Complete Requirements to Study Nursing in South Africa (2027 Intake)

Key Takeaways

New SANC Qualifications: South Africa has transitioned to new nursing qualifications under the South African Nursing Council (SANC). You must apply for either the Higher Certificate (R169), Diploma (R171), or Bachelor’s Degree (R174).
Core Subject Requirements: To study a Degree or Diploma in Nursing at a public university, you typically need a minimum of Level 4 (50-59%) in English, Mathematics, and Life Sciences. Mathematical Literacy is rarely accepted for degrees but may be accepted for Higher Certificates at private colleges.
High APS Threshold: Due to extreme competition, most top universities require an Admission Point Score (APS) of at least 28 (excluding Life Orientation).
National Benchmark Tests (NBTs): Institutions like Wits University require applicants to write in-person NBTs, which carry a massive 40% weighting in the final selection process.
Clinical Training is Mandatory: All SANC-approved nursing programs contain a mandatory Work Integrated Learning (WIL) component where you will work shifts (including night shifts) in hospitals and clinics.
First-Choice Preference: Highly competitive universities, such as the University of Pretoria, explicitly state that they will only consider candidates who select Nursing as their first choice during application.

Nursing is widely regarded as one of the most noble, high-demand, and globally employable professions in the world. In South Africa, the healthcare sector is constantly expanding, creating a continuous demand for highly trained, resilient, and compassionate nursing professionals. However, because human lives are on the line, the academic and regulatory standards to enter this field are incredibly strict.

If you are planning to apply for the 2027 academic intake, you must understand that the South African Nursing Council (SANC) recently overhauled the national nursing curriculum. The old legacy qualifications have been phased out, and educational institutions are now strictly adhering to a modernized framework.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the exact requirements to study nursing in South Africa. It explores the different qualification streams, the subject and APS requirements at top universities, the application protocols, and how to position yourself as a strong candidate.

1. Understanding the New SANC Nursing Qualifications

Before you look at admission requirements, you need to decide which nursing qualification you want to pursue. The SANC regulates all nursing education in the country. To practice legally in South Africa, you must complete a program accredited by the SANC at a registered Nursing Education Institution (NEI).

For undergraduate students and matriculants entering the field, there are three primary pathways available under the new regulations:

The Higher Certificate in Nursing (R169)

Duration: 1 Year.
Outcome: Registration as an Auxiliary Nurse.
Role: Auxiliary nurses provide basic nursing care under the direct supervision of a General Nurse or Midwife. This is a highly practical qualification focused on primary care and patient hygiene.
Entry Requirements: A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum APS of around 16. Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy is generally accepted, alongside a pass in English. Life Sciences is highly recommended but sometimes not mandatory at private colleges.

The Diploma in Nursing (R171)

Duration: 3 Years.
Outcome: Registration as a General Nurse (Staff Nurse).
Role: General Nurses manage patient care, administer medications, and assist in clinical procedures. The curriculum is heavily weighted toward applied anatomy, pharmacology, and community health.
Entry Requirements: A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent. Most public colleges require an APS of at least 22-25, with specific passes in English, Mathematics (or high marks in Math Lit), and Life Sciences.

The Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery (R174)

Duration: 4 Years.
Outcome: Registration as a Professional Nurse and Midwife.
Role: This is the highest undergraduate qualification, preparing you for leadership, specialized clinical roles, ward management, and independent midwifery.
Entry Requirements: A Bachelor’s pass on your NSC. An APS of 28 to 30+ is standard. Pure Mathematics and Life Sciences at Level 4 (50%) or higher are mandatory.

Note: Unisa also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing Science (Health Services Management), but this specific program (0216X – HSM) requires the applicant to already be a registered nurse and midwife with the SANC. It is not for high school leavers.

2. University-Specific Admission Requirements (2027 Intake)

Because nursing is an oversubscribed course, merely meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee you a spot. Universities use highly competitive ranking systems to select the top tier of applicants. Let’s examine the specific requirements for two of South Africa’s most prestigious medical faculties.

University of Pretoria (UP)

UP’s Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNurs) is an elite, four-year program integrating clinical training with health leadership.

Minimum APS: 28 (Life Orientation is excluded from this calculation).
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language (Level 4), Mathematics (Level 4), and Life Sciences (Level 4).
Selection Criteria: UP admits only 50 first-year students annually. Due to this extreme limitation, only applicants who select Nursing as their first choice are considered.

University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

Wits takes a deeply analytical approach to selecting its nursing candidates. They do not merely look at your APS; they utilize a custom Composite Index (CI) score.

Subject Requirements: English (Level 4), Mathematics (Level 4), and Life Sciences AND/OR Physical Sciences (Level 4).
The Composite Index (CI): Wits calculates your CI by taking your matric results for five subjects (English, Math, the best of Physical/Life Sciences, and the two next best subjects). This matric average makes up 60% of your selection score.
National Benchmark Tests (NBTs): The remaining 40% of your score is determined by your NBT results. You must write the in-person (pencil and paper) NBTs by mid-August; online NBT results are not accepted by the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Quick Reference Guide to Public University Requirements

University	Minimum APS	Mathematics	Life Sciences	NBTs Required	Intake Quota
UP	28	Level 4	Level 4	No	50 Students
Wits	N/A (Uses CI)	Level 4	Level 4	Yes (In-Person)	Highly Limited
UWC	30	Level 4	Level 4	No	High Demand
UKZN	30	Level 4	Level 4	No	High Demand
UJ	28	Level 4	Level 4	No	High Demand

(Note: UJ, UWC, and UKZN criteria are based on standard health faculty requirements aligned with UP and Wits).

