Optometry is one of the most competitive health science programmes in South Africa, and it is offered at only a handful of institutions. That combination — high demand and very few places — is what makes the selection process unforgiving.
This page sets out the requirements, the professional registration that follows, and what to do if you are not selected.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Typical admission requirements for optometry.
- A National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor’s pass
- Mathematics at the level the institution specifies — not Mathematical Literacy
- Physical Sciences at the level the institution specifies
- Life Sciences, where the institution requires it
- A minimum in the language of instruction, generally English
- A high admission score, well above the published minimum in practice
- A National Benchmark Test result, where the institution requires it
- A valid South African ID, or a passport with a study permit
- Application by the closing date, which is early for health sciences
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Confirm the requirements with the institution. Admission scores, subject minimums, selection tests and closing dates are set by each institution, revised annually, and health science closing dates are among the earliest.
The published minimum is not the real threshold. Because places are few and applicants many, the score at which offers are actually made is generally well above the stated minimum, and it moves each year with demand. Ask the faculty what the previous intake’s effective cut-off was — many will tell you.
Selection may include more than marks. Some health science programmes use additional selection tests, interviews or a selection index that weights subjects differently. Establish exactly how the programme selects before assuming your marks are enough.
Optometry is offered at few institutions in South Africa. Apply to every institution that offers it, not only the nearest one, because a single application in a programme with this ratio is a plan with one point of failure.
It is a regulated profession. Practising as an optometrist requires registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa under the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974. The qualification must be one the Council recognises for that registration — confirm this with the HPCSA before enrolling anywhere, and particularly before enrolling in a foreign programme.
Community service and professional practice rules apply after qualification in several health professions. Ask the faculty and the HPCSA what applies to optometry currently, since these arrangements are revised.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Subject and points requirements.
- A Bachelor’s pass in the National Senior Certificate
- Mathematics at the specified level — Mathematical Literacy is not accepted
- Physical Sciences at the specified level
- Life Sciences, where required by the institution
- English or the language of instruction at the specified level
- An institution-specific admission score, in practice well above the minimum
- A National Benchmark Test result, where required
- Any additional selection test or interview the programme uses
Documents and Application Requirements
The application document set.
- Certified copy of your South African ID or passport
- Certified copy of your National Senior Certificate or final Grade 12 results
- Academic transcripts from any previous study
- A SAQA evaluation, for a foreign qualification
- Proof of payment of the application fee, where one applies
- National Benchmark Test results, where required
- A study permit, for international applicants
- Proof of residence, where required
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Apply early and apply widely. Apply to every institution offering optometry, and apply to related programmes as alternatives in the same cycle. Applications are cheap relative to a lost year.
Have a second choice ready. Related fields worth considering include ophthalmic nursing, dispensing optician qualifications, biomedical sciences, and other allied health programmes. Several of these have their own strong career paths, and some allow later transfer or postgraduate movement.
If you are not selected, improve the marks rather than repeating the application unchanged. Rewriting matric subjects through a public examination centre, or completing a year of a related science degree with strong results, are the two routes that actually change the outcome.
Extended and foundation programmes exist in some health science faculties and admit at lower scores over an additional year. Ask whether one is offered.
Apply for funding separately and early. NSFAS has its own closing dates, and health science bursaries from provincial health departments and private groups close earlier, often with a work-back obligation worth reading before accepting.
Nobody can sell you a place. Applications are made directly to the institution, fees are published, and selection is on the stated criteria. Anyone offering to secure admission to a health science programme is committing fraud.
Check any foreign qualification with the HPCSA first. Studying optometry abroad and then discovering the qualification does not support South African registration is an expensive and irreversible mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is meeting the minimum enough?
Generally not. Because places are few and applicants many, the score at which offers are made is usually well above the published minimum and moves each year. Ask the faculty about the last intake’s effective cut-off.
Can I study optometry with Mathematical Literacy?
No. Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the specified levels are required, and Life Sciences is required by some institutions.
What registration do I need to practise?
Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa under the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974. Confirm that a qualification supports that registration before enrolling, especially abroad.
What if I am not selected?
Improve the marks rather than reapplying unchanged — rewrite matric subjects or complete a year of a related science degree with strong results. Related allied health fields are also worth considering.
Admission requirements, selection processes, scores and registration rules are set by the institutions and the Health Professions Council of South Africa and are revised annually. Confirm current requirements with the institution and the HPCSA.