University of the Witwatersrand Prospectus for 2028 Application

University of the Witwatersrand Prospectus 2028: Application Guide, Admission Requirements and Courses

If you are planning to study at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in 2028, the Wits University Prospectus is one of the most useful resources to consult before applying. It provides prospective students with information about undergraduate programmes, admission requirements, application procedures, faculties, selection criteria and other matters relevant to studying at Wits.

However, applicants should be careful when using older prospectuses. Admission requirements, application deadlines, programme availability and selection procedures can change from one intake to another. At the time of writing, Wits’ official website provides current undergraduate admission and application information, but the final 2028 Wits undergraduate prospectus should be treated as the authoritative source once the university publishes it.

This article explains what prospective applicants should know when preparing for the University of the Witwatersrand 2028 application and how to use the prospectus effectively.

See Also: University of the Witwatersrand Fees

What Is the Wits University Prospectus?

The University of the Witwatersrand Prospectus is a university information guide for prospective students. It helps applicants understand the qualifications offered by Wits and the requirements they need to satisfy before applying.

Wits’ current undergraduate website provides information about undergraduate degrees in areas including Arts, Humanities, Commerce, Law, Health Sciences and Science. The university also provides a Guide for Applicants aimed at school leavers applying for a first degree.

For someone preparing for 2028, the prospectus and official Wits website can be used to research:

• Undergraduate courses and degrees
• Admission requirements
• Wits Admission Points Score (APS)
• Required Grade 11 and Grade 12 subjects
• Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy requirements
• English requirements
• National Benchmark Test requirements
• Additional selection requirements
• Application procedures
• Application deadlines
• International student requirements
• Supporting documents
• Faculty-specific requirements

The most important point is that the prospectus should be used together with the official Wits application and course pages, rather than relying on a third-party website or an old prospectus.

Wits University Prospectus 2028 Application

Students who want to start their undergraduate studies at Wits in 2028 should prepare well before applications open.

Wits currently instructs prospective students to check the entry requirements for their chosen degree, determine whether additional selection requirements apply, submit the application and supporting documents, and pay the applicable application fee before the closing date. Applicants can subsequently monitor their application through the Wits Self-Service Portal.

The university’s application process is therefore more than simply completing an online form.

Before applying, you should know:

1. Which degree you want to study.
2. Whether you meet the minimum APS.
3. Whether you have the required subjects.
4. Whether your subject marks meet the required levels.
5. Whether you need to write an NBT.
6. Whether the programme requires an audition, portfolio, interview or another selection activity.
7. Which supporting documents you need.
8. The relevant application closing date.

This preparation can prevent a common mistake: submitting an application for a programme without first checking its specific admission criteria.

Wits University Admission Requirements for 2028

University of the Witwatersrand Admission Requirements

Wits does not have one admission requirement that applies to every undergraduate degree.

The university states that applicants generally need a recognised school-leaving qualification, the required level of achievement and a Bachelor’s degree pass, as well as any additional Faculty or School requirements that apply to the chosen qualification.

For applicants using the South African National Senior Certificate (NSC), Wits accepts qualifications issued by the Department of Basic Education, the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI), subject to the university’s requirements.

Depending on the degree, Wits may require particular achievement levels in:

• English
• Mathematics
• Mathematical Literacy
• Physical Sciences
• Life Sciences
• Other relevant subjects

The specific requirements must therefore be checked against the individual degree.

Wits Admission Points Score (APS)

The Wits Admission Points Score (APS) is one of the key factors prospective students should understand.

Wits uses a points system for NSC results. Its current admission requirements state that the APS calculation is based on the best seven subjects, including Life Orientation, while required faculty-specific subjects must be included. Wits also states that it does not distinguish between designated and non-designated subjects when calculating the APS.

The Wits APS calculation differs in an important way from some other South African universities. English and Mathematics can receive additional points in the Wits calculation.

The current Wits table is:

These figures are based on the current Wits admission information and should be checked against the official 2028 information once published.

