University of Western Cape Admission Requirements

General Criteria for Admission to the University for 2017

In order to study at the University of the Western Cape the applicant must have met the following criteria:

  • The National Senior Certificate (NSC) required for Degree, Diploma or Higher Certificate study, as appropriate.
  • To qualify for the National Senior Certificate (NSC), a learner needs seven subjects consisting of four compulsory subjects and three subjects of the learner’s choice.
  • The four compulsory subjects are: two languages, one being the students Home Language and the other a first additional Language, Life Orientation and either Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy.
  • The learner has to achieve a rating of at least 4 (50-59%) for four designated subjects in order to be eligible for degree study.
  • In addition to the above, UWC has its own programme requirements which is specified in the tables below.

THE POINT SYSTEM

For admission to degree and diploma programmes UWC makes use a weighted system for calculating points, they are as follows:

NCS Level                                                                                            UWC POINTS

LevelPercentagePoints for English*Points for Maths or Maths Lit.Points for Life OrientationPoints for each other subject
890-100%151538
780-89%131337
670-79%111126
560-69%9925
450-59%7724
340-49%5513
230-39%3312
120-29%1111
Less than 20%0000

*English here refers to either English home language or English first additional language, not second additional language, which would rather fall under „other subjects‟

Minimum NSC Subject Requirements for 2017- Faculty of Community and Health Sciences        
ProgrammeCoursecodeEnglish (Home Language)English (1st Additional Language)Another Language (Home or1st Additional Language)MathematicsMathematics LiteracyLife SciencePhysical SciencePoint Score
BSc Dietetics82314(50-59%)or4(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)or6(70-79%)4(50-59%)N/A33
BSc(Occupational Therapy)81114(50 – 59%)or4(50-59%)3(40-49%)3(40-49%)or5(60-69%)4(50-59%)N/A33
BSc (Physiotherapy)*82114(50-59%)or4(50-59%)3(40-49%) 4(50-59%)or6(70-79%)4(50-59%)and 4(50-59%)39
BSc (ComplementaryHealth Science)General Stream81044(50-59%)or4(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)or6(70-79%)4(50-59%)and 3(40-49%)30
B Nursing83114(50-59%)or4(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)or6(70-79%)4(50-59%)N/A 30
B Social Work84114(50-59%) or5(60-69%) 4(50-59%)3(40-49%)or4(50-59%)N/AN/A30
BSc (Sport & Exercise Science)80514(50-59%) or4(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)or6(70-79%)4(50-59%)N/A33
BA (Sport Recreation & Exercise Science)80614(50-59%)or4(50-59%)3(40-49%)3(40-49%)or4(50-59%)N/AN/A30

*Partially sighted students must be able to read 24 font size.

Minimum NSC Subject Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Natural Sciences
ProgrammeCourse codeEnglish (Home or 1st Additional Language)Another Language (Home or 1st Additional Language)MathematicsPhysical ScienceLife ScienceInformation TechnologyPoint Score
BSc (Computer Science)32214(50-59%)3(40-49%)5(60-69%)4(50-59%)or4(50-59%)or4(50-59%)33
BSc (Mathematical &Statistical Science)32274(50-59%)3(40-49%)5(60-69%)4(50-59%)or4(50-59%)or4(50-59%)33
BSc (Physical Science)32334(50-59%)3(40-49%)5(60-69%)4(50-59%)N/AN/A33
BSc (Environmental & Water Science)33314(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)4(50-59%)or4(50-59%)N/A33
BSc (Biotechnology)32114(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)4(50-59%)or4(50-59%)N/A33
BSc (Biodiversity & Conservation Biology)32174(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)4(50-59%)or4(50-59%)N/A33
BSc (Medical Bioscience)32304(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)N/A4(50-59%)N/A33
BSc (Applied Geology)32144(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)4(50-59%)N/AN/A33
BSc (Chemical Science)32204(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)4(50-59%)N/AN/A33
Pharmacy33054(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)4(50-59%)and4(50-59%)N/A38
Minimum NSC Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Education
ProgrammeLearning Area SpecialisationCourse CodeSubjectsPoint Score
BEdLanguages and Social SciencesENGLISH4512English(Home Language)4(50-59%) 

or
English(1st Additional Language)5(60-69%) 

and
Another Language(Home or 1st Additional Language)3(40-49%)Mathematics3(40-49%)OrMathematical Literacy3(40-49%) 

