Logistics and supply chain management requirements depend on which rung of the qualification ladder you start on. A higher certificate needs a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a higher certificate pass and a pass mark in English. A diploma needs a diploma-level pass and, at Vaal University of Technology (VUT), accepts Mathematical Literacy. A BCom degree needs a bachelor’s pass and Mathematics, with an APS of 27 at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and 30 at the University of Pretoria (UP) for 2027 entry. An advanced diploma needs a relevant diploma, not matric results.
This page looks at logistics and supply chain management courses level by level, so you can see where your results get you in now and how to move up later.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Higher certificate (NQF 5): The IIE’s Higher Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, offered online through Emeris, asks for an NSC with a higher certificate pass and English at 30%, an NC(V) higher certificate pass with English at 40%, or a Senior Certificate without endorsement with English at 33.3%.
- Diploma: VUT asks for English 4, Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 3 or Mathematical Literacy 4, one other subject at 4, and an APS of 20 (Mathematics or Technical Mathematics) or 21 (Mathematical Literacy), excluding Life Orientation. VUT also accepts a business-related N6, an NC(V) Level 4, or a logistics or supply chain higher certificate.
- Advanced diploma: a relevant National Diploma or Diploma, or an equivalent NQF level 6 qualification with at least 360 credits of theory (VUT).
- BCom degree: UP (BCom specialising in Supply Chain Management, 2027): English 5, Mathematics 4, APS 30. UJ (BCom in Transport and Logistics Management, 2027): English 5, Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 4, APS 27. UJ does not accept Mathematical Literacy for this degree.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The national minimum for admission is set by level. Per the Department of Basic Education, a higher certificate needs an NSC with at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the institution. A diploma needs that minimum plus achievement rating 3 (40-49%) or better in four recognised 20-credit subjects, and a bachelor’s degree needs it plus rating 4 (50-59%) or better in four recognised 20-credit subjects. Each institution then adds its own subject and APS requirements, which are always more specific.
Higher certificate in logistics and supply chain management
This is the lowest-barrier entry point. The IIE qualification is 120 credits at NQF level 5. Online with Emeris it runs over two years part-time, with intakes in January and July. International applicants need a SAQA evaluation certificate showing NSC level 4 equivalence and at least 30% for English, or equivalent.
Diploma
VUT’s Diploma in Logistics runs for six semesters, three years of full-time class attendance. Besides matric, VUT lists two routes that suit people who did not take the NSC route: any business-related N6 (NATED) qualification or NC(V) Level 4 from a TVET college, or an NQF level 5 higher certificate in a logistics or supply chain field from an accredited institution.
Advanced diploma in logistics and supply chain management
An advanced diploma is for diploma holders. At VUT you need a relevant National Diploma or Diploma, or an equivalent NQF level 6 qualification with at least 360 credits of theory. Matric results alone do not qualify you.
Bachelor’s degree in logistics and supply chain management
For a BCom you need an NSC with a bachelor’s pass (or an equivalent qualification) and Mathematics. Public universities name their degrees differently, so search for more than one title. UP offers a BCom specialising in Supply Chain Management, and UJ offers a BCom in Transport and Logistics Management.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Mathematics decides which level is open to you. Both BCom programmes above require Mathematics. VUT’s diploma accepts Mathematical Literacy but sets a higher level for it (4, against 3 for Mathematics) and a higher APS. The Emeris admission text for the IIE higher certificate lists only English, with no Mathematics requirement.
- UP BCom specialising in Supply Chain Management (2027): English 5, Mathematics 4, APS 30, as listed in the UP 2027 application requirements tables.
- UJ BCom in Transport and Logistics Management (B34TLQ, Auckland Park Kingsway campus, 2027): APS 27, English 5 (60% or more), Mathematics 4 (50% or more) or Technical Mathematics 4 (50% or more). Mathematical Literacy is not accepted. Per the UJ 2027 undergraduate prospectus, UJ calculates the APS from your six best subjects, excluding Life Orientation.
- VUT Diploma in Logistics: English 4, Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 3, or Mathematical Literacy 4, one other subject 4, APS 20 or 21, Life Orientation excluded (VUT Faculty of Management Sciences prospectus 2026).
Each university calculates its APS with its own table, so a score that works at one institution may not transfer to another.
At postgraduate level, VUT’s Master of Management in Supply Chain Management needs a 60% average for a completed BCom Honours degree or an NQF level 8 postgraduate diploma of 120 credits, and 60% for research methodology or the research project.
Documents and Application Requirements
Apply directly to each institution. Have these ready:
- A copy of your ID or passport
- Your final NSC results if you have finished school, or your latest results if you are still in Grade 12
- For an advanced diploma: your diploma certificate and academic record
- For N6, NC(V) or higher certificate routes into a diploma: the relevant certificates and results
- For foreign school qualifications: a SAQA evaluation or the equivalence the institution asks for
Closing dates differ by institution. For 2027 entry, UP’s closing date for the faculty was 30 June 2026, so that window has closed. UJ’s applications for 2027 close on 31 October 2026 at 12:00, so if you want UJ you have little time left. Emeris takes online students in January and July. Confirm the dates for your intake on the institution’s own admissions page.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Meeting the minimum is not enough at degree level. UJ states that meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place. Apply to more than one programme if you are close to a cut-off.
If your Mathematics mark or APS rules out a degree, starting lower costs you little time. VUT accepts a logistics or supply chain higher certificate as a route into its diploma, and a relevant diploma is the entry point to its advanced diploma. Ask the institution how much credit it will give for earlier study before you plan around exemptions.
If you are mainly interested in procurement and supply chain planning rather than transport and logistics, compare the programmes on our supply chain management requirements page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for a BCom in logistics and supply chain management?
An NSC with a bachelor’s pass, Mathematics and a strong English mark. For 2027, UP asks for English 5, Mathematics 4 and an APS of 30 for its BCom specialising in Supply Chain Management. UJ asks for English 5, Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 4 and an APS of 27 for its BCom in Transport and Logistics Management.
Can I study logistics and supply chain management without Mathematics?
Yes, below degree level. VUT’s diploma accepts Mathematical Literacy at level 4, and the IIE higher certificate lists only an English requirement. UJ’s BCom does not accept Mathematical Literacy.
What do I need for a higher certificate in logistics and supply chain management?
For the IIE higher certificate, an NSC with a higher certificate pass and English at 30%. It is NQF level 5, 120 credits, and online with Emeris it takes two years part-time with January and July intakes.
Can I get into a logistics diploma with N6 or NC(V)?
At VUT, yes. It accepts any business-related N6 qualification or an NC(V) Level 4 from a TVET college for its Diploma in Logistics.
What do I need for an advanced diploma in logistics?
A relevant diploma, or an equivalent NQF level 6 qualification with at least 360 credits. Matric results alone do not qualify you.
Requirements, APS minimums and closing dates change every admissions cycle. Before you apply, confirm them with the institution: UP application requirements tables, the UJ undergraduate admissions page, the VUT Faculty of Management Sciences prospectus or the IIE higher certificate page at Emeris.
See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.