NWU Undergraduate Admission Requirements — 2027

NWU uses the Admission Point Score (APS) system for all undergraduate admissions. Your APS is calculated by adding the marks from your six best Grade 12 subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Each subject is converted from a percentage to a point on a 1–10 scale:

90–100%: 8 points
80–89%: 7 points
70–79%: 6 points
60–69%: 5 points
50–59%: 4 points
40–49%: 3 points
30–39%: 2 points
Below 30%: 1 point

The maximum APS from six subjects is 42. Note that NWU's APS scale runs to 8 per subject for standard NSC results, and up to 10 per subject for A-Level results. Use the APS Conversion Table on the NWU website if you hold Cambridge IGCSE, O-Level, A-Level, or IB results.

Minimum requirements for a Bachelor's Degree at NWU:

NSC or International Secondary Certificate (ISC) issued by Umalusi
Endorsement for bachelor's degree study
Minimum 50% in any four NSC 20-credit subjects
Language of learning and teaching at 50% (level 4)
APS calculated from six subjects, excluding Life Orientation

Programme Specific Requirements

Faculty of Engineering (BEng — all streams: Chemical, Electrical, Computer & Electronic, Mechanical, Industrial, Mechatronic):

APS: 34 (Potchefstroom Campus only)
Mathematics: 70% minimum (final Grade 12)
Physical Sciences: 70% minimum (final Grade 12)
Language of instruction (Afrikaans or English): 60% minimum
Students who score 40%+ in both Mathematics and Physical Sciences with 60%+ in the language of instruction can apply for the 1-year Xcel bridging programme as an alternative pathway into Engineering

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences:

BCom in Chartered Accountancy (most competitive in the faculty): APS 32; Mathematics level 5 (60–69%) if Grade 12 Accounting was taken, or Mathematics 65%+ if Accounting was not taken; language of study at level 4
BCom in Forensic Accountancy: APS 36; Mathematics level 5 (if Accounting taken) or level 6 (if not); language of study at level 5
BCom in Management Accountancy: APS 30; Mathematics level 5
BCom in Financial Accountancy: APS 28; Mathematics level 4; language at level 4
BCom in Accounting (Vanderbijlpark): APS 24; Mathematics level 3
BCom in Business Operations / Management Sciences / Economics (most specialisations): APS 24–26; Mathematics level 3–4

Faculty of Law:

LLB (Mahikeng and Potchefstroom): APS 34; HL and FAL level 5 (60–69%); Mathematics level 3 or Maths Literacy level 5; faculty placement process — limited capacity
Extended LLB (Mahikeng): APS 30; HL and FAL level 4; same Maths requirement; placement process applies
BCom in Law: APS 34; HL and FAL level 5; Mathematics level 3; placement process applies
BA in Law: APS 30; HL and FAL level 5; Mathematics level 3 or Maths Literacy level 5; placement process applies

Faculty of Health Sciences:

BPharm (Pharmacy): APS 32; Mathematics level 5; Physical Sciences level 5; language of tuition level 4; selection by academic paper and best average; late applications considered on merit
BSc in Dietetics: APS 30; Mathematics level 5; Physical Sciences level 5; language of tuition level 4
Bachelor of Health Sciences in Biokinetics: APS 32; Mathematics level 3 or Maths Literacy level 4; Physical or Life Sciences level 4; medical fitness assessment required before starting
Bachelor of Nursing: APS 25; Physical Sciences or Mathematics or Life Sciences level 4; language of tuition level 4; 40-hour job shadowing recommended
Bachelor of Social Work: APS 28; language of tuition level 4; available on all three campuses
BHSc in Occupational Hygiene: APS 27; Mathematics level 5; Physical Sciences level 5

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences:

BSc (most standard science streams): APS 26; Mathematics level 5; Physical Sciences level 4
BSc in Financial Mathematics / Business Analytics / Quantitative Risk Management / Actuarial Sciences: APS 32; Mathematics level 6 — these are the most mathematically demanding programmes in the faculty
Extended BSc versions of these quantitative programmes: APS 28; Mathematics level 4 or Technical Mathematics level 5; offered at Vanderbijlpark
BSc in Urban and Regional Planning: APS 28; Mathematics level 4 or Technical Maths level 5; selection test required
BSc in Information Technology: APS 26; Mathematics level 4 or Technical Maths level 5

Faculty of Education (all BEd programmes):

APS: 26 across all BEd streams (Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, Senior/FET Phase)
Language requirements vary by campus and stream — all require Home Language and FAL at level 4 minimum; Intermediate and Senior Phase streams have subject-specific requirements
Several BEd specialisations are available via distance learning

Faculty of Humanities:

BA / BSocSc (most specialisations): APS 22–26; language requirements vary by subject choice (Afrikaans, English, Setswana, or Sesotho HL or FAL level 4–5)
BA in Graphic Design: APS 24; English level 5; portfolio screening, academic record, and interview — Potchefstroom Campus only
BA in Communication: APS 24; English level 5
BMus: APS 24 or a Diploma in Music; audition at Grade 6 practical standard and Grade 5 music theory test

Faculty of Theology:

BTh / BDiv / BA in Pastoral Psychology: APS 24–26; English level 4; contact or distance delivery; some programmes require consultation with church bodies (Dutch Reformed, Hervormde Kerk, ACRP)

Extended / bridging programmes:

NWU offers extended (4-year) versions of many 3-year degrees across all faculties, with lower APS thresholds (typically APS 20–24). These programmes include additional foundational modules in the first year and are a legitimate pathway to a full degree for students who narrowly miss the standard entry requirements.

Postgraduate admission (Master's and Doctoral)

The minimum entry requirement for a master's degree is a relevant honours degree or equivalent qualification. For doctoral study, a relevant master's degree is required. Faculty-specific requirements, supervisor availability, and research capacity also determine admissions — meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place. Applications open 1 June 2026.

North-West University

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