The University of the Western Cape is based in Bellville in the Western Cape and offers degrees across Arts and Humanities, Community and Health Sciences, Dentistry, Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Law, Natural Sciences and Nursing. Entry requires a National Senior Certificate with the endorsement for the qualification.
UWC has a strong historical mission around widening access, which is reflected in its extended and foundation programmes for applicants who meet the endorsement but fall below standard entry scores.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Applications are generally assessed on the following.
- A National Senior Certificate with the endorsement matching the qualification
- The points score the institution calculates by its own published method
- Subject requirements specific to the programme
- English or the language of instruction at the level required
- Available places, since popular programmes are oversubscribed
- Application within the published window
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
UWC is one of the few South African universities with a dental faculty, and its Community and Health Sciences and Nursing programmes are well established. Those health programmes are constrained by clinical placement capacity and are correspondingly competitive.
Programme-specific requirements are revised between intake years, so confirm them against the current prospectus for the year you are applying for.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Health science, dentistry, nursing and natural science programmes require Mathematics and Physical Sciences or Life Sciences depending on the programme, and do not generally accept Mathematical Literacy.
Arts, education and some economic and management sciences programmes are more likely to accept Mathematical Literacy. Check the specific programme rather than assuming a faculty-wide standard.
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
Extended and foundation programmes are a genuine route into UWC degrees for applicants who fall below standard entry, and they are designed for that purpose rather than being a lesser option.
Health programmes require health screening and police clearance before clinical placement, and these should be arranged once you have an offer rather than left to registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UWC known for?
It is one of the few South African universities with a dental faculty, and has well established community health sciences and nursing programmes.
Are there extended programmes?
Yes. UWC offers extended and foundation programmes for applicants who meet the endorsement but fall below standard entry scores.
Does UWC accept Mathematical Literacy?
Arts, education and some management programmes are more likely to. Health, dentistry, nursing and natural sciences generally require Mathematics.
Where is UWC?
In Bellville in the Western Cape.
Confirm programme requirements and extended programme options against the current UWC prospectus. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.