The University of the Free State is based in Bloemfontein with additional campuses in Qwaqwa and South Campus, offering degrees across Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Theology. Entry requires a National Senior Certificate with the endorsement for the qualification.
UFS calculates an admission point score from your National Senior Certificate results and publishes a minimum per programme. Health sciences programmes, constrained by clinical placement capacity, are the most competitive.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Applications are generally assessed on the following.
- A National Senior Certificate with the endorsement matching the qualification
- The points score the institution calculates by its own published method
- Subject requirements specific to the programme
- English or the language of instruction at the level required
- Available places, since popular programmes are oversubscribed
- Application within the published window
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
UFS operates across three campuses, and the same programme is not offered at every one. The Qwaqwa campus in particular offers a distinct programme range, so confirm where your programme runs before applying.
Programme-specific requirements are revised between intake years, so confirm them against the current prospectus for the year you are applying for.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Health sciences, natural and agricultural sciences programmes require Mathematics and Physical Sciences or Life Sciences depending on the programme, and do not generally accept Mathematical Literacy.
Education, humanities and some management programmes are considerably more likely to accept Mathematical Literacy. Check the specific programme.
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
Health sciences programmes at UFS, including medicine, are capped nationally by clinical placement capacity and are among the most competitive in the country.
Confirm the campus your programme runs on before planning accommodation or travel, since the campuses are geographically distant from one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is UFS?
Bloemfontein, with additional campuses at Qwaqwa and South Campus. The same programme is not offered at every campus.
Which UFS programmes are most competitive?
Health sciences programmes, including medicine, which are capped by clinical placement capacity.
Does UFS accept Mathematical Literacy?
Education, humanities and some management programmes are more likely to. Health and natural sciences generally require Mathematics.
Does UFS use an APS?
Yes. It calculates an admission point score from your NSC results and publishes a minimum per programme.
Confirm programme requirements and campus offerings against the current UFS prospectus. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.