Logistics courses in South Africa have different entry requirements at each level. A TVET college transport and logistics course (NC(V)) accepts Grade 9 or better. A university diploma needs a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with diploma entry, usually with Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy. A BCom in logistics needs a bachelor’s pass and, at most universities, Mathematics.
As an example of the range: Vaal University of Technology asks for an APS of 20 with Mathematics or 21 with Mathematical Literacy for its logistics and supply chain management programme, while Unisa’s BCom in Transport and Logistics asks for 50% in Mathematics and an APS of 21. Applications for most 2027 university places have already closed, so check the next cycle’s dates early.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- NC(V) Transport and Logistics (TVET college, NQF Levels 2 to 4): Grade 9 or better to enter Level 2 at False Bay TVET College. Flavius Mareka TVET College (Kroonstad) asks for Grade 9 with 50% in Mathematics and Science and a placement test.
- Higher certificate (NQF 5): an NSC. Unisa’s Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences needs at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning and an APS of 15.
- Diploma (NQF 6): an NSC with diploma entry, English at level 4 and a mathematics subject. The exact APS and subject levels are set by each institution.
- BCom degree (NQF 7): an NSC with bachelor’s (degree) entry, usually with Mathematics at 50% or higher.
- Postgraduate: programmes such as Unisa’s Postgraduate Diploma in Transport and Logistics require a completed undergraduate qualification first.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Transport and logistics course at TVET colleges
Public TVET colleges offer the National Certificate (Vocational) in Transport and Logistics. It runs for three years full-time across NQF Levels 2, 3 and 4. At False Bay TVET College, for example, you need Grade 9 or better for Level 2. Each level then requires a pass in the previous one. You study English, Mathematics and Life Orientation, along with Freight Logistics, Transport Economics and Transport Operations. Entrepreneurship is added at Level 2 and Project Management at Levels 3 and 4.
An NC(V) Level 4 can lead on to higher education. Unisa’s higher certificate accepts an NC(V) with at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning. Durban University of Technology’s shipping and logistics diploma also accepts NC(V) Level 4 applicants with 60% in English, Mathematics and a business subject.
University and university of technology logistics courses
Every diploma or degree requires the NSC endorsement for that level (diploma or bachelor’s). Beyond that, each institution sets its own requirements. Four examples:
- Unisa, BCom in Transport and Logistics (98313): NSC with degree endorsement, at least 50% in the language of teaching and learning and at least 50% in Mathematics, APS 21. You can also enter with a completed higher certificate or diploma from Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences.
- Vaal University of Technology, Logistics and Supply Chain Management (2027 intake): English level 4, and Mathematics or Technical Mathematics at level 3 or Mathematical Literacy at level 4. You also need one other subject at level 4. The minimum APS, excluding Life Orientation, is 20 with Mathematics or 21 with Mathematical Literacy.
- University of Johannesburg, Diploma in Logistics (2027 intake): APS of 24 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, or 26 with Mathematical Literacy. English at level 4 (50% or more) and Mathematics at level 3 (40% or more) or Mathematical Literacy at level 5 (60% or more). UJ counts your six best subjects excluding Life Orientation.
- Durban University of Technology, Diploma in Shipping and Logistics: NSC with diploma entry, English level 4, Mathematics level 3 and a business, commerce or management subject at level 4, plus two other subjects at level 3. NC(V) Level 4 applicants need 60% in English, Mathematics and a business subject.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Whether you need Mathematics or can use Mathematical Literacy is the main subject question for logistics courses:
- Degree: Unisa’s BCom in Transport and Logistics requires Mathematics at 50%. Mathematical Literacy does not meet it.
- Diploma: VUT accepts Mathematical Literacy at level 4 (50 to 59%) and adds one point to the APS it requires. UJ accepts it at level 5 (60% or more) with an APS two points higher. DUT’s shipping and logistics diploma lists Mathematics only.
- NC(V): no matric subjects are needed to enter Level 2. Mathematics is taught as part of the programme, although Flavius Mareka asks for 50% in Mathematics and Science at Grade 9.
APS is calculated from your NSC achievement levels (level 3 is 40 to 49%, level 4 is 50 to 59%, and so on), and Life Orientation is usually excluded. Each institution applies its own rules, so the same results can give different scores. DUT requires a business, commerce or management subject.
