CPUT sets its minimum requirements programme by programme: a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with specific subject levels and an Admission Point Score (APS) calculated by the method stated for that programme. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place, because CPUT has a limited number of places approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training and selects among applicants.
South African applicants apply online and upload their supporting documents. The online application carries no fee. See CPUT’s undergraduate application page for the current cycle.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- An NSC or equivalent qualification, with the subjects and achievement levels the programme lists
- The APS, calculated by the method stated for your programme
- Programme-specific requirements, which are set in the prospectus
- Any additional documents the programme asks for, such as a motivational letter or questionnaire
- An online application submitted within the published window
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
CPUT’s faculties are Applied Sciences, Business and Management Sciences, Education, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health and Wellness Sciences, and Informatics and Design. Each programme has its own entry requirements, so check the one you want rather than relying on a faculty-wide rule.
Some programmes also have alternative routes in. For example, the Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in Mechatronics accepts a National Certificate (N4) or an NCV at level 4 with 60% in English, Mathematics and Engineering Science.
Meeting the minimum requirements puts you in the selection pool. It does not secure a place.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The CPUT prospectus entry for the Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in Mechatronics shows how specific these requirements are. It requires an NSC with an APS of 30 using Method 2, English (first language) at level 4 (50%), Mathematics at level 4 (50%) or Technical Mathematics at level 5 (60%), and Physical Science at level 4 (50%) or Technical Science at level 5 (60%). It also recommends one of Electrical Technology, Engineering Graphics and Design or Mechanical Technology at 60%.
Other programmes will ask for different subjects and levels. Whether a programme accepts Mathematical Literacy, or needs a portfolio, is set in that programme’s entry in the prospectus, so check it there before you apply.
Documents and Application Requirements
South African citizens must submit the following (see Step 2: Submit Supporting Documents):
- Your ID document or birth certificate
- Your Senior Certificate or equivalent qualification, or your Grade 11 marks if you are currently in Grade 12
- Your academic record and certificate of conduct, or previous certificates from other higher education institutions
- A minor declaration signed by your guardian or parents, if you are not yet 18 when you apply
- Any additional documents your programme requires
Upload each document separately, under 2 MB each, in JPEG, PDF, TIFF or GIF format. Word and Excel files are not accepted. Applications without a programme’s additional requirements, such as the motivational letter for the Diploma in Tourism and Events Management or the questionnaire for the Diploma in Sport Management, will not be considered.
If you hold foreign qualifications, they must first be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and the SAQA evaluation certificate is mandatory. Foreign school-leaving certificates also need an English translation stamped by a sworn translator. South African citizens with international certificates such as Cambridge must still meet CPUT’s minimum and programme requirements.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
All applications are made online. CPUT does not process manual applications, whether posted or handed in, and you are limited to three programme choices (one for Recognition of Prior Learning). See Step 3: Apply Online.
Applications for the 2027 intake opened on 11 May 2026. For most certificates, higher certificates, diplomas and Bachelor degrees the closing date was 30 September 2026 for South African citizens and 31 August 2026 for non-South African applicants. Earlier dates applied to some programmes: 31 July 2026 for Emergency Medical Care, Somatology, Opticianry and some health programmes, and 30 June 2026 for Dental Assisting. These dates have passed, so check CPUT’s application page for whether any late applications are open and when the next cycle starts.
If you are upgrading your NSC, CPUT assesses you on the results the Department of Basic Education publishes in January of the application year, and you must submit a registration letter from the upgrading institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the CPUT requirements?
They depend on the programme. Each one lists the NSC subjects and levels it needs and the method used to calculate your APS. Meeting them does not guarantee a place.
Do I pay an application fee?
No. CPUT states that there are no fees payable for the online application. See CPUT’s application FAQ.
Which documents do I upload?
Your ID or birth certificate, your Senior Certificate or Grade 11 marks, any previous academic records, and any extra documents your programme asks for. Each file must be under 2 MB in JPEG, PDF, TIFF or GIF format.
Can I apply on paper or at the campus?
No. CPUT does not process manual applications, including those submitted by post or over the counter.
How many programmes can I apply for?
Three. Recognition of Prior Learning applications are limited to one choice.
Have applications for 2027 closed?
The published closing dates for the 2027 intake have passed, most of them on 30 September 2026 for South African citizens. Check CPUT’s application page for late applications or the next cycle.
I have a foreign qualification. What do I need?
A SAQA evaluation certificate is mandatory, and foreign school-leaving certificates need an English translation stamped by a sworn translator.
Confirm programme requirements and closing dates with CPUT Admissions through the official application page. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.