Scores use North-West’s own scale. A minimum is not a guaranteed place.
APS = the sum of the NSC achievement levels of SIX 20-credit NSC subjects (four designated subjects plus two other NSC subjects). Life Orientation is NEVER counted. NWU uses an 8-point scale, not the standard 7: 90-100% scores 8 points, 80-89% scores 7, then 6/5/4/3/2/1 down to 0-29%. Maximum APS = 48. There are no bonus points for English or Mathematics and the method is identical across all faculties; faculties differ only in the minimum APS and the subject minima required. An LO achievement of level 5+ is used only as a recommendation in borderline cases.
Points: 90%+ = 8 · 80%+ = 7 · 70%+ = 6 · 60%+ = 5 · 50%+ = 4 · 40%+ = 3 · 30%+ = 2 · 0%+ = 1
Source: NWU Faculty of Health Sciences Undergraduate Yearbook 2026 - 'Selection model: Determination of APS-score', p.20 · NWU Faculty of Education BEd Yearbook 2026 - 'Calculating the APS-score', p.36
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
- Minimum score
- 34
- First-year tuition
- R70 345 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 70% · Physical Sciences 70% · English 60%
Score and selection details
APS 34 or higher, plus hard subject minima; capacity is limited and meeting the minima does not guarantee a place
Applications close 31 August. Borderline Grade 11 applicants may be conditionally accepted on final Grade 12 marks; applicants with 40%+ in both Maths and Physical Sciences and at least 60% in the language of instruction can apply for the 1-year Xcel bridging programme.
Bachelor of Nursing
- Minimum score
- 25
- First-year tuition
- R56 396 2026
- Applications close
- 30 June 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 4 (level) · Mathematical Literacy 4 (level) · English 4 (level) · Physical Sciences NSC level 4 OR Life Sciences NSC level 4
Score and selection details
APS 25; high application volumes and limited capacity mean the minimum does not guarantee a place
Selection course: applications close 30 June because of limited capacity. 40 hours of job shadowing recommended. Proof of immunisation (Meningitis, Hepatitis A and B, Polio) required at registration.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
- Minimum score
- 32
- First-year tuition
- R59 784 2026
- Applications close
- 30 June 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 5 (level) · Physical Sciences 5 (level) · English 4 (level) · Life Sciences
Score and selection details
APS 32 minimum; admission is by academic paper selection on best average mark, so the actual cut-off is usually higher
Academic paper selection on best average mark; limited capacity. Applications close 30 June or 31 July (NWU publishes both; see note); late applications on merit. Hepatitis B immunisation and SAPC student registration needed.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Humanities with Psychology
- Minimum score
- 24
- First-year tuition
- R60 929 2026
- Subject minimums
- English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 24 for BA Humanities with Psychology; other psychology routes range from APS 22 to 26
Academic paper selection applies to the Health Sciences psychology programmes; no selection test, portfolio or interview for BA Humanities with Psychology.
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Chartered Accountancy (CA)
- Minimum score
- 32
- First-year tuition
- R80 072 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 5 (level) · English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 32; the extended (4-year) CA programme needs APS 28 and Mathematics level 3
No selection test, portfolio or interview; capacity constraints apply.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Actuarial Sciences
- Minimum score
- 32
- First-year tuition
- R60 804 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 6 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 32 and Mathematics level 6 (70-79%) - the same bar applies to all Business Mathematics and Informatics programmes
No selection test. Strict internal progression rules: e.g. at least 60% for both BWIA121 and STTN125 in first year is required to continue to year 2.
