Sol Plaatje University Admission Requirements

Sol Plaatje University (SPU) in Kimberley admits students based on its own Admission Point Score (APS) and the subject requirements of each programme. Most bachelor's degrees need an APS of at least 30, while diplomas and higher certificates start from 25. The figures below come from SPU's 2026 undergraduate prospectus.

How SPU calculates your APS

SPU converts your NSC percentages to points: 90% to 100% earns 8 points, 80% to 89% earns 7, 70% to 79% earns 6, 60% to 69% earns 5, 50% to 59% earns 4, 40% to 49% earns 3 and 30% to 39% earns 2.

SPU then adds bonus points for Mathematics and your home language. You get 2 extra points for each if you score 60% or more, and 1 extra point for 40% to 59%. Life Orientation also counts on its own scale: 4 points for 90% or more, 3 for 80% to 89%, 2 for 70% to 79% and 1 for 60% to 69%.

English requirement

English is SPU's language of learning and teaching. Every programme asks for English Home Language at NSC level 4, or English First Additional Language at level 5.

Minimum APS for SPU programmes

• Bachelor of Education programmes: 30
• BCom in Accounting and BCom in Economics: 30
• Bachelor of Arts: 30
• BSc, BSc in Data Science and Bachelor of Environmental Science: 30
• Diploma in Retail Business Management: 25
• Higher Certificate in Court Interpreting: 25
• Diplomas in ICT and Agriculture: 25, with Mathematics at level 3 or Mathematical Literacy at level 5
• Other higher certificates: 25, some with Mathematics at level 2 or Mathematical Literacy at level 3

Subject requirements

Each programme adds its own subject levels. For example, the BCom in Economics asks for a bachelor's pass and Mathematics at level 5, or Mathematics at level 4 with Economics or Business Studies at level 3. Students who want to major in Geography in the BA need Geography at level 4.

Pass levels

Degrees need an NSC with a bachelor's pass, diplomas need a diploma pass, and higher certificates need a higher certificate pass. SPU's BEd programmes also ask for a language such as Afrikaans, Setswana or isiXhosa at NSC level 4, partly because the Northern Cape needs Afrikaans and Setswana teachers.

An example

Suppose you score 65% in English Home Language and 62% in Mathematics. Each earns 5 points plus a bonus of 2, so 7 points each. Four other subjects at 55% add 4 points each, or 16, and 70% in Life Orientation adds 2. Your APS would then be 32, above the minimum of 30 for a degree.

Other routes

SPU considers applicants with other examination systems individually, and it applies the recognition of prior learning in line with its policy. Some programmes also accept mature age applicants with relevant industry experience.

Meeting the minimum

Meeting a faculty's minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, because programmes may apply specific selection criteria. SPU is also developing new programmes, so check its website for the latest list.