Nursing in South Africa is not a single qualification. There are several nursing courses at different levels, each with its own entry requirements and each leading to a different category of registration with the South African Nursing Council, from auxiliary nursing through enrolled nursing to the professional nursing degree.
Choosing the right level for your matric results is the practical question. A lower entry requirement does not mean a dead end, because the categories articulate upward through recognised bridging routes.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
The main nursing courses, in ascending order of entry requirement, are as follows.
- Auxiliary nursing, the most accessible entry point, leading to registration as a nursing auxiliary
- Enrolled nursing, a step up, leading to registration as an enrolled nurse
- A diploma in nursing, requiring a diploma pass or better
- The Bachelor of Nursing degree, requiring a bachelor pass with science subjects, leading to registration as a professional nurse and midwife
- Postgraduate and speciality qualifications, entered after professional registration
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The degree route requires a bachelor pass and is the most demanding, typically requiring Mathematics, Life Sciences and sometimes Physical Sciences at specified levels. It runs four years and leads to registration as a professional nurse and midwife.
Diploma and certificate routes require lower pass levels and are offered mainly by nursing colleges. They lead to different registration categories with narrower scopes of practice.
Articulation is the point most applicants miss. Auxiliary nurses can bridge to enrolled nursing, and enrolled nurses to professional nursing, through accredited programmes. Starting lower is a route rather than a limit.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Across all levels, the subjects institutions look at are a language, Life Sciences, and a mathematics subject. The level demanded rises with the qualification.
Degree programmes commonly require Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy, and several also require Physical Sciences. Diploma and certificate routes are considerably more likely to accept Mathematical Literacy.
Because the requirement differs sharply by level and by institution, check the specific course rather than assuming a general nursing standard exists. There is no single national entry requirement for nursing.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications across nursing courses 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
- A medical or health screening report
- A police clearance certificate, because students are placed in clinical settings
- Proof of immunisation, where the clinical facility requires it
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Every nursing course is limited by clinical placement capacity rather than classroom space, which is why intakes are small at every level and closing dates are strictly applied.
Some courses run a single annual intake. Missing it means waiting a full year, so confirm dates early and apply as soon as applications open.
Confirm programme accreditation with the South African Nursing Council before enrolling anywhere, since only an accredited programme leads to registration and therefore to practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing courses are available in South Africa?
Auxiliary nursing, enrolled nursing, a diploma in nursing and the Bachelor of Nursing degree, plus postgraduate specialities entered after professional registration.
Which nursing course has the lowest entry requirement?
Auxiliary nursing is generally the most accessible entry point, and it articulates upward to enrolled and then professional nursing.
Do all nursing courses require Mathematics?
No. Degree routes commonly require Mathematics, while diploma and certificate routes are more likely to accept Mathematical Literacy.
Can I move up from a lower nursing qualification?
Yes. Accredited bridging routes exist from auxiliary to enrolled nursing and from enrolled to professional nursing.
Confirm programme accreditation with the South African Nursing Council before enrolling anywhere, since only an accredited programme leads to registration and therefore to practice. Confirm entry requirements and closing dates with each institution for your intake year. See nursing requirements, admission requirements and browse all education requirements.