Courses offered at Wits and admission requirements – University of Witwatersrand Interested in studying at Wits? Find a list of undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses and all courses offered by the University of the Witwatersrand, and the admission qualifications required to study at the University of the Witwatersrand.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) courses and requirements
- Faculty Of Commerce, Law and Management
- Faculty Of Engineering & the Built Environment
- Faculty Of Health Sciences
- Faculty Of Humanities
- Faculty Of Science
Here is a list of all the courses that are offered at Wits University:
Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management:
- Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
- Bachelor of Commerce (Information Systems)
- Bachelor of Commerce (Politics, Philosophy and Economics)
- Bachelor of Commerce with Law
- Bachelor of Accounting Science
- Bachelor of Economic Science
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment:
- Engineering, in a range of fields
- Biomedical Engineering (within Electrical Engineering)
- Digital Engineering (within Electrical Engineering)
- Architecture
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Property Studies
- Construction Studies
- Clinical Medical Practice
- Dentistry
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Wits School of Arts (WSoA): Digital Arts; Theatre and Performance; Film and Television; Fine Arts and Music
- Wits School of Education (WSoE): Foundation Phase Teaching; Intermediate Phase Teaching; Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching
- School of Human and Community Development (SHCD): Speech-Language Pathology; Audiology; Social Work
- Mathematical Sciences: Actuarial Sciences; Computational and Applied Mathematics; Computer Science; Mathematics; Mathematics of Finance; Mathematical Sciences
- Physical Science: Physical Science; Chemistry with Chemical Engineering; Material Science; Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Earth Sciences: Geography and Archaeology; Geospatial Science; Geological Science
- Biological Sciences: Biodiversity; Ecology and Conservation; Organismal Biology; Applied Bioinformatics; Biochemistry and Cell Biology; Genetics and Development Biology; Microbiology and Biotechnology
Entry Requirements for Courses at Wits University
At Wits, the success of your application depends not only on meeting basic entry requirements, but also on standing out from competing applicants. Here’s what you need to know:
- School-Leaving Qualifications: Wits recognizes the NSC, the National Certificate (Vocational) (NCV), and qualifications assessed by the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI) among others. International qualifications are also considered, so if you’re applying from outside South Africa, make sure to check how your credentials match up.
- The National Senior Certificate (NSC) Breakdown: For a Bachelor’s degree pass, it’s not just about passing; it’s about excelling. Achieving this requires not only completing your NSC or IEB (Independent Examinations Board) but also meeting specific levels of achievement across your subjects.
Diving Deeper: The Must-Haves
- Mathematics vs. Mathematical Literacy: For those eyeing programmes in Commerce, Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences, Mathematics is a must. If you’re leaning towards Law, Education, or Humanities (with the exception of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology), Mathematical Literacy could work for you.
- Language Requirements: English is a cornerstone, required as either Home Language or First Additional Language. Your proficiency here will be a critical component of your application.
- Admission Points Score (APS): Wits uses a unique APS system, considering your best seven subjects (including Life Orientation, to some extent). This system helps the university assess your application holistically.
- APS Calculation: Your APS is a tally of points based on your grades, with higher percentages earning you more points. English and Mathematics get a bit of a boost in this calculation, emphasizing their importance.
Wits APS Table: Think of this as your application’s heartbeat. The higher your scores in the critical subjects and your overall APS, the stronger your application. For instance, scoring in the 90-100% range in English and Mathematics could significantly elevate your APS.
Wits APS Table
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What courses does Wits University offer?
Wits offers undergraduate courses in Arts, Humanities, Commerce, Law, Health Sciences, Engineering, the Built Environment and Science.
What are the general entry requirements for Wits?
Applicants generally need an NSC with a Bachelor’s degree pass and must meet the APS, subject and additional requirements of their selected programme.
What APS score do I need for Wits?
The required APS depends on the programme. For example, the general BA requires APS 36+, while the general BCom requires APS 38+.
Does Wits accept Mathematical Literacy?
Mathematical Literacy is considered for certain programmes, including LLB, Education and Humanities programmes, subject to programme-specific requirements.
What English level is required at Wits?
English requirements vary by programme. The general BA and BCom requirements, for example, include English Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 5.
What Mathematics level is required for BCom at Wits?
The general BCom requires Mathematics at Level 5.
What is the Wits APS?
The Wits APS is the university’s Admission Points Score used to assess applicants based on their school subject achievement.
Does Life Orientation count towards Wits APS?
Yes. Wits states that its APS calculation is based on the best seven subjects, including Life Orientation, while faculty-specific subjects must also be included where applicable.
Can I apply to more than one Wits course?
Yes. Applicants can apply for a maximum of three programmes.
Does Wits guarantee admission if I meet the minimum requirements?
No. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission because places are limited and final selection applies.
Does Wits accept international students?
Yes. International applicants can apply, but foreign qualifications are assessed according to Wits and South African matriculation requirements.
Can NCV students apply to Wits?
Yes, subject to the university’s NCV requirements and the requirements of the selected faculty and degree.
Do Wits Science applicants need to write the NBT?
Yes. Wits states that applicants to BSc degrees must write both the Academic and Quantitative Literacy and Mathematics NBT tests.
Do all Wits courses require the NBT?
No. NBT requirements depend on the programme. Wits lists specific programmes for which the NBT or other additional selection procedures apply.
Are there additional requirements for Health Sciences courses?
Yes. Some Health Sciences programmes have additional requirements such as NBT results, job-shadowing certificates and other selection procedures.
What is the minimum APS for a Wits BA?
The published general BA requirement is APS 36+ with English Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 5.
What is the minimum APS for a Wits BCom?
The published general BCom requirement is APS 38+, English at Level 5 and Mathematics at Level 5.
What documents do I need when applying to Wits?
Applicants may need matric or school-leaving certificates, academic records and additional programme-specific documents such as portfolios, NBT results or job-shadowing certificates.
How much is the Wits application fee?
Wits currently states an application fee of R100 for undergraduate applications.
When do Wits undergraduate applications close?
For the 2027 intake, Wits lists 30 June 2026 for several restricted programmes and 30 September 2026 for other undergraduate programmes.
Where can I check Wits course requirements?
Applicants should use the official Wits undergraduate course finder and the university’s entry-requirements pages to check the latest requirements for their chosen programme.
