Requirements for Higher Education

The following information reflects the minimum admission requirements for Higher Education and are applicable for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor degree programmes at all Higher Education Institutions.

The designated list of subjects has been removed (via government gazette notice on 2 March 2018).

Since the removal of the designated list all subjects have 20 credits except Life Orientation.

Achievement of the National Senior Certificate

• Pass one official language at Home Language level at a minimum of 40%

• 2 additional subjects at a minimum of 40%

• 3 other subjects at a minimum of 30%

Achievement of the NSC with entry to Higher Certificate study

• Pass the NSC (see above)

• Meet the language requirement for further study at a South African institution (minimum of 30% in the language or learning and teaching of the higher education institution of the candidate’s choice)

Achievement of the NSC with entry to Diploma study

• Pass one official language at Home Language level at a minimum of 40%

• Pass 3 additional subjects at a minimum of 40% (excluding Life Orientation)

• Pass 2 other subjects at a minimum of 30%

• Meet the language requirement for further study at a South African institution (see above)

Achievement of the NSC with entry to Bachelor Degree study

• Pass one official language at Home Language level at a minimum of 40%

• Pass 4 subjects at a minimum of 50%

• Pass two subjects at a minimum of 30%

• Meet the language requirement for further study at a South African institution (see above)

Higher Education Institutions set specific requirements that are higher than the minimum requirements stated above and access to certain faculties and courses depend on pupil performance.

All Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor degree programmes will require a National Senior Certificate (NSC), but they will differ in the achievement ratings required. It is the responsibility of each Higher Education Institution to publicise the subject combinations for particular programmes. Universities also assign points for different levels of achievement and set a specified minimum number of points for admission to individual faculties. In making subject choices it is important that the different university requirements are investigated.

All those who wish to study at a South African university are required to write the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs). There are various opportunities to write NBTs during the course of the Grade 12 year. These dates can be accessed on the university websites or the NBT website itself. The universities are using the NBT results as provisional filters in working with admissions. Many of the universities are stating that provisional admission will be based on the final Grade 11 results with final admission based on final Grade 12 results.

Oakhill is an academic institution that strives to provide each student with every opportunity to earn a Bachelor Degree Pass in Matric which will provide access to university study. At the same time, we do recognise that the university pathway is not meant for each of our pupils, but will endeavour to guide them to achieve the best results possible within the subject constraints of what we offer.