Walter Sisulu University Admission Requirements

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) admits students based on an Admission Point Score (APS) and the subject requirements of each programme. You also need the National Senior Certificate (NSC) endorsement for your level of study. The figures below come from WSU's 2027 undergraduate information brochure and admission requirements.

How WSU calculates your APS

WSU adds up the points for your best six subjects, and it leaves out Life Orientation. It converts each percentage to points: 90% to 100% earns 8 points, 80% to 89% earns 7, 70% to 79% earns 6, and so on down to 2 points for 30% to 39%. The six subjects come in two groups:

• Category 1: up to two languages, your home language and your first additional language
• Category 2: the four other subjects with your highest marks, which must include any subjects your programme requires

For the BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching, Life Orientation is a teaching subject, so WSU also counts it for that programme.

An example

WSU's brochure gives this example. A student scores 55% in English and 60% in isiXhosa, which earn 4 and 5 points. Their four best other subjects are 91%, 80%, 62% and 55%, which earn 8, 7, 5 and 4 points. Their APS is therefore 9 plus 24, a total of 33.

Minimum APS for popular WSU programmes

• MBChB (Medicine and Surgery): 30, with level 5 (60% to 69%) in English, another African language, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences
• Bachelor of Accounting Sciences (CA route): 27, with level 5 in English and level 4 in Mathematics
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB): 26, with level 5 in English
• Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Psychology: 26
• Bachelor of Commerce degrees: 25
• BSc degrees, including Computer Science: 25
• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Administration: 25
• Bachelor of Nursing: 24, with level 4 in English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences
• Bachelor of Education programmes: 24
• Engineering diplomas (civil, electrical, mechanical): 24
• ICT diplomas: 22
• Management diplomas, such as Tourism or Public Management: 21

Basic NSC requirements

For a degree, you need at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching and level 4 (50% to 59%) in four 20-credit subjects. A diploma needs level 3 (40% to 49%) in four 20-credit subjects, and a higher certificate needs an NSC with 30% in the language of learning.

Extended programmes

Several WSU programmes have an extended curriculum stream, which spreads the first year over two years and adds support. These streams usually accept a slightly lower APS. For example, the extended Diploma in Internal Auditing starts from an APS of 20.

Selection

WSU stresses that meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. Admission depends on academic eligibility, the space available and any faculty selection criteria. Medicine also applies extra selection criteria at final selection, so aim well above the minimum and choose a second programme.