Admission requirements
Please note that the below admission requirements are subject to change pending selection and possible faculty-specific requirements.
Study information is subject to change and is a summary of the general fields of study. This information was compiled for introduction and orientation purposes and the North-West University accepts no liability for inaccuracies that may occur in this guide. The official yearbook of the University must in all cases be consulted during the process of compiling a programme for a specific field of study. The appropriate yearbook is available on request at: studies@mynwu.info / 018 285 4320 / applicationsug@nwu.ac.za.
Please note that, owing to specific capacity constraints, the University reserves the right to select candidates for admission to certain fields of study. This means that prospective students who comply with the minimum requirements will not automatically be admitted to the courses in question. Because of the capacity limitations and the high demand from students for admission to particular fields of study, students will be selected on the basis of their Grade 12 results for admission to these fields.
Visit the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
| Degree | Field | Requirements | APS | Campus | Possible Career Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Animal Health | English level 3Mathematics level 3Life Sciences OR Physical Sciences level 3DURATION: 3 years | 19 | Mahikeng | Animal Health TechnicianPharmaceutical companiesAnimal Feed companiesAnimal Breeding stationsBeef, sheep and goats, Pig, Poultry and Dairy production companiesAgricultural firmsResearch ScientistsConsultancy firmsNational and Provincial Departments of AgricultureNational and International NGOsResearchers | |
| Diploma in Animal Science | English level 3Mathematics level 3 OR Mathematical Literacy level 5Life Sciences OR Physical Sciences level 3 OR Agricultural Sciences level 4DURATION: 3 years | 19 | Mahikeng | Animal Feed companiesAnimal Breeding stationsBeef, sheep and goats, Pig, Poultry and Dairy production companiesAgricultural firmsResearch ScientistsConsultancy firmsNational and Provincial Departments of AgricultureNational and International NGOsResearch and Policy Institutions | |
| Diploma in Plant Science | Crop Production | English level 3Mathematics level 3 OR Mathematical Literacy level 5Life Sciences OR Physical Sciences level 3 OR Agricultural Sciences level 4DURATION: 3 years | 19 | Mahikeng | National and Provincial Departments of AgricultureForestry and Fisheries (DAFF)Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR)Agricultural Research Council (ARC)Fertilizer companiesCommercial farmsSeed companiesAgrochemical companiesAgro-processing companiesVarious NGOs that deal in and agriculture and rural development |
| Bachelor of Science | with Chemistry and Physics with Physics and Mathematicswith Physics and Applied Mathswith Physics and Computer Sciencewith Computer Science and Mathematics | Mathematics level 5Physical Science level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | PotchefstroomMahikeng | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science | with Biochemistry and Chemistry | Mathematics level 4Physical Science level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | PotchefstroomMahikeng | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science | with Chemistry, Mathematics and Applied Mathswith Geography and Applied Mathematics | Mathematics level 5Physical Science level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | Potchefstroom | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science | with Applied Mathematics and Chemistrywith Chemistry and Mathematicswith Applied Mathematics and Electronicswith Electronics and Mathematicswith Electronics and Physicswith Chemistry and Computer Sciencewith Computer Science and Electronics | Mathematics level 5Physical Science level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | Mahikeng | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science | with Computer Science and Statistics | Mathematics level 5Physical Science at level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | PotchefstroomVanderbijlpark | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science | with Computer Science and Economics | Mathematics level 5DURATION: 3 years | 26 | PotchefstroomVanderbijlpark | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science | with Mathematics and Economics | Mathematics level 5DURATION: 3 years | 26 | Potchefstroom | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science in Information Technology | Mathematics level 4DURATION: 3 yearsMODE OF DELIVERY: Contact and *Distance learning | 26 | PotchefstroomVanderbijlpark*Distance learning | ProgrammerSoftware EngineerApplication developerSystems administratorSystems analyst and designerBusiness analystDatabase administrator and designerBusiness Intelligence developerProject leaderEntrepreneurInformation Technology ManagerResearcher | |
| Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences | with Statistics and Mathematicswith Mathematics | Mathematics level 5Physical Science at level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | Potchefstroom | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences | with Applied Mathematics and Mathematics | Mathematics level 5Physical Science at level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | Mahikeng | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences | with Microbiology and Biochemistrywith Microbiology and Botany | Mathematics level 4Physical Science at level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | PotchefstroomMahikeng | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences | with Zoology and Biochemistrywith Chemistry and Physiologywith Zoology and Botanywith Zoology and Microbiologywith Zoology and Physiologywith Microbiology and Physiologywith Botany and