University Of Western Cape Entry Requirements, Our University is committed to provide access to students who have the potential to succeed. However, the University does not compromise on the standards of excellence required to obtain certificates, diplomas or degrees. A flexible admission system and equitable selection procedures are used to ensure that students from all sectors of the community have a fair chance to gain access to university studies.
In order to study at the University of the Western Cape the candidate must have met the following criteria:
1. The National Senior Certificate (NSC) required for Degree, Diploma or Higher Certificate study, as appropriate.
2. A minimum number of points calculated on the university’s points system.
3. A pass at the required level in each of the subjects specified for the programme into which the candidate seeks admission.
Where there is competition for places in any particular programme – that is, where the number of qualified candidates exceeds the number of available places – selection will take place on the basis of criteria that have been determined by faculty selection committees.
General Criteria for Admission to the University
For the Bachelor’s Degree:
The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate (NSC) as certified by Umalusi with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate achievement, 50-59%) or better in four subjects chosen from the following recognized 20-credit NSC subjects (known as the ‘designated subject list’): Accounting, Agricultural Sciences, Business Studies, Dramatic Arts, Economics, Engineering Graphics and Design, Geography, History, Consumer Studies, Information Technology, Languages (one language of learning and teaching at a higher education institution and two other recognized language subjects), Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Music, Physical Sciences, Religion Studies, Visual Arts.
For the Diploma:
The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate as certified by Umalusi with an achievement rating of 3 (moderate Achievement, 40-49%) or better in four recognized NSC 20-credit subjects.
For the Higher Certificate:
The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate as certified by Umalusi.
The Point System
For admission to degree and diploma programmes, UWC will use a weighted system for calculating points, stated as follows:
| NSC Level | Percentage | Points for English (*) | Points for Maths or Maths Lit | Points for Life Orientation | Points for each Other Subject |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 90-100% | 15 | 15 | 3 | 8 |
| 7 | 80-89% | 13 | 13 | 3 | 7 |
| 6 | 70-79% | 11 | 11 | 2 | 6 |
| 5 | 60-69% | 9 | 9 | 2 | 5 |
| 4 | 50-59% | 7 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 40-49% | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 30-39% | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 1 | 20-29% | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| | less than 20% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(*) – ‘English’ here refers to either English home language or English first additional language, not second additional language, which would rather fall under ‘other subjects’