The University of Cape Town assesses undergraduate applications on a Faculty Point Score calculated from your National Senior Certificate results, together with National Benchmark Test results. All undergraduate applicants normally resident or at school in South Africa must write the National Benchmark Tests.
The Faculty Point Score is calculated differently by faculty, with some calculating out of 600 and others out of 900. A score worked out for one faculty does not transfer to another, and a general APS from another university does not transfer at all.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Applications are generally assessed on the following.
- A National Senior Certificate with the endorsement required for the programme
- The Faculty Point Score, calculated by the specific faculty method
- National Benchmark Test results, which all South African resident applicants must write
- Subject requirements specific to the programme
- Available places, since programmes are heavily oversubscribed
- For some programmes, additional selection such as a portfolio or interview
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
UCT offers degrees across faculties including Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law and Science. Each publishes its own Faculty Point Score method and threshold.
The Science Faculty calculation, for example, sums the percentages achieved in the best six NSC subjects including English and excluding Life Orientation, doubling the percentages achieved in Mathematics and Physical Sciences. Programme-specific requirements are revised between intake years, so confirm them against the current prospectus for the year you are applying for rather than relying on figures published elsewhere.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Subject requirements are programme specific. Science, engineering and health science programmes require Mathematics and Physical Sciences and do not accept Mathematical Literacy.
How much weight the National Benchmark Tests carry differs by faculty. In the Science Faculty results are not taken into account for admission but are used for placement into the extended degree after registration; other faculties weight them in the decision.
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
UCT receives far more qualifying applications than it has places, so meeting the published threshold does not secure admission. The university also applies redress and access considerations as part of its admissions policy.
Write the National Benchmark Tests as early as sittings allow. Late test results are the most common avoidable cause of an application stalling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to write the NBTs?
All undergraduate applicants normally resident or at school in South Africa must write them.
How is the Faculty Point Score calculated?
By each faculty own method, with some calculating out of 600 and others out of 900. Use the specific faculty method.
Does an APS from another university transfer?
No. UCT uses its own Faculty Point Score calculated differently by faculty.
Does meeting the threshold guarantee a place?
No. UCT receives far more qualifying applications than it has places.
Source: University of Cape Town official admissions pages, checked August 2026. Confirm the Faculty Point Score method and threshold with the specific faculty. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.