Biochemistry | Mathematics level 4Physical Science at level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | Potchefstroom | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences | with Microbiology and Chemistrywith Botany and Chemistrywith Geography and Computer Sciencewith Geography and Botany | Mathematics level 4Physical Science at level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | Mahikeng Potchefstroom | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences | with Zoology and Chemistrywith Geology and Chemistrywith Geology and Geographywith Zoology and Geographywith Geology and Botanywith Zoology and Geologywith Geology and Microbiologywith Tourism and Zoology with Tourism and Geography with Tourism and Botany | Mathematics level 4Physical Science at level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | Potchefstroom | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences | with Chemistry and Geography | Mathematics level 5Physical Science at level 4DURATION: 3 years | 26 | Mahikeng | * See below |
| Bachelor of Science in Financial Mathematics | Mathematics level 6DURATION: 3 years | 32 | PotchefstroomVanderbijlpark | Financial Product DeveloperStructured Financing SpecialistFinancial Engineer Financial Mathematician | |
| Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Risk Management | Mathematics level 6DURATION: 3 years | 32 | PotchefstroomVanderbijlpark | Market or Credit Risk Analyst/ManagerCommercial BankerCorporate Banker Treasury AnalystRisk Analyst/ManagerDecision Support AnalystInvestment AnalystFinancial Engineer | |
| Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics | with Data Mining | Mathematics level 6DURATION: 3 years | 32 | PotchefstroomVanderbijlpark | Data ScientistAnalytics AnalystQuantitative StrategistCredit Risk Analyst/ManagerDecision Support Analyst Financial StatisticianData Mining AnalystE-Commerce Business AnalystFraud AnalystDatabase Marketing AnalystStrategic Business Analyst |
| Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science | Mathematics level 6DURATION: 3 years | 32 | Potchefstroom | ActuaryRisk Manager | |
| Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning | Mathematics level 5DURATION: 4 yearsSELECTION TEST | 28 | Potchefstroom | Regional Planner Remote-Sensing AnalystTown and Regional Planner / Urban and City Planner at:Government institutions – National and Provincial departments, local municipalities, Development AgenciesPrivate sector – Corporate environment (e.g. Vodacom, MTN, ABSA, AngloGold etc.), Private consultancy firms (Town Planners), Architects, Land surveyors, Engineering companies, Estate Agents, Developers and other related built environment professionsResearch institutions and Universities | |
| Bachelor of Science in Agriculture | with Agricultural Economicswith Animal Sciencewith Animal Healthwith Agronomy and Horticulture | Mathematics level 4English level 4Physical Sciences OR Life Sciences level 4DURATION: 4 years | 22 | Mahikeng | Animal Health TechnicianPharmaceutical companiesAnimal Feed companiesAnimal Breeding stationsBeef, sheep and goats, Pig, Poultry and Dairy production companiesAgricultural firmsResearch ScientistsConsultancy firmsNational and Provincial Departments of AgricultureResearchersNational and Provincial Departments of AgricultureForestry and Fisheries (DAFF)Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR)Agricultural Research Council (ARC)fertilizer companiescommercial farmsseed companiesagrochemical companiesagro-processing companiesvarious NGOs that deal in and agriculture and rural developmentAgribusiness firmsCommercial banksSupport services (e.g S.A Cane growers association)Marketing researchEcotourismDevelopment Corporations and Finance Institutions |
| Bachelor of Science in Agriculture | with Agronomy and Soil Science with Agricultural Economics and Agronomy | Mathematics level 4English level 4Physical Science level 4DURATION: 4 years | 22 | Potchefstroom | Animal Health TechnicianPharmaceutical companiesAnimal Feed companiesAnimal Breeding stationsBeef, sheep and goats, Pig, Poultry and Dairy production companiesAgricultural firmsResearch ScientistsConsultancy firmsNational and Provincial Departments of AgricultureResearchersNational and Provincial Departments of AgricultureForestry and Fisheries (DAFF)Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR)Agricultural Research Council (ARC)fertilizer companiescommercial farmsseed companiesagrochemical companiesagro-processing companiesvarious NGOs that deal in and agriculture and rural developmentAgribusiness firmsCommercial banksSupport services (e.g S.A Cane growers association)Marketing researchEcotourismDevelopment Corporations and Finance Institutions |
| Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge Systems | Indigenous Knowledge Systems | English level 4Matriculation with exemption OR Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) OR GCE certification and an application for conditional exemption with HESA (https://mb.usaf.ac.za/)DURATION: 4 years | 20 | Mahikeng | EducationCultural tourismAgricultureArtCultureHealthHeritageGovernment departmentsNon-governmental organisations (NGOs)Traditional authorities & local municipalities,Research organizations such as (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) or Human ScienceResearch Council (HSRC) |
| Extended Bachelor of Science | with Botany and Microbiologywith Applied Mathematics and Chemistrywith Applied Mathematics and Electronicswith Computer Science and Mathematicswith Chemistry and Computer Sciencewith Chemistry and Mathematicswith Physics and Applied Mathematicswith Physics and Mathematicswith Biochemistry and Chemistrywith Chemistry and Physicswith Physics and Computer Sciencewith Computer Science and Electronicswith Electronics and Physicswith Electronics and Mathematicswith Applied Mathematics and Mathematicswith Botany and Chemistrywith Geography and Botanywith Computer Science and Geographywith Microbiology and Chemistrywith Chemistry and Geography with Microbiology and Biochemistry with Botany and Biochemistry | Mathematics level 3English level 4Physical Sciences level 3DURATION: 4 years | 22 | Mahikeng | * See below |
