University of the Western Cape Prospectus

University of the Western Cape Prospectus

In order to study at the University of the Western Cape the applicant must have met the following criteria:

• The National Senior Certificate (NSC) required for Degree, Diploma or Higher Certificate study, as appropriate.
• To qualify for the National Senior Certificate (NSC), a learner needs seven subjects consisting of four compulsory subjects and three subjects of the learner’s choice.
• The four compulsory subjects are: two languages, one being the students Home Language and the other a first additional Language, Life Orientation and either Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy.
• The learner has to achieve a rating of at least 4 (50-59%) for four designated subjects in order to be eligible for degree study.
• In addition to the above, UWC has its own programme requirements which is specified in the tables below.

 

THE POINT SYSTEM

For admission to degree and diploma programmes UWC makes use a weighted system for calculating points, they are as follows:

 

NCS Level                                                                                            UWC POINTS

Level	Percentage	Points for English*	Points for Maths or Maths Lit.	Points for Life Orientation	Points for each other subject
8	90-100%	15	15	3	8
7	80-89%	13	13	3	7
6	70-79%	11	11	2	6
5	60-69%	9	9	2	5
4	50-59%	7	7	2	4
3	40-49%	5	5	1	3
2	30-39%	3	3	1	2
1	20-29%	1	1	1	1
	Less than 20%	0	0	0	0

*English here refers to either English home language or English first additional language, not second additional language, which would rather fall under „other subjects‟

 

Minimum NSC Subject Requirements for 2017- Faculty of Community and Health Sciences

Programme	Coursecode	English (Home Language)		English (1stAdditional Language)	Another Language (Home or1stAdditional Language)	Mathematics		Mathematics Literacy	Life Science		Physical Science	Point Score
BSc Dietetics	8231	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	or	6(70-79%)	4(50-59%)		N/A	33
BSc(Occupational Therapy)	8111	4(50 – 59%)	or	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	3(40-49%)	or	5(60-69%)	4(50-59%)		N/A	33
BSc (Physiotherapy)*	8211	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	or	6(70-79%)	4(50-59%)	and	4(50-59%)	39
BSc (ComplementaryHealth Science) General Stream	8104	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	or	6(70-79%)	4(50-59%)	and	3(40-49%)	30
B Nursing	8311	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	or	6(70-79%)	4(50-59%)		N/A	30
B Social Work	8411	4(50-59%)	or	5(60-69%)	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	or	4(50-59%)	N/A		N/A	30
BSc (Sport & Exercise Science)	8051	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	or	6(70-79%)	4(50-59%)		N/A	33
BA (Sport Recreation & Exercise Science)	8061	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	3(40-49%)	or	4(50-59%)	N/A		N/A	30

*Partially sighted students must be able to read 24 font size.

Minimum NSC Subject Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme	Course code	English (Home or 1stAdditional Language)	Another Language (Home or 1stAdditional Language)	Mathematics	Physical Science		Life Science			Information Technology	Point Score
BSc (Computer Science)	3221	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	5(60-69%)	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)		or	4(50-59%)	33
BSc (Mathematical &Statistical Science)	3227	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	5(60-69%)	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)		or	4(50-59%)	33
BSc (Physical Science)	3233	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	5(60-69%)	4(50-59%)		N/A			N/A	33
BSc (Environmental & Water Science)	3331	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)			N/A	33
BSc (Biotechnology)	3211	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)			N/A	33
BSc (Biodiversity & Conservation Biology)	3217	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	4(50-59%)	or	4(50-59%)			N/A	33
BSc (Medical Bioscience)	3230	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	N/A		4(50-59%)			N/A	33
BSc (Applied Geology)	3214	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	4(50-59%)		N/A			N/A	33
BSc (Chemical Science)	3220	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	4(50-59%)		N/A			N/A	33
Pharmacy	3305	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	4(50-59%)		and	4(50-59%)		N/A	38

 

