In order to be accepted into most study programmes, you will need to start preparing before you even apply to a tertiary institution. While requirements differ from institution to institution, the basic entry criteria for tertiary acceptance are usually the following:
- South African students must pass a minimum of 4 National Senior Certificate (NSC) subjects at a rating of 4 (50 – 59%).
- Students should achieve a NSC matriculation endorsement with at least 40% in English (first or second additional language).
- Student has the required Admission Points Score (APS) for the desired course.
Most courses additionally require that you have completed the following subjects at a matric level:
- English (home language or first additional language)
- Mathematics
- Physical Science
Due to the overwhelming number of applicants, most institutions warn that students who have received a NSC mark of 70% for each of these subjects will have a higher chance of being admitted into an engineering course than those who score lower.