Stellenbosch University assesses undergraduate applications on your National Senior Certificate results against the admission requirements published for each programme, which set both an overall average and minimum marks in specific subjects.
Stellenbosch expresses its requirements as percentages in named subjects and an average, rather than as a points score. That makes its published requirements more directly readable than an APS, but it also means a score calculated for another university does not transfer.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Stellenbosch assesses applications on the following.
- A National Senior Certificate with the endorsement required for the qualification
- An average percentage across your NSC subjects, set per programme
- Minimum percentages in specific subjects required by the programme
- The language of instruction requirement, given the university language policy
- For some programmes, additional selection tests, portfolios or auditions
- Available places, since popular programmes are heavily oversubscribed
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Requirements are published per programme and are revised between intake years. Confirm the current figures against the Stellenbosch calendar or faculty yearbook for the year you are applying for.
Selection for competitive programmes such as medicine, actuarial science and engineering is based on more than the published minimum, and the effective standard is set by the strength of the applicant pool each year.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Subject requirements are the element that most often excludes applicants. Programmes requiring Mathematics generally do not accept Mathematical Literacy, and science programmes add Physical Sciences.
Stellenbosch has a language policy affecting the language of instruction, and applicants should establish what it means for the programme and campus they are applying to before accepting a place.
Because requirements are expressed as percentages rather than a points total, calculate against the published figures for each programme individually.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications normally require the following.
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Your National Senior Certificate or latest statement of results
- Proof of the application fee, where one is charged
- Your final matric results, used to confirm any conditional offer
- A SAQA evaluation certificate, if you hold a foreign qualification
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Conditional offers are commonly made on Grade 11 or mid-year Grade 12 results and confirmed once final results are released. A conditional offer is not a place until confirmed.
Some programmes require additional selection, including tests, portfolios or auditions, and these have their own deadlines that fall before or alongside the application deadline.
Apply early and to more than one institution. Closing dates differ by programme, and the earliest ones are for the most competitive programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Stellenbosch use an APS?
It publishes requirements as an average percentage and minimum marks in specific subjects rather than as a points score. Calculate against the published figures per programme.
Does a score from another university transfer?
No. Requirements are expressed differently, so work them out against Stellenbosch published figures for each programme.
What about the language policy?
Stellenbosch has a language policy affecting the language of instruction. Establish what it means for your programme and campus before accepting a place.
Are there additional selection tests?
Some programmes require tests, portfolios or auditions with their own deadlines. Check for your programme early.
Confirm programme requirements against the current Stellenbosch calendar or faculty yearbook for your intake year. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.