Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Admission Requirements 2021

To study at the Nelson Mandela University, NMU for any first degree or second degree, an applicant must have the following requirements for successful admission.

NMU Admission Requirement

Below is the 2021 NMU admission brochure that contains the various faculty and courses admission requirement needed for admission into Nelson Mandela University, NMU.

• The table below explains how well you will need to do in your school subjects to meet the minimum entry requirements for each type of qualification.
• It is important to note that the table refers to minimum entry requirements.
• The university may add additional requirements for specific programmes.

*(LOTL) Language of Teaching & Learning, which is English at Nelson Mandela University.

Designated Subjects

As per the Government Gazette Notice No.165 No. 41473 dated March 2018, the list of designated subjects has been revoked with immediate effect. Subsequent to this announcement, the revised admission requirements for degree entry as they pertain to Nelson Mandela University, are further explained below:

• Applicants must meet the minimum statutory entry requirements for each type of qualification they wish to apply for as stated above.
• The University may add additional subject-specific requirements for certain qualifications.
• Applicants will still need to comply with the Admission Point Score (APS), subject-specific level(s) set for specific subjects which may be required for certain qualifications, and/or fall within the APS testing band before a final decision will be made of the outcome of his/her application.
• Any recognised 20-credit NSC subject combinations (dependant on school capacity) can be used towards applying for degree studies (this excludes LO which is 10-credits), provided that each of these four subjects is also passed on a level 4 (50-59%) or higher.

How to calculate your NMU Admission Point Score (APS)

• The APS system allocates point values to the levels of achievement obtained for your matric subjects.
• Write down your relevant NSC subjects and the levels obtained.
• Allocate points according to the table below.
• Add up the number of points you have to calculate your APS.
• Alternatively, use our online APS calculator

Table A: School Performance Score (SPS)

Example 1

To enrol for the Diploma (Analytical Chemistry) you need an Admission Point Score (APS) of at least 34, as well as a National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass in Mathematics & Physical Science on at least a level 4 (50 – 59 %).

This applicant has met the minimum requirements for admission to the Diploma (Analytical Chemistry).

Example 2

To enrol for the BCom (Accounting) you need an Admission Point Score (APS) of at least 38, as well as four subjects from the designated list and a pass in Mathematics on at least level 5 (60 69 %).

This student has met the minimum admission requirements for the BCom (Accounting) programme.

Additional requirements

In addition to the minimum APS requirement, additional subject requirements have been set. These include:

1. Mathematics: This is required for certain programmes. Only performance in the core Mathematics topics (papers 1 and 2) will be used when making admission decisions. However, school learners are encouraged to also take the optional Mathematics topics. In certain programmes, applicants who have Mathematical Literacy instead of Mathematics may be admitted to a programme where a Mathematics entry requirement has been set. In this instance, additional modules may be added to the programme, which may extend the length of the programme.
2. Mathematical Literacy: In view of the importance of quantitative literacy for success at Higher Education studies, a minimum of a 3 (40-49%) for Mathematical Literacy is preferred for likely admission to National Higher Certificate and National Diploma programmes and a 4 (50-59%) for likely admission to degree programmes where Mathematics is not a requirement, unless otherwise indicated.