Why your APS matters

A strong APS can make you more competitive, but applicants should not assume that achieving the published minimum automatically guarantees admission.

Wits explicitly states that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place. The university has a limited number of first-year undergraduate places, and final selection depends on factors including available places, academic results and other entry requirements.

Wits Courses and Faculties

University of the Witwatersrand Courses

The Wits undergraduate offering covers a wide range of academic fields.

Prospective students can find programmes in areas such as:

Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management

This area includes qualifications related to:

• Commerce
• Accounting
• Economics
• Management
• Law

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Programmes cover fields associated with:

• Engineering
• Architecture
• Planning
• Construction
• The built environment

Some programmes have additional selection requirements. For example, Wits lists application exercises for the Bachelor of Architectural Studies.

Faculty of Health Sciences

Health Sciences includes highly competitive programmes and has additional admission and selection requirements.

Applicants should not rely only on the general Wits APS requirements when applying for a Health Sciences programme.

Faculty of Humanities

The Humanities includes a broad range of programmes in areas such as languages, social sciences, media, arts and related fields.

Some programmes have additional selection procedures. Wits currently lists auditions, portfolios and questionnaires for selected Humanities programmes.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science offers programmes in scientific disciplines and has specific academic and NBT requirements.

The current Wits BSc page states that the general BSc requires an APS of 42 or higher, English Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 5, and Mathematics at Level 5. Applicants with 40–41 points may be wait-listed depending on available places. Specific BSc fields can have different APS and subject requirements.

These figures should be treated as the current published requirements rather than guaranteed 2028 requirements until Wits publishes the 2028 information.

Wits BSc Admission Requirements

University of the Witwatersrand Admission Requirements

The Bachelor of Science is an important example of why applicants need to read the programme-specific requirements.

For the general BSc, Wits currently lists:

• APS: 42 or higher
• English Home Language or First Additional Language: Level 5
• Mathematics: Level 5

Applicants with an APS of 40–41 may be considered for wait-listing depending on available places. Different BSc fields can require higher APS scores or additional subjects.

Wits also requires Faculty of Science applicants to write the National Benchmark Tests before they can be considered for admission. The tests include Academic and Quantitative Literacy and Mathematics.

This illustrates an important point for 2028 applicants: your Grade 12 results are not necessarily the only factor considered for admission.

National Benchmark Tests at Wits

The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) form part of the selection process for several Wits programmes.

The requirements vary by faculty.

For example, Wits currently requires all Faculty of Science applicants to write the NBTs. The Science Faculty uses the Academic and Quantitative Literacy test and the Mathematics test.

Health Sciences applicants are also required to write the NBTs, with Wits currently requiring the tests to be written in person for applicants in South Africa.

Applicants to Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology are also required to write the relevant NBTs.

Wits states that only the first NBT attempt in the most recent year is considered for the relevant programmes, while NBT results are valid for three years.

Because these rules can change, 2028 applicants should verify the applicable NBT requirements and deadlines before registering.

Additional Wits Selection Requirements

Some Wits programmes require more than academic results.

The current Wits additional-requirements information includes:

• Theatre and Performance: audition
• Film and Television: portfolio
• Fine Arts: questionnaire and portfolio
• Music: audition
• Digital Arts: questionnaire and portfolio
• Bachelor of Architectural Studies: application exercises

Certain Health Sciences programmes can also require job-shadowing documentation.

This means a student could have the required APS and still need to complete another selection activity before being considered for admission.

For this reason, applicants should check the Additional Requirements section as well as the ordinary entry requirements.

English Requirements at Wits

Wits is an English-medium university and requires applicants to demonstrate appropriate English proficiency.

For South African applicants, English must generally be taken as a Home Language or First Additional Language under the NSC system. Wits’ current rules also recognise certain equivalent English qualifications for applicants with international backgrounds.

For applicants using certain international qualifications, Wits currently recognises English proficiency through qualifications such as:

• IELTS with a minimum score of 6.5
• Cambridge English Language Assessment with a minimum score of 185

Wits notes that faculties may impose higher requirements for particular programmes.

