WSU courses offered and entry requirements -Walter Sisulu University Exploring List of Undergraduate, post Graduate Courses and all short Courses and Programmes offered at Walter Sisulu University WSU with it’s admissions entry Qualifications needed to study Walter Sisulu University WSU.
Walter Sisulu University Admission entry requirements
Admission into Undergraduate Programmes
- For Bachelor’s Degree programme, only applicants whose National Senior Certificate (NSC) results indicate that the learner has met the requirements for admission into Bachelor’s Degree, that is, Bachelors’ endorsement, may be admitted.
- In the case of the old Senior Certificate, only applicants with a Matriculation Exemption endorsement will be considered for admission.
Admission Point System (APS)
- The Faculty of Education endeavours to use a point system for admissions.
- The achievement levels are then translated into points for each NSC subject.
- Points will be used to calculate the total Admission Point Score (APS).
- The minimum APS required for a Bachelor’s degree is 26.
- The Faculty of Education Admissions Committee considered the administration of admission point score as proposed by Universities South Africa (Usaf).
- The Committee appreciates the breakdown made in the achievement levels as this advantages a student whose performance is better than others.
- On the basis of the Usaf proposal the points will be awarded as in the following example:
| NSC % per Subject | Points |
| 91% | 9,1 |
| 86% | 8,6 |
| 82% | 8,2 |
| 79% | 7,9 |
| 64% | 6,4 |
| 55% | 5,5 |
| 43% | 4,3 |
| 39% | 3,9 |
| 31% | 3,1 |
| 30% | 3,0 |
| 29% | 2,9 |
| 28% | 2,8 |
| 27% | 2,7 |
| 26% | 2,6 |
| 25% | 2,5 |
- The purpose of the above split will assist the department in admitting students according to their performance as opposed to the previous point system where a learner who scores 70% and the one who scores 79% would both attain 7 points.
- It should be noted that the above scoring system excludes Life Orientation and Mathematical Literacy.
- Points for these two are allocated as follows:
| NSC % per Subject | Points |
| 90% – 100% | 5 |
| 80% – 89% | 4 |
| 79% – 79% | 3 |
| 60% – 69% | 2 |
| 50% – 59% | 1 |
| 40% – 49% | 0 |
| 30% – 30% | 0 |
| 0 – 29% | 0 |
Admission Requirements per Programme
Bachelor of Education (FP)
Minimum Requirements for Matriculation
A Senior Certificate with a Matriculation Exemption endorsement and at least two subjects with E (HG) or two subjects with D (SG) from isiXhosa HL, English FAL or HL, Mathematics and a pass in any two other school subjects
Minimum Requirements for NSC
- Bachelors’ endorsement with NSC achievement rating of at least level 2 (30-39%) in Mathematics, or level 4 (50-59%) in Mathematical Literacy.
- At least level 4 (50-59%) in English and IsiXhosa, at least level 5 (60-69%) in Life Orientation. Any other 2 subjects at, at least level 3 (40-49%).
- Proficiency in the languages of learning and teaching, namely IsiXhosa and English is a requirement.
- Applicants with level 5 EDTP SETA qualifications for Foundation Phase or Early Childhood Development (ECD) will be considered.
- Mature age exemption for applicants in possession of the Senior Certificate as per Rule 1.7 of WSU General Rules and Regulations.
Bachelor of Education (SP & FET): EMS
Minimum Requirements for Matriculation
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC), with Bachelor’s degree endorsement with an achievement rating of at least level 4 (50 – 59%) in English, and level 4 (50 – 59%) in ANY TWO of the following subjects: Accounting, Business Studies or Economics.
- An achievement rating of at least level 2 (30 – 39%) in Mathematics or level 4 (50 – 59%) in Mathematical Literacy. A pass in the remaining two or three subjects. OR
- A Senior Certificate (SC) with matriculation exemption or mature age exemption with at least 40% or E symbol on HG or 50% or D symbol on SG in English and 40% or E (HG) or 50% or D on SG in ANY TWO of the following subjects; Accounting, Business Studies, Economics. A pass in the other one or two subjects. OR
- A National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Level 4/N3 Certificate with bachelor’s degree endorsement with at least 50% in fundamental subjects including English and 60% in any two of the following vocational subjects such as Applied Accounting or Financial Accounting, Business Practice, Economic Environment, Life Orientation, Mathematics. OR
- N4 or N5 or N6 Certificate/National N Diploma with 50% achievement in the respective subjects that are equivalent to English, Entrepreneurship & Business Management, Financial Accounting, Economics.
