Stellenbosch University Admission Requirements
Stellenbosch University admission requirements depend on the qualification and faculty you choose, but the starting point is the same: you must have an NSC or IEB school-leaving certificate certified by Umalusi for admission to bachelor’s degree studies. Stellenbosch also makes it clear that meeting the minimum requirement does not guarantee admission, because programmes are competitive and selection is faculty-specific.
If you want to study at Stellenbosch, the safest approach is to check three things early: whether you qualify for bachelor’s degree study, whether your marks meet the programme’s subject requirements, and whether the faculty has extra selection rules for your course. That is where most applicants get caught out.
Minimum requirements to study at Stellenbosch University
For bachelor’s degree-level admission, Stellenbosch says applicants must meet the general bachelor’s degree standard used for NSC admission. That includes at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching, which is English or Afrikaans, plus an achievement rating of 4 (50% to 59%) in four 20-credit subjects. The university also says your school-leaving certificate must be endorsed for bachelor’s degree study.
That is the minimum starting point only. Many Stellenbosch programmes need stronger marks than the national minimum. In practice, competitive degrees often expect much higher averages and specific subject marks, especially in faculties such as Science, Law, Engineering, and Medicine and Health Sciences.
Does Stellenbosch use APS?
Many learners search for “Stellenbosch APS requirements”, but Stellenbosch’s official admissions pages do not present one universal APS score for all undergraduate degrees. Instead, the university uses programme-specific requirements, NSC averages, and faculty selection guidelines. Stellenbosch also publishes its own method for calculating an NSC average, which uses the highest Language of Learning and Teaching mark in English or Afrikaans plus the best five 20-credit subjects, excluding Life Orientation, divided by six.
So, if you are looking for a single APS that applies to every Stellenbosch course, that is not how the university structures admission. You need to check the exact faculty or course requirements for the programme you want.
Stellenbosch subject requirements by programme
Subject requirements differ by programme. Some degrees accept Mathematics Literacy, while others need strong Mathematics and sometimes Physical Sciences or Life Sciences.
For example, the 2027 Stellenbosch undergraduate prospectus shows that BSc Computer Science requires at least a 65% NSC aggregate, 50% in English or Afrikaans, and 70% in Mathematics. BSc Chemistry also requires a 65% NSC aggregate, 50% in English or Afrikaans, 50% in Physical Sciences, and 70% in Mathematics. In Medicine and Health Sciences, MBChB is more competitive and requires at least a 75% aggregate, 60% in Mathematics, 50% in Physical Sciences, and 50% in Life Sciences.
The main point is simple: there is no single Stellenbosch mark requirement for every student. Your course choice matters. Before applying, always check the latest faculty selection guidelines and the current prospectus for the exact programme you want. Requirements can change from one intake year to the next.
How Stellenbosch selects applicants
Stellenbosch says all programmes are selection programmes. That means qualifying for the minimum entry requirement is not the same as getting accepted. If there are more qualified applicants than available places, the faculty uses its own selection process to decide who gets in.
In the Faculty of Science, for example, the prospectus explains that the faculty uses Grade 11 marks for current Grade 12 learners and Grade 12 final marks for applicants who have already finished school. It also publishes a selection mark formula that doubles Mathematics, adds five other subjects including at least one of English or Afrikaans, excludes Life Orientation, and divides the total by seven.
Are NBTs required at Stellenbosch?
NBT rules can change by intake year, so applicants should always verify the latest position before applying. For the 2027 intake, Stellenbosch says NBTs are not required for admission except for all Faculty of Law programmes, applicants from the School of Tomorrow, the South African-based American High School Diploma, and all online schools.
That is important because older Stellenbosch guides and older third-party pages may still suggest NBTs are broadly required. Use the latest official admissions booklet and faculty guidance, not outdated summaries.
How to apply to Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch requires undergraduate applicants to apply online through its applicant system. The university says you can apply for up to three programmes, and your application will only be considered if all required supporting documents are submitted by the closing date. You should also keep checking your email and applicant portal, because document and application statuses are updated there during the process.
If you apply using Grade 11 results, Stellenbosch may issue a conditional offer. If you apply with completed Grade 12 results, the university may consider you for a final offer. You must then accept the offer by the deadline stated in the offer letter.
Stellenbosch application closing date
Stellenbosch says undergraduate applications and residence applications close on 31 July. The university advises applicants to submit everything before the closing date, because incomplete or late submissions may not be considered.
Because application cycles change each year, it is smart to check the current intake page before you apply. The closing date is consistent across official Stellenbosch application pages, but opening dates and some special programme deadlines can differ.
Application fee
According to Stellenbosch’s official application information, the undergraduate application fee is R100 for South African citizens and certain applicants with recognised status in South Africa. International undergraduate applicants pay R400. Stellenbosch also says some South African undergraduate applicants may be exempt, depending on the quintile of their school.
International applicant requirements
If you are applying with an international curriculum such as Cambridge, IB, Pearson, or an American High School Diploma, Stellenbosch says your results will be evaluated through its international admissions process. Some applicants may also need a Universities South Africa matriculation exemption certificate.
International applicants must also be careful about registration requirements. Stellenbosch’s international guidance says students need a valid study visa endorsed for Stellenbosch University and medical cover registered under the South African Medical Schemes Act for the full academic year.
Final advice before you apply
If you are serious about Stellenbosch, do not rely on one number or one summary page. Start with the official programme requirements, compare them with your marks, and then check whether the faculty has extra selection criteria. That is the best way to know whether you are competitive for your chosen degree.
Also remember that a general admission page is useful for orientation, but the final answer always sits with the current Stellenbosch prospectus, faculty selection guidelines, and applicant portal instructions. Those are the sources that matter most when your application is assessed.
FAQ
What are the minimum admission requirements for Stellenbosch University?
At a general level, you need an NSC or IEB certificate endorsed for bachelor’s degree study. Stellenbosch also points applicants to programme-specific and faculty-specific requirements, which usually matter more than the basic minimum.
Does Stellenbosch University use APS?
Not as one universal score for every course. Stellenbosch’s official admissions pages focus on NSC averages, subject marks, and faculty selection requirements instead of one site-wide APS score.
Can I apply to Stellenbosch with Grade 11 results?
Yes. Stellenbosch says applicants who apply with Grade 11 results may receive a conditional offer, provided they later meet the final programme requirements with their Grade 12 results.
When do Stellenbosch applications close?
Undergraduate and residence applications close on 31 July according to Stellenbosch’s official application pages.
Do I need NBTs for Stellenbosch?
That depends on the intake year and applicant type. For the 2027 intake, Stellenbosch says NBTs are only required for Faculty of Law programmes, School of Tomorrow applicants, South African-based American High School Diploma applicants, and online school applicants.
Does meeting the minimum requirement guarantee admission?
No. Stellenbosch states that all programmes are selection programmes and that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place.