University of Free State (UFS) Admission Requirements for 2028

University of Free State (UFS) Admission Requirements 2028, UFS APS score, National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) & Admission Point (AP) score

If you are planning to study at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 2028, one of the most important things to check before submitting an application is whether you meet the admission requirements for your chosen programme.

UFS does not use one single admission requirement for every course. The minimum requirements differ according to the qualification, faculty, campus and programme. Your Admission Point (AP) score, school subjects, achievement levels and, where applicable, National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) can all influence your eligibility.

Applicants should also read on University of Cape Town Fees for 2028.

It is also important to understand that meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee admission. UFS states that selection is based on merit and that places in some programmes are limited.

This comprehensive guide explains the University of the Free State admission requirements for 2028, including general requirements, APS/AP scoring, subject requirements, NBTs, faculty-specific requirements, international applicants, extended programmes and important application considerations.

Click on University of Cape Town Courses for 2028 to see all the courses available.

What Are the University of the Free State Admission Requirements for 2028?

For 2028 undergraduate admission, prospective students should expect UFS to consider several factors, including:

• Your National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification
• Your Admission Point (AP) score
• Required school subjects
• Minimum achievement levels in specific subjects
• Language requirements
• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, where applicable
• Physical Sciences or Life Sciences for selected science programmes
• National Benchmark Tests (NBTs), where required
• Programme-specific selection criteria
• Availability of space
• Your final academic results

The university’s latest undergraduate prospectus makes it clear that admission requirements are programme-specific and that admission is subject to selection and available space.

Consequently, students should not assume that achieving a particular AP score automatically means they will be admitted to every UFS programme.

General UFS Admission Requirements

The basic qualification you need depends on the type of programme you want to study.

For a bachelor’s degree, UFS’s academic rules provide for admission based on an appropriate National Senior Certificate (NSC) with the required endorsement and subject combinations, or an appropriate National Certificate (Vocational), NC(V). The university’s rules also provide for additional requirements applicable to particular qualifications.

In practical terms, a prospective undergraduate student should generally have:

1. A recognised school-leaving qualification.
2. The appropriate level of achievement for the programme.
3. The required AP score.
4. The required subjects.
5. The required language level.
6. Any programme-specific requirements.
7. NBT results where applicable.
8. Any additional selection requirements for highly competitive programmes.

The exact combination varies considerably between programmes.

UFS Admission Point (AP) Score

One of the most important parts of the UFS admission process is the Admission Point (AP) score.

UFS uses an AP system based on the NSC achievement scale. According to the university’s current information, points are awarded for six academic subjects, while Life Orientation can contribute one additional point when the required achievement level is obtained. Results below 30% do not contribute points to the AP calculation.

UFS AP Score Table

UFS indicates that an additional point may be awarded for Life Orientation when a student achieves 60% or higher (Level 5).

Example of calculating your UFS AP

Suppose a student obtains:

• English: 70% = 6 points
• Mathematics: 65% = 5 points
• Physical Sciences: 62% = 5 points
• Life Sciences: 74% = 6 points
• Geography: 68% = 5 points
• History: 61% = 5 points

The six academic subjects provide:

6 + 5 + 5 + 6 + 5 + 5 = 32 AP points

If the student also qualifies for the additional Life Orientation point, the admission calculation could be 33 points.

However, students should always check which subjects UFS uses for their specific programme because simply adding six subjects does not mean that every combination will satisfy the programme’s subject requirements.

Does UFS Have a Minimum APS Score?

There is no single AP score that applies to every programme at UFS.

Different programmes have different minimum AP requirements.

For example, the latest UFS undergraduate prospectus shows programmes with different admission thresholds, while some programmes have additional subject requirements.

This means that a student should search for the specific programme rather than asking only, “What APS do I need for UFS?”

A better question is:

“What AP score and subjects do I need for my chosen UFS programme?”

For example, a programme in the sciences may require Mathematics and Physical Sciences, while a programme in education or humanities may have different requirements.

UFS Subject Requirements

Your AP score is only one part of the admission process.

A student could have a sufficiently high AP score but still fail to qualify for a particular programme if they do not have the required subjects.

For example, certain science programmes require Mathematics and may require Physical Sciences and/or Life Sciences at specific levels. The UFS prospectus notes that many BSc programmes expect a minimum AP score of 32, Mathematics at Level 5 (60%), and both Life Sciences and Physical Sciences at Level 5 (60%), unless a particular programme states otherwise.

