Logistics courses in South Africa have different entry requirements at each level. A TVET college transport and logistics course (NC(V)) accepts a Grade 9 pass. A university diploma needs a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with diploma entry, usually with Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy. A BCom in logistics needs a bachelor’s pass and, at most universities, Mathematics.
As an example of the range: Vaal University of Technology asks for an APS of 20 for its logistics and supply chain management programme, while Unisa’s BCom in Transport and Logistics asks for 50% in Mathematics and an APS of 21.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- NC(V) Transport and Logistics (TVET college, NQF Levels 2 to 4): Grade 9 or better to enter Level 2.
- Higher certificate (NQF 5): an NSC. Unisa’s Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences needs at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning and an APS of 15.
- Diploma (NQF 6): an NSC with diploma entry, English at level 4 and a mathematics subject. The exact APS and subject levels are set by each institution.
- BCom degree (NQF 7): an NSC with bachelor’s (degree) entry, usually with Mathematics at 50% or higher.
- Postgraduate: programmes such as Unisa’s Postgraduate Diploma in Transport and Logistics require a completed undergraduate qualification first.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Transport and logistics course at TVET colleges
Public TVET colleges offer the National Certificate (Vocational) in Transport and Logistics. It runs for three years full-time across NQF Levels 2, 3 and 4. At False Bay TVET College, for example, you need Grade 9 or better for Level 2. Each level then requires a pass in the previous one. You study English, Mathematics and Life Orientation, along with Freight Logistics, Transport Economics and Transport Operations. Entrepreneurship is added at Level 2 and Project Management at Levels 3 and 4.
An NC(V) Level 4 can lead on to higher education. Unisa’s higher certificate accepts an NC(V) with at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning. Some diplomas also accept NC(V) Level 4, including Vaal University of Technology’s logistics programme and Durban University of Technology’s shipping and logistics diploma.
University and university of technology logistics courses
Every diploma or degree requires the NSC endorsement for that level (diploma or bachelor’s). Beyond that, each institution sets its own requirements. Three examples:
- Unisa, BCom in Transport and Logistics (98313): NSC with degree endorsement, at least 50% in the language of teaching and learning and at least 50% in Mathematics, APS 21. You can also enter with a completed higher certificate or diploma from Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences.
- Vaal University of Technology, Logistics and Supply Chain Management (2027 intake): NSC or NC(V) Level 4 with diploma or degree endorsement, English level 4, and Mathematics or Technical Mathematics at level 3 or Mathematical Literacy at level 4. You also need one other subject at level 4. The minimum APS, excluding Life Orientation, is 20 with Mathematics or 21 with Mathematical Literacy.
- Durban University of Technology, Diploma in Shipping and Logistics: NSC with diploma entry, English level 4, Mathematics level 3 and a business, commerce or management subject at level 4, plus two other subjects at level 3. NC(V) Level 4 applicants need 60% in English, Mathematics and a business subject.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Whether you need Mathematics or can use Mathematical Literacy is the main subject question for logistics courses:
- Degree: Unisa’s BCom in Transport and Logistics requires Mathematics at 50%. Mathematical Literacy does not meet it.
- Diploma: VUT accepts Mathematical Literacy at level 4 (50 to 59%) and adds one point to the APS it requires. DUT’s shipping and logistics diploma lists Mathematics only.
- NC(V): no matric subjects are needed. Mathematics is taught as part of the programme.
APS is calculated from your NSC achievement levels (level 3 is 40 to 49%, level 4 is 50 to 59%, and so on), and Life Orientation is usually excluded. VUT, for example, counts a maximum of six subjects. Each institution applies its own rules, so the same results can give different scores. Business Studies, Economics and Accounting are useful, and DUT requires a business or commerce subject. Most other programmes do not name them as compulsory.
Check the qualification level before you enrol. An NC(V) is NQF 2 to 4, a higher certificate NQF 5, a diploma NQF 6 and a BCom NQF 7. The level decides what you can study next and which jobs you can apply for.
Documents and Application Requirements
Most institutions ask for:
- A certified copy of your ID.
- Your Grade 9, 11 or 12 results: the latest school report for NC(V), or your Grade 11 or final NSC results for higher education.
- Certificates for any post-school qualification, such as an NC(V) or higher certificate, if you are using it to gain entry.
- A SAQA evaluation if your school qualification is foreign.
- Proof of payment of the application fee, where one is charged.
How you apply depends on the institution:
- TVET colleges: apply directly to the college, usually through its online application portal.
- Unisa: apply online during Unisa’s application period. You pay the R160 online application fee after you receive your student number.
- VUT: apply on VUT’s website at vut.ac.za. The closing date for first-semester academic applications is 30 September.
- DUT: apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) at cao.ac.za. The CAO code for the shipping and logistics diploma is DU-D-SL3, and the closing date is 30 September 2026.
For NSFAS funding at a public university or TVET college, apply separately at nsfas.org.za.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Meeting the minimum makes you eligible but does not guarantee a place. VUT says this directly. DUT ranks applicants by their results in the required subjects and by its SATAP test in English and numeracy.
There are routes if you do not meet the standard requirements:
- Study a lower level first: Unisa tells applicants who miss the BCom requirements to apply for a lower-level qualification. A completed Unisa higher certificate in the College of Economic and Management Sciences then counts towards BCom entry.
- Recognition of prior learning (RPL) at Unisa: you must be at least 30, have completed at least Grade 10 and have five years’ relevant work experience.
- Mature-age entry at DUT: applicants aged 23 or older with three years’ relevant work experience may be assessed without an NSC. You must apply at least four months before the academic year starts.
DUT’s shipping and logistics diploma ends with a semester of maritime shore-based work practice, so check how each programme handles work-integrated learning. Before paying a private college, check that it is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training and that its qualification is registered on the NQF.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of logistics courses are there?
There are five levels. The NC(V) in Transport and Logistics at TVET colleges is NQF 2 to 4. Next are higher certificates (NQF 5), then diplomas in logistics, supply chain management or shipping and logistics (NQF 6). After that come BCom degrees such as Unisa’s BCom in Transport and Logistics or its BCom in Supply Chain and Operations Management (NQF 7). Postgraduate options include Unisa’s Postgraduate Diploma in Transport and Logistics, BCom Honours in Logistics and MCom in Logistics.
What are the Unisa logistics course requirements?
For the BCom in Transport and Logistics, you need an NSC with degree endorsement, 50% in the language of teaching and learning and 50% in Mathematics. The minimum APS is 21. A completed higher certificate or diploma from Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences is an alternative entry route.
Can I study logistics with Mathematical Literacy?
Yes, at some diploma programmes. VUT accepts Mathematical Literacy at level 4 with an APS of 21. Unisa’s BCom and DUT’s shipping and logistics diploma require Mathematics.
Can I do a transport and logistics course without matric?
Yes. The NC(V) in Transport and Logistics at TVET colleges accepts Grade 9 or better. If you are older and have work experience, Unisa’s RPL route and DUT’s mature-age route are other options.
How long does a logistics course take?
The NC(V) takes three years full-time, one year per level. A diploma usually takes three years, and DUT’s shipping and logistics diploma is three years. Unisa allows up to eight years to finish its BCom in Transport and Logistics.
Admission requirements, APS scores and closing dates change for every intake. Confirm them with the TVET college, university or university of technology you are applying to, using that institution’s current prospectus.
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