BEd (SP & FET): Humanities, Languages and Arts and Culture
Minimum Requirements
A National Senior Certificate (NSC), with Bachelor’s degree endorsement with an achievement rating of at least level 4 (50 – 59%) in English, isiXhosa, History, Geography, with at least 60% in Life Orientation. OR
A Senior Certificate (SC) with Matriculation Exemption or mature exemption with at least E (HG) or D (SG) in any of the two subjects namely: English, isiXhosa, History, Geography. OR
A National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Level 4 with Bachelor’s degree endorsement with at least 60% in English, isiXhosa, History, Geography, Life Orientation.
The subjects that will be not be taken as majors including English can have at least 50%. OR
N4 or N5 or N6 Certificate with at least 50% achievement in the respective subjects that are equivalent to English, isiXhosa, History, Geography, Life Orientation.
BEd (SP & FET): Mathematics, Science & Technology
Minimum Requirements
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC), with Bachelor’s degree endorsement with an achievement rating of at least level 4 (50 – 59%) in Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences. English and any other subject with an achievement rating of at least level 3 (40 – 49%). OR
- A Senior Certificate (SC) with Matriculation Exemption or mature exemption with at least E (HG) or D (SG) in English, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences. OR
- A National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Level 4 with Bachelor’s degree endorsement with at least 60% in Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences. The subjects that will be not be taken as majors including English can have at least 50%. OR
- N4 or N5 or N6 Certificate with at least 50% achievement in the respective subjects that are equivalent to English, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences.
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) courses
There are a total of four faculties or schools under Walter Sisulu University (WSU) offering courses in following areas:
Here are all the courses or programmes offered by Walter Sisulu University (WSU). Click on the department below for more information about courses.
Faculty of Business, Management Sciences and Law
The Departments and programmes are:
- Department of Accounting & Finance
- Diploma: Internal Auditing, Potsdam
- Advanced Diploma: Cost and Management Accounting, Street College
- Department of Corporate Communication & Marketing
- Higher Certificate: Versatile Broadcasting, Heritage
- Diploma: Journalism, Heritage
- Advanced Diploma: Journalism, Heritage
- Department of Management & Governance
- Diploma: Management, Potsdam
- Diploma: Management (Extended), Potsdam
- Diploma: Public Management, Potsdam
- Diploma: Policing, Potsdam
- Diploma: Local Government Finance, Potsdam
- Diploma: in Local Government Finance (Extended)
- Diploma: Small Business Management, Potsdam
- Advanced Diploma: Management, Potsdam
- Advanced Diploma: Public Management, College Street
- Department of People Development & Technology
- Diploma: Human Resources Management, Potsdam
- Diploma: Administrative Management, Potsdam
- Diploma: Office Management & Technology, Potsdam
- Advanced Diploma: Human Resources Management, Potsdam & College Street
- Advanced Diploma: Business Administration, Potsdam
- Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Sports Management
- BTech: Tourism Management
- Diploma: Hospitality
- Diploma: Tourism Management
- Diploma: Sports Management.
Faculty of Health Sciences
- BCur (Basic)
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
- Bachelor of Nursing
- BSc Health Promotion (Allied Health Professions)
- Bachelor of Medical Clinical Practice (Medicine)
- Bachelor of Social Work (Allied Health Professions)
- Bachelor of Medical Sciences: Mthatha
Faculty of Education
- University Licentiate in Music Education (ULME)
- BEd (FET) Humanities
- BEd (FET) Natural Sciences
- BEd (FET) Economic and Management Sciences Education
- BEd (FET) Consumer Science Education
- BEd (FET) Technology Education
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Arts
- BEd (FET) Arts and Culture Education
- Diploma in Adult basic education and training (ABET)
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology
- BSc: (3-year programme) Computer Science or 4-year extended curriculum programme
- BSc: Applied Mathematics, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematical Statistics, Mathematics, Geography, Physics, Zoology (3 year programme)
- BSc:Environmental Science (3 year programme)
- B.Tech: Chemistry
- B. Tech: Fine Art
- B.Tech: Information Technology (Software Development)
- B.Tech: Information Technology (Communication Networks)
- B.Tech: Civil Engineering (Transportation Engineering or Water Engineering)
- B.Tech Electrical Engineering
- B.Tech Mechanical Engineering
- National Diploma: Fine Art
- National Diploma: Fashion
- National Diploma: Consumer Sciences: Food and Nutrition
- National Diploma: Building or Extended Curriculum Programme
- National Diploma: Civil Engineering or Extended Curriculum Programme
- National Diploma: Electrical Engineering or Extended Curriculum Programme
- National Diploma: Mechanical Engineering or Extended Curriculum Programme
- National Diploma: Information Technology (Software Development) or Extended Curriculum Programme
- National Diploma: Information Technology (Support Services) or Extended Curriculum Programme
- National Diploma: Information Technology (Communication Networks) or Extended Curriculum Programme
- National Diploma: Analytical Chemistry (Mainstream and Extended)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About WSU Courses and Entry Requirements?
