University Of Cape Town Admissions

Eligibility for admission

Applicants must check with the admissions office or the relevant faculty to confirm their eligibility for admission to undergraduate certificate study.

Undergraduate Diploma Study

A National Senior Certificate (NSC), as validated by Umalusi, with an accomplishment level of 3 (Moderate accomplishment, 40–49%) or better in 4 recognized NSC 20-credit topics is the prerequisite for entrance to undergraduate diploma studies.

To be eligible for admission to degree study, applicants need to meet the minimum requirements for eligibility:

• Applicants with a South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) must pass a minimum of four topics in any four 20-credit NSC subjects with a level of 4 (Adequate Achievement, 50-59%) or better.
• Senior Certificate holders from South Africa require matriculation endorsement.
• Candidates who have school-leaving diplomas from countries other than South Africa must be eligible for a matriculation exemption certificate. Please visit the Matriculation Board website for further details.

Minimum language proficiency

Applicants holding non-South African school-leaving certificates

• Please see UCT’s language requirements.

For further information on the IELTS and TOEFL exams, please contact the UCT English Language Centre.

The total of six subjects—excluding Life Orientation—as well as English and any other subjects that may be necessary for the particular program are taken into account when determining admittance. For instance, to get the NSC score toward the APS for a program where math and physics are required, we will add the scores for English, math, physics, and the next three best subjects (aside from life orientation). For any topic, grades below 40% are not awarded.