University admission requirements in South Africa depend on the university, qualification and programme you want to study. Applicants may need to meet requirements for their school-leaving qualification, subjects, minimum marks, APS or another admission score, National Benchmark Tests (NBTs), and additional programme-specific selection requirements.
This guide explains the main university admission requirements in South Africa and what prospective students should check before applying for undergraduate study.
UNIVERSITY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: CONTENTS
- WHAT ARE UNIVERSITY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS?
- WHAT SCHOOL-LEAVING QUALIFICATION DO I NEED FOR UNIVERSITY?
- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEGREE, DIPLOMA AND HIGHER CERTIFICATE ADMISSION?
- WHAT SUBJECTS DO I NEED FOR UNIVERSITY?
- WHAT MARKS DO I NEED TO GET INTO UNIVERSITY?
- WHAT IS AN APS SCORE?
- DO I NEED TO WRITE THE NBT?
- DO DIFFERENT DEGREES HAVE DIFFERENT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS?
- DOES MEETING THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS GUARANTEE ADMISSION?
- CAN I APPLY TO UNIVERSITY WITH MY GRADE 11 RESULTS?
- WHAT SHOULD I CHECK BEFORE APPLYING?
WHAT ARE UNIVERSITY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS?
University admission requirements are the academic and other conditions an applicant must meet to be considered for a particular qualification. These requirements can differ between universities and between programmes at the same university.
For undergraduate applicants, requirements can include a recognised school-leaving qualification, the appropriate admission level, specific Grade 12 subjects, minimum achievement levels, an APS or other admission score, National Benchmark Tests and additional programme-specific selection criteria.
There is therefore no single set of requirements that guarantees admission to every university course in South Africa. The National Benchmark Test Project advises applicants that every university has its own policies and admission requirements.
WHAT SCHOOL-LEAVING QUALIFICATION DO I NEED FOR UNIVERSITY?
For South African school-leavers, the National Senior Certificate (NSC) is one of the main school-leaving qualifications used for admission to higher education.
The minimum national requirements depend on the type of higher education qualification. For bachelor’s degree study, the minimum NSC admission requirement includes at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution and an achievement rating of 4 (50–59%) or better in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects.
These are minimum higher-education admission requirements. Universities and individual programmes can require higher marks, particular subjects or additional selection criteria.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEGREE, DIPLOMA AND HIGHER CERTIFICATE ADMISSION?
The minimum admission requirements differ according to the type of undergraduate qualification.
| Qualification | Minimum NSC admission requirement |
|---|---|
| Higher Certificate | At least 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the institution, subject to institutional and programme requirements. |
| Diploma | At least 30% in the language of learning and teaching, plus an achievement rating of 3 (40–49%) or better in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects. |
| Bachelor’s Degree | At least 30% in the language of learning and teaching, plus an achievement rating of 4 (50–59%) or better in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects. |
These are the minimum national requirements for the relevant qualification levels. Institutions can impose additional requirements based on their programmes and institutional needs.
WHAT SUBJECTS DO I NEED FOR UNIVERSITY?
The subjects you need depend on the qualification you want to study. Some university programmes require particular Grade 12 subjects because those subjects provide the academic foundation for the qualification.
For example, a programme may require Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy, while another programme may require Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, a specific language or another subject.
This is particularly important when choosing subjects in Grades 10 to 12. The subjects you take can affect which university programmes you are eligible to apply for.
Applicants should therefore check the subject requirements for the specific qualification rather than relying only on the general admission requirements of the university.
WHAT MARKS DO I NEED TO GET INTO UNIVERSITY?
There is no single minimum percentage that applies to every university course in South Africa.
The marks required depend on the university, qualification and programme. A programme can require a particular minimum mark in one or more subjects in addition to the general admission requirements.
For example, the University of Pretoria publishes programme-specific admission requirements that can include minimum achievement levels for English and Mathematics as well as an APS requirement. Its programme information also states that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
This means that a student should not ask only, “What percentage do I need for university?” The more useful question is, “What marks and subjects do I need for the qualification I want to study?”
WHAT IS AN APS SCORE?
