What Qualifications Do I Need To Get A Place On A Course At A South African University?

Entry Requirements

Universities in South Africa are autonomous and can set their own entry requirements. You’ll have to achieve certain exam grades and you may need qualifications in particular subjects to ensure you have the right skills and knowledge to successfully complete the chosen course. Universities list the entry requirements for each of their courses on their websites alongside other requirements, such as an admissions test or an interview. Check the entry requirements for each of your selected courses carefully since these vary from university to university, even for the same course of study.

Applying with Cambridge International AS and/or A Levels

You need to make sure that your choice of Cambridge International AS & A Level subjects meets the minimum requirements for the certificate of exemption and the entry requirements for your intended degree course. This is especially important if you have a specific career path in mind such as Medicine, Engineering or Law. A number of courses have subject-specific requirements, so bear this in mind when selecting your university course. Check the entry requirements carefully for your chosen course before submitting your application.

Do I Need To Sit An Admissions Test?

You may need to take the National Benchmark Tests (NBT). The NBTs measure your academic readiness for university. The NBTs are used by many universities in South Africa to help them interpret school-leaving results. Some institutions use the NBTs for admission and others use them to determine whether you will need extra academic support during your studies. You need to ask the institution you are applying to whether you are required to take the tests. Go to www.nbt.ac.za for further information.

Study Visa

To apply for a student visa, you must be provisionally accepted to study at an educational institution in South Africa. You should carefully check student visa information on the Department of Home Affairs website www.home-affairs.gov.za and the institutions’ websites for the English language requirements.

Do I Need To Calculate My Admissions Point Score (APS)?

Some universities use a point score as a basis for admission to a programme. Applicants may be required to meet the stated APS of the specific faculty or programme. Meeting the minimum APS for a particular programme does not guarantee admission. The APS is most often calculated using six subjects but this varies from university to university. The APS conversion table below is an example of how subjects at Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS & A Level are rated. This varies from university to university.

Demonstrating Your English Language Ability

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most common way of demonstrating your English language ability for institutions overseas. Find out from the institution you are applying to what their English language proficiency requirement is as these vary between universities and according to the course you want to study. For entry into Law and Medicine, for example, the English language requirements are generally higher than other courses. This does not apply to a student who has IGCSE English First Language or a higher qualification.

Timeline for Preparing for Tertiary Education

Public Universities in South Africa

These public universities in South Africa recognise Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications for entry to Bachelor degrees.