Below are tables of the admission requirements, by race, for probable admission to the various undergraduate courses at the University of Cape Town in the 2012 academic year. These criteria will apply to students who matriculate in 2011 and who generally would have entered Grade 1 in 2000.
South African applicants for positions are required to identify themselves by one of five racial categories: Black, Coloured, Indian, Chinese and White. The university sets overall enrolment targets and racial targets for each programme. According to the university's Admission Policy for 2012 "All faculties will aim to admit specified minimum numbers of eligible South African Black, Chinese, Coloured and Indian students in accordance with these targets."
The University justifies the use of race in admissions on the basis of "diversity" and "redress." The goal, in terms of "diversity", it states, is to ensure that the local component of the student body "increasingly reflects the demographic diversity of the South African population" This suggests that the ultimate intention is for the racial proportions of the student body to reflect those of the population as a whole: i.e. 79% black, 9% Coloured, 9,5% white and 2,6% Indian and Asian (2007 Community Survey).
The University claims that its policy is also "designed for redress. The law requires this. The legacy of decades of inequality, and in particular structural educational inequality, in South Africa and the continuing (and in many cases increasing) disparities in public education provision is a reality with which our admissions policy must deal."
In terms of the policy white applicants fall under the "open" category and black, Coloured, Indian and Chinese applicants under the "redress" one. The latter can apply for direct entry into the normal degree courses or, in many cases, to an extended degree programme where academic support is provided and where admission requirements are lower.
As evidenced by the tables below there are, particularly for the higher status courses, wide differentials between the marks required for the different racial groups. In engineering, medicine and, to a lesser extent, law, white applicants have to attain considerably higher marks than their black contemporaries for probable admission.
Applicants are generally assessed through a combination of two measures: An Admission Point Score (APS) calculated from the applicant's marks in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination; and the National Benchmark Test (NBT) set by the university.
The NSC APS is derived from the sum of six subject scores, excluding life orientation, but including English and any other subjects required for that particular programme. There are two NBTs: An Academic and Quantitative literacy test (AQL) which tests academic literacy (AL) and quantitative literacy (QL); and a Mathematics Test (MT) which all applicants, who wish to enter a programme with mathematics-based coursework are required to write.
In programmes falling under Engineering and the Built Environment an EBE Admission Point Score (EBE APS) is calculated, out of 100, using the following formula: EBE APS = 0.5 x %NSC + 0.5 x %NBT + 0.03 x % Maths 3.
Table 1: Requirements for probable admission to health science degrees at UCT 2012
|
MBChB |
|||||||
|
|
Minimum requirements for all |
APS (out of 600) |
% Ave |
NBT (out of 300) |
% Ave |
TOTAL SCORE (out of 900) |
% Ave |
|
Black |
Level 4 (50%) for: Mathematics plus Physical Sciences plus English PLUS a pass in the next 3 best subjects excluding Life Orientation; AL: 42; QL: 38; Maths: 34 |
420 |
70.0% |
114 |
38.0% |
534 |
59.3% |
|
Chinese |
480 |
80.0% |
180 |
60.0% |
660 |
73.3% |
|
|
Coloured |
450 |
75.0% |
128 |
42.7% |
578 |
64.2% |
|
|
Indian |
500 |
83.3% |
200 |
66.7% |
700 |
77.8% |
|
|
White & others |
500 |
83.3% |
200 |
66.7% |
700 |
77.8% |
|
|
BSc Physiotherapy |
|||||||
|
|
Minimum requirements for all |
APS (out of 600) |
% Ave |
NBT (out of 300) |
% Ave |
TOTAL SCORE (out of 900) |
% Ave |
|
Black |
Level 4 (50%) for: Mathematic; plus level 4 for Physical Sciences or Life Sciences; plus level 4 for English; PLUS a pass in the next 3 best subjects excluding Life Orientation; AL: 42; QL: 38; Maths: 34 |
340 |
56.7% |
114 |
38.0% |
454 |
50.4% |
|
Chinese |
440 |
73.3% |
144 |
48.0% |
584 |
64.9% |
|
|
Coloured |
340 |
56.7% |
114 |
38.0% |
454 |
50.4% |
|
|
Indian |
450 |
75.0% |
144 |
48.0% |
594 |
66.0% |
|
|
White & others |
460 |
76.7% |
150 |
50.0% |
610 |
67.8% |
|
|
BSc Occupational Therapy |
|||||||
|
|
Minimum requirements for all |
APS (out of 600) |
% Ave |
NBT (out of 300) |
% Ave |
TOTAL SCORE (out of 900) |
% Ave |
|
Black |
