Computer science requirements at South African universities come down to three things: a National Senior Certificate (NSC) that admits you to bachelor’s degree study, Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) at a high level, usually level 6 (70%+), and the university’s minimum Admission Point Score (APS). For the 2027 intake, the University of Pretoria asks for APS 30 with English level 5 and Mathematics level 6, and the University of Johannesburg asks for the same APS, English and Mathematics levels for its BSc in Computer Science and Informatics.
Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place, and the closing dates matter: UP closed on 30 June 2026 and Wits closed on 30 September 2026. UJ applications close on 31 October 2026 at 12:00.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Here are the published minimums for three universities’ undergraduate computer science degrees, for the 2027 intake.
- University of Pretoria (UP), BSc in Computer Science (12134002): APS 30, English level 5, Mathematics level 6. Three years full-time. Closing date 30 June 2026 (closed).
- University of Johannesburg (UJ), BSc in Computer Science and Informatics (B2I02Q): APS 30, English 5 (60%+), Mathematics 6 (70%+). Auckland Park Kingsway campus. Applications close on 31 October 2026 at 12:00.
- UJ, BSc in Computer Science and Informatics (artificial intelligence specialisation, B2I04Q): APS 34, English 5, Mathematics 7 (80%+).
- UJ, BSc in Information Technology (B2I01Q): APS 30, English 5, Mathematics 6.
- Wits University, BSc in the field of Computer Science (SBA13): APS 44+ on the Wits scale, English Home Language or First Additional Language level 5, Mathematics level 6. Three years full-time. Closing date 30 September 2026 (closed). All Faculty of Science applicants must write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) by 31 October 2026.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
A bachelor of comp sci (a BSc in Computer Science or a BSc with computer science as a major) is a degree, so you need an NSC or IEB certificate that endorses you for bachelor’s degree study. The national minimum for a bachelor’s degree is an NSC with at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the institution and a rating of 4 (50-59%) or better in four 20-credit NSC subjects. Each faculty then sets its own, higher minimums on top of that.
Mathematics is the subject that decides whether you qualify. Every programme listed above requires Mathematics, so if you took Mathematical Literacy you will not meet the requirements for computer science at these universities.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The subject minimums for computer science qualifications are almost always the same two: English and Mathematics. None of the programmes above lists Physical Sciences or Information Technology as a compulsory school subject.
APS figures cannot be compared directly between universities, because each one calculates the score differently:
- UJ counts the six best subjects excluding Life Orientation.
- Wits counts your best seven subjects including Life Orientation, and gives bonus points for English and Mathematics. That is why its computer science minimum is 44+. Wits says applicants with 41 to 43 points may be wait-listed. See the Wits undergraduate entry requirements for the calculation.
- UP publishes its minimum APS on the programme page; use UP’s own calculation.
Names differ between universities, but the qualification is the same kind of degree. UJ calls it a BSc in Computer Science and Informatics, and it also offers a version specialising in artificial intelligence with its own, higher entry requirements. At Wits it is a BSc in the field of Computer Science. At UP it is a stand-alone BSc in Computer Science.
Documents and Application Requirements
You apply online, directly to each university. Have these ready:
- Your identity document or passport
- Your final Grade 11 results if you are in Grade 12 now, or your final NSC or equivalent results if you have finished school
- Your NBT results, if you are applying to Wits Faculty of Science. You must write the NBT by 31 October 2026
- Academic records from any previous institution, if you are transferring
UP’s programme page does not mention the NBT, and UJ’s programme requirements above do not list it. Confirm with the university before you apply.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Computer science has more applicants than places. UJ states that meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place, and Wits has a fixed number of first-year places. Scoring well above the minimum improves your chances more than just meeting it.
Put a second choice on your application. UP suggests the BSc in Information Systems (Information and Knowledge Systems) and the BCom specialising in Information Systems as second choices for Computer Science. The 2027 closing date for UP has passed, so if you missed it, ask UP and other universities about late or next-year applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for computer science?
You need an NSC endorsed for bachelor’s degree study, Mathematics at level 6 (70%+) at UP, UJ and Wits, English at level 5, and the university’s minimum APS. The APS is 30 at UP and at UJ, and 44+ on the Wits scale.
What are the computer science requirements at UP?
For 2027, UP’s BSc in Computer Science requires APS 30, English at level 5, and Mathematics at level 6. UP’s closing date for 2027 applications was 30 June 2026.
What are the University of Johannesburg computer science requirements?
UJ’s BSc in Computer Science and Informatics (B2I02Q) requires APS 30, English level 5 (60%+) and Mathematics level 6 (70%+) for 2027. The artificial intelligence specialisation (B2I04Q) requires APS 34 and Mathematics level 7 (80%+). UJ’s APS is the six best subjects excluding Life Orientation, and applications close on 31 October 2026 at 12:00.
Does computer science require the NBT?
At Wits, yes: all Faculty of Science applicants must write the National Benchmark Test (Academic and Quantitative Literacy and Mathematics) by 31 October 2026. UP’s programme page does not mention the NBT; ask UJ and UP directly before you apply.
Can I study computer science with Mathematical Literacy?
No, not at the universities on this page. All of their programmes require Mathematics. Look at IT diplomas or higher certificates instead, and check what each one requires.
Do I need Physical Sciences or IT as a school subject?
Neither is a listed minimum for the UP, UJ or Wits computer science degrees above. English and Mathematics are the subjects that count. Check the programme page each year, because requirements can change.
Does meeting the minimum APS guarantee a place?
No. UJ says meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place, and Wits has limited places and may wait-list applicants who are just below its APS cut-off, so the effective cut-off can be higher than the published minimum.
These figures are for the 2027 intake and change every year. Before you apply, confirm the requirements and closing dates on the UP programme page, the UJ undergraduate admissions page or the Wits course finder. Next, see the general admission requirements guide and browse all education requirements.