An Admission Points Score (APS) is a scoring system used by some South African universities to assess applicants’ academic results as part of the admission process.
APS systems are not identical across all universities. Universities can use different methods for calculating admission scores, including differences in the subjects included and whether Life Orientation contributes to the score.
For example, the University of Pretoria calculates its APS using six recognised 20-credit subjects and excludes Life Orientation. Its programme requirements then specify the APS and subject requirements applicable to the qualification.
UCT also has its own admission scoring approach. Its published admission information states that applicants for bachelor’s degree study must meet the minimum NSC requirements and then satisfy the subject and points requirements for their chosen programme.
For a detailed explanation of APS and admission-score requirements at South African universities, see our APS Score Requirements by University guide.
DO I NEED TO WRITE THE NBT?
The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) are used by some South African universities and programmes in addition to school-leaving results.
The NBT Project explains that the tests measure academic readiness for university. Each university and faculty determines which tests an applicant must write and the deadline for receiving the results.
The NBT system includes the Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) test and the Mathematics (MAT) test. The tests do not replace the NSC; they provide additional information about an applicant’s readiness for university study.
Whether you need to write an NBT therefore depends on the university, faculty and programme to which you are applying.
Read our National Benchmark Tests guide for more information.
DO DIFFERENT DEGREES HAVE DIFFERENT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS?
Yes. Admission requirements can differ substantially between programmes, even within the same university.
A Bachelor of Commerce, engineering degree, law degree and health sciences qualification can have different subject, mark, APS and selection requirements.
For example, the University of Pretoria publishes different combinations of subject and APS requirements for individual undergraduate programmes. One programme may require Mathematics and a particular APS, while another may have different subject requirements.
This is why applicants should always check the admission requirements for the exact qualification they want to study.
DOES MEETING THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS GUARANTEE ADMISSION?
No. Meeting the published minimum requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission to a programme.
Universities can apply additional selection criteria and may have a limited number of places available for a qualification. A student can therefore meet the published minimum requirements without receiving an offer of admission.
The University of Pretoria explicitly states that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to a programme.
Applicants should therefore treat the published minimum as an eligibility threshold rather than an assurance that they will be admitted.
CAN I APPLY TO UNIVERSITY WITH MY GRADE 11 RESULTS?
Grade 11 results can be used by some universities when current Grade 12 learners apply before their final NSC results are available.
For example, the University of Pretoria states that applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply using their final Grade 11 or equivalent results, while applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent results.
This does not mean that Grade 11 results are the final admission result. Universities can require applicants to achieve the necessary final Grade 12 results before admission is confirmed.
WHAT SHOULD I CHECK BEFORE APPLYING?
Before submitting a university application, check all the requirements that apply to your chosen qualification.
- School-leaving qualification: Confirm that you have the qualification required for the type of study you want to enter.
- Admission level: Check whether the programme requires higher certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree admission.
- Subjects: Confirm that you took all the required Grade 12 subjects.
- Minimum marks: Check the required achievement level or percentage for each subject.
- APS or admission score: Determine whether the university uses an APS or another admission scoring system.
- NBT: Check whether your university, faculty or programme requires National Benchmark Tests.
- Programme selection: Look for interviews, portfolios, tests or other selection requirements where applicable.
- Application date: Check the closing date for the university and your chosen programme.
- Documents: Confirm which supporting documents must be submitted with your application.
- Official requirements: Always check the latest university prospectus or official admission information before applying.
UNIVERSITY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ARE PROGRAMME-SPECIFIC
The most important point to remember is that university admission requirements are not the same for every student or every qualification.
The national minimum requirements provide the starting point, but universities and programmes can add their own subject, mark, APS, NBT and selection requirements.
For this reason, use this guide to understand the admission process, then check the requirements published by the university for the exact qualification you want to study.
RELATED UNIVERSITY GUIDES
- Universities in South Africa
- APS Score Requirements by University
- How to Calculate Your APS Score
- National Benchmark Tests (NBT)
- University Application Dates
- How to Apply to University in South Africa
— END —
This university information was last updated in September 2026.
If you found this information useful, share this page with a student who may be preparing to apply to university in South Africa.