Categories: University Application 2025

CAO Entry Requirements 2025-2026

Central Applications Office (CAO) Admission Entry Requirements 2025-2026

The Central Applications Office (CAO) has a set of minimum admission entry requirements for all applicants. These requirements allow the management board at CAO to determine who qualifies to be considered for a particular programme.

Below is the list of minimum entry requirements for each qualification or programme.

NSC/IEB/SACAI

Minimum entry requirements for applicants writing NSC are shaded pink

Matric (Grade 12) achievement to qualify for:

Degree Study

Must obtain at least 40% for Home Language
Must obtain at least 50% for FOUR other subjects excluding Life Orientation
Must obtain at least 30% for ONE other subject
Must obtain at least 30% in Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) of the Higher Education Institution where you intend to study
Must pass at least 6 out of 7 subjects

Where you see NSC Deg as an entry requirement in the Programme Choice List, this means that you must meet the above requirements. If the institution has additional requirements, it will be indicated:

Example: NSC Deg with Maths and Phys Sci 6 and Engl and LO 4 and two subjects 4

This means that in addition to an NSC pass meeting the minimum standard required for entry into degree study, you must have passed Mathematics and Physical Science at level 6 and English home language, or first additional language and Life Orientation at level 4. Two of the three other subjects must be passed on level 4.

Diploma Study

Must obtain at least 40% for Home Language
Must obtain at least 40% for THREE other subjects excluding Life Orientation
Must obtain at least 30% for TWO other subjects
Must obtain at least 30% in the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) of the Higher Education Institution where you intend to study
Must pass at least 6 out of 7 subjects

Higher Certificate Study

Must obtain at least 40% in Home Language
Must obtain at least 40% in TWO other subjects
Must obtain at least 30% in FOUR other subjects
Must pass at least 6 out of 7 subjects

Senior Certificate

Minimum entry requirements for applicants who have written their Senior Certificate are shaded lemon.

Example: Matric Exemption with Maths ‘D’ HG/‘A’ SG and Agric Sci or Biol or Phys Sci ‘E’ HG/‘C’ SG

This means that your Senior Certificate or Statement of Symbols must state that you have been granted an endorsement. In addition, you must have passed Mathematics with a D in a Higher Grade or A in a Standard Grade and at least one in Agricultural Science, Biology or Physical Science with an E in a Higher Grade or C in a Standard Grade. If you qualify for an Ordinary Conditional Exemption, you could be considered for programmes specifying ‘Matric Exemption’, provided the other subject requirements are met.

N3/N4

Minimum entry requirements for applicants who have studied at a Technical Vocational Education and Training College (TVET) are shaded mint.

Example: :Example: N3 with two main subjects ‘D’ and Grade 12 Engl SG

This means that you must have an N3 pass. In addition, you must have passed two subjects with a ‘D’ and Grade 12 English on Standard Grade.
NC(V)

Minimum entry requirements for applicants who have written National Certificate (Vocational) are shaded lilac.

Example: NC(V) with two Civil Engineering subjects 5 and Engl and Maths and Phys Sci 4

This means that you must have an NC(V) pass in a relevant learning field. You must have passed three compulsory vocational subjects at level 5 and English and Maths and Physical Science at level 4.

Other requirements

If there are other entry requirements such as an N Dip, the list will tell you what qualification you must have to enter these programmes. If you do not already have this qualification, you should apply for that programme first.

Foreign qualifications

The following are considered to be equivalent to the South African degree entry requirements:

GCE

Five passes in GCE as well as two at the “A” level:

“A” level passes must be A, B, C, D or E
“O” level passes must be A, B or C.

Five passes in GCE as well as four at “AS” level:

“A” level passes must be A, B, C, D or E;
“O” level passes must be A, B or C; and
“AS” level passes must be A, B, C or D.

Applicants from SADC countries who have five passes at the ‘O’ level, including the English language, may be considered for diploma study.

HIGCSE/IGCSE

Passes in five subjects, four of which must be at the HIGCSE level:

HIGCSE passes must be 1, 2 or 3
IGCSE passes must be A, B or C

Applicants who wish to enter degree programmes are required to have passes in English language and one other language, and must usually have also passed Maths.

The Matriculation Board gives details of requirements for those with other qualifications. Applicants should apply for a ‘Foreign’ or ‘Foreign Conditional’ Matric Exemption from the Matriculation Board. Institutions will usually assist with this, or you can consult the Matriculation Board directly.

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