What are the entry requirements for nursing?

You need matric with the right subjects: English and Life Sciences, plus Mathematics or Maths Literacy. The degree needs a degree pass and higher marks. The diploma and Higher Certificate need less.

What subjects do I need for nursing?

English and Life Sciences are the main ones. Mathematics or Maths Literacy is also needed, and Physical Sciences helps. Life Sciences matters most.

Can I study nursing without maths?

Some programmes take Maths Literacy instead of pure Maths, but many nursing degrees want Mathematics. Life Sciences matters most. Always check the university or college.

How many points do I need for nursing?

The Higher Certificate needs about 19 points. The Diploma needs more, often the mid-20s. The Bachelor of Nursing needs the most, often the high-20s or more. Each place sets its own.

Can I do nursing with 25 points?

Maybe. 25 points is often enough for the Diploma in Nursing and some degrees, but not the top universities. Check each one, or work out your APS first.

Do I have to register while I study?

Yes. You register as a student nurse with SANC when you start, and in your nurse category when you finish.

Can I study nursing at UNISA or fully online?

No, not for your first qualification. Nursing needs hands-on training with real patients in hospitals, so you cannot do it fully online. UNISA mostly offers nursing for people who are already nurses.

What is the nursing bridging course?

It was a course that let an enrolled nurse move up to a registered (professional) nurse. Under the new nursing rules it is being replaced by the Diploma and the Degree. If you are already an enrolled nurse, ask SANC or a nursing college how to upgrade now.

Nursing requirements: subjects, APS and how to qualify

What you need in matric

You must have

English
Life Sciences

Also good to have

Mathematics (some degrees need it)
Physical Sciences
Life Orientation

Ways to become a nurse

The best way is first. If your marks are not enough for one way, try the next one down.

DegreeNQF 84 years480 creditsBest way

Bachelor of Nursing

To get in: About 30 APS or more. English, Life Sciences, A degree pass in matric. Many nursing degrees also want Mathematics. The marks change from one university to the next.

Many universities offer the Bachelor of Nursing. It is the top nursing qualification and also trains you as a midwife. You register as a professional nurse and can also work as a midwife.

DiplomaNQF 63 years360 credits

Diploma in Nursing

To get in: About 25 APS or more. English, Life Sciences, A diploma pass in matric. You need lower marks than the degree.

Public colleges of nursing and some universities offer this. Each province has a college of nursing, and training there is usually free. You register as a general nurse (staff nurse).

Public colleges of nursing: Gauteng College of Nursing (campuses include Chris Hani Baragwanath and Ann Latsky), Western Cape College of Nursing, Free State School of Nursing, KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing

You apply to a public college of nursing through your provincial Department of Health, not on the college website. Applications open at set times, often around September for the next year.

You can study further, up to the degree and to speciality nursing.

Higher certificateNQF 51 year120 credits

Higher Certificate in Nursing

To get in: About 19 APS or more. English, Life Sciences or Physical Science, A matric certificate. You need about 19 points, much lower than the degree.

Nursing colleges and some TVET colleges offer this. You register as an auxiliary nurse and work under other nurses. You work as an auxiliary nurse.

It can lead to the diploma and then the degree.

Marks too low for the degree or diploma? Start here with about 19 points. You work, learn, and move up.

If you don’t get in yet

Are your marks too low for the nursing degree? You still have real ways in.

Start with the Diploma in Nursing

Nursing colleges and some universities offer a three-year Diploma in Nursing. It needs lower marks than the degree. You register as a general nurse, and you can study up to the degree later.

Start as an auxiliary nurse

Do the one-year Higher Certificate in Nursing. You need about 19 points. You work as an auxiliary nurse, then move up to the diploma and the degree.

Upgrade your matric

You can upgrade your matric: rewrite subjects like Life Sciences to get better marks. The government runs a free Second Chance programme. Then you can apply again.

Get ready to apply →

How to sign up to work

You sign up with the South African Nursing Council (SANC).

You must register with SANC. You cannot work as a nurse or use the title without it.
Register as a student nurse when you start. Register in your nurse category when you finish.
You must study at a SANC-accredited university or nursing college. Check it is accredited before you pay.
After the degree, professional nurses do one year of paid community service.
You pay a fee to SANC each year to stay registered.