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Economic Sciences (International Trade / Risk Management / Econometrics / Informatics)
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R63 156 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 3 (level) · Mathematics 4 (level) · English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 26 for all BCom Economic Sciences streams; extended (4-year) versions need APS 20-24: Econometrics and Information Systems (Mahikeng) APS 20 with Mathematics level 3 (40-49%) or Mathematical Literacy level 4 (50-59%); International Trade and Risk Management (Vanderbijlpark) APS 24 with Mathematics level 3 (40-49%) or Mathematical Literacy level 6 (70-79%); English level 3 (40-49%) for all four
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Management Sciences with Business Management
- Minimum score
- 24
- First-year tuition
- R60 015 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 3 (level) · English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 24; the 4-year extended programme needs APS 20 and accepts Mathematical Literacy level 4
Bachelor of Science (BSc) with Computer Science and Mathematics
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R63 036 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 5 (level) · Physical Sciences 4 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 26; BSc in Information Technology is also APS 26 but needs only Mathematics level 4 (or Technical Mathematics level 5) and no Physical Sciences; the 4-year Extended BSc with Computer Science (Mahikeng) needs APS 24
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mathematical Sciences with Statistics and Mathematics
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R60 804 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 5 (level) · Physical Sciences 4 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 26 for BSc Mathematical Sciences; the data-analytics route (BSc Business Analytics) needs APS 32 and Maths level 6, or APS 28 and Mathematics level 4 (or Technical Mathematics level 5) for the 4-year extended programme at Vanderbijlpark
Bachelor of Science (BSc) - general (e.g. with Chemistry and Physics; BSc in Biological Sciences; BSc in Environmental Sciences)
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R54 004 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 4 (level) · Physical Sciences 4 (level) · Mathematics 5 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 26 across the mainstream BSc programmes; the 4-year Extended BSc (Mahikeng) needs APS 24
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agricultural Sciences
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R56 328 2026
- Subject minimums
- English 4 (level) · Mathematics 4 (level) · Physical Sciences 4 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 26
Bachelor of Education (BEd) - Senior and Further Education and Training Phase (Grade 7-12); Foundation Phase (Gr R-3) and Intermediate Phase (Gr 4-6) also offered
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R61 912 2026
- Subject minimums
- English 4 (level) · Second language 4 (level) · Mathematics 5 (level) · Physical Sciences 4 (level) · Accounting 4 (level) · Life Sciences 4 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 26 for every BEd phase (Foundation, Intermediate, Senior & FET, and the distance BEd ECCE); no phase carries a higher APS
No selection test. BEd ECCE (distance) additionally requires a Children's Act clearance certificate, computer and Wi-Fi access.
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Minimum score
- 30
- First-year tuition
- R58 109 2026
- Applications close
- 30 June 2026
- Subject minimums
- English 5 (level) · Second language 5 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 30 plus two languages at level 5; the 5-year Extended LLB (Mahikeng) needs APS 28
Selection course: ranking of Grade 11 (or final Grade 12) results, limited capacity, applications close 30 June, outcomes announced by end of August. No selection test or interview.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- Minimum score
- 28
- First-year tuition
- R57 802 2026
- Applications close
- 30 June 2026
- Subject minimums
- English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 28 on the 2027 admission table; the FHS 2026 yearbook (HSC.9.9.5) also states APS 28
Academic paper selection on best average mark; limited capacity; applications close 30 June (late applications considered on merit). The yearbook requires written proof that the applicant has not been convicted of an offence against a child and is not listed on Part B of the National Child Protection Register, before admission and again at each year's registration.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Humanities
- Minimum score
- 24
- First-year tuition
- R63 975 2026
- Subject minimums
- English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
APS 24; most BSocSc programmes are lower at APS 22
Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
- Minimum score
- 30
- First-year tuition
- R67 258 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 5 (level) · Physical Sciences 5 (level) · English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Selection course: academic paper selection on best average mark; meeting the minimums does not guarantee a place. NWU's 2027 table says 'Applications close 31 August' for this programme, while its Selection page says 'All Other Selection Courses: 30 June'. NWU undergraduate applications for 2027 are closed.
Bachelor of Health Sciences in Biokinetics
- Minimum score
- 32
- First-year tuition
- R52 148 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 3 (level) · Mathematical Literacy 4 (level) · English 4 (level) · Physical Sciences NSC level 4 OR Life Sciences NSC level 4
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Selection course: academic paper selection on best average mark; meeting the minimums does not guarantee a place. Students must be medically fit for the physical component of the course before starting. NWU's 2027 table says 'Applications close 31 July' for this programme, while its Selection page says 'All Other Selection Courses: 30 June'. NWU undergraduate applications for 2027 are closed.
Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning
- Minimum score
- 28
- First-year tuition
- R62 880 2026
- Subject minimums
- Selection process · Mathematics NSC level 4 OR Technical Mathematics NSC level 5
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Selection course. Selection consists of the Grade 11 marks (or Grade 12 if available), an online questionnaire, and an interview with an Urban Planner; the interview document must be submitted by 30 November; select candidates may be asked to complete a psychometric assessment. Closing date on NWU's Selection page: 31 August, the same as NWU's general closing date; 2027 applications are closed.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Graphic Design
- Minimum score
- 24
- First-year tuition
- R53 463 2026
- Subject minimums
- English 5 (level) · Portfolio, skills test and interview
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Selection course: students must meet the minimum requirements and successfully complete the screening phase. The faculty page gives the 2027-intake dates: university applications for Graphic Design closed 29 June 2026, portfolio submissions closed 31 July 2026, and selection tests and interviews took place on 19 September 2026.
