The Diploma in Nursing is the three-year general nurse programme under SANC regulation R.171. The national floor is a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification, studied at a nursing institution accredited by the South African Nursing Council (SANC). Each college then sets its own points and subject rules, so diploma nursing requirements differ from one college to the next.
The college figures below come from the colleges’ own published criteria. They cover different intake years, so check the year before you rely on a number.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- A National Senior Certificate or equivalent (the R.171 minimum), plus the college’s own points score and subject levels
- Usually English, Life Sciences (or Physical Sciences) and Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at the level the college sets
- A programme and college accredited by SANC
- For some public colleges, South African citizenship or residence in the province
- Three academic years of full-time study
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Regulation R.171 requires at least an NSC or an equivalent educational qualification, and the programme runs for three academic years full-time. Colleges add their own rules on top. Do not assume a Diploma pass is enough: the Limpopo College of Nursing asked for an NSC with a Bachelor’s pass for its 2026 intake.
The Diploma in Nursing is not the same qualification as the four-year Bachelor of Nursing. The diploma falls under R.171 (general nurse), while the degree falls under R.174 and leads to registration as a professional nurse and midwife.
The old enrolled nurse and nursing auxiliary courses closed to new enrolment on 30 June 2015, and the new Higher Certificate and Diploma are not replacement qualifications for them, according to SANC Circular 7/2016.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Colleges score you on their own scale rather than on one national APS. Published examples:
- Western Cape College of Nursing (2026 brochure): English First Additional Language 4, Home Language 4, Mathematics 3 or Mathematical Literacy 4, Life Science 4 (the brochure also lists Physical Science 4), and a minimum total score of 24.
- Limpopo College of Nursing (2026 intake): an NSC with a Bachelor’s pass, at least 24 points on the college’s rating scale excluding Life Orientation, and English, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics at level 4 (Mathematical Literacy at level 5).
- KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing: a minimum of 25 points, with Life Orientation not scored.
- Free State School of Nursing: an AP score of 25 and above, with English at level 4 and Life Science and Mathematical Literacy at 50-59% or better. The school also lists a lower alternative of AP score 23 and above for English 4, Life Science 4 and Mathematical Literacy 4.
Mathematical Literacy is accepted at these colleges, at a stated level, but this is not universal, so confirm it for the college you apply to.
Documents and Application Requirements
Each college sets its own application process and documents. Published details include:
- Limpopo College of Nursing applications for the 2027 intake are online and close on 30 November 2026. The advert lists a non-refundable administration fee of R150, but the same advert says no payment is required to be registered for training, so confirm with the college before paying. Applicants not contacted by the end of February 2027 should treat the application as unsuccessful. Find it on the Limpopo Department of Health website.
- The Free State School of Nursing asks selected candidates for a police clearance certificate.
Once you start training, section 32 of the Nursing Act requires you to apply to SANC to be registered as a learner nurse.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Meeting the points score gets you considered, not admitted. Some public colleges also restrict who may apply: Limpopo required South African citizenship for 2026, and the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing admits applicants who live in KwaZulu-Natal.
Section 42 of the Nursing Act makes it illegal to offer nursing education unless both the institution and the programme are SANC-accredited. Check the institution on the SANC list of accredited nursing education institutions before you apply or pay anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for a diploma in nursing?
An NSC or equivalent at a SANC-accredited institution, three years of full-time study, and the college’s own points and subject rules. The published minimums are 24 points at the Western Cape and Limpopo colleges, and 25 at the KwaZulu-Natal and Free State colleges, each on that college’s own scale.
Does CPUT offer a Diploma in Nursing?
The CPUT Nursing Science department lists a four-year Bachelor of Nursing, a five-year extended curriculum Bachelor of Nursing and postgraduate qualifications, with no undergraduate diploma. Its Bachelor of Nursing asks for an APS of at least 30, so for a diploma look at a provincial nursing college instead.
Is the Diploma in Nursing the same as the degree?
No. The diploma (R.171) is a three-year programme for the general nurse category. The Bachelor of Nursing (R.174) is a four-year programme that leads to registration as a professional nurse and midwife.
Does the diploma accept Mathematical Literacy?
Some colleges do: the Western Cape college accepts it at code 4, and Limpopo accepted it at level 5 for 2026. Check each college, because the accepted level differs.
How long is the Diploma in Nursing?
Three academic years of full-time study under R.171.
Confirm the points, subjects and closing date with the college for your intake year, and confirm accreditation with the South African Nursing Council. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.