Admission requirements

Please note that the below admission requirements are subject to change pending selection and possible faculty-specific requirements.

Study information is subject to change and summarises the general fields of study. This information was compiled for introduction and orientation purposes and the North-West University accepts no liability for inaccuracies that may occur in this guide. The official yearbook of the University must in all cases be consulted during the process of compiling a programme for a specific field of study. 

Download the yearbook!

Please note that, owing to specific capacity constraints, the University reserves the right to select candidates for admission to certain fields of study. This means that prospective students who comply with the minimum requirements will not automatically be admitted to the courses in question. Because of the capacity limitations and the high demand from students for admission to particular fields of study, students will be selected on the basis of their Grade 12 results for admission to these fields.

 

Humanities

Visit the Faculty of Humanities

Degree

Field

Requirements

APS

Campus

Possible Career Opportunities

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Governance

  • with Public Administration
  • with Politics and Public Administration
  • with Public Administration and Social Studies
  • with Public Administration and Geography
  • with Public Administration and Labour Relations Management
  • DURATION: 3 years

25

Potchefstroom

Vanderbijlpark

  • Public administrator (junior, middle and senior management)
  • Budget analyst
  • Public administration consultant
  • Service delivery specialist
  • Project / regulatory / procurement administrator
  • A wide range of career opportunities exist at national, provincial and local government levels and also in the executive, legislative and legal branches of government.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Governance

with Municipal Management and Leadership

  • Candidates interested in this degree must have a minimum of two years working experience within the public sector, preferably the government’s local sphere.
  • This is a limited contact programme.
  • DURATION: 3 years

25

Potchefstroom

  • Public administrator (junior, middle and senior management)
  • Budget and policy analyst
  • Procurement Manager
  • Public administration consultant
  • Service delivery specialist
  • Strategic Leadership positions
  • Project / regulatory / procurement administrator
  • A wide range of career opportunities exist on the local government level and hereto also in the executive, legislative and legal branches of government.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Governance

with Policing Practice

  • English level 4 (50-59%) 
  • If Grade 12 was obtained before 2008 (National Senior Certificate) please visit https://distance.nwu.ac.za/Policing for more information on the requirements.
  • DURATION: 3 years

25

Distance Learning only

  • Public administrator (junior, middle and senior management)
  • Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer
  • Field Investigation Officer
Bachelor of Social
Sciences (BSocSc)
with Political Studies and International Relations
  • DURATION: 3 years
24 Mahikeng
  • Political scientist
Bachelor of
Administration in
Development and
Management
with Local Government Management
  • English level 4 (50-59%)
  • Mathematics level 3 (40-49%) OR Mathematical Literacy level 4 (50-59%)
  • DURATION: 3 years
21 Mahikeng
  • Administrator
  • Community worker
  • International correspondent
  • Public Administration consultant
  • Mediator
  • Non-profit administrator
  • Policy advisor
  • Researcher
  • Teacher/Lecturer
  • Politician
  • Analyst
Extended Bachelor
of Administration in
Development and
Management
with Local Government Management
  • English level 4 (50-59%)
  • Mathematics level 3 (40-49%) OR Mathematical Literacy level 4 (50-59%)
  • DURATION: 4 years
20 Mahikeng
  • Administrator
  • Community worker
  • International correspondent
  • Public Administration consultant
  • Mediator
  • Non-profit administrator
  • Policy advisor
  • Researcher
  • Teacher/Lecturer
  • Politician
  • Analyst

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication

 
  • English (HL or FAL) level 5 (60-69%)
  • DURATION: 3 years

24

Mahikeng

Potchefstroom

Vanderbijlpark

  • Internal communication practitioner
  • Public /media relations, marketing, brand, reputation or stakeholder management
  • Creating communication material or publications
  • Online content or social media management
  • Stakeholder relations management
  • Sponsorship liaison
  • Corporate communication consultant
  • Journalist (digital, print, broadcast)
  • Influencer and media policy analyst
  • Academia and Researcher
  • Publisher and Technical writer
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Graphic Design  
  • English level 5 (60-69%)  
  • A screening proses

The screening phase consists of:
a) The submission of a photo portfolio of graphics or works of art as a skills test in practical projects.
b) Submission of an academic record;
c) Conduct an interview.