This is particularly important for applicants interested in:

• BSc programmes
• Computer Science
• Engineering-related programmes
• Health Sciences
• Agriculture
• Architecture
• Construction-related programmes
• Other mathematically or scientifically intensive qualifications

Therefore, check the individual programme’s subject requirements before applying.

University of the Free State Admission Requirements for BSc Programmes

Students applying for science-related programmes should pay particular attention to Mathematics and the sciences.

The latest UFS undergraduate prospectus indicates that, as a general guideline, first-year students applying for BSc programmes are expected to have:

• A minimum AP of 32 for many BSc programmes;
• Mathematics at Level 5 (60%) or higher, unless otherwise stated;
• Life Sciences and Physical Sciences at Level 5 (60%) or higher for applicable BSc programmes.

Some programmes have different requirements, so applicants should consult the programme-specific entry requirements.

For example, Computer Science and Informatics programmes can have their own subject and AP requirements. UFS information indicates that certain Computer Science programmes require Mathematics at Level 4 or higher, while selected programmes additionally require Physical Science.

University of the Free State Law Admission Requirements

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is another programme where students should pay close attention to the programme-specific requirements.

The latest UFS prospectus lists the LLB as requiring an AP score of 33, with English at Level 6 (70%) and Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at the required level. The prospectus specifies 50% for Mathematics or 70% for Mathematical Literacy for this programme.

Because Law is a popular programme, prospective students should also understand that satisfying the minimum requirements does not necessarily guarantee a place.

University of the Free State Education Admission Requirements

The Faculty of Education offers Bachelor of Education programmes covering different teaching phases and subject combinations.

The requirements vary according to the particular BEd programme and teaching specialisation.

For example, the latest UFS information shows BEd options with an AP requirement around 30, alongside specific language and subject requirements. Some combinations require particular achievement levels in English, Mathematics, a First Additional Language or other subjects.

Therefore, applicants interested in teaching should select their intended teaching phase and subject combination first and then check the corresponding UFS admission requirements.

National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) at UFS

Prospective students should also pay attention to the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs).

The NBT requirement can vary according to the programme. UFS’s academic rules state that, other than in extraordinary circumstances, prospective students seeking admission to bachelor’s degrees are expected to take the applicable NBTs.

The university’s programme information also identifies programmes where NBT participation is compulsory.

For example, UFS Computer Science information states that participation in the NBTs for Language and Mathematics is compulsory.

Students should therefore not wait until after applying to find out whether they need to write an NBT.

UFS Admission Requirements for International Students

International applicants have additional requirements.

UFS academic rules state that international applicants and applicants who did not pass the South African NSC may need documentation from the Universities South Africa (USAf) Matriculation Board confirming that the applicable exemption requirements have been met. They must also satisfy the UFS programme-specific and qualification-specific admission requirements.

International applicants should therefore prepare:

• A valid passport
• Recognised secondary-school qualification
• Academic transcripts/results
• Appropriate subject requirements
• Proof of eligibility for university admission
• USAf Matriculation Board documentation where applicable
• Additional documents requested by UFS

The UFS online application system specifically asks international applicants to indicate whether they are international students and provides instructions concerning international certificates and Matriculation Board exemption.

UFS Admission Requirements for Applicants with NC(V)

UFS also recognises the National Certificate (Vocational) for admission where the appropriate subject combinations and achievement levels are met.

The university’s academic rules state that admission to bachelor’s degrees can be based on an NSC with the appropriate endorsement or an NC(V) with appropriate subject combinations and levels of achievement.

However, NC(V) applicants should not assume that meeting a general qualification requirement means that they automatically qualify for every UFS programme.

The specific programme requirements still apply.

UFS Extended Curriculum Programmes

Students who do not meet the requirements for some mainstream programmes may find that UFS offers extended or preparation pathways in selected fields.

These programmes are designed to provide additional academic support and preparation.

For example, UFS programme information for Computer Science indicates that students who do not meet certain admission requirements can consult the department regarding extended or preparation programmes.

The availability of an extended programme should, however, be confirmed for the specific qualification and year of entry.

Does Meeting the UFS Minimum Requirements Guarantee Admission?

No.

This is one of the most important things prospective UFS students need to understand.

The university explicitly warns that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission because space is limited in some programmes. The 2027 prospectus states that admission involves merit selection and that selection can begin with applicants who have the highest AP scores.

Therefore, if a programme requires an AP of 30, achieving exactly 30 does not necessarily mean you will receive an offer.

A higher AP score can improve your competitiveness, particularly for programmes where demand exceeds available places.

