Applying for admission to a South African university is a complex process, involving more than just passing the matric examination.
Applicants must satisfy the requirements for the intended qualification, submit their application correctly and on time. Even with all of the above, meeting the minimum requirements does not always guarantee admission, as some degrees have specific criteria in addition to the general requirements.
For Grade 11 students, current matriculants and those who have already passed their final school examination, learning the basics of the application procedure can prevent many common mistakes.
Focus on your desired qualification, not the university
In many cases, an error occurs because a student chooses a university and its requirements first, instead of focusing on the qualification they wish to pursue.
It is essential to recognise that a BSc, teaching degree, diploma, course in accountancy and an engineering qualification have vastly different requirements.
For example, some programmes specify whether Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy is required, or set school subject-specific requirements. To prevent misunderstandings, it is vital to research the necessary information for the intended qualification.
Your matric subjects are important
When a student passes their matriculation, they might assume that they are eligible for any degree. However, universities set specific requirements for different courses, including:
- Required school subjects
- Minimum achievement level
- Mathematical requirements
- Language proficiency
- Minimum overall percentage
- Subject-specific requirements
This is why it is important to compare one’s own academic record with the requirements of one’s intended degree. If a student is missing an essential school subject, no amount of excellence in other disciplines will help.
What is APS?
Many South African universities set an Admission Point Score (APS) or a similar threshold for applicants. At the same time, there are significant variations between universities and the requirements for different programmes.
A student’s school record is converted into an APS score, where each qualification receives a set number of points. Meanwhile, some educational facilities set specific criteria for particular subjects. Because of these differences, using an online calculator designed for a different institution or qualification is unreliable. Always double-check the requirements from one’s own selected university or programme.
A university’s minimum APS requirements are not always definitive
This statement often comes as a surprise to first-time applicants.
If a university sets a minimum APS score for a specific degree, it means that reaching that threshold is not enough to guarantee admission to that programme.
There is no doubt that meeting the minimum requirements is an important step in the admissions process. However, students should also bear in mind that other applicants have the same goal. Due to the popularity of some degrees, a university might have more candidates than available spots. In other words, an applicant who meets the requirements is not guaranteed admission.
One should research Grade 11 results in advance
A student in Grade 12 might believe that their results in the 11th school year are irrelevant to the university application process.
However, when a university receives more applicants than it has available slots, it uses the applicants’ Grade 11 records for the short-listing process.
That is why a student should not ignore their 11th-grade performance. More importantly, one should research the requirements for their intended degree as early as possible to be prepared for the application procedure. The documents required for admission vary depending on the university and the selected degree.
One should not delay submitting the application
A student who delays applying to their university of choice until the end of the Grade 12 school year puts themselves at a severe disadvantage.
A university only accepts applications for a specific period, which might be in the months preceding the intended year of study. In addition, not every faculty has the same closing date, and one should be aware that specific programmes might have unique deadlines.
Anyone who plans to study in 2027, for instance, should contact their selected institution to confirm the necessary information for the 2027 academic year.
Applicants should consider more than one university
A student who wants to gain admission to the University of Pretoria but has no other options is taking a considerable risk.
Although it is unlikely, keep in mind that there are cases when a university removes an applicant from the consideration list because their results did not meet the requirements. In practice, an individual should always have a Plan B when they apply to a single institution. This is especially important if one applies late or is unsure of the outcome of their application.
Still, it is also essential to bear in mind that every institution has different requirements for different programmes. One should not assume that a student who meets the requirements for a particular degree at one university will automatically be accepted into the same qualification at another institution.
One should always prepare the required application documents in advance
An applicant who prepares all of the necessary documents before completing the online application form will have a significant advantage.
Depending on the institution and one’s personal circumstances, these might include:
- South African ID or Passport
- School results for Grade 11
- Current Grade 12 results
- Matric certificate (if already passed)
- Academic record (if one was studying before)
- Additional documents (varies depending on the university)
In addition, some programmes might require one to submit a portfolio or another type of additional materials. One should bear in mind that different institutions have different requirements.
One should scan the required documents so that they are legible
If a student needs to submit copies of their documents online, poor scanning quality can cause many issues.
When uploading the scans of one’s documents, it is vital to ensure that all of the information is visible. In other words, if one’s name or ID number is unreadable, it can result in rejection. Always double-check that the entire page is included in the scan and that no data has been removed during the process. Moreover, one should save the files in JPEG format and upload them to the correct location in the application.
It is also vital to store the original documents in a separate folder and create duplicates that can be accessed quickly.