3. Applying to Private Nursing Colleges

If you do not meet the stringent APS or pure Mathematics requirements of public universities, private Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) offer an excellent, fully accredited alternative. Institutions such as Life Healthcare Nursing College or Mediclinic Higher Education provide the Diploma in Nursing (R171) and Higher Certificate (R169).

While their academic entry barriers might be slightly more forgiving, their administrative processes are strict.

Administrative Requirements for Private Colleges (e.g., Life Healthcare)

When applying to private nursing colleges, your documentation must be flawless. Applications for the 2027 academic year at Life Healthcare, for instance, close strictly on 31 July 2026.

Application Fee: A non-refundable fee (e.g., R400) must be paid before submitting the form, and the deposit slip must be uploaded.
Documentation: You must provide certified copies of your ID (front and back of the smart card), a Curriculum Vitae (CV), and your Grade 11 final / Grade 12 mid-year results.
Technology Access: Because these colleges use blended learning, they explicitly recommend that applicants complete a computer literacy course before commencing studies and must have a personal computer with internet access.

4. The Realities of the Curriculum and Clinical Training

Nursing is not a standard desk-bound degree. From your first year, you will be thrust into practical environments. The SANC mandates that the education must integrate theoretical and clinical outcomes.

The Theoretical Component

In a standard Diploma or Degree program, your first two years will focus heavily on the hard sciences. You will study Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pharmacology. You must be academically resilient to handle this sheer volume of medical data.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

A major part of your SANC qualification involves clinical placements at approved facilities.

You must log a specific number of clinical hours to graduate.
A minimum of 60% of your formative clinical assessments must be done in real-life hospital situations.
Night Shifts: The law requires that your clinical training includes night shift experience, which is typically introduced after your first six months and can last up to two months per academic year.

5. Professional Attributes: Do You Have What It Takes?

Academic excellence will get you into the degree, but your professional attributes will determine if you survive the career. The SANC and provincial health departments look for specific behavioral competencies in their nurses.

According to standard public health service mandates, nurses must possess deep knowledge of the nursing care process, the Batho Pele principles, and patients’ rights. You must be able to work co-operatively within a multidisciplinary team and manage workplace discipline.

Most importantly, you must have an inherent caring attitude, the ability to communicate effectively with diverse cultural groups, and the emotional resilience to work shifts in high-stress, sometimes traumatic, environments.

6. SANC Registration and Post-Graduate Opportunities

Once you complete your Bachelor’s Degree (R174) or Diploma (R171), you cannot simply start working. Your nursing education institution must send a formal declaration to the SANC confirming you met all educational and clinical requirements. Only after the SANC registers you and issues your Annual Practising Certificate are you legally permitted to work as a nurse.

The nursing career path does not end at graduation. South Africa desperately needs specialized nurses. Once registered, you can pursue one-year Postgraduate Diplomas in specialized fields, such as:

Adult Critical Care Nursing.
Emergency Nursing.
Mental Health Nursing.
Perioperative Nursing (Theatre).
Primary Care Nursing.

Nursing Career Progression

Current Status	Qualification Required	Duration	Ultimate Registration
Matriculant	Higher Certificate (R169)	1 Year	Auxiliary Nurse
Matriculant	Diploma (R171)	3 Years	General Nurse (Staff Nurse)
Matriculant	Bachelor’s Degree (R174)	4 Years	Professional Nurse & Midwife
General Nurse	Advanced Diploma in Midwifery	1 Year	Midwifery Specialist
Professional Nurse	Postgrad Diploma in Critical Care	1 Year	Critical Care Nurse Specialist

7. Next Steps: Securing Funding for Your Studies

Because nursing is a heavily prioritized, scarce skill in South Africa, there is substantial funding available for students who meet the academic requirements.

If you secure a spot at a public university like UP, Wits, or UJ, you are immediately eligible to apply for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). NSFAS fully covers tuition, accommodation, and living allowances for students from households earning under R350,000 annually. Furthermore, provincial departments of health (such as the Gauteng or Western Cape Departments of Health) frequently offer specialized nursing bursaries that function on a work-back contract—where they pay your fees, and you agree to work in a provincial hospital for an equivalent number of years upon graduation.

If you are exploring other highly funded, high-demand public sector careers alongside nursing, education is the other major pillar of the South African state. Consider reading our previous guide on the comprehensive bursaries for teaching students in south africa to understand how government work-back agreements function and to explore alternative funded career paths.

Disclaimer: The admission requirements, Admission Point Scores (APS), and South African Nursing Council (SANC) regulations detailed in this article are accurate as of the 2026/2027 academic planning cycle. Universities and private nursing colleges reserve the right to alter their admission quotas, NBT requirements, and application deadlines at their discretion. Always consult the official faculty brochures of your chosen institution and the official SANC website before making final application decisions.