Physiotherapy is a four-year degree at the universities that offer it, and every one of them requires a bachelor-level matric with Mathematics and at least one science. The physiotherapist requirements below are taken from the universities’ own admission pages, so check the intake year against the page you are reading.
Official pages show physiotherapy at UCT, Wits, the University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch, UWC and UKZN. Other universities may also offer it, so confirm with the institution you are considering.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
What the universities check across the board:
- A strong matric pass, with minimum percentages, levels or an APS set by each university
- Mathematics (UWC alone lists Mathematical Literacy at Level 6 as an alternative)
- Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, or both, depending on the university
- Selection beyond the minimum: meeting the published criteria does not guarantee a place
- Job shadowing at some universities (Wits requires it)
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
UCT lists a minimum APS of 360 for its four-year BSc Physiotherapy, with English at 65%, Mathematics at 60%, Physical Science or Life Science at 65%, and the next three best subjects at 60% (excluding Life Orientation). It also requires an NBT result in the Intermediate range and states that meeting the minimum is no guarantee of acceptance.
Stellenbosch University sets an aggregate of at least 60% (excluding Life Orientation), Mathematics at 60% and Physical Sciences at 50% for the 2027 intake, and selects about 55 candidates a year. Stellenbosch states that after a year of community service you may register with the HPCSA as a physiotherapist.
Wits selects on a Composite Index of 75% matric results and 25% NBT, for the 2027 intake. Wits lists the course as four years full-time.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The subject rules differ by university, so there is no single answer to whether you need Life Sciences or Physical Sciences:
- UCT: English, Mathematics, and either Physical Science or Life Science.
- Wits: English, Mathematics and Life Sciences and/or Physical Sciences, each at Level 5 (2027 intake).
- University of Pretoria: levels of 4 in English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences and an APS of 30 (2027 intake).
- Stellenbosch: Mathematics and Physical Sciences (see the percentages above).
- UWC: English at Level 4, another language at Level 3, Mathematics at Level 4 or Mathematical Literacy at Level 6, and both Life Science and Physical Science at Level 4, with no fewer than 39 points. The page carries no intake year, so confirm the figures with UWC.
- UKZN: Bachelor of Physiotherapy, with English, Life Sciences, Life Orientation, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at 4. The page lists a closing date of 30 September and does not state a year.
If you took Mathematical Literacy, UWC is the only university on this list whose published page allows it, and only at Level 6. The others require Mathematics.
Documents and Application Requirements
Each university has its own online application, and some, such as UKZN, take applications through the CAO. Typical documents are your identity document and your latest matric or Grade 11 results. Beyond that, ask the university what it requires for physiotherapy specifically.
At Wits you must submit a job-shadowing certificate of attendance of at least 16 hours, completed between 1 July 2025 and 31 July 2026 for the 2027 intake, and applicants without one are not considered. See the Wits course page. Wits closed applications on 30 June 2026 and residence applications on 30 September 2026.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Places are limited, so the published minimum is a threshold for being considered, not for being admitted. Stellenbosch, for example, selects about 55 students a year. Apply to more than one university where you can, and find out early whether your first choice needs job shadowing.
Closing dates vary: Wits and Pretoria use 30 June for the 2027 intake, UKZN lists 30 September. If a date for your intake has already passed, check the university’s page for the next cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the physiotherapist requirements in South Africa?
A four-year physiotherapy degree from a university, with Mathematics and a science in matric at the levels above, then a year of community service before you register with the HPCSA as Stellenbosch describes it. Confirm the registration route with the HPCSA.
Which universities offer physiotherapy in South Africa?
The official pages show UCT, Wits, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, UWC and UKZN. This is not necessarily a full list.
Do I need job shadowing?
Wits requires at least 16 hours. For other universities, ask the admissions office before you apply.
Do I need Life Sciences?
It depends on the university. UCT and Wits accept either Life Sciences or Physical Sciences, Pretoria asks for Physical Sciences, and UWC and UKZN list both.
Can I study physiotherapy with Mathematical Literacy?
UWC lists Mathematical Literacy at Level 6 as an alternative to Mathematics at Level 4. UCT, Wits, Pretoria and Stellenbosch require Mathematics.
What are the alternatives if I am not accepted?
Occupational therapy and other health science programmes are common alternatives. Check each one’s own requirements, since they differ from physiotherapy.
Confirm the exact requirements, intake year and closing dates with each university’s admissions office. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.