Wits Entry Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide for Prospective Students

Understanding the Wits entry requirements is essential for prospective students planning to apply to the University of the Witwatersrand, one of South Africa’s most prestigious academic institutions. This guide provides detailed insight into the basic qualifications, subject requirements, competitive nature of admissions, application process, and additional requirements for international students.

Basic Qualification Requirements

To be considered for admission to Wits University, applicants must possess a National Senior Certificate (NSC) offered by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), or the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI). In addition to this requirement, students must achieve certain levels of achievement, secure a Bachelor’s degree pass, and complete any additional faculty or school-specific requirements where applicable. It’s important to note that only one Matric upgrade or rewrite attempt is considered by the university. Applicants upgrading or rewriting Matric subjects for a second time will be unsuccessful.

Subject Requirements

To meet the Wits entry requirements, English must be taken either as a Home Language or First Additional Language. Moreover, Mathematics is a core and compulsory subject for all numerate programmes in Commerce, Law and Management, Engineering and the Built Environment, Science, and most Health Sciences Faculty programmes. However, Mathematical Literacy is considered for LLB, Education, and Humanities programmes, except for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Admission Points Score (APS)

Wits calculates the Admission Points Score (APS) based on the best seven subjects, including Life Orientation, with faculty-specific subjects included in the calculation. The university does not distinguish between designated and non-designated subjects when calculating the APS, and Further Studies (previously AP) subjects are also included. The minimum APS required for degree programmes is 30. However, recent enrolment trends indicate that most students offered a place at Wits have achieved an APS exceeding 30, with most scoring 34 or higher.

Competitive Nature of Admission

The admission process at Wits University is extremely competitive. In 2025, the university received approximately 85,000 undergraduate applications but could only register around 6,000 first-year students. These students represent the best performers, earning their place in one of Africa’s most competitive academic environments, with an average of over five distinctions per student in their matric results. The university has a specific number of places for first-year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is based on the availability of places, academic results, and other entry requirements where applicable. Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the university.

Application Process and Deadlines

Students can apply for a maximum of three programmes through the online application portal. The closing dates vary by programme: Faculty of Health Sciences programmes, Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Audiology, Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology, and BA Film and TV close on 30 June, while all other university programmes close on 30 September. An application fee is required: R100 for South African citizens and R700 for foreign citizens. Some degrees have additional selection requirements such as portfolio or essay submission, auditions, or National Benchmark Tests.

International Students

International students seeking to satisfy the Wits entry requirements have additional registration prerequisites. They must obtain a firm offer from Wits University, secure a valid study visa for the institution issued by the Department of Home Affairs, and successfully fulfill all prerequisite registration steps. International students are required to pay 75% of the annual tuition fees, related costs, and on-campus accommodation prior to registration, with the balance due by 30 June 2025. They must also provide proof of Medical Aid cover.

This comprehensive overview of the Wits entry requirements covers essential information prospective students need to navigate the application process and secure a place at one of South Africa’s leading academic institutions.