To study nursing at the University of Pretoria (UP) you apply for the four-year Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNurs, programme code 10131002). For 2027 admission UP asks for level 4 in English, level 4 in Mathematics and level 4 in Life Sciences, with a minimum Admission Point Score (APS) of 28. Life Orientation is not counted in the APS. These figures come from UP’s Bachelor of Nursing Science programme page and UP’s 2027 admission requirements tables.
Meeting the minimum does not secure a place. The BNurs is a selection programme, and UP’s 2027 closing date for it (30 June 2026) has already passed. If you are planning for a later intake, check UP’s requirements for that year before you apply, because the figures are published per intake.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
For the 2027 intake, UP lists the following for the Bachelor of Nursing Science.
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or IEB equivalent
- English (Home Language or First Additional Language) at level 4
- Mathematics at level 4 (the programme page lists Mathematics, not Mathematical Literacy)
- Life Sciences at level 4 (Physical Sciences does not substitute for it)
- A minimum APS of 28, with Life Orientation excluded
- Selection: it is a selection programme with additional criteria, and only first-choice applicants are considered
Level 4 means an achievement of 50 to 59% on the NSC scale.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
There are two layers. Nationally, the minimum for any bachelor’s degree is an NSC with at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the institution and a rating of 4 (50 to 59%) or better in four 20-credit subjects, as set out in the Department of Higher Education and Training’s minimum admission requirements. UP then sets its own, higher requirements for nursing: the subject levels and APS above.
The South African Nursing Council’s regulations for the professional nurse and midwife programme require at least an NSC or equivalent, and the programme runs for four academic years of full-time study. UP states that its BNurs is accredited by the South African Nursing Council and that graduates can register as a Professional Nurse and Midwife. Registration also depends on completing community service under section 40 of the Nursing Act. See the SANC copy of Regulation R.174.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The BNurs needs three specific subjects. Check your results against each one, not only against the total.
- English Home Language or First Additional Language: level 4
- Mathematics: level 4
- Life Sciences: level 4
- Total APS: 28 at minimum, excluding Life Orientation
UP’s 2026 yearbook entry for the BNurs shows the same subject levels and APS of 28 as the 2027 page, so these requirements did not change between those two intakes. Do not assume they stay the same for later years.
Documents and Application Requirements
UP takes applications online. Check UP’s application pages for the documents and any application fee for the intake you are applying for, as these are set by UP and are not listed in its requirements tables.
Because nursing involves clinical training, you should also ask UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences whether it requires health screening, immunisation or a police clearance certificate before placement, and when it asks for them.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences closing date was 30 June 2026 for the 2027 intake, and that date has passed. UP’s tables state this closing date for programmes in the faculty; do not assume every UP programme closes on the same day, and confirm the date for the next intake when UP publishes its tables.
The BNurs admits a limited number of first-year students each year and considers only first-choice applicants. UP’s own programme page says fifty (50) first-year students are admitted annually, while SANC’s February 2026 list of universities accredited for the new nursing programmes shows sixty (60) students per intake, one intake a year, for UP’s Bachelor of Nursing. The two published figures differ, so treat the number of places as roughly fifty to sixty and ask UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences which applies to your intake. That means nursing has to be your first choice on the UP application if you want to be considered. UP publishes its selection criteria for the programme on a faculty page; read them before you apply. Because places are limited, apply to more than one nursing provider. The SANC list of accredited nursing education institutions shows which institutions and programmes are accredited to offer nursing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the UP nursing requirements for 2027?
Level 4 in English, Mathematics and Life Sciences, and an APS of at least 28 with Life Orientation excluded. The Bachelor of Nursing Science is a selection programme, so additional criteria apply.
What APS do I need for nursing at UP?
28 for the 2027 intake, according to UP’s programme page and requirements tables. This is the minimum, not a guarantee of selection.
Do I need Mathematics and Life Sciences for nursing at UP?
Yes. UP lists Mathematics at level 4 and Life Sciences at level 4. It specifies that Physical Sciences is not accepted in place of Life Sciences.
When do UP nursing applications close?
For the 2027 intake the closing date for the Faculty of Health Sciences, which includes nursing, was 30 June 2026. It has closed. Check UP’s next requirements tables for the following intake.
How long is the UP nursing degree?
Four years full-time. UP’s yearbook states it cannot be completed in less because of the compulsory clinical training.
Is UP’s nursing degree accredited by SANC?
Yes. UP states that the Bachelor of Nursing Science is accredited by the South African Nursing Council, and SANC’s February 2026 list of universities accredited for the new nursing programmes includes the University of Pretoria.
Confirm the current requirements and dates with the University of Pretoria, and accreditation with the South African Nursing Council. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements, or read our national guide to nursing requirements.