The University of Pretoria calculates its Admission Point Score from your six recognised 20-credit National Senior Certificate subjects on the 1 to 7 scale of achievement, to a maximum of 42. Life Orientation is a 10-credit subject and is excluded from the calculation.
Admission to a first bachelor degree requires a National Senior Certificate with bachelor degree endorsement, or a qualification the university deems equivalent, together with the specific subject and achievement level requirements and the minimum APS for your chosen programme.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
UP assesses applications on the following.
- A National Senior Certificate with bachelor degree endorsement for degree study
- The minimum APS published for your specific programme
- The subject and achievement level requirements for that programme
- Your Grade 11 results, used for conditional admission
- Your final NSC results, on which final admission depends
- The application closing date of 30 June for all UP study programmes
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
UP uses Grade 11 results for conditional admission, with final admission depending on your National Senior Certificate results. A conditional offer is not a place until final results confirm it.
Programme-specific APS minimums and subject requirements differ across faculties and are revised between intake years, so confirm them against the current prospectus for the year you are applying for rather than relying on figures published elsewhere. UP publishes an undergraduate prospectus each year setting out the requirement for every programme.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The APS is calculated on the NSC 1 to 7 achievement scale using six recognised 20-credit subjects, with 42 the highest achievable score. Life Orientation is excluded because it carries 10 credits.
Programme requirements vary widely across UP faculties. Published examples range from an APS of 20 for a higher certificate in sports science education up to substantially higher figures for competitive professional programmes.
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 SAQA evaluation certificate, if you hold a foreign qualification
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
The closing date for all UP study programmes is 30 June, which is earlier than at many South African universities. Missing it means waiting a full year, so diarise it well in advance.
Meeting the published minimum does not guarantee a place in competitive programmes, since UP receives more qualifying applications than it has places. Apply early and to more than one institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does UP calculate the APS?
On the NSC 1 to 7 achievement scale using your six recognised 20-credit subjects, to a maximum of 42. Life Orientation is excluded.
When do UP applications close?
30 June for all UP study programmes, which is earlier than at many South African universities.
Does UP use Grade 11 results?
Yes, for conditional admission. Final admission depends on your National Senior Certificate results.
Does meeting the APS guarantee a place?
No. UP receives more qualifying applications than it has places for competitive programmes.
Source: University of Pretoria official admission pages and undergraduate prospectus, checked August 2026. Confirm programme-specific requirements against the current UP prospectus for your intake year. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.