Bachelor of Health Sciences with Sport Coaching and Human Movement Sciences
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R52 148 2026
- Subject minimums
- Life Sciences 4 (level) · English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Academic paper selection on best average mark; meeting the minimums does not guarantee a place. NWU's Selection page says 'All Other Selection Courses: 30 June'; the 2027 table prints no closing date for this programme. NWU undergraduate applications for 2027 are closed.
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Industrial Engineering
- Minimum score
- 34
- First-year tuition
- R70 345 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 70% · Physical Sciences 70% · English 60%
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Capacity is limited and meeting the minimums does not guarantee a place. Applicants with borderline Grade 11 results may be conditionally accepted, provided they meet the minimums in their final Grade 12 results. Engineering closing date on NWU's Selection page: 31 August, the same as NWU's general closing date; 2027 applications are closed.
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Minimum score
- 34
- First-year tuition
- R70 345 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 70% · Physical Sciences 70% · English 60%
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Capacity is limited and meeting the minimums does not guarantee a place. Applicants with borderline Grade 11 results may be conditionally accepted, provided they meet the minimums in their final Grade 12 results. Engineering closing date on NWU's Selection page: 31 August, the same as NWU's general closing date; 2027 applications are closed.
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Computer and Electronic Engineering
- Minimum score
- 34
- First-year tuition
- R70 345 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 70% · Physical Sciences 70% · English 60%
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Capacity is limited and meeting the minimums does not guarantee a place. Applicants with borderline Grade 11 results may be conditionally accepted, provided they meet the minimums in their final Grade 12 results. Engineering closing date on NWU's Selection page: 31 August, the same as NWU's general closing date; 2027 applications are closed.
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Mechatronic Engineering
- Minimum score
- 34
- First-year tuition
- R70 345 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 70% · Physical Sciences 70% · English 60%
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Capacity is limited and meeting the minimums does not guarantee a place. Applicants with borderline Grade 11 results may be conditionally accepted, provided they meet the minimums in their final Grade 12 results. Engineering closing date on NWU's Selection page: 31 August, the same as NWU's general closing date; 2027 applications are closed.
Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences with Applied Mathematics and Mathematics
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R60 804 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 5 (level) · Physical Sciences 4 (level)
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply. NWU's general note applies: it may select candidates where capacity is limited.
Bachelor of Science with Physics and Mathematics
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R54 004 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 5 (level) · Physical Sciences 4 (level)
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply. NWU's general note applies: it may select candidates where capacity is limited.
Bachelor of Science with Chemistry and Physics
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R54 004 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 5 (level) · Physical Sciences 4 (level)
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply. NWU's general note applies: it may select candidates where capacity is limited.
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with Microbiology and Biochemistry
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R61 904 2026
- Subject minimums
- Physical Sciences 4 (level) · Mathematics NSC level 4 OR Technical Mathematics NSC level 5
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply. NWU's general note applies: it may select candidates where capacity is limited.
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with Microbiology and Biochemistry
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R61 904 2026
- Subject minimums
- Physical Sciences 4 (level) · Mathematics NSC level 4 OR Technical Mathematics NSC level 5
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply. NWU's general note applies: it may select candidates where capacity is limited.
Bachelor of Commerce in Business Operations with Logistics Management
- Minimum score
- 24
- First-year tuition
- Not published
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 3 (level) · English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply.
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Management Sciences with Marketing Management
- Minimum score
- 24
- First-year tuition
- Not published
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 3 (level) · English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply.
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Human Resource Management
- Minimum score
- 30
- First-year tuition
- Not published
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 4 (level) · English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply.
Bachelor of Commerce in Management Accountancy
- Minimum score
- 30
- First-year tuition
- Not published
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 5 (level) · English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply.
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Economic Sciences with Information Systems
- Minimum score
- 26
- First-year tuition
- R63 156 2026
- Subject minimums
- Mathematics 4 (level) · English 4 (level)
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Published minimums only. Selection, bachelor admission, any extra requirements and available places still apply.
Baccalaureus Musicae (BMus)
- Minimum score
- 24
- First-year tuition
- R68 073 2026
- Subject minimums
- Audition and tests
Score and selection details
NSC/IEB minimums for the named programme only. International qualifications need a manual check.
Selection consists of up to two audition rounds. Music applications close on 30 June, so 2027 applications have closed. NWU also offers a BA in Music and Society (APS 21, English level 4, Grade 3 audition) and a Diploma in Music (APS 18).
