Tshwane University of Technology sets a minimum Admission Point Score and compulsory subjects for each programme it offers, and both differ by programme rather than applying university-wide. APS minimums across TUT’s first-year programmes generally range from the high teens for higher certificates to around 30 for the most competitive degrees.
Two rules apply to every TUT programme: Life Orientation is excluded from the APS calculation, and an achievement level of 1 in any subject is excluded as well. Closing dates also differ by programme, falling on 15 June, 31 July or 30 September.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Whatever programme you apply for at TUT, the assessment covers the same elements.
- The minimum APS published for that specific programme
- The compulsory subjects for that programme, each at a stated minimum level
- Any recommended subjects, which are not compulsory but strengthen an application
- The campus at which the programme is offered
- The closing date for that programme: 15 June, 31 July or 30 September
- Whether the programme is already full, since TUT closes programmes once capacity is reached
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
TUT is organised into seven faculties: Arts and Design, Economics and Finance, Engineering and the Built Environment, Humanities, Information and Communication Technology, Management Sciences, and Science. Health sciences programmes, including nursing, sit within the Faculty of Science.
Qualification type is the main driver of the entry requirement. Higher certificates carry the lowest APS minimums, diplomas sit in the middle, and degrees such as BEngTech, BNursing and BPharm carry the highest. Choosing a higher certificate or diploma is a legitimate route that can articulate into degree study later.
Programmes are offered across TUT’s campuses, which include Pretoria, Arcadia, Soshanguve North and South, GaRankuwa, eMalahleni, Polokwane and Mbombela, as well as distance and online delivery. The same programme is not offered at every campus, so check where yours runs before applying.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The APS calculation is where applicants most often miscount. TUT excludes Life Orientation entirely, and it also excludes any subject in which you achieved an achievement level of 1, so your score is built from your remaining subjects.
Compulsory subjects are listed per programme with a minimum level for each. Science and engineering programmes commonly require Mathematics or Technical Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy, and health programmes typically add Life Sciences. Where a programme lists Mathematical Literacy as acceptable, it usually requires a higher level in it.
Some programmes also list recommended subjects. These are not entry requirements, but they indicate what the programme assumes you have studied, and taking them puts you in a stronger position both for selection and for coping with the first year.
Documents and Application Requirements
TUT requires the following with every application.
- Proof of payment of the R240 application fee for the 2027 academic year, which is compulsory, payable once and strictly non-refundable
- A certified copy of your identity document or card
- A certified copy of your National Senior Certificate, or your final Grade 11 results if you are currently in Grade 12
- A SAQA evaluation certificate, if you hold a foreign qualification
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
First-year applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 1 April 2026. Closing dates are set per programme at 15 June, 31 July or 30 September, so check the date for the specific programme rather than assuming a single university deadline.
TUT advises applying as soon as possible because a programme may close at any point once it is full, even if its published deadline has not yet passed. For competitive programmes this means the real deadline is capacity rather than the date.
You can check your admission status online using your identity number. Apply for NSFAS funding separately and directly to NSFAS, since it is not part of the TUT application. See NSFAS requirements for what that requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
What APS do I need for TUT?
There is no single TUT-wide APS. Each programme publishes its own minimum, generally ranging from the high teens for higher certificates up to around 30 for the most competitive degrees.
Does Life Orientation count towards the TUT APS?
No. TUT excludes Life Orientation, and also excludes any subject in which you achieved an achievement level of 1.
When do TUT applications close?
Closing dates are per programme: 15 June, 31 July or 30 September. TUT may close a programme earlier once it is full.
How much is the TUT application fee?
R240 for the 2027 academic year. It is compulsory for first-time applicants, payable once and non-refundable.
Source: TUT 2027 First Year Course Information, published by Tshwane University of Technology and checked August 2026. TUT states that all information is subject to change without further notice, so confirm against the current prospectus before applying. For the national picture see admission requirements and browse all education requirements.