Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Students
Career and study fields
Use the filter buttons below to find the courses you are interested in.
- Choose Career Study Fields to find qualifications that we offer in different career fields.
- Choose Qualifications to look for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates in our different faculties.
- Alternatively, use the Applicant Score (AS) Calculator to work out your Applicant Score (AS) and see what that allows you to study.
| Career & study fields | Qualifications | Applicant Score |
What do you want to be?
Qualifications:
Use the filter buttons below to find the courses you are interested in.
- Choose Career Study Fields to find qualifications that we offer in different career fields.
- Choose Qualifications to look for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates in our different faculties.
- Alternatively, use the Applicant Score (AS) Calculator to work out your Applicant Score (AS) and see what that allows you to study.
- Should you require a quote or estimate of the cost of the course you choose – find the qualification you are interested in (by following the steps above), select “Qualification details” (it’s the button below the photo) and then after you have clicked through, you will see a green button which says “Create personal FEE ESTIMATION”.
| Undergraduate |
POSTGRADUATE |
Applicant Score:
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
A new admission process for prospective students to Nelson Mandela University was introduced in 2019. Our University no longer works with the Admission Point Score (APS) method.
The new method, includes a number of changes. It is called the Applicant Score (AS) and it is important that you take note of the information below when you apply to study at Mandela University.
How to apply?
- Complete an application form online – applications open in April;
- Ensure that you meet the minimum Applicant Score (AS) and subject requirements before submitting your completed application form;
- Ensure ALL your supporting documentation has been submitted;
How to calculate your Applicant Score (AS)
- Your Applicant Score (AS) is calculated using six NSC 20-credit subjects. Please note that Life Orientation (LO) is excluded as it is only a 10-credit NSC subject.
- Write down your Grade 12 subjects and your most recent exam results obtained in each subject (NO Gr 12 March results).
- You MUST include the results for the following three subjects: 1) Home language; 2) 1st Add. Language; and 3) Maths; or Maths Lit; or Technical Maths. Your Applicant Score must also include any subjects required by the qualification for admission.
- For applicants with seven Grade 12 NSC subjects, their AS is calculated by adding the percentages for six 20-credit subjects. This gives a score out of 600.
- For those applicants taking eight or more subjects their AS is calculated as follows: add the percentages obtained for your three main subjects (two languages and Maths, or Maths Literacy, or Technical Maths), plus the percentage(s) for any subject(s) required by the programme, together with the percentage(s) for the next best / highest subject(s), to a maximum of six subjects.
- In addition, for those applicants from quintile 1, 2 or 3 school* who attain 50% or higher for Life Orientation, 7 points may be added to their score out of 600 to arrive at their final AS.
All South African public ordinary schools are categorised into five groups, called quintiles. Quintile 1 to 3 are non-fee paying schools, while Quintile 4 & 5 are fee paying schools.
Calculate your Applicant Score (AS)
Use the table below to help you calculate your Applicant Score (AS).
| School subjects | Your exam results in % |
| 1) | |
| 2) | |
| 3) | |
| 4) | |
| 5) | |
| 6) | |
| TOTAL: |
NB! For applicants from a quintile 1, 2 or 3 school who attain 50% or higher for Life Orientation (LO), 7 points are added to their overall AS out of 600 to arrive at their final score. You can use your Gr 11 final, Gr 12 June, Gr 12 September or your Gr 12 final results to calculate your applicant score (AS).
Requirements for our courses using the Applicant Score (AS)
All the courses we offer are listed in our handy course guide (Z-Card) under their study fields from A to Z. You can also find additional information in our Undergraduate Guide for prospective students.
Equivalency Conversion Table to enable Percentages to be obtained from which an Applicant Score (AS) can be calculated
International/Foreign/NCV level 4 & senior certificate equivalency conversion table
- South African and International applicants with International, NC(V) level 4 or Foreign School-Leaving certificates, should use the table below to calculate an equivalent Applicant Score (AS) for admission, based on percentages obtained in such certificates.
- Applicants with international or foreign qualifications must also satisfy the requirements laid down by the Matriculation Board to qualify for a certificate of exemption for a particular international or foreign school-leaving qualification. Applications for such certificates must be made to the Matriculation board directly: https://mb.usaf.ac.za/
- Applicants will have to comply with the minimum Applicant Score (AS) set for the UG qualification they wish to apply for, as well as meet any other additional subject requirements directly.
- To calculate your Applicant Score (AS) use the symbols/achievement rating/percentages obtained in your school-leaving examinations to convert them to an equivalent achievement standard on the National Senior Certificate (NSC).
- Your AS is calculated using six subjects, which must include the language(s) and subjects required for admission but excluding LO.
