The five best law schools in Africa

If you’re one of those people who finds themselves debating everything from politics to potholes, a law degree seems inevitable to you. But if you’re serious about studying law in Africa, you’ll want a school that shapes thinkers, not just lawyers.

Here are five best law schools leading the continent, and what it’ll actually cost you to study there.

1. University of Cape Town (South Africa)

UCT’s Faculty of Law sits proudly among the world’s top 200. It’s famous for constitutional law and human rights programmes. Alumni include judges, activists, and top advocates across Africa.

• Tuition: R65 000 – R80 000 per year for LLB students.
• Living costs (dorm): about R4 000 a month including meals.
• Living costs (off-campus): R7 000 – R10 000 a month in Cape Town.
• Flight from Johannesburg: around R1 800 return.

Students praise UCT’s small seminar groups and access to legal clinics that offer real-world training.

2. University of Pretoria (South Africa)

Known for its Centre for Human Rights, Pretoria’s Faculty of Law is internationally respected. Many students go on to join global organisations or the judiciary.

• Tuition: roughly R60 000 – R75 000 a year.
• Living costs (dorm): R3 500 – R5 000 monthly.
• Living costs (off-campus): R6 000 – R9 000.
• Flight from Cape Town: R2 000 return.

The campus is safe, the city affordable, and the faculty ranked second in Africa by QS Rankings 2024.

3. University of Nairobi (Kenya)

If you want an East African perspective, Nairobi is a solid choice. The university is known for strong commercial and international law programmes, and students often clerk in regional courts.

• Tuition: about R55 000 – R85 000 a year for international students.
• Living costs (dorm): R2 500 monthly.
• Living costs (off-campus): R6 000 – R8 000.
• Flight from Johannesburg: R6 500 return.

Reviews on StudyPortal highlight the university’s vibrant debates and exposure to Kenya’s fast-growing legal sector.

4. University of Ghana (Legon, Accra)

The University of Ghana School of Law is West Africa’s powerhouse. It’s known for its research in constitutional and energy law.

• Tuition: around R70 000 – R100 000 per year.
• Living costs (dorm): R3 000 – R4 000 monthly.
• Living costs (off-campus): R6 000 – R8 000.
• Flight from Johannesburg: R8 000 – R11 000 return.

Accra’s cost of living is moderate, and the city’s legal scene is expanding quickly.

5. Cairo University (Egypt)

Cairo University’s Faculty of Law has produced top legal minds across North Africa. It blends civil and Islamic law, giving students a deep understanding of legal pluralism.

• Tuition: about R50 000 – R80 000 per year.
• Living costs (dorm): R2 000 – R3 500 monthly.
• Living costs (off-campus): R5 000 – R7 000.
• Flight from Johannesburg: R9 000 – R12 000 return.

The experience is both historic and modern; imagine studying law within sight of the Nile.

Why studying law in Africa makes sense

Africa’s top law schools don’t just teach theory; they prepare you to understand and shape justice across borders.

With lower tuition than Europe or the U.S. and rich, diverse legal systems, these institutions prove that world-class education doesn’t always mean studying abroad.

So, if your dream is to argue for change, start by choosing one of these law schools. We’re depending on you to be Africa’s next great lawyer.