Wits Requirements: APS, Admission Requirements and How to Apply
If you want to study at Wits University, you need to meet the university’s general admission rules, the APS and subject requirements for your chosen course, and any extra faculty-specific selection requirements. Wits also makes it clear that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, because final selection depends on available space, academic results and any additional entry criteria.
What are the minimum requirements to study at Wits?
For undergraduate admission, Wits says applicants must have a National Senior Certificate from the DBE, IEB or SACAI, or another accepted school-leaving qualification, together with a Bachelor’s degree pass and the required achievement levels for the programme they want to study. Some courses also have extra requirements such as the National Benchmark Tests, auditions, portfolios, questionnaires or application exercises. Wits also says only one matric upgrade or rewrite attempt is considered.
If you are applying with an international qualification, Wits says you need matriculation exemption from the South African Matriculation Board.
How Wits APS works
Wits uses its own Admission Points Score (APS) system. The university says the APS is based on your best seven subjects, including Life Orientation, and it does not distinguish between designated and non-designated subjects. Wits also includes Further Studies subjects in the APS calculation.
Wits APS conversion table
| NSC % | English and Mathematics | Life Orientation | Other Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | 10 | 4 | 8 |
| 80–89 | 9 | 3 | 7 |
| 70–79 | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| 60–69 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| 50–59 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 40–49 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 30–39 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0–29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wits publishes this APS table on its undergraduate entry requirements page.
Wits application deadlines
For the 2027 intake currently published by Wits, the main undergraduate deadlines are:
- 30 June 2026 for all programmes in Health Sciences, Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, and BA Film and TV
- 30 September 2026 for most other undergraduate programmes
- 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026 for residence applications
Because Wits updates deadlines each cycle, always check the latest official application page before you apply.
Documents needed for a Wits application
Wits requires applicants to apply online, pay the application fee, upload supporting documents and submit before the closing date. The current undergraduate application fee published by Wits is R100.
If you have not yet matriculated, Wits says you should upload your final Grade 11 report, signed and stamped by your school principal. If you have already matriculated and have not attended university, you should upload certified copies of your matric certificate, and if you are rewriting subjects, those subjects must also be included.
Extra selection requirements at Wits
Some Wits courses have extra selection steps beyond APS and subject levels. Wits says applicants to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology must write the NBT by 15 August for early feedback. Health Sciences applicants must write an in-person pencil-and-paper NBT by 15 August, and Science applicants must write the NBT before being considered for admission. Wits also lists extra requirements for courses such as Fine Arts, Music, Digital Arts, Film and Televisionand Architectural Studies, where portfolios, auditions, questionnaires or application exercises may apply.
Examples of Wits course requirements
Course requirements at Wits differ a lot depending on the degree. Here are a few examples from official Wits course pages.
BA requirements at Wits
For the general BA, Wits lists an APS of 36+ and English Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 5. Applicants with 30 to 35 APS points may be wait-listed, depending on space.
BCom requirements at Wits
For the Bachelor of Commerce (General), Wits lists an APS of 38+, English at Level 5, and Mathematics at Level 5. Applicants with 35 to 37 APS points, together with stronger English and Maths results, may be wait-listed.
BSc requirements at Wits
For BSc General, Wits lists an APS of 42+, English at Level 5, and Mathematics at Level 5. Wits also says all Faculty of Science applicants must write the National Benchmark Tests before they can be considered for admission.
Civil Engineering requirements at Wits
For Civil Engineering, Wits lists an APS of 42+, English at Level 5, Mathematics at Level 5, and Physical Sciences at Level 5. Wits notes that students with stronger Level 6 results stand a better chance of being accepted.
Computer Science requirements at Wits
For Computer Science, Wits lists an APS of 44+, English at Level 5, and Mathematics at Level 6. The course page also says Science applicants must write the NBT, and the current page for this cycle says it must be written by 31 October 2026.
Law requirements at Wits
For the four-year LLB stream, Wits lists an APS of 46+, English at Level 6, and either Mathematics at Level 5 or Maths Literacy at Level 6.
Medicine requirements at Wits
Medicine at Wits does not work like a simple APS-only course. For MBBCh, Wits lists English at Level 5, Mathematics at Level 5, and Life Sciences and/or Physical Sciences at Level 5. Selection is based on a Composite Index, where matric results in five subjects carry a 60% weighting and NBT results carry a 40% weighting. Wits also says all South African applicants must write the NBT in person, and the NBT should be written by 17 August.
How to apply to Wits
The Wits application process is straightforward. You apply online, pay the application fee, upload your documents and then track your application on the student self-service portal. Wits says the Student Enrolment Centre handles undergraduate applications.
Before you apply, make sure you have checked the exact requirements for your course. A general Wits APS score is not enough on its own if your chosen degree also needs Mathematics, Physical Sciences, the NBT, a portfolio or another faculty-specific step.
Final thoughts on Wits requirements
Wits is one of the most competitive universities in South Africa, so it is important to look at both the general university rules and the exact course requirements before you apply. Start with your APS, check the required subjects, confirm whether your course needs the NBT or another selection process, and make sure you submit everything before the closing date. Wits also advises applicants that minimum requirements are only a guideline and do not guarantee a place.
FAQs
What APS score do you need for Wits?
There is no single APS score for every Wits course. For example, the general BA is listed at 36+, BCom at 38+, BSc General at 42+, Civil Engineering at 42+, Computer Science at 44+, and the four-year LLB at 46+.
Does Wits accept Grade 11 results?
Yes. If you have not yet matriculated, Wits says you should upload your final Grade 11 report signed and stamped by your school principal.
Does meeting the minimum requirements guarantee admission to Wits?
No. Wits says meeting the minimum requirements is only a guideline and does not guarantee a place. Final selection depends on places available, academic performance and any extra entry requirements.
Does Wits require the NBT?
Some faculties and courses do. Wits says Health Sciences applicants must write the NBT, Science applicants must write the NBT, and courses such as Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology also require it.
Can you apply to Wits with Maths Literacy?
It depends on the course. For example, the four-year LLB accepts Maths Literacy Level 6, but many Science and Engineering courses require pure Mathematics.
When do Wits applications close?
For the current 2027 intake, Wits says some programmes close on 30 June 2026, while most other undergraduate programmes close on 30 September 2026.