What You Need to Know About Central University of Technology
Central University of Technology sits in Bloemfontein, Free State, with a second campus in Welkom. It's a University of Technology, so the focus stays practical, with engineering, health sciences, IT and teacher education programmes that build in real Work-Integrated Learning. Some B.Ed programmes even include 21 weeks of workplace training before you graduate. If you want a qualification that gets you job-ready fast, CUT is built for exactly that.
CUT isn't the hardest university to get into, but you still need to hit specific subject marks for a lot of its programmes. Teacher education degrees want at least 50% in core subjects like Maths, Physical Sciences or Accounting, depending on your specialisation. That subject requirement matters more than your overall points for these degrees.
What APS Do You Need?
CUT doesn't use the standard APS system other universities use. Your score comes from six subjects scored on an 8-point ladder, plus 1 point for Life Orientation if you score at least 50%, however high your actual mark. That gives you a maximum of 49 points on CUT's own scale. You need at least 27 points on this scale to get into most CUT programmes, though some ask for more.
If you want B.Ed Mathematics, you need at least 50% for Maths and Physical Sciences, not just the overall points. Going for B.Ed Economic and Management Sciences means you need 50% for Accounting, plus Economics or Business Studies. B.Ed Language Education wants 50% in English and 50% in another home language. Check the exact subject combo for your programme before you apply.
Fees and Funding
CUT's tuition fees vary by programme and by whether you're a South African or international student. Check the official CUT Tuition page for exact details on what your qualification costs in 2027.
NSFAS can cover your tuition, accommodation, transport and book costs if your household earns below R350,000 a year. CUT's Financial Aid office handles NSFAS and other bursary applications, so get in touch with them early once you're accepted.
Life on Campus
CUT runs residences at both the Bloemfontein and Welkom campuses, but rooms fill up fast. Your first-year residence application only gets finalised once you're fully accepted for study, so your status stays pending until then. Check the official CUT page for exact details on residence fees and how to apply for a room.
Not sure if your marks are enough? Use our free APS calculator to check where you stand against CUT's own points system.
