Supply chain management requirements depend on the level you study at. A degree needs a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a bachelor’s pass and Mathematics; a diploma needs a diploma pass and usually accepts Mathematical Literacy at a higher mark. For the 2027 intake, Unisa’s BCom in Supply Chain and Operations Management asks for at least 50% in Mathematics and in the language of teaching, while UJ’s Diploma in Logistics and VUT’s Logistics and Supply Chain Management diploma accept Mathematical Literacy.
Supply chain management courses are offered by universities, universities of technology and distance institutions, so check the requirement for the exact qualification and year you are applying for. Unisa’s undergraduate application window (17 August to 9 October 2026) has closed; UJ applications close on 31 October 2026 at 12:00.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Unisa, BCom in Supply Chain and Operations Management (98766): NSC with degree endorsement, at least 50% in Mathematics and 50% in the language of teaching and learning. Unisa lists an APS of 21. NQF level 7, 360 credits.
- University of Johannesburg, Diploma in Logistics (D34LGQ), 2027: APS 24 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, or 26 with Mathematical Literacy; English 4 (50%+); Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 3 (40%+), or Mathematical Literacy 5 (60%+). Offered at the Auckland Park Bunting Road campus.
- UJ, BCom Transport and Logistics Management (B34TLQ), 2027: APS 27, English 5 (60%+), and Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 4 (50%+). Mathematical Literacy is not accepted.
- Vaal University of Technology, Logistics and Supply Chain Management (diploma), 2027: English 4; Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 3, or Mathematical Literacy 4; one other subject at 4. Minimum APS of 20 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, 21 with Mathematical Literacy, excluding Life Orientation.
- Postgraduate: Unisa’s Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management requires a three-year, 360-credit bachelor’s degree or an appropriate advanced diploma at NQF level 7, plus at least two years’ work experience and a detailed CV.
Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place. Institutions select from applicants who meet or exceed it.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The national minimum for a 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 (50-59%) or better in four 20-credit NSC subjects; a diploma needs a rating of 3 (40-49%) or better in four such subjects. Institutions add their own, higher requirements on top, as the figures above show.
Degree (BCom) level: you need an NSC endorsed for bachelor’s degree study. Unisa also accepts a completed higher certificate or diploma from its College of Economic and Management Sciences as an alternative route into the BCom.
Diploma level: you need an NSC endorsed for diploma study. UJ also lists an NC(V) route into the Diploma in Logistics, at 60%, 60% and 70% in the required subjects and 60% in five of the seven fundamental and vocational subjects.
Adult learners without matric: Unisa’s BCom allows admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) if you are at least 30 years old, have completed at least Grade 10 and have at least five years’ relevant work experience.
Supply chain certificate and short courses: short courses and certificates are widely advertised, including by private providers. Before you pay, confirm whether the course leads to a registered qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) or is a non-credit-bearing short course, and whether the provider is registered or accredited. A short course alone will not meet the entry requirement for a degree.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The subjects that decide your supply chain management course options are Mathematics and English:
- Mathematics: required for degree study. Unisa asks for at least 50%, and UJ’s BCom in Transport and Logistics Management asks for level 4. Diplomas accept Mathematics, Technical Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, but set a higher level for Mathematical Literacy (UJ asks for level 5, VUT for level 4, compared with level 3 in Mathematics).
- English: level 4 (50-59%) at both UJ and VUT for the diploma; level 5 (60%+) for UJ’s BCom; 50% in the language of teaching and learning at Unisa for the BCom.
- APS: the minimum is higher if you took Mathematical Literacy (UJ: 24 vs 26; VUT: 20 vs 21). VUT excludes Life Orientation, and UJ’s APS is the six best subjects excluding Life Orientation.
- Useful but not compulsory: Accounting, Economics and Business Studies help with the costing, planning and purchasing modules, but none of the programmes above lists them as required.
If you are still choosing Grade 10 subjects and want a supply chain management degree, take Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy. It keeps both the degree and diploma routes open.
Documents and Application Requirements
Apply directly to each institution through its own application system. Typically you will need:
- A certified copy of your ID (or passport, for international applicants)
- Your final Grade 11 results if you are in matric, or your NSC certificate if you have finished school
- Academic records and certificates for any post-school studies, if you are applying on the basis of a higher certificate or diploma
- A SAQA evaluation of any foreign school-leaving qualification
- Proof of payment of the application fee, where one is charged
Unisa charges a non-refundable R160 fee for online undergraduate applications for the 2027 academic year, and says no fee is accepted after the closing date. Its application period of 17 August to 9 October 2026 has passed, so a new application means waiting for the next cycle. UJ’s 2027 applications close on 31 October 2026 at 12:00. VUT and other institutions set their own dates, so check each one.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Unisa states that admission to a qualification is not automatic, and VUT notes that meeting its minimum subjects and levels does not guarantee acceptance. UJ says the same about its minimums. Apply with a margin above the minimum, and apply to more than one institution.
Distance study through Unisa suits people already working in purchasing, stores or transport, because you study by distance rather than on campus. UJ’s Diploma in Logistics, by contrast, is offered on the Auckland Park Bunting Road campus.
If you are not sure a supply chain management course is for you, compare it with the closely related logistics courses requirements. Logistics focuses on moving and storing goods, while supply chain management also covers procurement, planning and supplier relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Unisa supply chain management requirements?
For the BCom in Supply Chain and Operations Management: an NSC with degree endorsement and at least 50% in Mathematics and in the language of teaching and learning. A completed Unisa College of Economic and Management Sciences higher certificate or diploma, or RPL (age 30+, Grade 10, five years’ relevant experience), are alternative routes. The 2027 undergraduate application window closed on 9 October 2026.
Can I study supply chain management with Mathematical Literacy?
Yes, at diploma level. UJ’s Diploma in Logistics accepts Mathematical Literacy at level 5 (60%+) with an APS of 26, and VUT’s diploma accepts level 4 with an APS of 21. Degree programmes such as Unisa’s BCom and UJ’s BCom in Transport and Logistics Management do not accept it.
What APS do I need for supply chain management?
It depends on the institution and programme: 20 (with Mathematics) at VUT, 24 (with Mathematics) at UJ’s diploma, 27 at UJ’s BCom in Transport and Logistics Management, and an APS of 21 listed by Unisa for its BCom. Use each institution’s own points calculation, because they are not interchangeable.
What supply chain management courses can I study?
Examples are Unisa’s BCom in Supply Chain and Operations Management (NQF 7, 360 credits), Unisa’s Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management, UJ’s Diploma in Logistics and VUT’s diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Note the exact names: Unisa’s undergraduate qualification is called Supply Chain and Operations Management.
Is a supply chain certificate enough to get a job?
A certificate on its own will not give you entry to a degree or diploma. If you rely on one, check that it is an NQF-registered qualification from an accredited provider, and ask the provider what it leads to.
What is the difference between supply chain management and logistics?
They overlap heavily. Logistics deals with the movement and storage of goods; supply chain management covers the wider network, including procurement, planning and supplier relationships.
Entry requirements, APS minimums and application dates are set by each institution and change every admissions cycle. Confirm the current requirements on Unisa’s BCom in Supply Chain and Operations Management page, the UJ undergraduate admissions page, VUT’s 2027 minimum admission requirements or the admissions office of the institution you are applying to. See also admission requirements and all education requirements.