Wits offers undergraduate degrees in five faculties: Commerce, Law and Management; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; Humanities; and Science. Requirements are set per faculty and programme, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place.
The full course list is on the Wits undergraduate academic programmes page. The list shows degrees, and no diploma courses appear on it, so confirm with Wits before assuming a diploma exists.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Applications are generally assessed on the following.
- A National Senior Certificate with the endorsement matching the qualification
- The Admission Points Score (APS) Wits publishes per programme
- Subject requirements specific to the programme
- The NBT, where your faculty requires it
- Available places, since meeting the requirements does not guarantee one
- Additional selection for some programmes, such as portfolios, essays or auditions
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Wits publishes each faculty’s admission requirements as guideline pages in its prospectus (pages 16 to 25). Wits states that meeting them does not guarantee a place, and selection depends on available places, results and other entry requirements.
Courses in Commerce, Law and Management include BCom (Accounting), BCom (General, Economics, HRM, Finance, Management), BCom (Information Systems), BCom (PPE), BCom (Financial Services), BCom with Law and the LLB. The other four faculties have their own lists on the academic programmes page.
If you hold an international qualification, you need matriculation exemption from the South African Matriculation Board. See the Wits admission requirements (NSC) page.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Wits calls its score the Admission Points Score (APS) and publishes it per programme. Two examples from the course finder, where the year is not stated on the page:
- BCom (General): APS 38 or more, English (Home Language or First Additional Language) at Level 5 and Mathematics at Level 5. Applicants with an APS of 35 to 37 and Level 6 in both may be wait-listed, subject to places.
- BCom with Law (full-time, three years): APS 43 or more, with Level 5 in English and Mathematics. Applicants with an APS of 35 to 42 and Level 6 in both may be wait-listed, subject to places.
For other programmes, check the prospectus pages or the course finder entry for the subject levels and APS before you apply.
The NBT is compulsory in some faculties, as set out on the Wits selection tests page:
- Science: all applicants must write the NBT (AQL and MAT) before being considered, ideally before the end of October.
- Health Sciences: write in person (pencil and paper) by 15 August. Online results are not considered for applicants living in South Africa.
- Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: write by 15 August.
NBT results are valid for three years, and only your first attempt in the most recent year counts.
Documents and Application Requirements
Apply through the process on the Apply to Wits page. The application fee for the 2027 intake was R100, paid through the self-service portal or by EFT with your person or student number as the reference. Upload the following:
- Current matric learners: your final Grade 11 results (no hardcopy needed)
- Already matriculated: certified copies of all matric certificates, or foreign school-leaving certificates
- Applicants with other tertiary study: certified official academic records from all your registrations
Some degrees need more, such as a portfolio, essay, audition, NBT, an application exercise (Architectural Studies) or a job-shadowing certificate (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Oral Health Sciences). See the additional requirements page.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
You may apply for a maximum of three programmes. For the 2027 intake, applications for Health Sciences, Architectural Studies, Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and BA Film and TV closed on 30 June 2026, and all others closed on 30 September 2026. Applications for 2027 are now closed, and the next intake’s dates are not yet published on the Wits site.
Wits will not engage with third-party agents who apply on your behalf, so complete your own application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courses does Wits offer?
Undergraduate degrees across Commerce, Law and Management; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; Humanities; and Science. Browse the full list on the academic programmes page linked above.
Does Wits offer diploma courses?
The Wits undergraduate programme list shows degrees, and no diploma courses appear on it. If you are looking for a diploma, ask Wits directly before you apply.
Does Wits require the NBT?
Yes for Science, Health Sciences, and Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Health Sciences and Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology applicants write by 15 August, and Science applicants should write before the end of October.
How does Wits calculate its score?
Wits uses an Admission Points Score (APS) that it publishes per programme, with wait-listing bands for some. Use the course finder entry for your programme.
Does meeting the minimum guarantee admission?
No. Wits states that meeting the requirements does not guarantee a place.
Can I study with Mathematical Literacy?
BCom (General) and BCom with Law ask for Mathematics at Level 5. For any other programme, check the subject requirements in the prospectus pages or ask Wits before you apply.
How do I contact Wits admissions?
Call the Wits Student Call Centre on +27 (0)11 717 1888 or email [email protected].
Confirm requirements with the University of the Witwatersrand through its applications page. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.