TUT higher certificates are the most accessible entry point at the institution, requiring a National Senior Certificate with the compulsory subjects published for the certificate and the lowest Admission Point Score minimums TUT sets.
Higher certificates carry the lowest APS minimums at TUT, generally in the high teens, which makes them a genuine route for applicants who do not meet diploma or degree entry. They articulate upward into diplomas.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Applications are generally assessed on the following.
- A National Senior Certificate
- The minimum APS published for the specific higher certificate
- The compulsory subjects for that certificate, each at a stated minimum level
- The campus at which the certificate runs
- The closing date for that programme
- Payment of the R240 application fee
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Higher certificates run for a shorter period than diplomas and are strongly applied. On completion they can give access to diploma study in a related field, which is their main strategic value.
TUT calculates the Admission Point Score from your matric results, excluding Life Orientation entirely and excluding any subject in which you achieved an achievement level of 1. Your score is therefore built from your remaining subjects. First-year applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 1 April 2026. Closing dates are set per programme at 15 June, 31 July or 30 September, and TUT warns that a programme may close as soon as it is full even if the published deadline has not passed.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Technical higher certificates require Mathematics or Technical Mathematics. Business and services higher certificates commonly accept Mathematical Literacy, often at a specified level.
Because the APS minimums are the lowest at the institution, subject requirements rather than the score are frequently what determines eligibility. Check the compulsory subjects for the specific certificate.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications normally require the following.
- Proof of payment of the R240 application fee
- A certified copy of your identity document or card
- A certified copy of your National Senior Certificate, or your final Grade 11 results if you are currently in Grade 12
- A SAQA evaluation certificate, if you hold a foreign qualification
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Higher certificates are heavily subscribed precisely because they are accessible. Apply as soon as applications open on 1 April.
Plan the articulation route before enrolling. A higher certificate in a field unrelated to the diploma you eventually want may not articulate into it, so choose deliberately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What APS do I need for a TUT higher certificate?
Higher certificates carry the lowest minimums at TUT, generally in the high teens. Confirm the figure for the specific certificate.
Can a higher certificate lead to a diploma?
Yes, in a related field. Choose deliberately, since an unrelated certificate may not articulate into the diploma you want.
Do I need Mathematics?
Technical certificates require Mathematics or Technical Mathematics. Business and services certificates commonly accept Mathematical Literacy.
When do applications open?
1 April for the following academic year, with closing dates per programme.
Source: TUT 2027 First Year Course Information, checked August 2026. TUT states that all information is subject to change without further notice. Confirm requirements against the current TUT prospectus. See TUT courses and requirements. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.