postgraduate programs (LLM, PhD). All instruction is in English, under South African common law. UKZN Law is typically ranked about 5th in South Africa and around #293 globally. The curriculum emphasises social justice and African legal issues.

First-year LLB fees for 2025 are about R52,723 (≈$2,960).

6. University of Ghana

The University of Ghana (Legon) Law School was founded in 1948. Located in Accra, it offers an undergraduate LLB and graduate law degrees (LLM, PhD).

Instruction is in English under Ghana’s common-law system. It is the top law faculty in Ghana (ranked #1 nationally and #598 globally). The school is known for training Ghana’s legal professionals.

Tuition is relatively low, on the order of ~GHS 3,000 per year (roughly $250) for local students.

7. University of Ibadan

The University of Ibadan (UI) in Nigeria, established in 1948, hosts the country’s premier law school. It offers an LLB along with postgraduate LLM and PhD degrees, all taught in English following Nigeria’s common law tradition.

UI is Nigeria’s #1 law school (and ranked #624 globally), reflecting its prestige. It is the oldest university in Nigeria and has produced many distinguished jurists.

Undergraduate tuition is very low: about ₦34,300–₦36,800 per year (≈$30) (covering tuition, exams, etc.).

8. Makerere University

Makerere University (Kampala) has a law faculty founded in 1922. It offers a three-year LLB and graduate law degrees, with instruction in English under Uganda’s common-law system.

Makerere Law is ranked #1 in Uganda and around #708 worldwide. It is the country’s leading law school.

Fees for Ugandan and East African students are modest – roughly UGX 532,000 per year (≈$150) in 2025, while international students pay about UGX 1,600,000 (≈$450).

9. Cairo University

Cairo University (Giza, Egypt) Faculty of Law, established in 1908, is Egypt’s oldest law school. It offers an Arabic-language LLB and graduate law programs (LLM, PhD) following Egypt’s civil law system.

Cairo Law is Egypt’s top-ranked law faculty (#1 nationally, #769 globally). The program is selective and prestigious.

Tuition is low by international standards – around $1,100 per year (≈EGP 30,000) for both domestic and international students.

10. Cheikh Anta Diop University

Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar, Senegal (est. 1957), houses Senegal’s main law faculty.

It offers French-language law degrees (Licence, Master, Doctorat) under the civil law tradition inherited from France.

UCAD is the leading law school in Senegal (and ranked about #27 in Africa). It has a large, diverse student body and engages in broad legal research.

Tuition is very affordable (on the order of ~CFA 100,000 per year, roughly $180).

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