UCT Undergraduate Admission Requirements — 2027

UCT uses a multi-layered selection system built around three scores: the Admission Points Score (APS), the Faculty Points Score (FPS), and, for South African applicants only, the Weighted Points Score (WPS). Understanding how these work is the single most practical thing you can do to assess your chances.

How the UCT APS is calculated

Add your English mark and your five best other NSC subject percentages together, excluding Life Orientation and AP subject scores. Any subject below 40% contributes zero points. The APS is out of a maximum of 600. Technical Mathematics and Technical Science cannot substitute for Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

Faculty Points Score (FPS) adjustments:

Four faculties — Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Humanities, and Law — treat the APS and FPS as equal (both out of 600). Two faculties adjust the calculation:

Science: Mathematics and Physical Sciences scores are doubled, making the FPS out of 800. If Physical Sciences was not taken, Information Technology or Life Sciences may be doubled for certain majors.
Health Sciences: The three NBT scores (Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, Mathematics) are added to the APS, giving an FPS out of 900.

Weighted Points Score (WPS):

For South African applicants only, UCT applies a disadvantage factor of 0%–10% (or 0%–20% for Health Sciences) based on the applicant's school and family background during apartheid. The WPS = FPS + (disadvantage factor × FPS). This means a student from a historically under-resourced background may receive a higher effective score that improves their ranking in the selection pool.

Selection bands:

UCT selects each cohort in three bands:

Band A — highest-scoring applicants by unweighted FPS, guaranteed offers
Band B — selected by WPS, significant allowance for disadvantage, most offers made here
Band C — remaining places filled from redress categories to meet diversity targets

Programme-specific requirements:

Faculty of Commerce (BCom & BBusSc — most specialisations):

Band A (guaranteed): FPS ≥ 435; NBT scores of Upper Intermediate or above in AL & QL; Mathematics ≥ 60%; English HL ≥ 50% or FAL ≥ 60%
Band B (likely): WPS ≥ 470; same NBT and subject thresholds
Band C (Education Development Unit only): FPS 430–434; same subject minimums

Commerce — Computer Science & Statistics and Data Science:

Same bands as above, but Mathematics requirement rises to 70%

Commerce — Actuarial Science & Quantitative Finance (most competitive in the faculty):

Band A: FPS ≥ 500; Mathematics ≥ 80%; English HL ≥ 60% or FAL ≥ 80%; Proficient NBT AL & QL
Band B: WPS ≥ 525; same thresholds
Band C (EDU only): FPS 475–479

Faculty of Health Sciences (MBChB and other health programmes — highest competition university-wide):

The FPS for Health Sciences is out of 900 (APS + all three NBT component scores). NBTs are compulsory for all applicants to Health Sciences, wherever they reside. If you want a conditional offer, write the NBTs before 31 July 2026 — applications written after that date are only considered after final NSC results arrive in early 2027. The NBT Mathematics test is required. For the MBChB in particular, competition is extremely high and applicants should target an FPS well above the published minimum thresholds.

Faculty of Law (LLB — 4-year undergraduate):

All applicants, including international students, must write the Academic Literacy (AL) component of the NBT. The LLB is one of UCT's most competitive programmes. The FPS for Law equals the APS (out of 600). Strong English and a broad academic profile are critical.

Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment:

Mathematics and Physical Sciences are required subjects. Applicants to programmes involving Mathematics and the Sciences write both the AQL and the Mathematics NBT. The BAS (Bachelor of Architectural Studies) requires a portfolio submission by 31 July 2026.

Faculty of Humanities:

Humanities and Commerce share the same FPS formula (APS = FPS, out of 600). Only the AQL portion of the NBT is required. Some programmes — such as the BA in Fine Art — require a portfolio by 31 August 2026.

Faculty of Science:

The doubled Mathematics and Physical Sciences scores make the Science FPS highly sensitive to performance in those subjects. Both the AQL and the Mathematics NBT are required.

National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) — important rules:

All South African resident applicants must write the NBTs. Overseas applicants to Health Sciences and Commerce must also write them. The NBT consists of the Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) combined test (3 hours) and a separate Mathematics test (3 hours). Applicants to Humanities, Commerce, and Law write only the AQL. Applicants to Health Sciences, Science, and Engineering write both AQL and Mathematics. You may write the NBTs at most twice per cycle, and UCT uses your best score per domain. Results come out approximately four weeks after each sitting.

English language proficiency (international applicants):

One of the following must be submitted by 30 September 2026 (undergraduate) or 12 January 2027 (postgraduate):

NBT Academic Literacy Plus: Upper Intermediate or above (valid within 3 years)
TOEFL iBT: overall 88+, with at least 19 Listening, 19 Writing, 20 Reading, 22 Speaking (valid within 2 years)
IELTS Academic: band 6.5+, minimum 6.0 in each component (valid within 2 years)
PTE Academic: overall 67+, minimum 59 in each communicative skills area (valid within 2 years)

Mature age applicants:

Applicants aged 23 or older who hold a Grade 12 certificate but do not meet standard minimum requirements may qualify for a mature age exemption. This route is not open to Health Sciences or Law programmes.

Transfer applicants:

Transfer students are evaluated on their school-leaving results and higher education academic record together. An interim transcript and certificate of good conduct must be submitted with the application. Final year-end transcripts must arrive by 31 December 2026.

University of Cape Town

Similar Institutions