Level 4 (50%) for: Mathematics or Level 5 for Mathematics Literacy; plus level 4 for Physical Sciences or Life Sciences; plus level 4 for English; PLUS a pass in the next 3 best subjects excluding Life Orientation; AL: 42; QL: 38; Maths: 34 |
340 |
56.7% |
114 |
38.0% |
454 |
50.4% |
|
Chinese |
410 |
68.3% |
120 |
40.0% |
530 |
58.9% |
|
|
Coloured |
340 |
56.7% |
114 |
38.0% |
454 |
50.4% |
|
|
Indian |
420 |
70.0% |
120 |
40.0% |
540 |
60.0% |
|
|
White & others |
440 |
73.3% |
120 |
40.0% |
560 |
62.2% |
|
|
BSc Audiology and BSc Speech-Language Pathology |
|||||||
|
|
Minimum requirements for all |
APS (out of 600) |
% Ave |
NBT (out of 300) |
% Ave |
TOTAL SCORE (out of 900) |
% Ave |
|
Black |
Level 4 (50%) for: Mathematics or Level 5 for Mathematics Literacy; plus level 4 for Physical Sciences or Life Sciences; plus level 4 for English; PLUS a pass in the next 3 best subjects excluding Life Orientation; AL: 42; QL: 38; Maths: 34 |
340 |
56.7% |
114 |
38.0% |
454 |
50.4% |
|
Chinese |
380 |
63.3% |
114 |
38.0% |
494 |
54.9% |
|
|
Coloured |
340 |
56.7% |
114 |
38.0% |
454 |
50.4% |
|
|
Indian |
380 |
63.3% |
114 |
38.0% |
494 |
54.9% |
|
|
White & Others |
380 |
63.3% |
114 |
38.0% |
494 |
54.9% |
|
Table 2: Engineering and Built Environment
|
Programme |
White and others ("Open") |
Black, Indian, Coloured or Chinese ("Redress") |
|
|
Normal |
Normal |
Extended degree |
|
|
Architectural Studies |
Offers for the limited places are made on a competitive basis taking into account Faculty equity targets |
58 EBE APS Points; Mathematics or Physical Science ≥ 50%; BAS Portfolio weighted 50% |
|
|
Construction Studies |
70 EBE APS Points; Mathematics ≥ 65%; Physical Science ≥ 55% |
50 EBE APS Points; Mathematics ≥ 65%; Physical Science ≥ 55% |
|
|
Engineering (all programmes) |
75 EBE APS Points; Mathematics ≥ 80%; Physical Science ≥ 70% |
65 EBE APS Points; Mathematics ≥ 75%; Physical Science ≥ 65% |
55 EBE APS Points; Mathematics ≥75%; Physical Science ≥ 60% |
|
Geomatics |
70 EBE APS Points; Mathematics ≥ 75%; Physical Science ≥ 65% |
60 EBE APS Points; Mathematics ≥ 70%; Physical Science ≥ 60% |
55 EBE APS Points; Mathematics ≥70%; Physical Science ≥ 60% |
|
Property studies |
70 EBE APS Points; Mathematics ≥ 65% |
50 EBE APS Points; Mathematics ≥65% |
|
Table3: Commerce
|
Programme |
White and others ("Open") |
Black, Indian, Coloured or Chinese ("Redress") |
|
|
Normal |
Normal |
Extended degree |
|
|
BCom (Accounting); Bcom (Information Systems); Bcom (Philosophy Politics& Economics); Bcom (Accounting and Law); Bcom (Economics and Law); Bcom (Economics and Finance); Bcom (Economics and Statistics); Bcom (Management Studies) |
APS of 432(72% average); Maths 6 (70%); NBT:AL & QL scores of Proficient/ Intermediate |
APS of 420 (70% average); Maths 6 (70%); NBT:AL & QL score of Intermediate |
APS of 408 (68% average); Maths 5 (68%) |
|
BBusSc Management Studies programmes |
APS of 450 (75% average); Maths 7 (80%); NBT:AL & QL score of Proficient/ Intermediate |
APS of 438 (73% average); Maths 6 (70%); NBT:AL & QL score of Intermediate |
APS of 414 (71% average); Maths 5 (69%) |
|
BBusSc; Computer Science programme |
APS of 450 (75% average); Maths 7 (80%); NBT:AL & QL score of Proficient/ Intermediate |
APS of 438(73% average); Maths 6 (70%); NBT:AL & QL score of Intermediate |
APS of 414 (71% average); Maths 6 (70%) |
|
BBusSc and BCom Actuarial Science Quantitative Finance programme |
APS of 480 (80% average); Maths 7 (85%); NBT:AL & QL score of Proficient |
APS of 468 (78% average); Maths 7 (80%); NBT:AL & QL score of Intermediate |
APS of 450 (75% average); Maths 7 (80%); NBT:AL & QL score of Intermediate |
Table 4: Science
|
Programme |
White and others ("Open") |
Black, Indian, Coloured or Chinese ("Redress") |
|
|
|
Normal |
Normal |
Extended degree |
|
BSc Majoring in: Applied Biology, Applied Mathematics/ Astrophysics/ Chemistry/ Ecology & Evolution/ Geology/ Genetics/ Human Physiology/ Mathematical Statistics/ Mathematics/ Microbiology/ Oceanography & Marine Biology/ Physics |
APS of 450 (75%); Mathematics 6 (70%); Physical Science 5 (60%) |
APS 435 (72.5% ave); Mathematics 6 (70%) & Physical Science 5 (60%) |
General Entry Programme for Science: APS of 410 (68.3% ave); Mathematics 5 (60%) and Physical Science 4 (50%) or Life Sciences 4 (50%) |
|
BSc Majoring in: Business Computing/Computer Engineering/Computer Games Development/Computer Science |
APS of 450 (75%); Mathematics 6 (70%); Physical Science 5 (60%) or Life Sciences 5(60%) |
APS 435 (72.5% ave); Mathematics 6 (70%) & Physical Science 5 (60%) or Information Technology 5 (60%) |
|
Table 5: Law & Humanities
|
Programme |
White and others ("Open") |