– It is recommended that the the midpoint of the NSC percentage range be used when calculating the AS, as the results of the above qualifications (excluding the NCV Fundamentals) are reported as either a symbol or numeric value. The range of Subject % exceeds the 100% mark to allow for inclusion of the A Level and IB HL as both qualifications are considered to be at a higher level than the NSC.
– As the Fundamental subjects are considered to be at the same level as the NSC, use the actual percentage obtained by the applicant for Language and Mathematics / Mathematical Literacy. For the four Vocational Subjects use the values in the relevant column of the table above.
– A symbol 4 obtained for a NSSC Higher Level / HIGCSE subject is regarded as a pass mark in the equivalent Ordinary or IGCSE level subject except for a First Language subject which becomes a 2nd language pass if another language is also passed (From: https://mb.usaf.ac.za/paragraph-15/)
Key:
| NSC | National Senior Certificate |
| Senior Cert HG | Senior Certificate Higher Grade |
| Senior Cert SG | Senior Certificate Standard Grade |
| HIGCSE | Higher International Graduate Certificate of Secondary Education |
| IGCSE | International Graduate Certificate of Secondary Education |
| NSSC HL | Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate Higher Levels |
| NSSC OL | Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary Levels |
| O-Level | Ordinary Level |
| AS | Advanced Subsidiary |
| A-Level | Advanced level |
| IB HL | International Baccalaureate Schools (Higher Levels) |
| IB SL | International Baccalaureate Schools (Standard Levels) |
| KCSE | Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education |
| NC(V)4 | National Certificate Vocational Level 4 |
Files you can download:
MyFuture@Mandela
E-Learning resources
Below are links to online learning platforms, to assist learners, parents, and teachers prepare for tests and exams in a range of Gr11/12 subject areas.
Department of Basic Education Provincial Resources
- Eastern Cape
- Free State
- Gauteng
- Kwa-Zulu Natal
- Limpopo
- Mpumalanga
- Northern Cape
- North West
- Western Cape
Funding your studies
Before registering as a student, you need to determine whether you will have sufficient funds to finance your studies.Costs involved in higher education include:
- Registration, enrollment & tuition fees;
- Textbooks, study material & stationery;
- Sports equipment (if applicable);
- Travel and transport;
- Meals;
- On- or off-campus accommodation and general living expenses.
Nelson Mandela University offers financial assistance to full-time students in the form of bursaries, merit awards, Vice-Chancellor’s scholarships and study loans. Assistance is based on financial need and/or academic excellence and sporting achievements. These awards will not necessarily cover all costs, and cannot be granted to all candidates who apply. The university also provides financial assistance in collaboration with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for qualifying students. Applications for NSFAS loans must be made directly on the NSFAS website (www.nsfas.org.za).
Scholar Merit and Student Merit awards are awarded to top academic achievers annually, and no application is required. Bursaries and sponsorships are available to students who fulfil specific criteria as required by the various sponsors.
At Nelson Mandela University we believe in fostering excellence and have developed a prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Programme that recognises and rewards high achievers (see link below).
Career Guidance
We can assist!
- Career Help
- Student Counselling, Career & Development Services
- Request the services of our Career Counselling service
Applying to Nelson Mandela University
Please take note of the following when applying to study at Nelson Mandela University.
- Your application for admission should be submitted before the August closing date. Late applications will, however, only be considered after this date, based on academic merit, until the September closing date. Places for some qualifications are limited and it is therefore in your best interest to submit your application early.
- Prospective students must meet the minimum statutory entry requirements based on the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent school-leaving certificate for admission to a higher certificate, diploma or degree qualification, in order to be considered.
- Submission of a completed application form does not mean that you have been accepted as a student, or that you may register. All prospective students are selected in accordance with the admissions policy of the university, and applicants will be notified of the outcome by the Admissions Office.
- Provisional admission is based on your Applicant Score (AS) obtained in your Grade 11 final, or Grade 12 June/September examinations. However, the final decision is based on your final Grade 12 exam results.
- In addition to the general university admission requirements, each programme also has its own specific requirements.
- Applicants with international or foreign qualifications must satisfy the requirements laid down by the Matriculation Board to qualify for a certificate of exemption for a particular international or foreign school leaving qualification.
- In the case of applications by candidates who have studied at
- How do I apply?
- Apply Online
- Do you have a disability?
