Walter Sisulu University (WSU) 2026 Admissions Requirements

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) considers applicants based on their Admission Point Score (APS) and whether they meet the minimum entry requirements for their chosen courses. In other words, admission to WSU is primarily determined by your academic performance, subject to the availability of space within each program. This article will guide you through everything you need to know about minimum entry requirements, how APS is calculated, and the various faculty options, helping you prepare for a successful academic journey at WSU.

Minimum Admission Requirements to Satisfy

Prospective students applying for Higher Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor’s Degree qualifications at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) for the 2026 admission intake must meet at least the following minimum entry requirements by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) guidelines before being considered for admission.

✅ Higher Certificate Programmes

You need to possess at least a National Senior Certificate with at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching.
You may be required to possess other qualifications depending on the courses of your choice.

✅ Diploma Programmes

NSC Requirement:
- Minimum 30% in the language of instruction.
- Minimum achievement rating of 3 (40–49%) in 4 recognised 20-credit subjects (excluding Life Orientation).
Disclaimer: Programme-specific subject requirements may apply.

✅ Bachelor’s Degree Programmes

NSC Requirement:
- Minimum 30% in the language of instruction.
- Minimum achievement rating of 4 (50–59%) in 4 recognised 20-credit subjects (excluding Life Orientation).
Disclaimer: Subject combinations may differ per programme.

International Applicants

Prospective students with qualifications obtained outside the jurisdiction of South Africa must comply with the following requirements:

Comply with the guidelines of Higher Education South Africa (HESA).
Submit qualifications to SAQA for benchmarking where required.
Contact WSU’s International Office for assistance throughout the application process.

Mature Age Endorsement

Applicants with a Mature Age Endorsement must adhere to the requirements in the WSU General Prospectus.

Diploma Applicants: Must have an NSC with a Diploma endorsement.
Degree Applicants: Must have an NSC with a Bachelor’s endorsement.

How to Calculate the Admission Point Score

The APS is used to assess eligibility for admission based on NSC/Matric results. WSU calculates the APS based on the best 6 subjects (or 7 in the case of Education qualifications, which include Life Orientation).

🔢 WSU APS Conversion Table

NSC % Score	WSU APS
90–100%	8
80–89%	7
70–79%	6
60–69%	5
50–59%	4
40–49%	3
30–39%	2
0–29%	1

Note: Old Senior Certificate (Matric) values are converted in line with the table above for both Higher Grade (HG) and Standard Grade (SG).

How WSU Calculates APS

Walter Sisulu University groups subjects into three categories for APS calculations:

Category 1:

2 Language subjects (Home Language & First Additional Language)

Category 2:

4 Best subjects excluding Life Orientation and the two language subjects.

Category 3:

Life Orientation (Only included for Education Faculty applicants)

Illustrations:

If you apply for an Education programme and your results include:

English (Home Language): 70% → 6 APS
Afrikaans (FAL): 65% → 5 APS
Mathematics: 75% → 6 APS
Life Sciences: 60% → 5 APS
History: 80% → 7 APS
Life Orientation: 85% → 7 APS

Total APS: 6 + 5 + 6 + 5 + 7 + 7 = 36 APS

Explore WSU Faculties for 2026

Prospective students are allowed to apply for up to three study programmes, selected from any of the following faculties:

Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology
Faculty of Management and Public Administration Sciences
Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences
Faculty of Law, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Faculty of Education

Expert’s Advice: Each faculty has specific qualifications and subject requirements. We recommend that you consult the 2026 WSU Prospectus, which provides a detailed breakdown of all available courses and their corresponding admission requirements

Expert’s Tips for 2026 Applicants

Apply Early: Ensure you apply before the application deadlines to secure your space.
Double Check Requirements: Make sure you meet both minimum and programme-specific requirements.
Calculate Your APS Accurately: Use the WSU APS table to get your score.
Seek Support: Contact WSU admissions or the international office if you need guidance.

Visit the official Walter Sisulu University (WSU) website to download the 2026 Prospectus, access the online application portal, and get support on admissions, funding, and student life.

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