Screening information is subject to change, please ensure you visit: https://humanities.nwu.ac.za/communication/bachelor-arts-graphic-design for latest information on the intake and screening procedures.

As part of the selection criteria, students must meet the minimum requirements and successfully complete the screening phase. Only after this will student be notified if their application was successful or not.

  • DURATION: 4 years

 

 

24 Potchefstroom
  • Professional graphic designer
  • Publication designer
  • Brand manager
  • Typographer and layout artist
  • Art director
  • Creative director
  • Copywriter
  • Web, app & UX designer
  • Interaction designer
  • Packaging designer
  • Editorial illustrator
  • Storyboard artist
  • Comic book artist
  • Botanical illustrator
  • Technical illustrator
  • Graphic novelist
  • Surface designer
  • Animator and motion graphics artist
  • Film maker and screenwriter
  • Game designer
  • Sound designer
  • Concept Artist,
  • 3D Artist and animator,
  • Social media content creator
  • Freelancer in any of the above fields
  • Academic and researcher

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Graphic Design

with Communication

  • English level 5 (60-69%)  
  • A screening proses

The screening phase consists of:
a) The submission of a photo portfolio of graphics or  works of art as a skills test in practical projects.
b) Submission of an academic record;
c) Conduct an interview.


Screening information is subject to change, please ensure you visit: https://humanities.nwu.ac.za/communication/bachelor-arts-graphic-design for latest information on the intake and screening procedures.


As part of the selection criteria, students must meet the minimum requirements and successfully complete the screening phase. Only after this will student be notified if their application was successful or not.

  • DURATION: 4 years

 

 

24

Potchefstroom

  • Professional graphic designer
  • Publication designer
  • Brand manager
  • Typographer and layout artist
  • Art director
  • Creative director
  • Copywriter
  • Web, app & UX designer
  • Packaging designer
  • Surface designer
  • Animator and motion graphics artist
  • Film maker and screenwriter
  • Game designer
  • Sound designer
  • Concept Artist
  • 3D Artist and animator
  • Social media manager
  • Marketing strategist
  • Market researcher
  • Corporate communications consultant
  • Brand manager
  • Freelancer in any of the above fields
  • Academic and researcher

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Language and Literary Studies

The following subjects are offered:

  • English (ENLL) 
  • Language Practice (LPRA) 
  • Setswana HL (SETM)
  • English (ENLL): Gr. 12 English HL level 4 (50-59%) OR English FAL level 5 (60-69%) 
  • Setswana for mother-tongue speakers (SETM): Gr. 12 Setswana/Sesotho/Sepedi HL level 4 (50-59%)
  • Setswana for non-mother-tongue speakers (ATSN): no pre-requisites
  • DURATION: 3 years

24

Mahikeng

  • Teaching (when combined with a postgraduate teaching certificate/diploma)
  • Academia and research
  • Translation and interpreting work
  • Lexicography, language and terminology development
  • Copywriting, scriptwriter editing and proofreading
  • Speech pathology (requires further study)
  • Translation, interpreting, subtitling and audio description
  • Specialised secretarial and administrative work
  • Language specialisation in government and industry sectors
  • Foreign language practice and services

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Language and Literary Studies

with Languages 
with Language Practice 
with Language Practice and Communication

 

The following subjects are offered:

  • Afrikaans and Dutch (AFLL)
  • English (ENLL)
  • French (FREN)
  • German (GERM)
  • Language Practice (LPRA)
  • Sesotho (SSLL)

 

  • ​Afrikaans (AFLL): Gr. 12 Afrikaans HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Afrikaans FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • English (ENLL): Gr. 12 English HL level 4 (50-59%) OR English FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • Sesotho (SSLL): Gr. 12 Sesotho HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Sesotho FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • DURATION: 3 years

