Radiography in South Africa is a four-year degree requiring a bachelor pass with Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences at the levels the institution sets. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted, and registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa is required before you may practise.
Radiography is offered in several streams, most commonly diagnostic, therapeutic, nuclear medicine and ultrasound. You generally choose the stream when you apply rather than later, and the streams have separate intakes and sometimes different requirements.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Entry is assessed on the following.
- A bachelor pass, since it is a degree
- Mathematics at the level required, with Mathematical Literacy not accepted
- Physical Sciences at the level required
- Life Sciences at the level required by most institutions
- A high APS, because intakes are limited by clinical placement capacity
- Health screening and a police clearance certificate
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The degree runs four years and combines academic study with clinical practice in hospital imaging departments. On completion you register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa in the category matching your stream.
Choosing the stream matters because it determines your scope of practice. Diagnostic radiography is the largest stream, therapeutic radiography works in oncology, nuclear medicine involves radioactive tracers, and ultrasound is entered as a postgraduate specialisation at some institutions.
Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa is required before you may practise, and community service applies to most health science professions after qualifying. Only a qualification from an accredited programme leads to registration, so confirm accreditation before enrolling.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Physical Sciences is essential because the work involves radiation physics, dosimetry and equipment calibration. Mathematics is required at all institutions offering the degree.
Life Sciences supports the anatomy and pathology content and is required or strongly preferred almost everywhere. Applicants without it are at a significant disadvantage.
Points are calculated by each institution own method, and because intakes are limited by clinical placement capacity, the score that actually secures a place is set by competition rather than by the published minimum.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications normally require the following.
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Your National Senior Certificate or latest statement of results
- Proof of the application fee, where one is charged
- Your final matric results, used to confirm any conditional offer
- A medical or health screening report and a police clearance certificate, required before clinical placement
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Intakes are small because students must be placed in accredited hospital departments, so competition is severe. Some institutions interview or require evidence of job shadowing in a radiography department.
Arrange any job shadowing well before the application window. It strengthens an application and, just as usefully, tells you whether the work suits you before you commit four years to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between radiography and radiology?
Radiography is a four-year degree qualifying you to perform imaging. Radiology is a medical specialisation undertaken by doctors after qualifying in medicine.
Which radiography stream should I choose?
Diagnostic is the largest. Therapeutic works in oncology, nuclear medicine uses radioactive tracers, and ultrasound is often a postgraduate specialisation. The stream sets your scope of practice.
Can I study radiography with Mathematical Literacy?
No. Mathematics is required, along with Physical Sciences.
Is community service required?
Community service applies to most health science professions after qualifying. Confirm the current position with the HPCSA.
Confirm which streams each institution offers and whether the stream is chosen at application. Confirm programme accreditation and registration requirements with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Confirm the exact APS, subject levels and closing dates with each institution for your intake year. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.