Nicola van Tellingen holds a Bachelor of Social Science with distinction in Law and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Laws (magna cum laude) from the University of Cape Town, earning awards including the Ephraim Kluk Award and Sir Franklin Berman Memorial Prize. She is also an Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellow.

In 2026, she will complete a Master of Laws: Thesis in Private Law at Stellenbosch University, examining how constitutional rights and values apply to the common law of unjustified enrichment. Her research focuses on the evolving relationship between the Constitution and Roman-Dutch private law. Nicola has also tutored courses in Private Law, including Succession and Property Law.

Passionate about electoral reform, she has contributed to parliamentary submissions on the Electoral Amendment Act and supported independent and quasi-independent candidates during the 2022 Local Government and 2024 National Elections.

Beyond law, Nicola is a Mango Groove fan, collects Jane Eyre editions, and dreams of becoming an astronomer if not a lawyer.