Check the qualification level before you enrol. An NC(V) is NQF 2 to 4, a higher certificate NQF 5, a diploma NQF 6 and a BCom NQF 7. The level decides what you can study next and which jobs you can apply for.
Documents and Application Requirements
Expect to supply the following (VUT, for example, lists a certified ID, a certified Grade 11 or latest Grade 12 report and, optionally, proof of address):
- A certified copy of your ID.
- Your Grade 9, 11 or 12 results: the latest school report for NC(V), or your Grade 11 or final NSC results for higher education.
- Certificates for any post-school qualification, such as an NC(V) or higher certificate, if you are using it to gain entry.
- Proof of payment of the application fee, where one is charged.
How you apply depends on the institution:
- TVET colleges: apply directly to the college, usually through its online application portal.
- Unisa: apply online during Unisa’s application period. You pay the R160 non-refundable application fee after you receive your student number. The 2027 window (17 August to 9 October 2026) has closed.
- VUT: apply on VUT’s website at vut.ac.za. The closing date for first-semester academic applications was 30 September, and the application fee is R110.
- UJ: 2027 applications close on 31 October 2026 at 12:00.
- DUT: apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) at cao.ac.za. The CAO code for the shipping and logistics diploma is DU-D-SL3, and the CAO application fee is R250 for South African citizens. The 2027 closing date of 30 September 2026 has passed.
For NSFAS funding, apply separately at nsfas.org.za. NSFAS lists Transport and Logistics NC(V) programmes at public TVET colleges among its funded programmes, but confirm the current year with NSFAS.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Meeting the minimum makes you eligible but does not guarantee a place. VUT says this directly. DUT ranks applicants by their results in the required subjects and by its SATAP test in English and numeracy.
There are routes if you do not meet the standard requirements:
- Study a lower level first: Unisa tells applicants who miss the BCom requirements to apply for a lower-level qualification. A completed Unisa higher certificate in the College of Economic and Management Sciences then counts towards BCom entry.
- Recognition of prior learning (RPL) at Unisa: you must be at least 30, have completed at least Grade 10 and have five years’ relevant work experience.
- Mature-age entry at DUT: applicants aged 23 or older with three years’ relevant work experience may be assessed without an NSC. You must apply at least four months before the academic year starts.
DUT’s shipping and logistics diploma includes a 60-credit Maritime Shore-based Work Practice module, so check how each programme handles work-integrated learning. Before paying a private college, check that it is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training and that its qualification is registered on the NQF.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of logistics courses are there?
Logistics qualifications run from the NC(V) in Transport and Logistics at TVET colleges (NQF 2 to 4) to diplomas such as VUT’s Logistics and Supply Chain Management, UJ’s Diploma in Logistics and DUT’s Shipping and Logistics, and Unisa’s BCom in Transport and Logistics. If you need an entry route, Unisa points applicants who miss the BCom requirements to a lower-level qualification they do qualify for, and Unisa’s Economic and Management Sciences higher certificate (NQF 5, APS 15) can lead on to BCom entry.
What are the Unisa logistics course requirements?
For the BCom in Transport and Logistics, you need an NSC with degree endorsement, 50% in the language of teaching and learning and 50% in Mathematics. The minimum APS is 21. A completed higher certificate or diploma from Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences is an alternative entry route.
Can I study logistics with Mathematical Literacy?
Yes, at some diploma programmes. VUT accepts Mathematical Literacy at level 4 with an APS of 21, and UJ’s Diploma in Logistics accepts it at level 5 with an APS of 26. Unisa’s BCom and DUT’s shipping and logistics diploma require Mathematics.
Can I do a transport and logistics course without matric?
Yes. The NC(V) in Transport and Logistics at TVET colleges accepts Grade 9 or better at False Bay TVET College, while Flavius Mareka also asks for 50% in Mathematics and Science and a placement test. If you are older and have work experience, Unisa’s RPL route and DUT’s mature-age route are other options.
How long does a logistics course take?
The NC(V) takes three years full-time, one year per level. Unisa allows up to eight years to finish its BCom in Transport and Logistics. Check the duration of each diploma with the institution.
Admission requirements, APS scores and closing dates change for every intake. Confirm them with the TVET college, university or university of technology you are applying to, using that institution’s current prospectus, or start with the Unisa programme page.
See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.