On Thursday 12 May 2022, Akademia announced the news that LLB would also be presented via the full-time contact model at the Centurion campus from 2023. Since 2020, the institution has been presenting an after-hours LLB programme through way of telematic support to students. Currently, this popular programme boasts 440 students across various academic years; it will deliver its first graduates at the end of 2023.

After the institution had been presenting BCom (Economics and Law) through the full-time contact model, it was a natural next step for LLB to follow suit. Seeing that it is in its third year of operating under the after-hour education model, which is already well established, the time has also come for the LLB programme. The objective of the institution realise the presentation of a complete campus offer across all faculties and fields of study in the future.

Sarita Gerber, programme coordinator of LLB at Akademia, mentioned that there was a big demand in the market to study the programme via full-time contact. ‘Now that the accreditation from the Council for Higher Education and registration at the South African Qualifications Authority has been completed successfully, we can finally meet this need.’

Although the after-hour distance LLB programme created space for students to work while studying, Gerber shared that studying the qualification through the full-time contact model also holds several benefits. It includes, among other things, the fact that students are in direct contact with each other and that their lecturers are on campus; thus, it is easier to discuss the content in person. ‘Students can also more easily participate in the exciting student life and truly experience a complete student life first hand,” she said. Another advantage is the ease of group work, and the full-time qualification also creates more space for personal academic support.

‘Akademia’s LLB programme, whether studying via the full-time contact model or after-hour education model, is truly exceptional because it offers theoretical training accompanied by a practice-oriented approach,’ mentioned Gerber. ‘We look forward to delivering our first graduates, who are independent, value-driven, and who will have fundamental legal skills.’  

She went on to say that the department’s staff is a truly diverse and dynamic team that consists of various subject specialists. Additionally, Academics for the programme are, in the majority, not just lecturers but also legal practitioners. This means that they are able to share valuable insights with students to prepare them excellently for the workplace.

Prof. Hermie Coetzee, department head of Law at Akademia, mentioned that the law programme stands out in particular because of the department’s partnership with Solidarity’s Legal Network. ‘Our partnership with this legal network creates the opportunity for valuable internships and mentorships; in this way students are ensured the necessary practical experience.’

Gerber’s advice to students considering the LLB qualification as their field of study at Akademia is to make sure that they cherish a genuine passion for legal practice. ‘It is a big decision to enter the legal world, but if it is your calling, this vocation will surpass your greatest expectation,’ she concluded.