Minimum NSC Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Education

Programme	Learning Area Specialisation	Course Code	Subjects								Point Score
BEd	Languages and Social Sciences  ENGLISH	4512	English(Home Language) 4 (50-59%)	or	English(1stAdditional Language) 5 (60-69%)	and	Another Language(Home or 1stAdditional Language) 3 (40-49%)	Mathematics3 (40-49%) Or Mathematical Literacy 3 (40-49%)	and	HistoryandGeography 4 (50-59%)	33
	AFRIKAANS		Afrikaans(Home Language) 4 (50-59%)	or	Afrikaans(1st Additional Language) 5 (60-69%)	and	English(Home or 1st Additional Language) 4 (50-59%)	Mathematics3 (40-49%) Or Mathematical Literacy 3 (40-49%)	and	Historyand Geography 4 (50-59%)	33
	XHOSA		Xhosa(Home Language) 4 (50-59%)	or	Xhosa(1st Additional Language) 5 (60-69%)	and	English(Home or 1st Additional Language) 4 (50-59%)	Mathematics3 (40-49%) Or Mathematical Literacy 3 (40-49%)	and	Historyand Geography 4 (50-59%)	33
BEd	Languages and Life Orientation    ENGLISH	4513	English(Home Language) 4 (50-59%)	or	English(1stAdditional Language) 5 (60-69%)	and	Another Language(Home or 1st Additional Language) 3 (40-49%)	Mathematics3 (40-49%) Or Mathematical Literacy 3 (40-49%)	and	Life Orientation4 (50-59%)	33
	AFRIKAANS		Afrikaans(Home Language) 4 (50-59%)	or	Afrikaans(1st Additional Language) 5 (60-69%)	and	English(Home or 1st Additional Language) 4 (50-59%)	Mathematics3 (40-49%) Or Mathematical Literacy 3 (40-49%)	and	Life Orientation4 (50-59%)	33
	XHOSA		Xhosa(Home Language) 4 (50-59%)	or	Xhosa(1st Additional Language) 5 (60-69%)	and	English(Home or 1st Additional Language) 4 (50-59%)	Mathematics3 (40-49%) Or Mathematical Literacy 3 (40-49%)	and	Life Orientation4 (50-59%)	33
BEd	Foundation Phase	4517	English (Home Languageor 1stAdditional language 4 (50-59%)	and	Another language (Home or 1stAdditional language)4 (50-59%)	and	Mathematics3 (40-49%) or Mathematical Literacy 5 (60-69%)	N/A		N/A	33
BEd	Languages and Mathematics  ENGLISH	4515	English(Home language) 4 (50-59%)	or	English(1stAdditional Language) 5 (60-69%)	and	Another Language(Home or 1st Additional Language) 3 (40-49%)	Mathematics4 (50-59%)	or	Mathematical Literacy6 (70-79%)	33
	AFRIKAANS		Afrikaans(Home language) 4 (50-59%)	or	Afrikaans(1st Additional Language) 5 (60-69%)	and	English(Home or 1st Additional Language) 4 (50-59%)	Mathematics4 (50-59%)	or	Mathematical Literacy6 (70-79%)	33
	XHOSA		Xhosa(Home language) 4 (50-59%)	or	Xhosa(1st Additional Language) 5 (60-69%)	and	English(Home or 1st Additional Language) 4 (50-59%)	Mathematics4 (50-59%)	or	Mathematical Literacy6 (70-79%)	33
BEd	Mathematics, and Natural Science	4516	English (Home or 1stAdditional Language)4 (50-59%)	and	Another language (Home or 1stAdditional language)3 (40-49%)	and	Mathematics4 (50-59%) Or Mathematical Literacy 6 (70-79%)	Life Science4 (50-59%)	or	Physical Science4 (50-59%)	33

 

 

Minimum NSC Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Arts

Programme	Course Code	English (Home or 1stAdditional Language)	Another Language (Home or 1stAdditional Language)	Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy	Designated Subjects	Point Score
Bachelor of Arts (BA)General Admission	2101	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	No specific level required	Another Subject at level 4 (50-59%)	32
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Subject Specific Admission	2101	4 (50-59%)	3 (40-49%)	Subject Specific Requirements   for the following programmes: Geography, Tourism, Information Systems or Psychology:3 (40-49%) in Mathematics OR 4 (50-59%) in Mathematical Literacy	Another Subject at level 4 (50-59%)	32
Bachelor of Theology (BTh)General Admission	2013	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	No specific level required	Another Subject at level 4 (50-59%)	32
Bachelor of Theology (BTh) Subject Specific Admission	2013	4 (50-59%)	3 (40-49%)	Subject Specific Requirements     for the following programmes: Psychology:3 (40-49%) in Mathematics   OR 4 (50-59%) in Mathematical Literacy	Another Subject at level 4 (50-59%)	32
Bachelor of Library and Information Studies (BLIS)	2201	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	3(40-49%) in Mathematics OR   4 (50-59%) in Mathematical Literacy	Another Subject at level 4 (50-59%)	32

Minimum NSC Subject Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Programme	Course Code	English (Home or 1st Additional Language)	Another Language (Home or 1stAdditional Language)	Mathematics		Mathematical Literacy	Accounting	Point Score
BAdmin	1011	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	3(40-49%)	or	5(60-69%)	N/A	30
BCom	1008	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	or	N/A	N/A	30
BCom Law	1221	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	or	N/A	N/A	30
BCom Accounting	1021	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	or	N/A	5(60-69%) N/A if students have achieved 5 or higher in mathematics	30
BCom Financial Accounting	1175	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	or	N/A	N/A	30
BEconomics(Dev Econ)	1181	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	or	N/A	N/A	30