and
Historyand Geography4(50-59%)33
AFRIKAANSAfrikaans(Home Language)4(50-59%)orAfrikaans(1st Additional Language)5(60-69%)andEnglish(Home or 1st Additional Language)4(50-59%)Mathematics3(40-49%)OrMathematical Literacy3(40-49%)andHistoryand Geography4(50-59%)33
XHOSAXhosa(Home Language)4(50-59%)orXhosa(1st Additional Language)5(60-69%)andEnglish(Home or 1st Additional Language)4(50-59%)Mathematics3(40-49%)OrMathematical Literacy3(40-49%)andHistoryand Geography4(50-59%)33
BEdLanguages and Life OrientationENGLISH4513English(Home Language)4(50-59%) 

or
English(1st Additional Language)5(60-69%) 

and
Another Language(Home or 1st Additional Language)3(40-49%) Mathematics3(40-49%)OrMathematical Literacy3(40-49%) 

and
Life Orientation4(50-59%)33
AFRIKAANSAfrikaans(Home Language)4(50-59%)orAfrikaans(1st Additional Language)5(60-69%)andEnglish(Home or 1st Additional Language)4(50-59%)Mathematics3(40-49%)OrMathematical Literacy3(40-49%)andLife Orientation4(50-59%)33
XHOSAXhosa(Home Language)4(50-59%)orXhosa(1st Additional Language)5(60-69%)andEnglish(Home or 1st Additional Language)4(50-59%)Mathematics3(40-49%)OrMathematical Literacy3(40-49%)andLife Orientation4(50-59%)33
BEdFoundation Phase4517English (Home Languageor 1st Additional language4(50-59%) 

and
Another language (Home or 1st Additional language)4(50-59%) 

and
Mathematics3(40-49%)orMathematical Literacy5(60-69%) N/AN/A33
BEdLanguages and MathematicsENGLISH4515English(Home language)4(50-59%) 

or
English(1st Additional Language)5(60-69%) 

and
Another Language(Home or 1st Additional Language)3(40-49%)Mathematics4(50-59%) 
or
Mathematical Literacy6(70-79%)33
AFRIKAANSAfrikaans(Home language)4(50-59%)orAfrikaans(1st Additional Language)5(60-69%)andEnglish(Home or 1st Additional Language)4(50-59%)Mathematics4(50-59%)orMathematical Literacy6(70-79%)33
XHOSAXhosa(Home language)4(50-59%)orXhosa(1st Additional Language)5(60-69%)andEnglish(Home or 1st Additional Language)4(50-59%)Mathematics4(50-59%)orMathematical Literacy6(70-79%)33
BEdMathematics, and Natural Science4516English (Home or 1st Additional Language)4(50-59%)andAnother language (Home or 1st Additional language)3(40-49%)andMathematics4(50-59%)OrMathematical Literacy6(70-79%)Life Science4(50-59%) 
or
Physical Science4(50-59%)33
Minimum NSC Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Arts
ProgrammeCourse CodeEnglish (Home or 1st Additional Language)Another Language (Home or 1st Additional Language)Mathematics or Mathematical LiteracyDesignated SubjectsPoint Score
Bachelor of Arts (BA)General Admission21014(50-59%)3(40-49%)No specific level requiredAnother Subject at level 4 (50-59%)32
Bachelor of Arts (BA)Subject Specific Admission21014(50-59%)3(40-49%)Subject Specific Requirements   for the following programmes: Geography, Tourism, Information Systems or Psychology:3(40-49%) in MathematicsOR
4(50-59%) in Mathematical Literacy
Another Subject at level 4 (50-59%)32
Bachelor of Theology (BTh)General Admission20134(50-59%)3(40-49%)No specific level requiredAnother Subject at level 4 (50-59%)32
Bachelor of Theology (BTh)Subject Specific Admission20134(50-59%)3(40-49%)Subject Specific Requirements     for the following programmes: Psychology:3(40-49%) in MathematicsOR4(50-59%) in Mathematical Literacy Another Subject at level 4 (50-59%)32
Bachelor of Library and Information Studies (BLIS)22014(50-59%)3(40-49%)3(40-49%) in MathematicsOR4(50-59%) in Mathematical Literacy Another Subject at level 4 (50-59%)32
Minimum NSC Subject Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
ProgrammeCourse CodeEnglish (Home or 1st Additional Language)Another Language (Home or 1st Additional Language)MathematicsMathematical LiteracyAccountingPoint Score
BAdmin10114(50-59%)3(40-49%)3(40-49%)or5(60-69%)N/A30
BCom10084(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)orN/AN/A30
BCom Law12214(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)orN/AN/A30
BCom Accounting10214(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)orN/A5(60-69%)N/A if students have achieved 5 or higher in mathematics30
BCom Financial Accounting11754(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)orN/AN/A30
BEconomics(Dev Econ)11814(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)orN/AN/A30
Minimum NSC Subject Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Law
ProgrammeCourse CodeEnglish (Home or 1st Additional Language)Another Language (Home or 1st Additional Language)Mathematics or Mathematical LiteracyLife SciencesPoint Score
BLaws71614(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)N/A37
Higher Certificate in Forensic Examination7115Matriculation Certificate or National Senior Certificate (NSC) plus three years working experience(RPL Applicable)27
Minimum NSC Subject Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Dentistry
ProgrammeCourse CodeEnglish (Home or 1st Additional Language)Another Language (Home or 1st Additional)MathematicsMathematical LiteracyLife SciencePhysical SciencePoint Score
B Dental Surgery51014(50-59%)3(40-49%)4(50-59%)N/A4(50-59%)4(50-59%)40
B Oral Health52114(50-59%)3(40-49%)3(40-49%)or4(50-59%)4(50-59%)N/A27

