Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in South Africa is renowned for its commitment to providing quality education to diverse groups of students. However, many prospective students often wonder: Does WSU accept everyone? The short answer is no; like most higher education institutions, WSU has specific admission requirements that must be met for prospective students to gain entry. In this blog post, we’ll explore these requirements in detail to help you understand if you qualify for admission.
Admission Requirements at WSU
1. Minimum Admission Criteria
To be considered for admission at Walter Sisulu University, students must meet the minimum requirements set by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and WSU itself. These criteria vary depending on the type of qualification:
Higher Certificate
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 30% in the language of instruction.
Diploma
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of instruction and an achievement rating of 3 (40-49%) or better for four recognized 20-credit subjects (excluding Life Orientation).
Bachelor’s Degree
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of instruction and an achievement rating of 4 (50-59%) or better for four recognized 20-credit subjects (excluding Life Orientation).
2. International Students
For students with international school-leaving qualifications, WSU follows the Higher Education South Africa (HESA) guidelines. Such applications require the submission of qualifications for benchmarking through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The international office at WSU assists these students with the admission process.
3. Mature Age Students
Mature age applicants (those 23 years and older) can be admitted under specific conditions. If they possess an acceptable Senior Certificate and have been granted a certificate of conditional exemption, they may qualify for Bachelor’s degree programs. Moreover, applicants over 45 years old may be admitted irrespective of their educational qualifications if they hold a conditional exemption.
4. Admission Point Score (APS)
WSU utilizes an Admission Point Score (APS) system to evaluate student qualifications. The APS is calculated by adding the point scores from a student’s best six subjects. Here’s how the scores are determined:
- Each subject score is based on the percentage achieved and converted to an APS score using WSU’s classification table.
- The best four subjects must include those specifically required for the chosen qualification.
5. Key Considerations
It’s essential for prospective students to keep the following in mind:
Capacity Limits: WSU may limit the number of students in certain programs to ensure quality education.
Registration: No student may register without meeting all minimum admission requirements. Compliance with all registration rules is crucial.
Documentation: Students must submit original documentation, including their NSC, before registration deadlines.