International applicants should therefore check the specific requirements that apply to their qualification and programme rather than relying on a general English requirement.

Wits Requirements for International Students

International students can apply to Wits, but applicants with foreign school-leaving qualifications must satisfy additional requirements.

Wits states that international qualifications require the relevant matriculation exemption from the South African Matriculation Board.

International applicants should prepare their academic documents early because foreign qualifications may need assessment or verification before admission can be finalised.

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, Wits may require:

• Foreign school-leaving certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Certified documentation
• Proof of English proficiency where applicable
• Matriculation exemption documentation
• Passport or identification documents
• Faculty-specific documents

The requirements can vary according to the country and qualification, so international applicants should consult the official Wits international admissions information.

Wits Admission Requirements for NC(V) Applicants

Wits also publishes admission guidance for applicants holding a National Certificate (Vocational), NC(V).

The university states that the minimum legislative requirement for Bachelor’s degree admission includes an NC(V) Level 4 together with specified achievement levels. Wits’ institutional requirements include English as a language of learning and teaching or First Additional Language, Mathematics as a Fundamental Component, and 70–79% in all seven subjects for the stated institutional pathway. Faculty and degree-specific requirements can also apply.

NC(V) applicants should therefore examine both the institutional requirements and the requirements for their chosen degree.

Documents Needed for a Wits Application

Preparing your documents early can make the application process easier.

Wits currently advises applicants to prepare documents such as:

• Grade 11 results for applicants who have not yet matriculated
• Certified Matric results for applicants who have already completed school
• South African ID documentation
• Foreign school reports and previous results for international applicants
• Academic records for applicants who previously attended another university
• A certificate of good conduct where required for applicants transferring from another tertiary institution

Wits also specifies different document requirements according to an applicant’s academic background.

Do not upload random documents simply because they appear on an unofficial application checklist. Follow the requirements provided by Wits for your particular applicant category.

How to Apply to Wits for 2028

The general application process can be approached in the following order.

1. Research your degree

Start by choosing the qualification you want to study.

Do not apply based solely on the name of a course. Read its curriculum, career information and admission requirements.

2. Check the Wits APS

Calculate your APS using the Wits scoring system.

Remember that Wits calculates APS differently from some other universities, particularly for English, Mathematics and Life Orientation.

3. Check subject requirements

Make sure you have the required subjects and minimum achievement levels.

4. Check additional selection requirements

Determine whether you need:

• NBTs
• Portfolio
• Audition
• Interview
• Application exercise
• Job-shadowing documentation
• Another selection activity

5. Prepare your documents

Have the required results, identification documents and other supporting documentation available.

6. Submit the application

Complete the Wits online application and submit the required documentation and applicable application fee before the relevant deadline.

7. Monitor your application

Wits provides applicants with a way to monitor application progress through the Self-Service Portal.

How Many Wits Programmes Can You Apply For?

Wits currently states that an applicant may apply for a maximum of three programmes. The university also states that the order of choice does not matter.

This makes programme selection particularly important.

Instead of submitting three applications without researching the entry requirements, compare the three programmes carefully and make sure that your academic subjects and results fit each option.

Wits Application Closing Dates

Application deadlines can differ according to the programme.

For the 2027 intake, Wits’ published application information states that programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Audiology, Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology and BA Film and TV had an earlier closing date, while other undergraduate programmes had a later closing date.

The 2028 application dates should be confirmed from the official Wits website when that application cycle opens.

This is one reason an evergreen Wits prospectus article should avoid presenting an old closing date as if it were a permanent deadline.

Does Meeting Wits Admission Requirements Guarantee Admission?

University of the Witwatersrand Admission Requirements

No.

This is one of the most important statements prospective students should understand.

Wits explicitly says that satisfying the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place. The university has a limited number of first-year undergraduate places, and final selection depends on available places, academic performance and other applicable requirements.

