Getting into the University of Johannesburg (UJ) comes down to your Admission Point Score (APS), which typically needs to fall somewhere between 19 and 42 depending on the programme you’re targeting. Alongside the score itself, every application needs certified, clearly scanned copies of your identification and academic records. Blurred or uncertified uploads are a common reason applications stall.
General Admission Requirements
To be considered for a UJ undergraduate programme, you generally need:
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification with a bachelor’s degree endorsement (for degree programmes).
- The minimum APS specified for your chosen programme.
- The required subject combination and performance levels for your field of study.
- English proficiency. UJ’s medium of instruction is English.
Important: UJ does not accept the American GED for entry into undergraduate curricular qualifications. GED holders must obtain a Grade 12 NSC (including IEB and SACAI) or an equivalent international qualification.
How UJ Calculates Your APS
UJ works from your six best subjects in Grade 11 or Grade 12, converting each percentage into a point using the standard national 1-to-7 scale:
| Percentage | APS Points |
|---|---|
| 80–100% | 7 |
| 70–79% | 6 |
| 60–69% | 5 |
| 50–59% | 4 |
Life Orientation never enters the calculation, no matter how well you did in it, and your total sits on a maximum of 42 points. As a rough guide, an APS around 26 generally clears the bar for a general Bachelor’s degree, while Engineering and Chartered Accountancy routes typically need 35 or higher. Applicants scoring 40 or above (excluding Life Orientation) may also qualify for UJ’s “Orange Carpet” programme, a track for top-performing students.
Mathematics matters more than the raw APS number in several faculties. The College of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Engineering generally require Core Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy, while many diploma and Humanities programmes will accept Mathematical Literacy, usually paired with a somewhat higher overall APS requirement.
Documents Required
Every document needs certification (by a police station, commissioner of oaths, or another authorised official) and must be scanned individually as a clear PDF, JPG, or GIF, each under 512 KB.
South African applicants need:
- A certified copy of your ID.
- Your certified final Grade 11 report, stamped by your school, if you’re still completing matric.
- Your certified National Senior Certificate or IEB certificate, if you’ve already matriculated.
International applicants need:
- A certified copy of your passport.
- Certified final school-leaving results (O-Levels, A-Levels, WAEC, IB, or equivalent).
- A South African Matriculation Exemption Certificate, issued by Universities South Africa (USAf). This can often follow later in the process rather than needing to be ready on day one.
Programme-Specific Requirements (Examples)
| Faculty / Programme | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Law — LLB | Minimum APS 31, Mathematics only (Mathematical Literacy not accepted); English Level 5 (60%+), Additional Language Level 4 (50%+), Mathematics Level 4 (50%+) |
| Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment — Most BEngTech and BEng programmes | Minimum APS 30–38; Mathematics and Physical Sciences compulsory |
| Faculty of Health Sciences — Various clinical programmes | Minimum APS 28–36; some require an interview (e.g. APS 24 with English Level 4, or APS 27 with English Level 5, followed by an individual interview) |
| Faculty of Humanities — BA (General) | English Level 5 (60%+) required; Technical Mathematics is not accepted where Mathematics is selected as a major |
What to Do If You Don’t Meet the Requirements
- Consider a UJ Extended/Bridging Degree Programme, designed for students who don’t meet the standard APS for their first-choice qualification.
- Apply for a Higher Certificate or Diploma in a related field. Several require an APS as low as 18–20.
- Accept a waiting list placement if offered, since space frequently opens up later in the admissions cycle.
- Explore Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if you’re a mature applicant with relevant experience.