Vision

Towards the leading College of Law and Justice in Africa.

Mission

The College of Law provides comprehensive open distance learning in a socially responsible and distinctive manner that produces excellent scholarship and research, provides quality tuition and fosters active community engagement.

We are guided by the principles of lifelong learning, student-centredness, innovation and stakeholder engagement within the African and global arena.

Join a College Committed to Advancing Justice through Accessible and Transformative Legal Education 

The College of Law at UNISA is Africa’s largest and most accessible provider of legal and criminal justice education, with more than 75,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Studying at the College offers students the opportunity to learn within a diverse academic community led by experts in law and criminal justice. In addition, students become part of a distinguished alumni network that contributes to law reform, the strengthening of justice systems, and broader societal transformation. Through innovative Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL), rigorous academic standards, and a strong commitment to legal empowerment and transformation, the College produces graduates who are critical thinkers, ethical leaders, and champions of social justice.

Schools and Departments

The College is housed in the Cas van Vuuren Building on UNISA’s Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria. It comprises two schools, namely the School of Law and the School of Criminal Justice. The College further consists of eight academic departments, five within the School of Law and three within the School of Criminal Justice.

The College also hosts the UNISA Law Clinic, with its main office in Sunnyside, Pretoria, and additional branches in Parow (Western Cape), Middelburg (Mpumalanga), and Polokwane (Limpopo). The Law Clinic provides practical legal training for law students and offers free legal services and legal advice to indigent communities.

Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance 

All qualifications and academic programmes offered by the College of Law are: 

• Accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) 

• Registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) 

• Aligned with professional requirements, including those of the Legal Practice Council (LPC) 

This ensures that graduates meet the academic requirements for admission and registration into: 

• The legal profession 
• Criminal justice and related professional careers 

Inclusive and Accessible Legal and Criminal Justice Education 

In line with UNISA’s teaching and learning model, the College delivers law and criminal justice programmes through Comprehensive Open Distance and e‑Learning (CODeL) that offers: 

• Purpose‑designed, high‑quality study materials 

• Interactive online learning platforms  

• Blended academic student support systems, and 

• Inclusive strategies for students  

This model enables students to study from anywhere in South Africa, across the African continent, and globally, while maintaining academic rigour and professional relevance. 

Curriculum Development and Transformation 

The College of Law develops and reviews curricula that are: 

• Responsive to South Africa’s socio-economic landscape 

• Grounded in human rights, social justice, and transformation  

• Integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)  

• Designed for accessibility, flexibility, and inclusivity within a CODeL context 

• Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (17 SDGs)

Inclusive and Learner-focused Approaches 

The College promotes student-centred approaches suited to ODeL. These include: 

• Guided independent learning 

• Interactive digital learning tools 

• Simulated legal and criminal justice processes 

• Virtual moot courts 

• Student debates and indabas, and 

• Street law and community‑based legal education projects 

These approaches promote critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and practical professional competencies. 

Continuous Programme Review and Improvement 

All formal qualifications and Short Learning Programmes (SLPs) undergo regular review to: 

• Monitor student success, retention, and throughput 

• Ensure alignment with national standards, and 

• Respond to evolving professional, societal, and sectoral needs 

Research, Innovation and Scholarship 

The College is actively engaged in innovative and impactful research in law and criminal justice that: 

• Contributes to policy development and legal reform 

• Supports crime prevention and strengthening of the justice system, and  

• Advances socio‑economic transformation  

Research activities align with UNISA’s Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) and promote African scholarship that responds to local and global challenges. 

Partnerships and Collaborations 

The College has established collaborations with key stakeholders to ensure programme relevance and professional alignment, including: 

• The judiciary 

• Legal practitioners  

• Government departments and institutions such as:  

• South African Police Service (SAPS) 

• Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) 

• Department of Correctional Services (DCS) 

• Civil Society Organisations 

Governance and Quality Assurance 

The College of Law operates within UNISA’s institutional governance framework, ensuring: 

• Accountability 

• Academic integrity 

• Compliance with regulatory standards 
• Continuous quality enhancement