24

Vanderbijlpark

  • Teaching (when combined with a postgraduate teaching certificate/diploma)
  • Academia and research
  • Freelance writing and journalism
  • Translation and interpreting work
  • Lexicography, language and terminology development
  • Copywriting, scriptwriter editing and proofreading
  • Speech pathology (requires further study)
  • Translation, interpreting, subtitling and audio description
  • Specialised secretarial and administrative work
  • Language specialisation in government and industry sectors
  • Foreign language practice and services
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Language and Literary Studies The following subjects are offered:
  • Afrikaans and Dutch (AFLL)
  • Creative Writing (SKRK)
  • English (ENLL)
  • French (FREN)
  • German (GERM)
  • Language Practice (LPRA)
  • Setswana – HL (SETM)
  • Setswana – SAL (ATSN)
  • South African Sign Language (SASL)
  • Afrikaans (AFLL): Gr. 12 Afrikaans HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Afrikaans FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • English (ENLL): Gr. 12 English HL level 4 (50-59%) OR English FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • Setswana for mother-tongue speakers (SETM): Gr. 12 Setswana/Sesotho/Sepedi HL level 4 (50-59%)
  • Setswana for non-mother-tongue speakers (ATSN): no pre-requisites
  • DURATION: 3 years
24 Potchefstroom
  • Teaching (when combined with a postgraduate teaching certificate/diploma)
  • Academia and research
  • Freelance writing and journalism
  • Translation and interpreting work
  • Lexicography, language and terminology development
  • Copywriting, scriptwriter editing and proofreading
  • Speech pathology (requires further study)
  • Translation, interpreting, subtitling and audio description
  • Specialised secretarial and administrative work
  • Language specialisation in government and industry sectors
  • Foreign language practice and services

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Language Technology

 

  • Mathematics level 5 (60-69%)
  • And one of the following language subjects: 
    • Afrikaans (AFLL): Gr. 12 Afrikaans HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Afrikaans FAL level 5 (60-69%) 
    • English (ENLL): Gr. 12 English HL level 4 (50-59%) OR English FAL level 5 (60-69%) 
    • Setswana for mother-tongue speakers (SETM): Gr. 12 Setswana/Sesotho/Sepedi HL level 4 (50-59%) 
    • Setswana for non-mother-tongue speakers (ATSN): no pre-requisites 
  • And one of the following subjects: Information Technology, Accounting, Physical Sciences with a final mark on level 4 (50-59%).
  • DURATION: 3 years

24

Potchefstroom

  • Academia and research
  • Industry that uses computers to enable interactions with customers
  • Natural language processing research and development groups, such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM

Diploma in Music (DM)

 

  • Completed matric / National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma study
  • At least 50% (level 4) for English in Grade 12
  • Successful completion of a language proficiency test, a musical aptitude test and an audition
  • A laptop or equivalent device to participate in learning and assessment activities

 

  • DURATION: 3 years

APS of at least 18

OR an equivalent
qualifi- cation in
which the
modules for the
final year have
been passed with
an average of at
least 60%

 

Potchefstroom

  • Arrangement
  • Composing or conducting
  • Education, Academia and Research
  • Music Journalism
  • Radio, television, digital media or the recording industry

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music and Society

 

  • Completed matric / National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for degree study, and an APS of at least 21, and at least 50% (level 4) for English in Grade 12
    OR
    A diploma in music or an equivalent qualification in which the modules for the final year have been passed with an average of at least 60%
  • Successful completion of a practical audition (Grade 3 standard), a theoretical placement test (Grade 2 standard), and a language proficiency test
  • A laptop or equivalent device to participate in learning and assessment activities
  • DURATION: 3 years

 APS of at least 21

 

OR an equivalent
qualifi cation in
which the
modules for the
final year have
been passed with
an average of at
least 60%

Potchefstroom

  • Arrangement
  • Composing or conducting
  • Education, Academia and Research
  • Entertainment / performance
  • Music Journalism
  • Agent and Artist manager
  • Audio and broadcast engineer
  • Radio, television, digital media or the recording industry

Baccalaureus Musicae (BMus)

 

  • Completed matric / National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for degree study
  • Successful completion of a practical audition (Grade 6 standard), a theoretical placement test (Grade 5 standard), and a language proficiency test
  • A laptop or equivalent device to participate in learning and assessment activities
  • DURATION: 4 years 

