The University of Pretoria (UP) works out your Admission Point Score (APS) from your six recognised 20-credit National Senior Certificate subjects, each rated from 1 to 7, so the highest possible APS is 42. Life Orientation is a 10-credit subject and is excluded. Your APS must meet the minimum for your chosen programme, and you must also meet that programme’s subject levels.
Nationally, a bachelor’s degree needs an NSC with at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the institution and an achievement rating of 4 (50 to 59%) or better in four recognised 20-credit subjects. Institutions may set additional requirements, and UP does: its own APS and subject levels are always more specific than that minimum. All UP programmes are number-limited, so meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- An NSC (or an equivalent qualification UP accepts) that meets the bachelor’s, diploma or higher certificate minimum for your programme
- The minimum APS published for your programme, and its required subject levels
- Grade 11 results for conditional admission, followed by your final NSC results for final admission
- Applications open on 1 April in the year before you study
- For the 2027 intake, a closing date of 30 June 2026 for every faculty except Veterinary Science, which closed on 31 May 2026
UP publishes the programme-by-programme figures in its 2027 application requirements tables.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
UP uses your Grade 11 results for conditional admission, and final admission depends on your final NSC results. A conditional offer becomes a place only once your final results meet the programme requirements.
Programme minimums differ by faculty and change between intake years, so use the tables or prospectus for the year you are applying for. The UP undergraduate prospectus (2026 NSC/IEB edition) sets out the general rules, including the achievement scale below.
- Rating 7: 80 to 100%
- Rating 6: 70 to 79%
- Rating 5: 60 to 69%
- Rating 4: 50 to 59%
- Rating 3: 40 to 49%
- Rating 2: 30 to 39%
- Rating 1: 0 to 29%
UP does not accept School of Tomorrow, ACE or GED qualifications. NCV Level 4 may be considered if you meet the bachelor’s exemption criteria and the programme requirements.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
These examples from the 2027 tables (NSC/IEB) show how far requirements vary. Ratings are on the 1 to 7 scale.
- BCom (three-year): APS 30, English 5, Mathematics 4
- BCom Accounting Sciences: APS 34, English 5, Mathematics 6
- LLB: APS 35, English 6
- MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery): APS 35, English 5, Mathematics 6, Physical Sciences 5
- Bachelor of Engineering: APS 33, with 65% in each of three subjects
- BEd (the phases): APS 28, English 4
- Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences (selection programme): APS 20, English 4, the lowest example in the tables
Check the exact subject requirements for your programme before you apply, because many programmes name specific subjects at specific levels.
Documents and Application Requirements
You apply through the UP online application. Applications open on 1 April in the year before you study. The prospectus says to upload scanned PDFs of:
- Your final Grade 11 report (promotion mark)
- Your identity document or birth certificate
- Proof of payment of the application fee, if you paid at a bank
Certification of these documents is not required. Confirm the current application fee on the online application page before you pay.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
For the 2027 intake, applications closed on 30 June 2026 for every faculty except Veterinary Science, which closed on 31 May 2026. If you missed that window, you cannot apply for the 2027 intake. Applications for a given year open on 1 April of the year before, so check the online application page for the next closing dates.
All UP programmes are number-limited, so the minimum APS is the starting point, not a guarantee. Some programmes add their own selection steps, so read your programme’s page, and consider applying to more than one institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UP APS score?
It is the sum of your ratings (1 to 7) in six recognised 20-credit subjects, excluding Life Orientation, to a maximum of 42. In the 2027 tables, programme minimums run from 20 (Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences) to 35 (LLB and MBChB).
When do UP applications close?
For the 2027 intake, 30 June 2026 for all faculties except Veterinary Science, which closed on 31 May 2026. Both dates have passed. Applications open on 1 April in the year before you study.
Does UP use Grade 11 results?
Yes, for conditional admission. Final admission depends on your final NSC results.
Does meeting the APS guarantee a place?
No. Every UP programme is number-limited, so meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
Do I need certified copies of my documents?
No. UP says certification of the uploaded documents is not required.
Where can I find the UP prospectus?
Use the current edition, not an older one such as the 2024 prospectus. The latest UP documents are the 2026 undergraduate prospectus and the 2027 application requirements tables.
Confirm your programme’s requirements and dates with the University of Pretoria through its online application page. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.