How does the application process work?

If you are interested in studying engineering, you can follow the following process:

1. Find out what each of the engineering fields entails and determine in which field you want to study. Many of the applicants attend our Engineering Weeks to learn more about the different engineering programmes and to meet the senior students and lecturers.
2. Make sure what the minimum requirements are to qualify for engineering studies (see below).
3. Apply online
4. When you have completed the online application, the application office will let you know if your application:

a.    has been accepted, subject to the Grade 12 results.
This means you are still at school and have a good chance of meeting all the minimum requirements after writing the final school-leaving exam.
Therefore, we are willing to accept your application - subject to grade 12 if you:

• have not less than 70% for Mathematics and 70% Physical Science,
• 60% for the language of instruction and
•  An APS of at least 34)

b.    has been accepted unconditionally (you have already written your school-leaving exam and meet all the minimum requirements)

c.    have to be evaluated via a selection process because:

• your current grade 11 marks do not meet all the requirements
• your final school marks do not meet the minimum requirements
• you are a senior applicant who completed your final school exam before 2023

The selection process may include the following, depending on your circumstances:

• the Engineering Test (or other applicable tests);
• personal interviews; and
• a variety of documentation to be provided as determined by the selection committee.

5. Once you have been unconditionally accepted, we will inform you of the date, venue, and time to report for your engineering studies.

What are the minimum requirements for engineering?

Minimum matric requirements (NSS or IEB)

• Mathematics: Minimum of 70%
• Physical Science: Minimum of 70%
• Language: Minimum of 60% for Afrikaans or English (the language of tuition)
• APS Score: Minimum of 34 
• Exemption: Gr. 12 exemption

Minimum admission requirements for applicants following international curricula

 * Additional criteria: You must provide your O-level results and take the Engineering Test.

What happens if I do not meet the minimum requirements?

If you do not meet the minimum requirements for Mathematics and Physical Science and the APS score, you are still welcome to apply for engineering studies. The selection committee can advise you on various alternative routes that you can follow to qualify for the engineering programmes.
There are different access routes to engineering, depending on the availability of places in the programmes. These articulation routes are as follows:

Access routes to engineering: 1. The Engineering Test

We use the Engineering Test results, as well as your academic history, to advise you on the next step in your academic plan. At the discretion of the selection committee, an acceptable achievement in the Engineering Test and a satisfactory academic record can give you admission to engineering. We will, therefore, allow you to write the engineering test if your final matric marks look like the following:

At least

• 65% for both Mathematics
• 65% for Physical Science
• 60% for English / Afrikaans (the language of instruction)
• APS of 31

Find out more about the Engineering Test.

Access routes to engineering: 2. Post-school studies

If you failed to achieve the minimum requirements in the final grade 12 examination, but you completed year level 1 of a BSc degree with mainstream Mathematics and Physics (NWU equivalents of MTHS111 and 121; and NPHY111 and 121), you will be allowed to enroll for engineering. The criteria for acceptance are the following:

• at least 60% in each of the first-year BSc modules 
• must have completed at least 120 credits during the first year of studies
• satisfactory performance in the Engineering Test.

It is also possible to be admitted to an engineering programme with a completed BSc degree with mainstream Mathematics and Physics (NWU equivalents of MTHS111 and 121, and NPHY111 and 121). 

Access routes to engineering: 3. Xcel Preparation Programme

If you have less than 60% for Mathematics and Physical Science, you will not be able to enroll for the engineering programmes directly, but you might be considered for the Xcel programme.

If you prefer to gain access to engineering studies via this route, you will be accepted into the engineering programmes if you complete the Xcel year and have met all the engineering programme requirements at the end of the year.

To apply for the Xcel programme, you must apply to the NWU (via online applications) and also download the Xcel application form. Send the completed form to Sonette Becker.

When am I unconditionally accepted?

If you are currently attending school, your final acceptance will only be possible once your final school results are available. If you still comply with the minimum requirements after the final school-leaving results became available, you will automatically be accepted.
For applicants who wrote matric before 2022, the final acceptance will only take place if you meet all the requirements and have received a message from the selection committee that you have been accepted.

What does conditional acceptance mean?

Conditional acceptance means that you meet all of the stated requirements, or that we approved your application conditionally via the selection process, but your final school marks are still outstanding. A conditional acceptance automatically turns into an unconditional or final acceptance if you still meet the above minimum requirements with your final school-leaving results.