UFS Admission Requirements

The University of the Free State (UFS) admits students based on an Admission Point (AP) score and minimum levels in key subjects. Each programme sets its own minimum AP and subject requirements, and selection programmes start from the highest AP. The figures below come from the UFS undergraduate prospectus for 2027.

How the UFS calculates your AP

The UFS awards points for six academic subjects, using the NSC achievement scale. A score of 90% to 100% earns 8 points, 80% to 89% earns 7, and so on down to 2 points for 30% to 39%. Subjects below 30% earn nothing. Life Orientation adds just one point, and only if you score 60% or more in it.

For example, five subjects at 60%, one at 50% and Life Orientation at 60% give you 25 plus 4 plus 1, for an AP of 30. Unless a programme states otherwise, you also need at least level 4 (50%) in English as a home or first additional language.

Minimum AP for popular UFS programmes

• BCom and most BCom specialisations, including Accounting, Economics and Finance: AP 28
• BCom with specialisation in Business Analytics: AP 34, with Mathematics at level 5
• BCom (Law): AP 33
• LLB (four years): AP 33, with English at level 6
• MBChB (Medicine): AP 36, with level 5 in key subjects
• Bachelor of Optometry: AP 33
• BSc Physiotherapy: AP 33
• Bachelor of Nursing: AP 30
• Bachelor of Biokinetics: AP 30
• Bachelor of Social Work: AP 35
• BA General: AP 30
• Bachelor of Administration: AP 28

Selection programmes

Some programmes are subject to selection, so the UFS ranks applicants and starts with the highest AP. These include medicine and the other clinical health programmes, Social Work, Architecture, Fine Arts, Music and Drama. Several of them also need a selection form, a portfolio or an audition, and they close earlier than other programmes.

Top achievers

If your AP is 35 or more and you meet your programme's criteria, the UFS treats you as a top achiever. You receive a conditional offer and an automatic merit bursary, which rises with your AP. For example, an AP of 35 to 37 earns R6,000, and an AP of 44 or more earns R20,000.

Campuses

Programme codes starting with BC are offered on the Bloemfontein Campus, and codes starting with QC on the Qwaqwa Campus. Some programmes, such as BCom with specialisation in Management, run in Qwaqwa with the same AP of 28. Check the campus for your programme before you apply.

Already studying elsewhere?

If you already study at a tertiary institution, the UFS treats you as a senior applicant. Ask the head of department or a lecturer, or check the faculty rulebooks, for the requirements that apply to you. The UFS notes that all admission requirements may change without prior notice.