The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa, has specific admission requirements for prospective students.
Minimum Admission Requirements (Bachelor’s Degree Pass)
NB: Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first-year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results, and other entry requirements where applicable.
Applicants require the following to be considered for entry into any of the five faculties:
- National Senior Certificate (NSC), or Independent Examinations Board (IEB), or South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI) subjects, and
- Certain levels of achievement as well as a Bachelor’s degree pass.
- Completion of any other additional Faculty or School requirements where applicable.
Note that only one Matric upgrade/rewrite attempt is considered. Applicants upgrading/rewriting Matric subjects for a second time will be unsuccessful.
Wits tabulates the points score for all subjects on the following basis:
- English must be taken either as a Home Language or First Additional Language
- Mathematics is a core and compulsory subject for all numerate programmes in Commerce, Law and Management, Engineering and the Built Environment, Science, and most of the programmes in the Health Sciences Faculty
- Mathematical Literacy will be considered for LLB, Education, and Humanities (except for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology)
- Wits do not distinguish between designated vs. non - designated subjects when calculating the admission points score (APS)
- The APS calculation is based on the best seven subjects including Life Orientation (faculty-specific subjects must be included in the calculation)
- Further Studies (previously AP) subjects are also included in the APS calculation.
Wits Admission Points Score (APS)
| Wits APS | Wits APS% | Wits APS for English and Mathematics | Wits APS for Life Orientation | Other subjects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 90-100 | 8+2=10 | 4 | 8 |
| 7 | 80-89 | 7+2=9 | 3 | 7 |
| 6 | 70-79 | 6+2=8 | 2 | 6 |
| 5 | 60-69 | 5+2=7 | 1 | 5 |
| 4 | 50-59 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | 40-49 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 0 | 30-39 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0-29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
National Senior Certificate (NSC) Admission Points Score (APS)
| NSC Scale of Achievement | NSC % |
|---|---|
| 7 | 80 – 99 |
| 6 | 70 – 79 |
| 5 | 60 – 69 |
| 4 | 50 – 59 |
| 3 | 40 – 49 |
| 2 | 30 – 39 |
| 1 | 0 – 29 |
Applicants upgrading/rewriting Matric subjects for a second time will be unsuccessful. Also, compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the university. The University has a specific number of places for first-year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results, and other entry requirements where applicable.
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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