| Extended Bachelor of Science in Information Technology | Mathematics level 3DURATION: 4 years | 24 | Vanderbijlpark | ProgrammerSoftware EngineerApplication developerSystems administratorSystems analyst and designerBusiness analystDatabase administrator and designerBusiness Intelligence developerProject leaderEntrepreneurInformation Technology ManagerResearcher | |
| Extended Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics | with Data Mining | Mathematics level 4DURATION: 4 years | 28 | Vanderbijlpark | Data ScientistAnalytics AnalystQuantitative StrategistCredit Risk Analyst/ManagerDecision Support AnalystFinancial StatisticianData Mining AnalystE-Commerce Business AnalystFraud AnalystDatabase Marketing AnalystStrategic Business Analyst |
| Extended Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Risk Management | Mathematics level 4DURATION: 4 years | 28 | Vanderbijlpark | Market or Credit Risk Analyst/ManagerCommercial BankerCorporate Banker Treasury AnalystRisk Analyst/ManagerDecision Support AnalystInvestment AnalystFinancial Engineer | |
| Extended Bachelor of Science in Financial Mathematics | Mathematics level 4DURATION: 4 years | 28 | Vanderbijlpark | Financial Product DeveloperStructured Financing SpecialistFinancial EngineerFinancial Mathematician | |
| *There are a variety of POSSIBLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES for someone with a BSc, especially at the NWU, because our programmes have combinations of 2 majors. Here is an approximate structure for our mainstream BSc degrees:PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL SCIENCESObtaining the qualification BSc in Physical and Chemical Sciences offers you diverse career opportunities available in various industries and organisations, such as:Petrochemical industry (SASOL, AECI, OMNIA, Sentrachem, SAB)Universities and secondary schoolsGovernment organisations (SABS, MRC, NECSA, MINTEK)Pharmaceutical industriesWater boardsForensic laboratoriesTextile industryAgriculture sectorPlant & Process managersLaboratory assistantsChemical analyst and/or modulatorPhysicists, specifically, are needed in the following fields/institutions:NECSA (Nuclear Energy Commission of South Africa) e.g. the manufacture of silicon discs by method of radiation with the Safari-1 reactorARC; Agricultural Research Council for general development of applicable technologiesHartRAO; Hartebeeshoek Radio Astronomic Observatory for researchIMT; Geo physicist, oceanic and space technology at the Institute of Maritime TechnologyMRC; medical research (including hospitals) with focus on radiation technology (health physicist)NVS; National Accelerator Centre for research and radiation technologySAAO; Research in astronomy and astro physicsSABS; Development of technologies implemented by the South African Buro of StandardsSAWB; Development of weather and climate modelsCSIR; Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in development of various technologies such as aerodynamics and laser technologyEskom; Nuclear reactor industry such as Koeberg and PalindabaSADF (South African Defence Force) Technology development and lecturing at the Military Academy in SaldanhaDe Beers Industrial Diamond Division (now Element Six) Basic and applied research on diamondsTelkom; Telecommunication, satellite technology, optic fibre, laser technology and nano technologyBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND GEO AND SPATIAL (ENVIRONMENTAL) SCIENCES:GeologistEnvironmental GeologistEngineering GeologistMinerology and GeochemistryResearch GeologyZoologistBotanistMicrobiologistBio-geographer/EcologistCartographerClimatologistCoastal Zone ManagerCollege/University Lecturer/ResearcherCommunity DevelopmentConservation OfficerConservationistConsultant in a range of geographical fieldsDevelopment FacilitatorDelivery ManagerDiplomat Earth ScientistEconomic Development PlannerEnvironmental EducatorEnvironmental Impact AnalystEnvironmental ManagerEnvironmental PlannerForeign Service OfficersGeographic Information SpecialistGeo-physicistGeomorphologistHazardous Waste Planner Health Services PlannerHydrologistLand Use PlannerMap EditorMap LibrarianMap, Air Photo & Satellite Image InterpreterMarket ResearcherMeteorologistMilitary PlannerNatural Resource ManagerPoliceSocial EcologistSocial ScientistSoil ScientistTeacher (elementary & secondary)Tourism Development / Tour GuideTraffic ManagerTransportation PlannerTravel AgentWater Resource ManagerMATHEMATICAL AND STATISTICAL SCIENCES:EducationMathematician |
*For distance learning visit distance.nwu.ac.za
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Did you know : International Scholarships 2024
There are several international scholarships available for South Africans to study abroad. Here are a few examples:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program: This program provides fully funded scholarships to study at selected universities in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is open to African students, including South Africans, who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships for South Africans to study at U.S. universities for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
- Erasmus+ Programme: The Erasmus+ programme offers scholarships for South Africans to study in Europe for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel, and living expenses.
- Australia Awards Scholarships: The Australian government offers scholarships for South Africans to study at Australian universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
These are just a few examples of the many international scholarships available to South Africans. It is important to research the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship program.