Yes, you can study part-time at the University of Pretoria (UP) in South Africa. UP offers a variety of part-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across a wide range of disciplines.
The University of Pretoria has more than 112 years of experience in high-quality teaching and learning and is ranked in the top 500 universities globally.
You can now access our quality academic programmes from anywhere in the world. UPOnline is home to a growing number of part-time, fully online postgraduate programmes.
Undergraduate part-time study
UP offers a number of undergraduate degrees that can be studied part-time. These degrees are typically spread over a longer period of time than full-time degrees, to accommodate the needs of working students.
To be eligible for part-time undergraduate study at UP, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with an average of at least 50%.
- You must meet the specific admission requirements for the degree you wish to study.
Postgraduate part-time study
UP also offers a wide range of postgraduate degrees that can be studied part-time. These degrees are typically more specialized than undergraduate degrees, and are designed for students who wish to advance their careers or knowledge in a particular field.
To be eligible for part-time postgraduate study at UP, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have an undergraduate degree with an average of at least 60%.
- You must meet the specific admission requirements for the degree you wish to study.
UPOnline
UPOnline is a division of UP that offers a variety of online degrees and courses. UPOnline courses are all part-time, and can be studied at your own pace.
To be eligible for UPOnline study, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with an average of at least 50%.
- You must meet the specific admission requirements for the degree or course you wish to study.
You can study anywhere, anytime and on any device without the need to travel to a campus for classes or pay for accommodation. You can further your studies while you work, and with UP behind your name, become even more employable and enjoy greater career prospects. All you need is a stable internet connection to access your modules at any time on your device.
With UPOnline, you will not be alone because there are dedicated facilitators and contactable staff ready to help, motivate you and assist with any queries you may have. The UPOnline platform is also conducive to you asking questions and consulting with your facilitators.
UPOnline programmes are designed to be highly interactive learning environments. You’ll be sharing ideas with students from around the world. Live chats, discussion forums, and online video communication tools all help you become more connected to an expansive professional network.
You can start whenever it’s convenient for you because there are 6 start dates a year. This is different from a traditional academic calendar which normally only has one enrolment opportunity in the year, for example at the beginning of the year.
When studying online, you only focus on and pay for a single 8 or 16-week module at a time.
Your postgraduate journey starts here! Click here to #ChooseUP and request information on a UPOnline programme that’s relevant to you.
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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