Radiography in South Africa requires a bachelor pass with Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences at the levels the institution sets, followed by registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Radiography is the four-year degree that qualifies you to perform imaging; radiology is the medical specialisation undertaken by doctors after qualifying in medicine.
That distinction matters before you apply. If your goal is to become a radiologist you must first qualify as a medical doctor and then specialise, which is a substantially longer path than radiography.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Entry to a radiography degree is assessed on the following.
- A bachelor pass, since it is a degree
- Mathematics at the level required, with Mathematical Literacy not accepted
- Physical Sciences at the level required
- Life Sciences at the level required by most institutions
- The institution APS, which is high because places are limited
- Health screening and a police clearance, because of clinical placement
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Radiography is offered as a four-year degree with several streams, including diagnostic, therapeutic, nuclear medicine and ultrasound. You generally choose the stream at application rather than later, and the streams have different intakes.
On completion you must register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa before practising, and community service applies. The qualification must be from an accredited programme for registration to follow.
To become a radiologist instead, you complete a medical degree, an internship, community service and then specialist training in radiology. That is a different and considerably longer route.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The science subject requirements are firm. Mathematics and Physical Sciences are required at most institutions and Mathematical Literacy is not accepted, because the work involves physics, radiation dosimetry and equipment calibration.
Life Sciences is required or strongly preferred, given the anatomy and physiology content.
Points are calculated by each institution own method, and radiography is heavily oversubscribed because clinical placement capacity limits intakes. The effective cut-off is well above the published minimum at most institutions.
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, required before clinical placement
- A police clearance certificate
- Proof of immunisation, where the clinical facility requires it
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Intakes are small because students must be placed in accredited clinical facilities, so competition is severe and closing dates are firm. Apply early and to more than one institution.
Some institutions interview or require evidence of exposure to the profession, such as job shadowing. Arrange that in advance rather than in the application month.
Confirm programme accreditation with the Health Professions Council of South Africa before enrolling, since only an accredited qualification leads to registration and therefore to practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between radiography and radiology?
Radiography is a four-year degree qualifying you to perform imaging. Radiology is a medical specialisation undertaken by doctors after qualifying in medicine.
Do I need Physical Sciences?
Most institutions require it along with Mathematics, because the work involves physics and radiation dosimetry.
Can I study radiography with Mathematical Literacy?
Generally no. Mathematics is required at most institutions.
Do I have to register to practise?
Yes. Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa is required, and community service applies.
Confirm programme accreditation and registration requirements with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Confirm the exact APS, subject levels and closing dates with each institution for your intake year, since these differ between institutions and change between years. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.