Rhodes University Online Application Form 2024 – 2025
Detail about how to apply
When you apply for admission to the University you are admitted to a particular Faculty of the University and this is determined by the degree for which you wish to read. Your first step in applying for admission to the University is to decide which degree you wish to take. Refer to the Curriculum Selection section and the Faculty information to see which degrees are offered.
Your application will only be considered for admission to the University if you qualify for Bachelor’s degree study AND you satisfy the faculty requirements. To qualify for with a Bachelor’s pass status, learners are required to take seven subjects, four of which are compulsory (two languages, Life Orientation and either Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy) and three of the learner’s own choice from the subjects on offer at the school.
FUNDING OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR FIRST YEAR APPLICANTS STRAIGHT FROM SCHOOL ONLY
Special merit awards are automatically (you do not apply for this) made by the University to eligible students enrolling for the first time for an undergraduate degree. The awards, ranging from R32 900 to Full tuition fee, are based on the final National Senior Certificate examination results. Should the student withdraw from Rhodes University during the academic year, the merit award will be reduced on a pro rata basis. In order to qualify for one of these awards a student would have to obtain at least 47 admission points in the National Senior Certificate examination. Please note that International Students are not eligible for merit awards.
Your application will only be considered for admission to the University if you qualify for Bachelor’s degree study AND you satisfy the faculty requirements. To qualify for with a Bachelor’s pass status, learners are required to take seven subjects, four of which are compulsory (two languages, Life Orientation and either Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy) and three of the learner’s own choice from the subjects on offer at the school.
FUNDING OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR FIRST YEAR APPLICANTS STRAIGHT FROM SCHOOL ONLY
Special merit awards are automatically (you do not apply for this) made by the University to eligible students enrolling for the first time for an undergraduate degree. The awards, ranging from R32 900 to Full tuition fee, are based on the final National Senior Certificate examination results. Should the student withdraw from Rhodes University during the academic year, the merit award will be reduced on a pro rata basis. In order to qualify for one of these awards a student would have to obtain at least 47 admission points in the National Senior Certificate examination. Please note that International Students are not eligible for merit awards.
CALCULATE YOUR ADMISSION POINT SCORE (APS)
Example
Example
| SUBJECT | PERCENTAGE | POINTS |
| English Home Language | 78% | 7,8 |
| Additional Language: Afrikaans/ IsiXhosa | 73% | 7,3 |
| Mathematics | 89% | 8,9 |
| Life Science | 70% | 7,0 |
| Dramatic Arts | 89% | 8,9 |
| Accounting | 73% | 7,3 |
| Life Orientation | 90% | |
| Additional Mathematics | 60% | |
| TOTAL POINTS | 47,2 |
The Application Procedure
Please read this section carefully. An inaccurate or incomplete application form will hold up the processing of your application. Please note that if you provide any false information your application will be rejected immediately.
International Requirements
An APS score of 40 points and above will receive a firm offer, 37-39 points will remain on hold until the end of September to be considered by the Dean if space is available. Candidates who offer a combination of Advanced level (A), Advanced Subsidiary level (AS), Ordinary level (O), Higher International General Certificate of Secondary Education (HIGCSE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), five (5) different subjects are counted. The basic minimum requirements for admission to the University is a certificate of Full Exemption or Foreign Conditional Exemption from the Matriculation Board (visit: http://he-enrol.ac.za). Applicants who have passed A levels are eligilble for full exemption provided the passes in approved subjects meet the following requirements:
A-level: symbols A-E (minimum of 2 subjects)
AS-level: symbols A-D (4 subjects and 1 at O-level)
O-level: symbols A-C (maximum of 3 subjects)
At least 2 subjects at A-level and 3 different subjects at O-level or 3 subjects at A-level and 2 at O-level
HIGCSE/IGCSE qualification:
HIGCSE: symbols 1-3 (4 subjects)
IGCSE: symbols A-C (1 subject)
International Baccalaureate (B)
3 High level (HL) subjects: Grade 4
4 Standard Level (SL) subjects: Grade 5
Points rating
A-level: symbols A-E (minimum of 2 subjects)
AS-level: symbols A-D (4 subjects and 1 at O-level)
O-level: symbols A-C (maximum of 3 subjects)
At least 2 subjects at A-level and 3 different subjects at O-level or 3 subjects at A-level and 2 at O-level
HIGCSE/IGCSE qualification:
HIGCSE: symbols 1-3 (4 subjects)
IGCSE: symbols A-C (1 subject)
International Baccalaureate (B)
3 High level (HL) subjects: Grade 4
4 Standard Level (SL) subjects: Grade 5
Points rating
| Symbol/Result/ Grade | Points Awarded | |||||||
| A, O & IGCSE | HIGCE | IB | A Level | AS Level | HIGCSE | O Level & IGCSE | IBHL SL | |
| A | 1 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 7 |
| B | 2 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 6 |
| C | 3 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 5 |
| D | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | ||
| E | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | ||||
If you are applying for Pharmacy your A Levels or AS Levels must include Mathematics, Science and Biology. If you are applying for Science your A Levels, AS Levels or O Levels should include Mathematics, Science and Biology.
For candidates who offer A and O levels and HIGCSE and IGCSEs five different subjects are counted. An additional one fifth of the total is added to this total. Zimsec students only deduct three points for a final count.
With at least 1 subject from each of the following groups:
| Group I | English |
| Group II | Afrikaans, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Nederlands, Portuguese orany other language approved by HESA |
| Group III | Biology, Botany, Chemistry, General Science, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Physics & Chemistry, Zoology or any of the following if not offered under Group II – Afrikaans, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Nederlands or any other language approved by HESA |
Please note that Psychology, Sociology, Physical Education, General Paper and Thinking Skills are not recognised subjects for entry to a South African University.
Where to submit necessary documents?
Documents not submitted through the online method can be mailed to:
Student Bureau
Rhodes University
PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140
Rhodes University
PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140
