The University of Pretoria offers a Bachelor of Nursing Science, and admission requires a National Senior Certificate with bachelor degree endorsement, the minimum Admission Point Score published for the programme, and the subject requirements the faculty sets.
UP calculates its APS from six recognised 20-credit NSC subjects on the 1 to 7 achievement scale, to a maximum of 42, excluding Life Orientation. The closing date for all UP study programmes is 30 June, which is earlier than at many South African universities.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
UP assesses nursing applications on the following.
- A National Senior Certificate with bachelor degree endorsement
- The minimum APS published for the Bachelor of Nursing Science
- Subject requirements set by the faculty, typically including Mathematics and Life Sciences
- Your Grade 11 results, used for conditional admission
- Your final NSC results, on which final admission depends
- Health screening and a police clearance certificate, because of clinical placement
- The application closing date of 30 June
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The programme leads to registration with the South African Nursing Council as a professional nurse and midwife. Only an accredited programme leads to registration, and accreditation should be confirmed with the council.
Programme-specific APS minimums are revised between intake years. Confirm the current figure against the UP undergraduate prospectus for the year you are applying for rather than relying on figures published elsewhere.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
UP calculates the APS on the NSC 1 to 7 achievement scale using six recognised 20-credit subjects, with 42 the highest achievable score. Life Orientation is a 10-credit subject and is excluded.
Nursing programmes at South African universities generally require Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy, together with Life Sciences, and frequently Physical Sciences. Confirm the exact combination and levels with the faculty.
Because nursing is heavily oversubscribed nationally, the score that actually secures a place is set by competition rather than by the published minimum.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications 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
- Your final matric results, used to confirm any conditional offer
- A SAQA evaluation certificate, if you hold a foreign qualification
- A medical or health screening report
- A police clearance certificate
- Proof of immunisation, where the clinical facility requires it
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Nursing intakes are limited by clinical placement capacity rather than classroom space, which is the fundamental constraint across the sector. Apply as early as applications open.
The 30 June closing date applies across all UP programmes and is strictly enforced. Missing it means waiting a full year.
Apply to more than one institution. Nursing is among the most competitive fields of study in the country and single applications frequently fail. See nursing requirements for the national picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What APS do I need for nursing at UP?
UP publishes a minimum APS per programme and revises it between intake years. Confirm the current figure against the UP prospectus.
How does UP calculate the APS?
On the NSC 1 to 7 achievement scale using six recognised 20-credit subjects, to a maximum of 42, excluding Life Orientation.
When do UP applications close?
30 June for all UP study programmes, which is earlier than at many South African universities.
Do I need Mathematics?
Nursing degrees generally require Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy, together with Life Sciences. Confirm the combination with the faculty.
Source: University of Pretoria official admission pages, checked August 2026. Confirm programme-specific requirements against the current UP prospectus, and confirm accreditation with the South African Nursing Council. See nursing requirements and browse all education requirements.