Wits The National Senior Certificate (NSC) Admission Requirements

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Wits The National Senior Certificate (NSC) Admission Requirements

NSC Admission Requirements

NB: This is a guideline only. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

Commerce, Law and Management 
Programme Minimum Admission Requirements  Selection procedures
APS Subjects & achieved scale
Bachelor of Commerce:
BCom
(3 years)		 39 and above. English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5		 Applicants between 35 – 38 points with English and Maths at level 5, will be waitlisted subject to the number of places available.
Bachelor of Commerc with Law:
BCom (Law) (3 years)		 43 and above. English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5		 Applicants between 35 – 42 points with English and Maths at level 5, will be waitlisted subject to the number of places available.
Bachelor of Economic Science:
BEconSc
(3 years)		 42 and above. English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 6
Programmes requiring Maths
• Maths Major – 6
• Maths Stats, Act Sci – 7		 Applicants between 39 – 41 points with English at level 5 and Maths at level 7, will be waitlisted subject to the number of places available.
Bachelor of Accounting Science
BAccSc
(3 years)		 42 and above. English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5		 Applicants between 39 – 41 points with English and Maths at level 5, will be waitlisted subject to the number of places available. Applicants with 3 points below the minimum APS will be waitlisted subject to the number of places available.

The 4 year LLB programme will not be offered in 2025. Prospective students should apply for the B Com with Law (CB013) or the BA with Law (AB002).

Engineering and the Built Environment
Programme Minimum Admission Requirements  Selection procedures
APS Subjects & achieved scale
Bachelor of Science in Engineering BSc(Eng)
(4 years)		 English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5
Physical Science – 5		 Note: Due to the limited number of places available, admission is not guaranteed. Selection will be based on final NSC and school leaving results.

Generally students who achieve 70% in Maths, Physical Science and English stand a greater chance of being accepted.
• Aeronautical 40
• Chemical 42
• Civil 36
• Electrical 36
• Industrial 40
• Mechanical 40
• Metallurgy 36
• Mining 40
Bachelor of Engineering Science in Digital Arts
(3 years)		 42 and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5
Physical Science – 5		 Applicants are considered on matriculation performance and may be required to complete a questionnaire or attend an interview. It is unlikely that places will be offered to applicants with a Wits APS less than 42.
Bachelor of Engineering Science in Biomedical Engineering
BEngSc (BME)
(3 years)		 42 and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5
Physical Science – 5		 Applicants are considered on matriculation performance and may be required to complete a questionnaire or attend an interview. It is unlikely that places will be offered to applicants with a Wits APS less than 42, or without the NSC Life Sciences subject.
Bachelor of Architectural Studies BAS
(3 years)		 34 and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 4
Mathematics – 4		 Acceptance is dependent on departmental selection procedures. Applicants are required to complete a written and graphic exercise and will be required to attend an interview. Applicants with a Wits APS of 34 and above may be accepted on this basis. Applicants with a Wits APS of between 29 and 33 may be accepted on the basis of the exercise and interview for either the ordinary degree, or an extended curriculum programme. The selection process for the BAS is conducted by a panel of senior academics from the School of Architecture and Planning, monitored by the Assistant Dean. Selection is based predominantly on performance against the selection exercise, interview and academic performance, although demographic balance is taken into consideration where a choice needs to be made between applicants scoring the same range.
Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies
BSc(CS)
(3 years)

Bachelor of Science in Property Studies BSc (Property Studies)
(4 years)

 36 and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5		 Provided that Maths and English pass at NSC Scale of Achievement Level 5.
Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning BSc(URP)
(3 years)		 36 and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5		 Provided that Maths and English pass at NSC Scale of Achievement Level 5.

Health Sciences – View the Wits University Revised Health Sciences Admissions Policy 
Programme Minimum Admission Requirements  Selection procedures
APS Subjects & achieved scale
Bachelor of Health Sciences

Bachelor of Health Sciences BHSc (Biomedical Sciences and Biokinetics)
(3 years)

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MB BCh (6 years)

Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
BSc(Physiotherapy)
(4 years)

Bachelor of Pharmacy BPharm
(4 years)

 The Faculty of Health Sciences does not calculate an APS score. Several criteria are considered for selection (e.g. Academic performance and National Benchmark scores).

