The University of Johannesburg requires a minimum APS of 30 for its Bachelor of Nursing, with English at level 5 (60%), Mathematics at level 4 (50%), Physical Sciences at level 4 (50%) and Life Sciences at level 4 (50%). Mathematical Literacy, Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted.
The programme is a four-year full-time degree offered on the Doornfontein campus, and on completion graduates register with the South African Nursing Council as a professional nurse and midwife. Applications for the 2027 intake open on 1 April 2026 and close on 31 October 2026.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
UJ publishes the following admission requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing, programme code B9N02Q.
- Minimum APS of 30
- English at level 5, which is 60% or above
- Mathematics at level 4, which is 50% or above
- Physical Sciences at level 4, which is 50% or above
- Life Sciences at level 4, which is 50% or above
- Mathematical Literacy, Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted
- Selection on academic merit, a structured personal interview and English proficiency
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The Bachelor of Nursing is an NQF level 8 qualification carrying 480 credits, registered with SAQA under identification number 116402. It runs for four years full-time at the Doornfontein campus.
The APS minimum of 30 is the threshold at which UJ will consider your application. Nursing at UJ is heavily oversubscribed and selection includes an interview, so meeting 30 exactly does not mean you will be offered a place. Applicants who are admitted commonly present above the minimum.
Note that this is a degree route leading to registration as a professional nurse and midwife. If you do not meet these requirements, ask UJ about other health sciences routes, and consider auxiliary or enrolled nursing qualifications elsewhere, which are separate qualifications with lower entry requirements that can articulate upward later.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The subject requirements are the part that most often disqualifies applicants, because UJ explicitly does not accept Mathematical Literacy for this programme. If you took Mathematical Literacy rather than Mathematics, you are not eligible for the Bachelor of Nursing at UJ regardless of your APS.
UJ also excludes Technical Mathematics and Technical Science, which affects applicants from technical high schools who may otherwise assume those subjects substitute for the mainstream equivalents.
English is required at a higher level than the science subjects, at level 5 rather than level 4, and English proficiency is separately assessed as part of selection. That reflects the communication demands of clinical practice rather than an academic formality.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications are made online through UJ during the application window. You will normally need the following.
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Your National Senior Certificate or your latest statement of results
- Proof of the application fee, where one applies
- Your final matric results, used to confirm any conditional offer
- A SAQA evaluation certificate, if you hold a foreign qualification
- Health screening and police clearance, which apply before clinical placement
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
UJ states that selection is based on academic merit, a structured personal interview and English proficiency. The interview is a genuine selection stage rather than a formality, so being invited to one does not mean you have a place.
Application dates for the 2027 intake are 1 April 2026 to 31 October 2026. Nursing closes with the general UJ application window, and late applications are not usually accommodated because clinical placements are planned in advance.
Places are constrained by clinical placement capacity rather than by classroom space, which is why intakes in nursing are small relative to the number of applicants. Apply early, and apply to more than one institution rather than relying on a single application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What APS do I need for nursing at UJ?
UJ publishes a minimum APS of 30 for the Bachelor of Nursing. Because selection includes an interview and places are limited, successful applicants commonly present above that minimum.
Can I study nursing at UJ with Mathematical Literacy?
No. UJ explicitly does not accept Mathematical Literacy, Technical Mathematics or Technical Science for the Bachelor of Nursing. Mathematics at level 4 is required.
How long is the programme and where is it offered?
It is four years full-time at the Doornfontein campus, an NQF level 8 qualification carrying 480 credits.
When do applications open and close?
For the 2027 intake, applications open on 1 April 2026 and close on 31 October 2026. Confirm dates with UJ, as they change each cycle.
Source: University of Johannesburg official programme pages, checked August 2026. UJ revises requirements between intake years, so confirm against the current UJ prospectus before applying. For the national picture see nursing requirements and admission requirements, and browse all education requirements.