To meet UCT’s requirements you need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least a rating of 4 (50-59%) in four subjects for degree study, then a Faculty Point Score (FPS) and National Benchmark Test (NBT) results that meet your faculty’s thresholds. These figures are from UCT’s 2027 NSC admission guidelines for 2027 entry.
Applications for 2027 opened on 1 April and closed on 31 July 2026, and late applications are not considered. If you are planning for a later intake, check the UCT application procedure page for the new dates before you apply.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- An NSC with a rating of 4 (50-59%) or better in four subjects for a bachelor’s degree, or a rating of 3 (40-49%) or better in four recognised 20-credit subjects for a diploma
- A pass in English Home Language or First Additional Language (see UCT’s language requirements)
- A Faculty Point Score that meets your faculty’s threshold
- NBT results: required if you are normally resident or at school in South Africa
- The programme’s own subject requirements
- An application through applyonline.uct.ac.za by the closing date
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
UCT scores your NSC results as an Admission Point Score (APS): add your six best subject percentages, leaving out Life Orientation and Advanced Programme subjects. English and the subjects your programme requires must be included, and a subject below 40% scores nothing.
The FPS is built on the APS and differs by faculty. It is out of 600 for Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment (EBE), Humanities and Law, where it equals the APS. It is out of 900 for Health Sciences (APS plus NBT percentages) and out of 800 for Science, where Mathematics and Physical Sciences are counted twice.
South African applicants may also receive a Weighted Points Score (WPS), which adjusts the FPS by a disadvantage factor of 0-10% (0-20% for Health Sciences). Offers are then banded: Band A is guaranteed admission on FPS, Band B is likely admission on WPS, and Band C is possible admission, open only to South African applicants in targeted redress categories.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
UCT APS score requirements depend on your faculty. For 2027 entry, UCT’s 2027 NSC admission guidelines give these examples:
- Humanities (BA, BSocSc): minimum FPS 380 with the Academic Literacy NBT at Intermediate level; English at 50% (Home Language) or 60% (First Additional Language)
- Commerce (general BCom/BBusSc): FPS 430 for possible admission, Mathematics 60%, and NBT results at Upper Intermediate for Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy. Programme blocks differ, so confirm which one applies to your degree
- Law (LLB, four-year): Band A and Band B at 500 or above, with NBT Proficient for Academic Literacy and Intermediate or above for Quantitative Literacy
- Science: FPS of 550 or more, Mathematics 70% and Physical Sciences 60% (from the Faculty of Science’s 2025 admissions document, so confirm it for your intake)
Medicine and other Health Sciences programmes have their own thresholds. For example, see our guide to UCT medicine requirements. UCT does not use another university’s APS, so work your score out by its own method.
UCT’s Commerce programmes are listed on the Commerce undergraduate page. If you are looking for UCT logistics requirements, check that page for the BCom and BBusSc specialisations on offer and confirm with the Commerce faculty.
Documents and Application Requirements
Apply online at applyonline.uct.ac.za. You can choose up to two programmes, and changes are free until 31 August of the application year. The application fee is R100 for South African and SADC applicants and R300 for applicants outside SADC. It is non-refundable and does not guarantee an offer. UCT students and graduates are exempt.
- Certified electronic copies of your documents, sent to [email protected]
- For school learners, all results from Grade 11 to September of Grade 12
- Your NBT registration number, included in the application
- Final school-leaving results, which are needed to confirm any conditional offer
You cannot apply while in Grade 11: applications may only be submitted in the year before you plan to register. Read the application procedure and the applications and admissions FAQ before you submit.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
UCT can make a conditional offer on interim results, but a final decision needs your final school-leaving results. If you do not meet the subject or NBT requirements, the application is unsuccessful.
Everyone normally resident or at school in South Africa must write the NBTs, and all Health Sciences applicants must write them wherever they live. You pay for the tests yourself. Register on the NBT website before you apply. There are two tests: the Academic and Quantitative Literacy test (all faculties) and the Mathematics test (for maths-based programmes). The NBT site lists R195 for the Academic and Quantitative Literacy test alone and R390 with Mathematics, but confirm the current price when you book. For 2027 admission, the tests had to be written by 3 October 2026, and by 31 July 2026 for a Health Sciences conditional offer.
Science and EBE require the NBTs but do not use the results in the admission decision; Science uses them for placement in the extended degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Faculty Point Score?
It is UCT’s admission score. It is out of 600 for Commerce, EBE, Humanities and Law, 800 for Science and 900 for Health Sciences.
What APS do I need for UCT?
There is no single UCT APS. The minimum depends on your faculty, for example FPS 380 for Humanities BA/BSocSc and 430 for general Commerce degrees for 2027 entry. Meeting a minimum does not guarantee an offer.
Do I have to write the NBTs?
Yes, if you are normally resident or at school in South Africa, and every Health Sciences applicant must write them. How much they count differs by faculty.
Does my APS from another university apply at UCT?
No. UCT uses its own APS and FPS, so calculate your score by UCT’s method.
Does meeting the threshold guarantee a place?
No. Only Band A offers are guaranteed admission. Band B is likely and Band C is possible.
Source: University of Cape Town admissions, checked October 2026. Confirm the thresholds for your intake with the UCT Admissions Office. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.