Therefore, applicants should distinguish between:

Minimum eligibility: the academic threshold needed to be considered.

Selection: the process through which Wits decides which eligible applicants receive places.

A student can meet the minimum published requirements and still not receive an offer if the programme is highly competitive and places are limited.

How to Use the Wits Prospectus for 2028

When the official 2028 prospectus becomes available, use it as a checklist.

For each programme, look for:

1. Qualification name
Make sure you are reading the requirements for the exact degree.

2. APS requirement
Check the minimum Wits APS.

3. Required subjects
Look for Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and language requirements where applicable.

4. Additional selection criteria
Check for NBTs, auditions, portfolios, interviews or other requirements.

5. Faculty information
Read any faculty-specific admission conditions.

6. Application deadline
Never assume that every Wits programme has the same closing date.

7. Supporting documents
Check exactly what needs to be uploaded.

8. International requirements
If you hold a foreign qualification, check the matriculation exemption and other requirements.

Wits Prospectus 2028: Important Advice for Applicants

Students preparing for 2028 should begin planning before the application period.

Choose subjects strategically

Your Grade 10 to Grade 12 subject choices can affect the degrees available to you later. Mathematics, for example, is compulsory for many numerate programmes at Wits. Wits specifically identifies Mathematics as a core requirement for numerate programmes in areas including Commerce, Law and Management, Engineering and the Built Environment, Science and many Health Sciences programmes.

Do not rely on APS alone

A strong APS is useful, but the programme may require specific subjects or selection activities.

Prepare for NBTs early

If your chosen programme requires NBTs, check the applicable test dates well ahead of the deadline.

Keep copies of your documents

Have digital copies of your results and identification documents ready for the application process.

Check official Wits information regularly

Requirements and deadlines can change. The university’s official website should take priority over information published on third-party education websites.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Wits University Prospectus 2028

Is the Wits University Prospectus for 2028 available?

Applicants should check the official Wits website for the release of the 2028 information. At the time of writing, the university’s current online undergraduate admission information is the appropriate reference for planning, but programme-specific requirements and deadlines for 2028 should be confirmed when officially published.

Where can I find Wits admission requirements?

Wits publishes its undergraduate entry requirements online, including information for NSC, NC(V) and international qualification holders.

What APS score do I need for Wits?

There is no single APS requirement for every Wits programme. The required score depends on the degree. For example, the current general BSc requirement is APS 42 or higher, while other programmes have different requirements.

Does Wits require NBTs?

Some Wits programmes require NBTs. Current requirements include NBTs for Faculty of Science applicants, Health Sciences applicants and certain Humanities programmes such as Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

Can I apply to more than one Wits programme?

Yes. Wits currently allows applicants to apply for a maximum of three programmes.

Does Wits accept Mathematical Literacy?

Mathematical Literacy is accepted for some Wits degrees, but it is not a substitute for Mathematics where Mathematics is specifically required. Wits currently states that Mathematical Literacy is considered for LLB, Education and Humanities, with exceptions including Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Does meeting the minimum requirements guarantee a place at Wits?

No. Wits explicitly states that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission because places are limited and final selection is subject to academic results, available places and other applicable criteria.

Final Guide to the University of the Witwatersrand Prospectus 2028

The University of the Witwatersrand Prospectus 2028 should be one of the first resources you consult if you intend to apply to Wits for the 2028 academic year.

However, the most reliable approach is not simply to download a prospectus and stop there. Use the prospectus together with the official Wits programme pages, entry requirements, additional selection requirements and application information.

Your preparation should include checking your Wits APS, Grade 11 and Grade 12 results, required subjects, English and Mathematics levels, NBT requirements and any programme-specific selection criteria.

Most importantly, do not assume that the minimum APS means automatic admission. Wits clearly states that admission is competitive and that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a place.

For 2028 applicants, the safest strategy is to start researching early, choose programmes that match your subjects and academic performance, prepare supporting documents in advance and check the official Wits website when the 2028 application cycle and final programme requirements are published.