Bachelors Pass Requirement Guide

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Guide to Bachelor’s Pass Requirements in South Africa


In South Africa, achieving a bachelor’s pass in your matriculation (Grade 12) exams is crucial for gaining entrance to study a degree program at a university or other higher learning institution. This guide will provide a detailed overview of the requirements for obtaining a bachelor’s pass, including subject requirements, grading system, and calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).

What is a Bachelor’s Pass?
A bachelor’s pass is the highest matric pass level achievable and qualifies students for entry into degree programs at universities or colleges. It signifies a strong academic performance and opens up a wide range of study options for students.

Diploma Pass Requirement

Higher Certificate Pass Requirement

Requirements for a Bachelor’s Pass
To achieve a bachelor’s pass, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Home Language: Attain a minimum of 40% in your Home Language subject.
  2. High Credit Subjects: Achieve at least 50% in four other high credit subjects, excluding Life Orientation.
  3. Other Subjects: Obtain a minimum of 30% in two additional subjects.
  4. Pass Rate: Pass six out of the seven required subjects.

It’s important to note that while meeting these requirements is essential, each tertiary institution may have additional admission criteria beyond the bachelor’s pass requirements.

Compulsory Subjects
Certain subjects are compulsory for all matric students. These include:

  1. Home Language
  2. First Additional Language
  3. Mathematics or Mathematics Literacy
  4. Life Orientation
  5. Either English or Afrikaans as one of your languages

High Credit Subjects
In addition to compulsory subjects, students must choose high credit subjects to fulfill their matric requirements. These subjects include:

  • Accounting
  • Business Studies
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Consumer Studies
  • Physical Sciences
  • Life Sciences
  • Tourism
  • Information Technology

Grading System
Marks obtained in matric exams are converted into points based on the following grading system:

  • Level 7: 80–100%
  • Level 6: 70–79%
  • Level 5: 60–69%
  • Level 4: 50–59%
  • Level 3: 40–49%
  • Level 2: 30–39%
  • Level 1: 0–29%

Calculating the APS
The Admission Point Score (APS) is a single number used by universities to determine eligibility for various courses. It is calculated based on the matric marks obtained in the top six subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Each mark corresponds to a specific point value, and the total APS is calculated by adding these points together.

Conclusion
Achieving a bachelor’s pass in South Africa is a significant milestone for students aspiring to pursue higher education. By meeting the minimum requirements and understanding the grading system and APS calculation, students can effectively plan their academic journey and maximize their opportunities for future studies.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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