APS of at least 24

OR a diploma
in music

Potchefstroom

  • Arrangement, lyricist, song writer
  • Composing or conducting
  • Education, Academia and Research
  • Entertainment / performance
  • Music Journalism, therapist, production
  • Musicologist
  • Radio, television, digital media or the recording industry
  • Event production and production

Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil)

with Philosophy, Politics and Economics

  • DURATION: 3 years

26

Potchefstroom

  • Compliance coordinator
  • Economic and Political research analyst
  • Politics or government service
  • Public policy analysis and development
  • Marketing and sales
  • Project and development manager
  • Politics sector related careers
  • The business and banking sector
  • The legal profession
  • Academia and Research
  • Economic and political Leader
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Humanities
  • with Afrikaans and Dutch
  • Afrikaans (AFLL): Gr. 12 Afrikaans HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Afrikaans FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • DURATION: 3 years
24

Potchefstroom

Vanderbijlpark

A job directed where human-directed skills are needed, careers will be affected by the majoring option you choose but includes the following professions:

  • African Studies and development
  • Ethics officer
  • Political Leader
  • Language consultant
  • Teacher (please see additional requirements)
  • Computer consultant / salesperson / administrator
  • Liaison Officer
  • Environmental consultant or community engagement expert
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Humanities
  • with English
  • English (ENLL): Gr. 12 English HL level 4 (50-59%) OR English FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • DURATION: 3 years
24

Mahikeng

Potchefstroom

Vanderbijlpark

A job directed where human-directed skills are needed, careers will be affected by the majoring option you choose but includes the following professions:

  • African Studies and development
  • Ethics officer
  • Political Leader
  • Language consultant
  • Teacher (please see additional requirements)
  • Computer consultant / salesperson / administrator
  • Liaison Officer
  • Environmental consultant or community engagement expert
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Humanities
  • with Setswana
  • Setswana (SETM): Gr. 12 Setswana HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Setswana FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • DURATION: 3 years
24

Mahikeng

Potchefstroom

A job directed where human-directed skills are needed, careers will be affected by the majoring option you choose but includes the following professions:

  • African Studies and development
  • Ethics officer
  • Political Leader
  • Language consultant
  • Teacher (please see additional requirements)
  • Computer consultant / salesperson / administrator
  • Liaison Officer
  • Environmental consultant or community engagement expert
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Humanities
  • with Sesotho
  • Sesotho (SSLL): Gr. 12 Sesotho HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Sesotho FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • DURATION: 3 years
24

Vanderbijlpark

A job directed where human-directed skills are needed, careers will be affected by the majoring option you choose but includes the following professions:

  • African Studies and development
  • Ethics officer
  • Political Leader
  • Language consultant
  • Teacher (please see additional requirements)
  • Computer consultant / salesperson / administrator
  • Liaison Officer
  • Environmental consultant or community engagement expert

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Humanities

  • with Social Sciences (PC, VC)
  • with Psychology (MC, PC, VC)
  • with History (MC, PC, VC)
  • with Geography (MC, PC, VC)
  • with French (PC, VC)
  • with German (PC)
  • with History of Art (PC)
  • with Latin (PC)
  • with Politics (PC, VC)
  • with Social Anthropology (PC)
  • with Sociology (MC, PC, VC)
  • with Philosophy (MC, PC)
  • with History and Society (MC, VC)
  • with Psychology and Society (MC, PC, VC)
  • with Geography and Society (MC, VC)
  • with Politics and Society (VC)

DURATION: 3 years

Please take note of the language entrance requirements:
• Afrikaans (AFLL): Gr. 12 Afrikaans HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Afrikaans FAL level 5 (60-69%)
• English (ENLL): Gr. 12 English HL level 4 (50-59%) OR English FAL level 5 (60-69%)
• Setswana (SETM): Gr. 12 Setswana HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Setswana FAL level 5 (60-69%)
• Sesotho (SSLL): Gr. 12 Sesotho HL level 4 (50-59%) OR
Sesotho FAL level 5 (60-69%)

24

Mahikeng

Potchefstroom

Vanderbijlpark

A job directed where human-directed skills are needed, careers will be affected by the majoring option you choose but includes the following professions:

