INTRODUCTION
With application deadlines fast approaching at North-West University(NWU), now is the perfect time to take the leap toward your dreams. Missing the closing date could mean waiting another whole year for your chance—so why not act today?
Whether you want to kick-start your first degree or elevate your career with postgraduate studies, submitting your application before the deadline ensures you won’t miss out on joining one of South Africa’s top universities. Don’t delay—apply now to secure your future at NWU!
To apply to North-West University (NWU), you need to meet the following general requirements and steps
- For a bachelor’s degree, you must have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum Admission Point Score (APS), calculated from your best six subjects excluding Life Orientation.
- Typically, a minimum of 50% is required in four 20-credit subjects, with subject-specific requirements per faculty.
- Language of learning and teaching proficiency at 50% is required.
- Some faculties may require higher APS or specific subjects at certain levels (e.g., Engineering requires Grade 12 Mathematics and Physical Sciences marks of 70% or higher).
- Non-NSC certificates, such as international certificates, are recognized but must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
- Documentation:
- Certified copy of your ID document or passport (for international students).
- Final Grade 11 or 12 results and academic transcripts.
- For international students, a medical examination and SAQA evaluation certificate are needed.
BURSARIES
- NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme)—The Top Choice
- Who qualifies?
- South African citizens with a combined household income below R350,000/year.
- SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify.
- What does it cover?
- Full tuition and registration fees.
- Allowances for learning materials, accommodation or transport, food, and personal care.
- Additional support for students with disabilities, including assistive devices and human support.
- Why is NSFAS the best alternative?
- It’s government-funded, covers most expenses, and you don’t need to repay the bursary if you complete your studies.
- Students with NSFAS funding can focus fully on academics without the burdens of financial worries.
- Application is simple and centralized for all public universities, including NWU.
Important: If you’re fully funded by NSFAS, you are not eligible for other NWU or external bursaries for the same study period as per national policy 123.
- Other NWU Bursary Options
- Academic Merit Bursary
- Automatically awarded to first-years and senior undergraduate students with excellent academic performances.
- No separate application is needed for qualifying students.
- Leadership Bursary
- For headboys/headgirls in their final year of high school.
- A one-off bursary for first-year students.
- Family Discount Bursary
- For families with multiple students at NWU: sliding scale discounts on tuition for second, third, or more family members.
- Sports and Culture Bursaries
- For students who excel in sports, arts, and culture.
- Application required; closing date is usually 15 October.
- Teacher Support: Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary
- Available for education students committed to teaching in public schools.
- Covers most study expenses with a requirement to teach for the number of years funded after graduation.
- Postgraduate Bursaries
NWU Postgraduate Merit Bursary
- Awarded for academic excellence in previous studies.
- The amount depends on your previous academic record.
Faculty-Specific Bursaries
- Certain faculties offer their own bursaries to address specific needs (e.g., engineering, humanities, economics)
Research-Based Bursaries
- Provided for studies linked to specific research projects or high-demand fields.
- External Bursaries
Partner and National Bursaries
- Offered by government agencies, private companies, and philanthropic organizations.
- Includes schemes like the Mining Qualifications Authority, DSI-NRF, France-South Africa scholarships, Absa BMI bursary, and more.
- Search NWU’s external bursary listings for more opportunities
- Faculty and Programme-Specific Bursaries
- Various departments have targeted bursaries for certain study areas, both undergrad and postgrad.
- Examples: Faculty of Education, Commerce, Law, Sciences, etc.
In Summary
If you meet the requirements, NSFAS should be your first and primary bursary application due to its comprehensive coverage and wide eligibility for South Africans from low- and middle-income backgrounds. NWU also offers automatic, academic, family, leadership, sports, and faculty-specific bursaries, as well as a variety of external funding options. Always check for eligibility and deadlines for each bursary and remember, fully-funded NSFAS students cannot receive additional bursaries from the university or external sources for the same period
Based on the NWU website and typical categorizations, the courses closing 31 August generally comprise most undergraduate and postgraduate programs outside the select few restricted intake programs. These commonly include faculties and fields such as:
- Humanities courses
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering (except some programs that might be selection)
- Law
- Agriculture
- Theology
- Many other standard undergraduate and postgraduate fields
