HR courses requirements depend on the level and the institution. An HR diploma needs a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with diploma endorsement, an HR degree needs degree endorsement and Mathematics, and the TVET N4 to N6 route asks for Grade 12 with 50% for English or an NC(V) Level 4. HR courses in South Africa run from TVET N4 to N6 and higher certificates through diplomas and degrees to advanced and postgraduate diplomas.
In HR, the qualification and professional recognition are separate things. The qualification gets you in; professional designations from a body such as SABPP are built on a qualification plus years of experience. The sections below give the published entry rules for the main routes for the 2027 intake.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Unisa Diploma in Human Resource Management (NQF 6): NSC with diploma endorsement, at least 50% in the language of teaching and learning, and at least 40% in Mathematics or 70% in Mathematical Literacy; APS 17
- Unisa BCom in Human Resource Management (NQF 7): NSC with degree endorsement, at least 50% in the language of teaching and learning and at least 50% in Mathematics; APS 21; or a completed Unisa higher certificate or diploma in economic and management sciences
- Unisa Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences (NQF 5): NSC with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning, or an NC(V) with 40% in the language; APS 15
- N4 Human Resource Management (TVET): at Flavius Mareka TVET College, Grade 12 with at least 50% for English, or NC(V) Level 4; N5 requires N4 and N6 requires N5
- Advanced Diploma: the TUT Online Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management asks for a Diploma or National Diploma in HRM, or an equivalent NQF 6 qualification in HRM, human resource development or labour relations (360 credits)
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Universities of technology and universities. The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) 2027 admission requirements list Human Resources Management at diploma and degree level: an NSC or NC(V) Level 4 with diploma or degree eligibility, English at level 4, Mathematics or Technical Mathematics at level 3 or Mathematical Literacy at level 4, and one other subject at level 4. The minimum APS is 20 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics and 21 with Mathematical Literacy, excluding Life Orientation.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) undergraduate admission requirements list the BCom in Human Resource Management (B34HRQ) at APS 28 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, or APS 28 with Mathematical Literacy, with English at level 4 and Mathematics at level 4 or Mathematical Literacy at level 5. The Diploma in People Management (D34P2Q) needs APS 22 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, or APS 24 with Mathematical Literacy, with English at level 4 and Mathematics at level 3 or Mathematical Literacy at level 5. UJ calculates APS from your six best subjects excluding Life Orientation, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place.
TVET colleges. Central Johannesburg TVET College offers HRM N4 to N6 and asks for an NC(V) Level 4 in Education and Development, Finance, Economics and Accounting, Information Technology, Management, Marketing or Office Administration, an equivalent NQF Level 4 occupational qualification, or an APS of 24 with English doubled. Each level takes six months, plus 18 months of practical experience. Confirm the current rules and intakes with the college, because its page is dated 2022.
Industrial psychology is a different route. It is a related field, not the same as HR management. Registration and entry routes for psychology professions are set by the Health Professions Council of South Africa, so confirm them with the HPCSA before you choose a programme. Industrial psychology is one of the eight psychology categories of the HPCSA Professional Board for Psychology, and the 2026/27 annual fee for a registered psychologist is R2 696 (including VAT), per Board Notice 870 of 9 January 2026.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Mathematical Literacy is accepted on some HR routes but not on every one, so check each institution. Unisa’s diploma accepts it at 70%, VUT accepts it at level 4 and UJ at level 5, while the Unisa degree asks for Mathematics at 50%. Degree routes ask for more than diploma routes, and APS minimums differ widely: 17 and 21 at Unisa, 20 or 21 at VUT, and 22 to 28 at UJ.
If your results fall short, the higher certificate is the stepping stone. A completed Unisa higher certificate or diploma in economic and management sciences is an alternative entry route to the Unisa BCom. Unisa also accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants for the diploma who are at least 30, have completed at least Grade 10 and have at least five years’ relevant work experience.
Documents and Application Requirements
Universities ask for your ID, your NSC or highest qualification results and a non-refundable application fee, and Unisa also asks for proof of address. VUT states that proof of address is not compulsory. Applications are online. Specific facts for the 2027 intake:
- Unisa: the undergraduate application window ran from 17 August to 9 October 2026 and has closed. The application fee was R160, payable after you receive a student number, and is non-refundable.
- VUT: the first-semester academic closing date was 30 September, applications are online at vut.ac.za, and the application fee is R110.
- UJ: 2027 applications close on 31 October 2026 at 12:00.
- TVET colleges: apply through the college. Central Johannesburg TVET College enrols in January and July.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place at selective institutions such as UJ. Check each closing date, because some have already passed for 2027 entry.
Professional registration. The Unisa diploma is designed to give you the competencies for registration with SABPP as an HR/ER Associate. According to the SABPP member FAQs, designations run from HR Technician (a one-year certificate plus one year of experience), through HR Associate (a two-year diploma, two years of experience and a board exam) and HR Professional (a three-year degree or diploma, three years in middle management and an exam), to Chartered and Master HR Professional at honours and master’s level. Check the current requirements with SABPP before you apply for a designation.
Before you pay a private provider, ask which quality council or Sector Education and Training Authority accredits it and ask for the qualification’s SAQA identification number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for an HR course?
A diploma needs an NSC with diploma endorsement (Unisa: 50% for the language, and 40% for Mathematics or 70% for Mathematical Literacy, APS 17). A degree needs degree endorsement and 50% for Mathematics (Unisa APS 21). The TVET N4 route needs Grade 12 with 50% for English or an NC(V) Level 4.
What HR diploma courses are available?
The Unisa Diploma in Human Resource Management (APS 17), the VUT Human Resources Management diploma (APS 20 or 21) and the UJ Diploma in People Management are examples. The TUT Online Advanced Diploma needs an NQF 6 HR diploma first.
What HR degree courses are available?
The Unisa BCom in Human Resource Management (APS 21) and the UJ BCom in Human Resource Management (APS 28) are examples. Unisa also accepts a completed economic and management sciences higher certificate or diploma.
Are there HR administration courses?
Official sources list HR through the HRM N4 to N6 route at TVET colleges such as Flavius Mareka and Central Johannesburg, and through diplomas such as the Unisa Diploma in HRM. Ask the college which of its programmes cover HR administration.
Do I need Mathematics for HR?
Not always. Unisa accepts Mathematical Literacy at 70% for its diploma, and VUT accepts Mathematical Literacy at level 4. Degrees ask for Mathematics: Unisa asks for 50%.
Do I need a professional designation?
The Unisa diploma aims at SABPP registration as an HR/ER Associate. Designations are based on a qualification plus years of experience, and you should check the current rules with SABPP.
Can I start with a higher certificate?
Yes. The Unisa Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences needs an NSC with 30% for the language of teaching and learning (APS 15), and a completed higher certificate gives access to the Unisa BCom in HRM.
Confirm entry requirements and closing dates with the institution you are applying to, and professional designations with SABPP. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.