- FAQ’s relating to admissions, procedures, etc
Files you can download:
2024/25 Nelson Mandela University Classroom Poster
Glossary of terms:
Getting to grips with university jargon
As you start university you will be confronted with a whole new vocabulary – words like semester, DP and undergraduate. To make things easier, we’ve compiled a glossary of terms to help you understand what’s happening around you.
| AS | Application Score – points allocated to your school subjects for admission to tertiary institutions |
| BA | Bachelor of Arts degree |
| BCom | Bachelor of Commerce degree |
| BSc | Bachelor of Science degree |
| BTech | Bachelor of Technology degree |
| Credit | The recognition obtained when a student passes examinations or tests to comply with conditions needed for completion of a qualification |
| Dean | Head of a faculty |
| DP | Duly performed certificate – some academic departments have minimum requirements for course work and class marks, before you are allowed to write the exam. If you have achieved these minimum requirements, you “get” a DP – usually indicated on a class list posted on a notice board before exams start |
| DVC | Deputy Vice-Chancellor – those who are second in charge. Nelson Mandela University has three of them |
| Faculty | A collection of schools and departments focusing on similar fields of study e.g. Faculty of Science |
| Faculty administrator | Assists with registration, cancellation of modules |
| HOD | Head of Department – in charge of a specific academic department |
| MBA | Master’s degree in Business Administration |
| Module | Subject, a self-contained unit of learning that forms part of the course |
| NSFAS | National Student Financial Aid Scheme, a loan scheme to enable students to borrow money for their studies |
| Orientation | A period that gives newcomers an opportunity to familiarise themselves with their new university |
| Postgraduate | What you become when you complete your degree |
| Registrar | Responsible for student administration and institutional governance |
| RPL | Recognition of Prior Learning, the acknowledgement of the knowledge a student possesses as a result of prior learning |
| Senate | The body that governs academic policies and procedures in respect of teaching, learning, research and academic functions |
| Semester | One half of the academic year |
| SRC | Student Representative Council |
| Undergraduate | When you have not completed a first degree, diploma or certificate |
| VC | Vice-Chancellor, the highest managerial position of a tertiary institution |
CURRENT STUDENTS: Services and support for every aspect of student life
| Graduation | Career Services |
| Academic Calender – 2024 | Financial Aid Concessions |
| Find a Community | Student Housing |
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: All the information you need to study in South Africa
| Short Learning Programme Online Applications | Degree Seeking |
| Study Abroad in South Africa |
POSTGRADUATES: Redefine your own intellectual capacity
1. Why study further?
Study for professional gain
The journey of lifelong learning by means of further study can be a rewarding experience. Not only does it expose you to the latest trends and knowledge in your field of interest and offer you the opportunity to gain the skills necessary for the competitive world of work, but it also contributes to your sense of self-worth.
Supported by career experience, a relevant qualification gives you a competitive edge and will surely aid your promotional opportunities.
As a new generation university Nelson Mandela University is dedicated to strengthen your position in the labour market through knowledge and skills development during your study years. It will also nurture and grow, to your benefit, valuable partnerships with leading role players in industry, commerce and the public sector.
We want to equip you with the means to become a creative and critical thinker who can shape the environment in which you operate.
Study for pleasure and for personal growth
Whether you consider further study merely to improve your career prospects, update your knowledge or upgrade your qualifications, it is also true that it will create an opportunity to spend time doing something you really love and to explore a subject area that has always fascinated you.
This will add a new dimension to your life – enriching it, boosting your self-confidence and sense of self-worth.
Rub shoulders with Generation Y
You may express concern about competing with the younger generation, but chances are that you will do better than them. It may also seem that the younger students are not new to the university learning environment because they are amidst their peers and geared towards the study experience.
On the contrary, younger students may perceive you as the classmate with life and work experience who is serious about their study, and may actually be intimidated by you. So, never underestimate the importance of “grey matter”!
Academic staff value the contribution adult students make to the teaching and learning environment for they are well-equipped learners bringing with them a number of skills and knowledge gained from work and other life experiences.
You may find it quite stimulating to interact with younger students and find that class dynamics change quite radically as the academic year passes. So, why then not take on the opportunity to challenge the fast-thinking Generation Y by adding the value of life and work experience to the prescribed curriculum?
What do employers want?
The voice of employers complaining that graduates do not have the precise skills that they need has become more persistent. Public and private sector leaders expect the majority of graduates to be prepared by universities to be directly employable.
How does an employer then choose the most favourable candidate for a position from hundreds of applicants all with the same qualification?
Employer surveys indicate that, apart from specialist skills and knowledge directly related to the career field, the importance of transferable and cross-cutting skills is imperative for survival and success in the competitive world of work.
These skills include, among others, the developing of:
- Leadership and conflict resolution skills
- Entrepreneurial skills
- Business and project management skills
- Networking and relationship building skills
- Computer literacy
- Willingness to learn
- Resourcefulness
- Interpersonal skills
- Practical and logical thinking
- Commitment
Nelson Mandela University offers you the opportunity to also nurture and develop these skills and thus elevate your employability.