There are two points of entry into the MBBCh degree:

  • 1st year MBBCh for applicants currently completing Matric
  • 3rd year MBBCh (i.e. the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) for applicants who have completed a prerequisite degree. Click here for more info.
 English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5
Life Sciences and/or
Physical Science – 5		 If you are applying to the Faculty of Health Sciences, you will not be selected solely on your school leaving results, although they are very important. A composite index is calculated, taking into consideration
(1) your academic results for FIVE subjects and (2) National Benchmark Test scores. Only five subjects are used to derive a matriculation score, which is calculated according to the percentages obtained, NOT symbols. These are English, Mathematics, Physical Science/ Life Sciences and
the best two other subjects.
(Dentistry requires Physical Science and Life Sciences and the best other subject).

ALL applicants (excluding applicants who are applying to the Graduate Entry Medical Programme – GEMP only) are required to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT).

GEMP applicants may be invited to the Wits Additional Placement Test (WAPT) and all applicants are advised to prepare in the event that they are invited. For more information on the WAPT please refer to:
www.wits.ac.za/health/gemp

• ALL GEMP applicants who are invited to the WAPT will be expected to complete a Biographical Questionnaire on the day of the test.
• ALL applicants to BSc in Occupational Therapy (OT) must spend time with an Occupational Therapist and complete a 2025 Occupational Therapy Certificate of Attendance.
Bachelor of Dental Science
BDS (5 years)		 English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5
Life Sciences and 
Physical Science – 5
Bachelor of Nursing BNurs
(4 years)

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy- BSc(OT) (4 years)

 English HL or 1st Add Lang – 4
Mathematics – 4
Life Sciences and/or
Physical Science – 4
Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP) (3 years)

Bachelor of Oral Health Sciences (BOHS) (3 years)

 English HL or 1st Add Lang – 4
Mathematics – 4 or
Mathematical Literacy – 7
Life Sciences and/or
Physical Science – 4

 

Humanities
Programme Minimum Admission Requirements  Selection procedures
APS Subjects & achieved scale
Bachelor of Arts
BA (3 years)		 34 and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Applicants with 30 – 33 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places and preference will be given to applicants with the best English results.
Bachelor of Arts with Law (3 years) 43 points and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 3
or Mathematical Literacy – 4		 Law Courses – Applicants who wish to take law courses in their first year of study must meet the admission requirements for law.
Professional and specialist degrees
(all 4 years):

• B Social Work
• BA (Digital Arts)
• Bachelor of Arts (Dramatic Art)
• BA (Film & Television)
• Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts)
• Bachelor of Music (BMus)
• BA (Performing & Visual Arts)

 34 and above & meeting departmental
selection procedures		 English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 For professional and specialist programmes:
• B Social Work – Written assignment
• BA (Digital Arts) – Interview, written assignment AND/OR submission of portfolio
• BA (Dramatic Art) – Interview, written assignment AND/OR audition
• BA (Film & Television) – Interview AND/OR submission of portfolio
• BA (Fine Arts) – Interview OR submission of portfolio
• BMus – Interview AND audition
• BA (Performing & Visual Arts) – Interview, written assignment AND/OR audition
Applicants with 30 – 33 points may be waitlisted subject to the availability of places.
Bachelor of Arts in
Speech and Hearing Therapy
(BA (SP&H Therapy)) (4 years)		 34 and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 4		 Departmental selection procedure

Applicants with 30 – 33 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places. All applicants are required to write the NBT test.
Bachelor of Education
BEd (4 years)
• BEd (Foundation Phase Teaching)
• BEd (Senior Primary Teaching)
• BEd (Secondary Teaching)		 34 and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Applicants between 30 – 33 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places

Science
Programme Minimum Admission Requirements  Selection procedures
APS Subjects & achieved scale
Bachelor of Science in the field of:
• Applied Computing
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Chemistry with Chemical
Engineering
• Nuclear Sciences & Engineering		 43 points and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 6
Physical Science – 6		 Applicants between 40 – 42 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places
• Physical Sciences 40 points and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 6
Physical Science – 6		 Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places.
• Computer Science 40 points and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 6		 Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlistedSubject to the availability of places.
• Biological Sciences
• Geographical and Archaeological
Sciences
• Geological Sciences		 40 points and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5		 Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places.
• Actuarial Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences		 40 points and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 7
Mathematics – 7
Physical Science – 7		 Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places.
• Mathematics of Finance 42 points and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 6
Mathematics – 6
Physical Science – 6		 Applicants between 40 – 41 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places.
Bachelor of Science (General)
BSc (3 years)		 40 points and above English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5		 Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places.

– See more at: https://www.wits.ac.za/undergraduate/entry-requirements/admission-requirements-nsc/#sthash.k2R7H8DX.dpuf

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.