What does WSU stand for?
WSU stands for Walter Sisulu University, a public university in South Africa.
Where is Walter Sisulu University located?
WSU has campuses and delivery sites in Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City/East London and Komani.
What courses does Walter Sisulu University offer?
WSU offers programmes in areas including accounting, commerce, education, engineering, information technology, law, humanities, social sciences, management, public administration, medicine, health sciences and natural sciences.
What are the general WSU admission requirements?
Requirements depend on the qualification. Higher Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelor’s Degrees have different statutory minimum requirements, while individual programmes may require higher APS scores or particular subjects.
What is the minimum APS score at WSU?
There is no single APS score for every WSU course. The minimum varies by qualification.
How does WSU calculate APS?
WSU uses an APS conversion system based on subject achievement levels. Its standard calculation uses six subjects and excludes Life Orientation, subject to programme-specific rules.
Does WSU accept Mathematics Literacy?
Some WSU programmes accept Mathematics Literacy instead of Mathematics, but the required level varies by qualification. Applicants must check the specific course requirements.
What APS is required for WSU Bachelor of Accounting?
The 2026 undergraduate brochure lists an APS of 25, with English at level 4 and Mathematics at level 4 for the Bachelor of Accounting.
What APS is required for WSU Bachelor of Accounting Science?
The 2026 brochure lists an APS of 27, English at level 5 and Mathematics at level 4.
What APS is required for WSU Bachelor of Commerce?
The Bachelor of Commerce has a minimum APS of 25, with English at level 4 and Mathematics at level 3 or Mathematics Literacy at level 5.
What APS is required for WSU Bachelor of Education programmes?
The listed Bachelor of Education programmes in the 2026 undergraduate brochure generally have a minimum APS of 24, although subject requirements differ according to the specialisation.
Does WSU offer a Bachelor of Laws?
Yes. Walter Sisulu University offers a Bachelor of Laws among its undergraduate qualifications in the Law, Humanities and Social Sciences area.
Does Walter Sisulu University offer Psychology?
Yes. WSU lists a Bachelor of Psychology among its undergraduate qualifications.
Does WSU offer Engineering courses?
Yes. WSU offers engineering-related diploma and advanced diploma programmes, including Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
What are the Civil Engineering requirements at WSU?
WSU’s Civil Engineering department lists an APS of 24 for the mainstream Diploma in Civil Engineering, together with English level 4, Mathematics level 4 and Physical Science level 4.
Does WSU offer Information Technology courses?
Yes. The Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology offers ICT-related programmes in areas such as applications development, communication networks, business analysis and support services.
Can international students apply to WSU?
Yes. WSU accepts international applicants through its online application platform.
Do international students need a foreign exemption certificate?
Undergraduate applicants with non-South African school-leaving qualifications require a certificate of foreign exemption from the South African Matriculation Board, according to WSU’s international student information.
How much is the WSU application fee?
The current application information lists an application fee of R100, which is non-refundable.
When do WSU 2027 applications close?
WSU lists 31 October 2026 as the general application closing date and 30 September 2026 as the international application closing date for the 2027 application cycle.
Does meeting the minimum WSU requirements guarantee admission?
No. WSU states that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance or registration. Admission is also subject to factors such as academic eligibility, space availability and faculty-specific selection criteria.
Where can I find the official WSU admission requirements?
The most reliable source is WSU’s official 2026 Undergraduate Information Brochure and Admission Requirements, together with the university’s current application and faculty pages.