Black, Indian, Coloured or Chinese ("Redress") |
|
|
Normal |
Normal |
Extended degree |
|
|
LLB |
NSC APS OF 480 (80%); NBT; AL (Proficient at 75%); QL (Intermediate) |
NSC APS OF 450 (75%); NBT; AL (Proficient at 75%); QL (Intermediate) |
NSC APS of 420 (70%); NBT AL (70 - 74%); QL (Intermediate) |
|
BA and BSocSc (majors other than Economics or Psychology) AND BA Film & Media Production |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 410 (68%); AL score Upper Intermediate |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 390 (65%); AL score Upper Intermediate |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 360 (60%); AL score Upper Intermediate |
|
BA and BSocSc (majoring in Psychology) |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 440 (73%); AL score Upper Intermediate; QL score of 69% or NSC Maths 50% |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 420 (70%); AL score Upper Intermediate; QL score of 69% or NSC Maths 50% |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; NSC Maths 50% and/or QL score Upper Intermediate; APS of 360 (60%); AL score Upper Intermediate |
|
BA and BSocSc (majoring in Economics) |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 430 (72%); AL score Upper Intermediate; QL score Upper Intermediate; NSC Maths 60% |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 420 (70%); AL score Upper Intermediate; QL score Upper Intermediate; NSC Maths 60% |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; NSC Maths 50% and/or Upper Intermediate; APS of 360 (60%); AL score Upper Intermediate |
|
BSocSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 430 (72%); AL score Upper Intermediate; QL score Upper Intermediate; NSC Maths 60% |
Same |
|
|
Bachelor of Social Work |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 380 (63%); AL score Lower Intermediate |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 370 (62%); AL score Lower Intermediate |
|
|
BA in Fine Art |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 380 (63%); AL score Lower Intermediate; Assessment of artistic competence by submission of portfolio; Portfolio graded "A" |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 380 (63%); AL score Lower Intermediate; Assessment of artistic competence by submission of portfolio; Portfolio graded "A/B+" |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 350 (58%); AL score Lower Intermediate; Portfolio graded A/B+ |
|
Bachelor of Music |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 380 (63%); AL score Lower Intermediate; NSC Music 60% or Unisa Grade V Theory and Grade VII Practical; Successful audition |
Same |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 350 (58%); AL score Lower Intermediate; NSC Music 60% or Unisa Grade V Theory and Grade VII Practical; Successful audition |
|
Bachelor of Music (Dance) |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%; APS of 380 (63%); AL score Lower Intermediate; Successful audition; In the case of classical ballet the candidate must provide a Royal Academic of Dance or Cecchetti Society Intermediate certificate; or the candidate must provide a certified statement from a registered professional, accredited dance academic or school of at least three years of formal training in African Dance or Contemporary Dance; or must hold a qualification that is deemed equivalent by the HoD. |
Same |
|
|
BA in Theatre and Performance |
NSC endorsed for degree study with English 50%3; APS of 380 (63%); AL score Lower Intermediate; Successful audition |
Same |
|
|
Music Diploma programmes (other than opera) |
NSC endorsed for diploma studies; NSC English 50%2; Successful audition; NSC Music 60% or Unisa Grade V Theory and Grade VII Practical |
Same |
|
|
Performer's Diploma in Opera |
NSC endorsed for diploma studies; NSC English 50%2; Successful audition |
Same |
|
|
Dance Teacher's Diploma |
NSC endorsed for diploma studies; NSC English 50%; Successful audition; In the case of classical ballet the candidate must provide a Royal Academic of Dance or Cecchetti Society Intermediate certificate; or the candidate must provide a certified statement from a registered professional, accredited dance academic or school of at least three years of formal training in African Dance or Contemporary Dance; or must hold a qualification that is deemed equivalent by the HoD |
Same |
|
|
Performer's Diploma in Theatre |
NSC endorsed for diploma studies; NSC English 50%A; Successful audition |
Same |
|
Data source: University of Cape Town (see here for full information on admissions policies.) Please check against original source.
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