  • African Studies and development
  • Ethics officer
  • Political Leader
  • Language consultant
  • Teacher (please see additional requirements)
  • Computer consultant / salesperson / administrator
  • Liaison Officer
  • Environmental consultant or community engagement expert

 

 

Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc)

  • with Development Studies (MC)
  • with Geography (MC, PC, VC)
  • with History (MC, PC, VC)
  • with Population Studies (MC)
  • with Psychology and Social Sciences (MC, PC, VC)
  • with Social Anthropology (PC, VC)
  • with Sociology (MC, PC, VC)
  • DURATION: 3 years

Please take note of the language entrance requirements: 

  • Afrikaans (AFLL): Gr. 12 Afrikaans HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Afrikaans FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • English (ENLL): Gr. 12 English HL level 4 (50-59%) OR English FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • Setswana (SETM): Gr. 12 Setswana HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Setswana FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • Sesotho (SSLL): Gr. 12 Sesotho HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Sesotho FAL level 5 (60-69%)

22

Mahikeng

Potchefstroom

Vanderbijlpark

Careers will be affected by the majoring option you choose but includes the following professions:

  • Market Research
  • Policy or data analyst
  • Development specialist
  • State and civil society research organisations
  • Economist
  • Industrial organisational psychologist
  • Sociologist
  • Geographer
  • Psychologist
  • Anthropologist
  • Historian
Bachelor of Social
Sciences (BSocSc)
  • with Economics
  • Mathematics level 3 (40-49%)
  • DURATION: 3 years
Please take note of the language entrance requirements:
  • Afrikaans (AFLL): Gr. 12 Afrikaans HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Afrikaans FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • English (ENLL): Gr. 12 English HL level 4 (50-59%) OR English FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • Setswana (SETM): Gr. 12 Setswana HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Setswana FAL level 5 (60-69%)
  • Sesotho (SSLL): Gr. 12 Sesotho HL level 4 (50-59%) OR Sesotho FAL level 5 (60-69%)
22

Mahikeng

Potchefstroom

Vanderbijlpark

Careers will be affected by the majoring option you choose but includes the following professions:

  • Market Research
  • Policy or data analyst
  • Development specialist
  • State and civil society research organisations
  • Economist
  • Industrial organisational psychologist
  • Sociologist
  • Geographer
  • Psychologist
  • Anthropologist
  • Historian

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

  • with Sociology and Geography
  • with Sociology and Labour Relations Management

 

DURATION: 3 years

22

Potchefstroom

  • Labour relations practice
  • Direction and Human Resources Management
  • Management, mediation and intervention in the workforce:
  • Local Employment and Development Agents,
  • Occupational Risk Prevention,
  • Public Administrations
  • Social-labour auditing
  • Labour administration and research, multiple careers in government, private sector and trade union organisations
  • Academia and research
  • Management consultant
  • Community development worker
  • Project manager
  • Human rights officer
  • Quality control manager
  • Consumer relations specialist
  • Agricultural Manager
  • Land Economist
  • Climatology
  • Geographic Information Systems Analyst
  • Emergency Management
  • Ecologist
  • Conservationist

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Behavioural Sciences

with Sociology and Psychology

  • DURATION: 3 years

22

Potchefstroom

Vanderbijlpark

  • Industrial-organisational Psychologists
  • Marketing Manager and Marketing Manager
  • Behavioural Therapist
  • Councillor
  • Consultant
  • Psychologist
  • Guidance councillor
  • Community health worker
  • Community worker
  • Lecturer
  • Social researcher
  • Market researcher
  • Market research analyst
  • Teacher, Academia and research
  • Social researcher
  • Market researcher
  • Market research analyst
  • Teacher

 

HEQSF alignment

All universities in South Africa were obligated by law to take part in a National Project driven by the regulatory bodies (Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), to align all qualifications with the Higher Education Qualification Sub Framework (HEQSF). The NWU is thus currently in an ongoing process of aligning our qualification and programme offering with the requirements of the HEQSF.

Prospective students must take notice of the fact that NWU qualification names, programme names as well as the composition of curricula may change due to the HEQSF Project, prior to registration for the 2026 academic year. Successful candidates are advised to contact the relevant faculty  to ensure that they register for the correct qualification, programme and / or curriculum.