Minimum NSC Subject Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Law

Programme	Course Code	English (Home or 1stAdditional Language)	Another Language (Home or 1stAdditional Language)	Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy	Life Sciences	Point Score
BLaws	7161	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)	N/A	37
Higher Certificate in Forensic Examination	7115	Matriculation Certificate or National Senior Certificate (NSC) plus three years working experience(RPL Applicable)				27

 

 

Minimum NSC Subject Requirements for 2017 – Faculty of Dentistry

Programme	Course Code	English (Home or 1stAdditional Language)	Another Language (Home or 1stAdditional)	Mathematics		Mathematical Literacy	Life Science	Physical Science	Point Score
B Dental Surgery	5101	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	4(50-59%)		N/A	4(50-59%)	4(50-59%)	40
B Oral Health	5211	4(50-59%)	3(40-49%)	3(40-49%)	or	4(50-59%)	4(50-59%)	N/A	27

 

Admission Criteria and Information
General Admissions Criteria
The minimum admission requirement for Bachelor`s degree studies is a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with an achievement rating of 4 (adequate achievement, 50-59%) or higher in at least four subjects chosen from the 20-credit NSC subjects (known as the `designated subject list’).
These are:

Accounting
Agricultural Sciences
Business Studies
Dramatic Arts
Economics
Engineering
Graphics and Design
Geography
History
Consumer Studies
Information Technology
Language (one language of learning and teaching at a higher education institution and two other recognised language subjects)
Life Science
Mathematics
Mathematical Literacy
Music
Physical Sciences
Religion Studies
Visual Arts

UWC’s Points System
For admission to degree and diploma programmes, UWC uses a weighted system for calculating points. In order to be admitted to degree studies the candidate should have attained the required points score as determined per programme. (See specific courses.)
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In addition to the general criteria for admission to university mentioned above, additional programme specific criteria must be met to qualify for admission to particular study programmes. These are detailed in the faculty chapters.

*All applicants will be required to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT). This test serves as a placement measure and assists faculties in determining the required academic support.

Alternate Admission Requirements for 2016
Applicants who do not meet the admissions requirements of the university may still be admitted to studies. The Senate of the universities have the right to admit students using other criteria. This is a way of meeting the needs of two other groups of people: those who have done well in their exams, but whose subject choices prevent them from qualifying for university, and those who have left school some time ago and have worked at other things, and who can show that they are ready for university studies.
Senate Discretionary Admissions

The university Senate may admit students without an endorsement or matric exemption if it considers them suitably qualified. They are admitted with a conditional exemption only after they have successfully completed a selection process which may include a personal interview, tests of written and oral communication and numeracy, and other means of determining ability. Students in this category are then given additional support. After a successful first year, a full exemption is awarded and the student then continues with studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
This is the formal acknowledgement of the knowledge and capabilities people have acquired as a result of prior learning – through formal and informal means including study, work or life experience. Contact the Division of Lifelong Learning for more information.

Foundational Support Programmes
In some cases students will be admitted to the university only if they enrol for the foundation programmes. The support offered in these programmes consists of a lighter course load and intensive assistance in helping students gain the skills needed for successful university study. Foundational programmes offered are: Humanities, for students in the Arts and Law faculties; Commerce, for students in the Economic and Management Sciences Faculty; programmes for students in the Science Faculty; some programmes in the Community and Health Sciences Faculty and the Education Faculty.

Who to Contact to Study at UWC

The Student Enrolment Management Unit (SEMU) is your first port of call when you want information about studying at UWC. The SEMU staff will ensure that you get all the information you need: information about UWC’s admission requirements, the many fields of study that are on offer, bursaries, financial aid, loans – and the differences between them, residential facilities and the many sports and cultural opportunities that are available to UWC students. You are welcome to mail us, give us a call or visit our offices. We will refer you to a specific faculty or department should it be necessary.

SEMU regularly addresses Grade 11 and 12 learners about studying at UWC. To have us visit your school, simply contact the SEMU office.
SEMU offers free career guidance using the PACE self-exploratory computer-based questionnaire. The completion of the questionnaire is followed by a counselling session with a skilled career counsellor. This is a lovely opportunity for a Grade 11 or 12 learner to speak with a talented educator about future career decisions.

We assist students with their hard copy or online applications to UWC, making sure that their forms are completed correctly, as required.
Finally, SEMU conducts admissions tests for prospective students who don`t meet the UWC entrance requirement. For more information about the admissions tests visit our website.

SEMU Staff

Director: Cheryl Pearce

Recruitment advisor: Douglas Peterson

Project coordinator: Patrick May

Administrator: Robyn Leideman

Contact details: 021 959 2405

e-mail: [email protected]

Contact centre: 021 959 3900