Admission Criteria and Information
General Admissions Criteria
The minimum admission requirement for Bachelor`s degree studies is a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with an achievement rating of 4 (adequate achievement, 50-59%) or higher in at least four subjects chosen from the 20-credit NSC subjects (known as the `designated subject list’).
These are:

Accounting
Agricultural Sciences
Business Studies
Dramatic Arts
Economics
Engineering
Graphics and Design
Geography
History
Consumer Studies
Information Technology
Language (one language of learning and teaching at a higher education institution and two other recognised language subjects)
Life Science
Mathematics
Mathematical Literacy
Music
Physical Sciences
Religion Studies
Visual Arts

UWC’s Points System
For admission to degree and diploma programmes, UWC uses a weighted system for calculating points. In order to be admitted to degree studies the candidate should have attained the required points score as determined per programme. (See specific courses.)
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In addition to the general criteria for admission to university mentioned above, additional programme specific criteria must be met to qualify for admission to particular study programmes. These are detailed in the faculty chapters.

*All applicants will be required to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT). This test serves as a placement measure and assists faculties in determining the required academic support.

Alternate Admission Requirements for 2016
Applicants who do not meet the admissions requirements of the university may still be admitted to studies. The Senate of the universities have the right to admit students using other criteria. This is a way of meeting the needs of two other groups of people: those who have done well in their exams, but whose subject choices prevent them from qualifying for university, and those who have left school some time ago and have worked at other things, and who can show that they are ready for university studies.
Senate Discretionary Admissions

The university Senate may admit students without an endorsement or matric exemption if it considers them suitably qualified. They are admitted with a conditional exemption only after they have successfully completed a selection process which may include a personal interview, tests of written and oral communication and numeracy, and other means of determining ability. Students in this category are then given additional support. After a successful first year, a full exemption is awarded and the student then continues with studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
This is the formal acknowledgement of the knowledge and capabilities people have acquired as a result of prior learning – through formal and informal means including study, work or life experience. Contact the Division of Lifelong Learning for more information.

Foundational Support Programmes
In some cases students will be admitted to the university only if they enrol for the foundation programmes. The support offered in these programmes consists of a lighter course load and intensive assistance in helping students gain the skills needed for successful university study. Foundational programmes offered are: Humanities, for students in the Arts and Law faculties; Commerce, for students in the Economic and Management Sciences Faculty; programmes for students in the Science Faculty; some programmes in the Community and Health Sciences Faculty and the Education Faculty.

Who to Contact to Study at UWC

The Student Enrolment Management Unit (SEMU) is your first port of call when you want information about studying at UWC. The SEMU staff will ensure that you get all the information you need: information about UWC’s admission requirements, the many fields of study that are on offer, bursaries, financial aid, loans – and the differences between them, residential facilities and the many sports and cultural opportunities that are available to UWC students. You are welcome to mail us, give us a call or visit our offices. We will refer you to a specific faculty or department should it be necessary.

SEMU regularly addresses Grade 11 and 12 learners about studying at UWC. To have us visit your school, simply contact the SEMU office.
SEMU offers free career guidance using the PACE self-exploratory computer-based questionnaire. The completion of the questionnaire is followed by a counselling session with a skilled career counsellor. This is a lovely opportunity for a Grade 11 or 12 learner to speak with a talented educator about future career decisions.

We assist students with their hard copy or online applications to UWC, making sure that their forms are completed correctly, as required.
Finally, SEMU conducts admissions tests for prospective students who don`t meet the UWC entrance requirement. For more information about the admissions tests visit our website.

SEMU Staff

Director: Cheryl Pearce

Recruitment advisor: Douglas Peterson

Project coordinator: Patrick May

Administrator: Robyn Leideman

Contact details: 021 959 2405

e-mail: recruitment@uwc.ac.za

Contact centre: 021 959 3900


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