IT course requirements start with an NSC at the level your route needs, and Mathematics is usually the subject that decides eligibility. A diploma needs achievement rating 3 (40-49%) or better in four recognised 20-credit subjects, and a bachelor’s degree needs rating 4 (50-59%) or better in four designated subjects (DHET minimum admission policy). Degree programmes then add their own Mathematics and points requirements.
IT has no single regulator controlling entry, so information technology requirements are set by the institution you apply to. Qualifications, certifications and demonstrable skill all count.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Diploma: an NSC with diploma entry, plus any institution-specific subject rules.
- Degree: an NSC with bachelor’s entry, plus Mathematics at the level the institution sets. Wits BSc Computer Science, for example, asks for APS 44 or more with Mathematics at level 6.
- NC(V) route: for a diploma, at least 40% in three fundamental subjects including the language of learning and teaching, and at least 50% in three compulsory vocational subjects (Government Gazette 42092).
- Check the programme page for your intake year; institution figures change.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Degree routes such as a BSc in Computer Science are the most demanding academically. At Wits, the Wits BSc Computer Science page lists APS 44 or more, English Home Language or First Additional Language at level 5 and Mathematics at level 6. Applicants with APS 41-43 may be wait-listed, and Faculty of Science applicants must write the National Benchmark Test by 31 October 2026. The page does not state an intake year, so confirm which year those figures apply to.
Meeting these figures does not guarantee a place. Selection depends on demand for the programme.
Private colleges also offer IT qualifications. Check that the qualification is registered on the National Qualifications Framework and that the provider is accredited.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Mathematics is the decisive subject for degrees. At UCT, UCT’s 2025 Science admission criteria for BSc applicants list Mathematics at 70% or above and Physical Science at 60% or above; Information Technology or Life Sciences may be doubled if you do not have Physical Science. Those criteria are for 2025 entry, so check UCT for your year.
Not every university requires the same level. Other institutions, including Unisa, publish different subject percentages for different programmes, so use the programme page rather than a general rule. Diplomas are set on the national diploma minimum plus the institution’s own subject rules.
Documents and Application Requirements
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Your NSC or latest statement of results
- Proof of the application fee, where one is charged
- Your final NSC results, to confirm any conditional offer
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Meeting the minimum puts you in the pool rather than securing a place, and some faculties add tests. The Wits Science example above includes the NBT.
If you did not take Mathematics, ask each institution which diploma or higher certificate routes it offers and what they require. Do not assume a route exists; check the programme page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for IT courses?
Nationally: an NSC with diploma entry for a diploma, or bachelor’s entry for a degree. Degree programmes then add Mathematics and a points score. Wits asks for APS 44 or more with Mathematics at level 6 for BSc Computer Science, and UCT asks for Mathematics at 70% for its BSc.
Do I need Mathematics to study IT?
For the degree examples above, yes. Wits and UCT both set a Mathematics level. Diploma and other routes differ by institution, so check the programme page.
Is there a professional body for IT in South Africa?
There is no single compulsory registration body controlling entry to the field the way there is for nursing or law. Confirm with the employer or institution whether a specific certification is needed.
How do I know a private college qualification is legitimate?
Check that it is registered on the National Qualifications Framework and that the provider is accredited. Ask the provider for the qualification’s registration details and check them before you pay.
See admission requirements and browse all education requirements. Confirm exact APS, subject levels and closing dates with each institution for your intake year.