Nursing school requirements depend on the type of school and the qualification, so there is no single entry standard. In South Africa you can study nursing at a university (Bachelor of Nursing, four years), at a public nursing college (Diploma in Nursing, three years) or at an accredited private nursing education institution. The Higher Certificate in Nursing (auxiliary nurse) is a one-year programme.
The legal floor is the same for each of these programmes: at least a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification. Each school then adds its own subject levels and points score, and every nursing school and programme must be accredited by the South African Nursing Council (SANC).
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Higher Certificate in Nursing (auxiliary nurse, R.169): at least an NSC or equivalent; one academic year full-time.
- Diploma in Nursing (R.171): at least an NSC or equivalent; colleges add points and subject rules.
- Bachelor of Nursing (R.174, professional nurse and midwife): at least an NSC or equivalent; four academic years full-time; universities add APS and subject rules.
- Accreditation: the school and the programme must both be accredited by the SANC.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Separate from passing matric, the national minimum for entering higher education is set by the Department of Higher Education and Training: a Higher Certificate needs an NSC with at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching, a Diploma adds a rating of 3 (40-49%) or better in four recognised subjects, and a Bachelor’s degree adds a rating of 4 (50-59%) or better in four subjects. See the Department of Basic Education for the NSC itself. Meeting that minimum does not guarantee a place, because each school sets higher requirements.
Some public colleges ask for more than the diploma minimum. For its 2026 intake, the Limpopo College of Nursing asked for a Bachelor’s degree pass for its Diploma in Nursing, so a college diploma is not always the lower-entry route.
Some colleges also restrict who may apply. Limpopo’s 2026 intake required South African citizenship, and the KZN College of Nursing says admission is open to those who reside in KwaZulu-Natal. Check the residence and citizenship rules of any public college before applying.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Examples of what individual schools ask, as published by them:
- Wits Bachelor of Nursing (programme code MFA07, 2027 intake page): English Home or First Additional Language Level 4, Mathematics Level 4, and Life Sciences and/or Physical Sciences Level 4.
- University of Pretoria Bachelor of Nursing Science (2027 admission tables): English 4, Mathematics 4, Life Sciences 4 (not Physical Sciences) and a minimum APS of 28. It is a selection programme.
- CPUT Bachelor of Nursing: NSC with a Bachelor’s pass and a minimum APS of 30; Home Language 4, First Additional Language (English or Afrikaans) 4, Mathematics 4 or Mathematical Literacy 5, and Life Sciences 4. The five-year extended version asks for Mathematics 3 or Mathematical Literacy 4.
- Western Cape College of Nursing Diploma in Nursing (2026 brochure): English First Additional Language 4, Home Language 4, Mathematics 3 or Mathematical Literacy 4, Life Science 4 (or Physical Science 4), and a minimum total score of 24.
- Limpopo College of Nursing Diploma in Nursing (2026 intake): a minimum of 24 points on the college rating scale excluding Life Orientation, with English, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics at level 4 (Mathematical Literacy at level 5).
- KZN College of Nursing Diploma (R171) for the post-2008 NSC: a minimum of 25 points, with Life Orientation not scored.
Mathematics versus Mathematical Literacy depends on the school. CPUT and the Western Cape College of Nursing accept Mathematical Literacy at a stated level, while Wits and UP ask for Mathematics. Read the programme page of every school you apply to.
Documents and Application Requirements
Each school publishes its own document list and application route, so apply through the school itself and follow its checklist. Closing dates are firm: Wits’ 2027 page showed a closing date of 30 June 2026, which has passed, and Limpopo’s 2026 intake closed on 30 November 2025.
Some programmes ask for health-related proof. CPUT, for example, requires proof of Hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccination. Once you start training, the Nursing Act requires you to apply to the SANC to be registered as a learner nurse or learner midwife.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Meeting the minimum is not the same as being selected. Intake sizes are set per institution. The SANC lists each accredited school’s programmes and intake size.
Apply to more than one school and to more than one level if your results allow it. A diploma or certificate route can be a way into the profession if you miss a degree place, but check the entry rules of each, as they vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of nursing school are there?
Universities offering the four-year Bachelor of Nursing, public provincial nursing colleges offering the three-year Diploma in Nursing, and private nursing education institutions. The SANC publishes separate February 2026 lists of accredited universities, public colleges and private nursing education institutions.
What are the requirements for nursing school in South Africa?
At minimum an NSC or equivalent for the Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor of Nursing. In practice you need the subject levels and points score of the school you choose, such as an APS of 28 at UP or 30 at CPUT, or 24 to 25 points at the colleges listed above.
Which nursing school should I apply to?
Match the school type to your results and apply to more than one. Use the published requirements of each school, and check its SANC accreditation first.
How do I check a nursing school is legitimate?
Look for the school and the programme on the SANC’s lists of accredited nursing education institutions. The Nursing Act makes it illegal to offer nursing education unless both the institution and the programme are accredited, so check before you pay anything.
Confirm programme accreditation with the South African Nursing Council before enrolling, and confirm entry requirements and closing dates with each school for your intake year. See nursing requirements, admission requirements and browse all education requirements.