1. The policy regarding the minimum admission requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Degree programmes requiring a National Senior Certificate (NSC) was promulgated by the Minister of Education on 18 August 2005.
2. The policy will be applicable to all higher education institutions and will be effective from January 2009, as the first group of candidates for the NSC will be writing the examination in 2008.
3. Schools will need to use this information in guiding learners as to their subject choices and levels of achievement required in Grades 10, 11 and 12.
4. Educators must note that these are the minimum admission requirements, and that each institution may have additional criteria for particular courses, as is currently the case. Achievement of these minimum requirements does not guarantee a learner’s admission to any programme of study in higher education.
5. The subjects listed at the end of this circular are the recognised National Senior Certificate subjects for the purpose of this policy. All recognised subjects have a credit value of 20, except Life Orientation (10).
6. The designated list (see paragraph 9) will remain in place for three years from the commencement of this policy, during which time an evaluation of its suitability and influence will be undertaken. The policy will then be reviewed in light of the evidence. Please note that changes will not apply to learners already in the FET band at the time that such changes may be made.
7. Minimum requirements for admission to the Higher Certificate: a National Senior Certificate
8. Minimum requirements for admission to a Diploma: a National Senior Certificate with an achievement rating of 3 (Moderate Achievement, 40% - 49%) or better in four recognised NSC 20-credit subjects
9. Minimum requirements for admission to a Bachelor’s Degree: a National Senior Certificate with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement, 50% - 59%) or better in four subjects chosen from the following recognised 20-credit NSC subjects (which will be known as the designated subject list):

  • Accounting

  • Agricultural Sciences

  • Business Studies

  • Dramatic Arts

  • Economics

  • Engineering Graphics and Design

  • Geography

  • History

  • Consumer Studies

  • Information Technology

  • Languages (one language of learning and teaching as used at a higher education institution and two other recognised language subjects)

  • Life Sciences

  • Mathematics

  • Mathematical Literacy

  • Music

  • Physical Sciences

  • Religion Studies

  • Visual Arts
10. The following National Senior Certificate subjects are recognised for entry into the Higher Certificate, Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree. Each of the subjects listed has a credit value of 20, except Life Orientation (10). Not all of these subjects are necessarily offered by educational institutions in the Western Cape. 


GROUP A
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES AT HOME AND FIRST ADDITIONAL LEVEL
Afrikaans Home Language
Afrikaans First Additional Language
English Home Language
English First Additional Language
Ndebele Home Language
Ndebele First Additional Language
Xhosa Home Language
Xhosa First Additional Language
Zulu Home Language
Zulu First Additional Language
Pedi Home Language
Pedi First Additional Language
Sotho Home Language
Sotho First Additional Language
Tswana Home Language
Tswana First Additional Language
Swati Home Language
Swati First Additional Language
Venda Home Language
Venda First Additional Language
Tsonga Home Language
Tsonga First Additional Language


MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
Mathematical Literacy
Mathematics


HUMAN AND SOCIAL STUDIES
Life Orientation



GROUP B
AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Management Practices
Agricultural Science
Agricultural Technology


CULTURE AND ARTS
Dance Studies
Design
Dramatic Arts
Music
Visual Arts


BUSINESS, COMMERCE AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
Accounting
Business Studies
Economics


OFFICIAL LANGUAGES AT SECOND ADDITIONAL LEVEL, 
AND NON-OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
Afrikaans Second Additional Language
English Second Additional Language
Ndebele Second Additional Language
Xhosa Second Additional Language
Zulu Second Additional Language
Pedi Second Additional Language
Sotho Second Additional Language
Tswana Second Additional Language
Swati Second Additional Language
Venda Second Additional Language
Tsonga Second Additional Language
Arabic Second Additional Language
French Second Additional Language
German Home Language
German Second Additional Language
Gujarati Home Language
Gujarati First Additional Language
Gujurati Second Additional Language
Hebrew Second Additional Language
Hindi Home Language
Hindi First Additional Language
Hindi Second Additional Language
Italian Second Additional Language
Latin Second Additional Language
Portuguese Home Language
Portuguese First Additional Language
Portuguese Second Additional Language
Spanish Second Additional Language
Tamil Home Language
Tamil First Additional Language
Tamil Second Additional Language
Telegu Home Language
Telegu First Additional Language
Telegu Second Additional Language
Urdu Home Language
Urdu First Additional Language
Urdu Second Additional Language


ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Civil Technology
Electrical Technology
Mechanical Technology
Engineering Graphics and Design


HUMAN AND SOCIAL STUDIES
Geography
History
Religion Studies


PHYSICAL, MATHEMATICAL, COMPUTER AND LIFE SCIENCES
Computer Applications Technology
Information Technology
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences


SERVICES
Consumer Studies
Hospitality Studies
Tourism
11. Heads of educational institutions must note that the designated subject list from which the four subjects are selected for admission to a Bachelor’s Degree is not the same as the full list in paragraph 10.


SIGNED: D.R. SHEPHERD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2005:09:15