One should be thorough but careful when completing the application form
Although the application form is online, it is necessary to complete it carefully. A special attention should be paid to one’s name, surname, contact information, school and the intended degree. Someone who makes a careless mistake on an application might find themselves unable to correct it.
For instance, if one inputs the incorrect email address, a university might send an important letter to that address instead of one’s own. This is especially dangerous if the applicant submits the form and loses the confirmation email. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the contact information one provides is valid and that one can receive emails there.
Application fees are not universal
Some universities charge an application fee, while others do not. To avoid surprises, one should check the information provided by the intended institution before submitting the application form.
If an application fee is required, one should also carefully read the instructions regarding the payment. At the same time, one should understand that a university can reject one’s application even after one pays the fee.
One should retain the application number or the confirmation details
After submitting an application, it is vital to store the application number or confirmation details somewhere safe. By doing so, one will be able to check the progress of their application on the university’s website. Usually, the confirmation email contains information about the applicant’s status and instructions regarding the next steps. In any case, retaining the details will allow one to contact the nearest admissions office and ask for assistance.
One should check the application status regularly after submitting the form
A student who thinks that the entire responsibility lies with the admission office after submitting the application form will most likely face issues.
One should remember that one is responsible for checking the status of one’s application. Therefore, one should log in to the university’s portal and the email account mentioned in the application form regularly. In addition, it is vital to keep an eye on the spam/junk mail folder, as the university might send important information there.
One must understand that an offer is not the same as an application
It is essential for an applicant to understand the difference between an application and an offer.
An application refers to the form that one submits to the university, while an offer means that the institution has accepted one’s application. However, the wording and procedures vary depending on the university. For instance, one might see terminology such as ‘application received’, ‘undergoing consideration’ or ‘offer of admission’.
If one is rejected, it does not mean that every door is closed
After one receives a negative response from one university, it is important to keep in mind that there are still options available. The requirements for different programmes can vary, and one might be admitted to another university or faculty.
At the same time, one should understand that one cannot assume that one automatically qualifies for another degree simply because one received a negative response from a particular institution. Rather, one should examine the requirements for the alternative faculty and the documents that one must submit.
A checklist for prospective applicants
Before submitting the application, one should go through the following checklist:
Academic preparation
- Determine the requirements for the desired qualification
- Identify the subjects required for matriculation
- Determine how the score translates to the APS score or examine the scoring system used by the desired institution
- Ensure that one’s results match the requirements of the chosen faculty
Application preparation
- Identify when one can apply to the university
- Determine the closing date for applications
- Establish whether one must pay an application fee
- Prepare the necessary documents
- Scan the documents so that they are legible
After submission
- Store the application number
- Store the receipt/pay slip, if applicable
- Monitor the portal
- Keep the email address provided open and accessible
- Respond to any requests from the university, if applicable
How to identify university admission requirements
Since university admission requirements change from year to year and even from faculty to faculty within the same institution, one should always use an official university admission page as a source of information regarding the requirements for a specific degree.
Other online resources, such as social media posts and videos, can provide helpful information, but one should always confirm any details on an official website.
Why applying early is essential
Applying early is not only a matter of principle but also one of practicality. A student who applies for admission in advance will have more time to rectify any mistakes, prepare the required documents and explore other options. Anyone who intends to pursue a university degree after matriculation should plan to apply well in advance of the closing date.
The application process is relatively simple if one understands the following steps: select one’s desired programme, determine the requirements, prepare the necessary documents, submit the application and monitor one’s application. Most importantly, one should keep in mind that university admission requirements are qualification-specific. In other words, the requirements for a particular course at one university do not necessarily apply to the same degree at another institution.
Sources and verification
The information provided in this article is based on the guidelines for university admission provided by various South African educational institutions, including the University of Limpopo, University of Johannesburg, University of South Africa and the University of the Witwatersrand.
All prospective applicants should ensure that they use the most up-to-date information provided by their selected institution.
Editorial policy
The primary purpose of our educational coverage is to inform South African learners and their families about general aspects of the application process.
We provide information regarding admission requirements, while making a distinction between those of different universities and institutions, and we do not guarantee admission, financial aid, employment or other opportunities.
Where applicable, we highlight the differences between admission requirements and conditions set by different universities.
Corrections policy
Where factual errors in our articles are brought to our attention, we compare the disputed information with the relevant source to confirm or deny its validity.
If the disputed information is found to be correct, we will make the necessary edits to our article. In the case of a material correction, we might identify the correction so that our readers are aware that the information in our article has changed.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information and should not be considered an offer of admission from a university or a college.
Prospective applicants should consult the most recent admission information provided by their selected institution before submitting an application, paying an application fee or making any other decisions regarding university admission.