IEB, Cambridge and IB applicants
IEB
Identical to the state NSC. NWU lists the IEB as a USAf-approved governing body and states that only 'students applying with qualifications other than the NSC, IEB or SACAI must apply to the Matriculation Board for an exemption certificate'. Same bachelor's-pass rule, same APS.
Advanced Programme / Further Studies: Nothing is published about these subjects, so assume they earn no extra credit.
Source: NWU Ease-of-Reference Guideline: SA and International Admission Requirements - s1.1 'South African National Senior Certificate' and 'USAf-approved Governing bodies: Umalusi, Independent Examination Board (IEB), SACAI' (p.3) · NWU APS Calculator - subject list contains no Advanced Programme subjects; note: 'All foreign qualification applicants need to apply to the Matriculation board (USAf) for an exemption certificate. (eg. IB, Cambridge, American High School diploma etc.)'
Cambridge (A Level, AS Level, IGCSE)
NWU converts each Cambridge grade to a percentage on its 'South African and Foreign Qualification Conversion Table' (guideline pp.2 and 7), then applies its normal APS: the best six 20-credit subjects excluding Life Orientation on NWU's 8-point scale (90-100% = 8 down to 0-29% = 1). Both the A/AS results and the GCSE/O-Level results must be submitted.
A Level: A* = 95% · A = 90% · B = 80% · C = 70% · D = 60% · E = 50%
AS Level: A = 80% · B = 70% · C = 60% · D = 50% · E = 40%
IGCSE / O Level: A = 60% · B = 50% · C = 40% · D = 30%
Subject minimums: Read off the conversion table: NSC 70% (level 6) = A Level C or AS Level B; NSC 60% = A Level D or AS Level C; NSC 50% = A Level E or AS Level D. IGCSE's top grade A converts to only 60-69%. Where Physical Sciences is required, both Physics and Chemistry must be taken at Higher level.
Exemption: Complete exemption needs 5 subjects: 2 A Levels (min E) + 3 IGCSE/O Levels (min C), or 4 AS Levels (min D) + 1 IGCSE/O Level (min C); or 4 subjects: 3 A Levels (min E) + 1 IGCSE/O Level (min C). Two languages and Group I/II/III subjects required; maximum two sittings.
Values are the FLOOR of the band NWU awards (A Level B = 80-89%, C = 70-79%, D = 60-69%, E = 50-59%; A = 90-94%, A* = 95%+). UK GCSE 9-1 grades also convert: 9 = 95%, 8 = 90%, 5-7 = 80-89%, 3-4 = 70-79%, 1-2 = 60-69%. NWU requires no NBT.
Source: NWU Ease-of-Reference Guideline - 'South African and Foreign Qualification Conversion Table' (p.2, repeated p.7 for Cambridge) and the Cambridge complete-exemption table (p.8) with the recognised-subject groups (p.9) · NWU International Students - Admission Requirements (the page that publishes the Converting International Grades guideline)
IB Diploma
Each IB subject grade is converted to a percentage on NWU's conversion table (guideline p.10), then the normal APS applies: best six subjects excluding Life Orientation on NWU's 8-point scale. NWU publishes no separate IB points formula and does not use the IB 45-point diploma total to compute an admission score.
Higher Level: 7 = 95% · 6 = 90% · 5 = 85% · 4 = 75% · 3 = 65% · 2 = 55% · 1 = 45%
Standard Level: 7 = 90% · 6 = 85% · 5 = 75% · 4 = 65% · 3 = 55% · 2 = 50% · 1 = 45%
Subject minimums: NSC 70%+ (level 6) = IB HL 4 or SL 5; NSC 60%+ (level 5) = IB HL 3 or SL 4; NSC 50%+ (level 4) = IB HL 2 or SL 3. An HL grade is worth one NSC band more than the same SL grade at the top of the scale.
Exemption: NWU reproduces only the IB Diploma rule: six subjects (three to four at HL), at least 24 points overall, a minimum of 12 points from HL and 9 from SL. It publishes no IB-specific subject-group exemption table; a USAf Matriculation Board exemption certificate must still be obtained.
Values are the floor of the 5% band NWU awards (e.g. HL 5 = 85-89%). The bottom of the table is unusually generous: SL 2 converts to 50% and SL 1 and HL 1 to 45%. NWU prints 'university-specific guidelines are currently under review' on this page.
Source: NWU Ease-of-Reference Guideline - s1.6 International Baccalaureate, conversion table and IB subject groupings (p.10)