Documents Needed for a UFS Application

When applying to UFS, prospective students should be prepared to provide relevant supporting documentation.

Depending on your applicant category, this can include:

• South African ID document
• Passport for international applicants
• Latest school results
• Final NSC certificate when available
• Academic records for applicants transferring from another institution
• Relevant exemption documentation
• Additional programme-specific documents

UFS advises applicants that incomplete applications can delay or prevent consideration for admission and that supporting documents must be submitted as required.

How to Apply to UFS for 2028

The UFS application process is completed online.

The current UFS application system provides an online application process in which applicants enter personal information, school subjects and results, select programmes and upload the required information.

For 2028 applicants, the recommended process is:

Step 1: Choose your programme

Decide what you want to study and identify the exact UFS qualification.

Step 2: Check the admission requirements

Check the required:

• AP score
• Subjects
• Subject achievement levels
• Language requirements
• NBT requirements
• Additional selection criteria

Step 3: Calculate your AP score

Use your NSC results to estimate your UFS AP score.

Step 4: Check your NBT requirements

If your chosen programme requires NBTs, make sure you register and write the applicable tests within the required period.

Step 5: Prepare your documents

Have your identification documents and academic results ready.

Step 6: Apply online

Complete all required sections of the UFS online application.

The current UFS application system states that applicants must complete all stages of the online application before it is submitted.

Step 7: Monitor your application

After submission, monitor your email and UFS application status for further communication.

UFS Application Fee

One useful point for prospective students is that the current UFS online application system states that applications are free.

However, students should always verify this when applications for 2028 officially open because university procedures can change from one application cycle to another.

UFS Campuses

The University of the Free State has three main campuses:

• Bloemfontein Campus
• Qwaqwa Campus
• South Campus

The university’s prospective-student information identifies these as its three campuses.

Not every programme is available on every campus, so prospective students should check the campus listed for their chosen qualification.

Tips for Meeting the UFS Admission Requirements in 2028

If you are still in high school and intend to apply to UFS, consider the following:

1. Aim higher than the minimum

Do not target only the published minimum AP. Competitive programmes may select applicants with stronger results.

2. Choose your Grade 12 subjects carefully

Your subject choices can determine which university programmes you qualify for.

3. Pay attention to Mathematics

If you want to study science, technology, computing, engineering or other quantitative fields, Mathematics may be essential.

4. Improve your language results

Language performance is an important admission requirement for many programmes.

5. Research your programme early

Do not wait until applications open to discover that you do not have a required subject.

6. Check NBT requirements

Where NBTs are compulsory, make sure you complete them within the required period.

7. Keep checking official UFS information

Requirements can change between admission cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions About UFS Admission Requirements 2028

What APS do I need to study at UFS in 2028?

There is no single UFS APS requirement for all programmes. The minimum AP score differs according to the qualification. You should check the requirements for your specific programme.

Does UFS accept Mathematical Literacy?

Yes, Mathematical Literacy is accepted for some UFS programmes, but not all. Certain programmes specifically require Mathematics. For example, some science and computer-related programmes have Mathematics requirements.

Is the NBT compulsory at UFS?

NBT requirements depend on the programme. Some programmes require NBTs, while programme-specific rules determine which tests must be written.

Can I apply to UFS if I do not meet the minimum requirements?

Some programmes may offer extended or preparation pathways, but this depends on the qualification and available programme options. You should check the specific faculty or programme.

Does meeting the minimum AP guarantee admission?

No. UFS states that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission because selection and available space are also considered.

When will the UFS 2028 admission requirements be released?

The official 2028 requirements should be confirmed in the UFS 2028 Undergraduate Prospectus and official application information. Until that document is published, applicants should use the latest UFS information as a planning guide rather than treating the 2027 figures as confirmed 2028 requirements.

Final Thoughts on UFS Admission Requirements for 2028

The University of the Free State admission requirements for 2028 will ultimately depend on the specific programme you want to study. While the general admission framework is relatively consistent, individual programmes can require different AP scores, subjects, achievement levels, NBTs and selection criteria.

The most important lesson for prospective students is that there is no universal UFS APS score that guarantees admission. The latest UFS information confirms that programme-specific requirements apply and that meeting minimum requirements does not necessarily secure a place.

Students planning for 2028 should therefore start early by choosing their programme, checking the latest requirements, calculating their AP score, preparing the required subjects and monitoring the official UFS website for the release of the 2028 prospectus.

For the most authoritative information, use the official UFS prospective-student page and the official UFS undergraduate prospectus page. The university’s current application portal should also be used when the 2028 application cycle opens.