Wits Courses

This article provides all the programmes that WITS University offers including undergraduate programs, graduate programmes, and online and short courses.

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa, offers a wide range of courses across various disciplines.

Wits offers degrees in the Arts, Humanities, Commerce, Law, Health Sciences, and Sciences. The curriculum is cutting-edge and is continuously enhanced to ensure that our students and staff keep up to date with the newest knowledge from around the globe.

Degrees in Commerce and Law

World-class educational programmes that equip future leaders with business, management, and legal skills, while supporting their professional development. Our programmes include the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) with flexible major combinations and more specialised degrees:

  • Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
  • Bachelor of Commerce (General, Economics, Human Resource Management, Finance, Management)
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Information Systems)
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Politics, Philosophy and Economics)
  • Bachelor of Commerce with Law
  • LLB
    • Two-year stream
    • Three-year stream
    • Four-year stream
  • Bachelor of Accounting Science
  • Bachelor of Economic Science

Degrees in Engineering and the Built Environment

Our degrees address South Africa’s social, spatial, and infra-structural needs, and include architecture, urban and regional planning, property studies, and construction studies. We offer degrees in:

  • Engineering, in a range of fields
  • Biomedical Engineering (within Electrical Engineering)
  • Digital Arts (within Electrical  and Information Engineering)
  • Architecture
  • Urban and Regional Planning
  • Property Studies
  • Construction Studies

Degrees in Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences pioneers African and global research that improves and saves lives. 

Degrees are offered in:

  • Bachelor of Health Sciences
    • Biomedical Sciences
    • Biokinetics
    • Health Systems Sciences
  • Clinical Medical Practice
  • Dentistry
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Pharmacy
  • Physiotherapy

You will receive academic and practical training at five major hospitals in Johannesburg, at several clinics and rural hospitals in Gauteng, and at the Donald Gordon Medical Centre, which also assists clinicians with all aspects of their clinical research.

More than 500 students graduate from our faculty every year.

Degrees in the Humanities and Education

Study in the Arts, Social Sciences, Human and Community Development, Education and Literature, and Media.

Choose between vocationally oriented programmes for specific careers, and theory and research-oriented programmes for careers in academia and research institutes, the public and private sectors, and non-governmental organisations.

Three schools in the Faculty of Humanities offer professional (vocational) programmes

  • Wits School of Arts (WSoA): Digital Arts; Theatre and Performance; Film and Television; Fine Arts and Music
  • Wits School of Education (WSoE): Foundation Phase Teaching; Intermediate Phase Teaching; Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching
  • School of Human and Community Development (SHCD): Speech-Language Pathology; Audiology; Social Work

Degrees in Science

The Faculty of Science has a long tradition of excellence in teaching and research. Studying science opens doors to careers in fields such as chemistry, computer science and biotechnology.

There are nine Schools in the Faculty, clustered into four groupings:

  • Mathematical Sciences: Actuarial Sciences; Computational and Applied Mathematics; Computer Science; Mathematics; Mathematics of Finance; Mathematical Sciences
  • Physical Science: Physical Science; Chemistry with Chemical Engineering; Material Science; Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Earth Sciences: Geography and Archaeology; Geospatial Science; Geological Science
  • Biological Sciences: Biodiversity; Ecology and Conservation; Organismal Biology; Applied Bioinformatics; Biochemistry and Cell Biology; Genetics and Development Biology; Microbiology and Biotechnology

In addition, Wits University offers short courses across disciplines, offered through Wits Plus, the Mandela Institute, Wits Business School, Wits School of Governance, and others.

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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.


📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.
  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.


💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).


🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.


🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information


📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.