Wits University APS Requirements 2026 | Complete Guide
Full APS requirements for all Wits programmes 2026. Medicine 44+, Law 38+, Engineering 37+. Free APS calculator to check your eligibility instantly.
Wits University APS Requirements 2026
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is one of South Africa's most prestigious universities, located in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. To gain admission, you need to meet the minimum Admission Point Score (APS) for your chosen faculty. This guide covers the APS requirements for all Wits faculties and programmes in 2026.
Use our free APS Calculator to instantly calculate your score and see if you qualify for Wits.
How Wits Calculates APS
Wits calculates your APS from your six best NSC (Grade 12) subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Life Orientation is not counted in the Wits APS calculation.
| Percentage (%) | NSC Rating | APS Points |
|---|---|---|
| 80–100% | 7 (Outstanding) | 7 |
| 70–79% | 6 (Meritorious) | 6 |
| 60–69% | 5 (Substantial) | 5 |
| 50–59% | 4 (Adequate) | 4 |
| 40–49% | 3 (Moderate) | 3 |
| 30–39% | 2 (Elementary) | 2 |
| 0–29% | 1 (Not Achieved) | 1 |
Important: Wits also requires students to write the NBT (National Benchmark Tests) for most programmes. NBT results are used alongside your NSC marks for admission decisions.
Wits APS Requirements by Faculty (2026)
| Faculty / Programme | Minimum APS | Key Subject Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (MBChB) | 44 | Mathematics 6+, Physical Sciences 6+, Life Sciences 6+, English 5+ |
| Law (LLB) | 38 | English 5+, Mathematics 4+ or Mathematical Literacy 6+ |
| Engineering (all programmes) | 37 | Mathematics 6+, Physical Sciences 5+, English 4+ |
| Architecture | 37 | Mathematics 5+, English 4+ |
| BCom (Accounting) | 35 | Mathematics 5+, English 4+ |
| BCom (General) | 35 | Mathematics 4+, English 4+ |
| BSc (Science) | 35 | Mathematics 5+, Physical Sciences 4+ or Life Sciences 4+ |
| BSc (Computer Science) | 35 | Mathematics 6+, English 4+ |
| BA (Humanities) | 35 | English 5+, History or other Humanities 4+ |
| Education (BEd) | 30 | English 4+, Mathematics 3+ (depends on specialisation) |
| Health Sciences (non-MBChB) | 35 | Life Sciences 5+, English 4+ |
| Urban and Regional Planning | 35 | Mathematics 4+, English 4+ |
Note: APS requirements listed above are minimum thresholds. Competition for popular programmes (especially Medicine, Law, and Engineering) means that meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission. Successful applicants often have APS scores significantly above the minimum.
APS Calculation Example for Wits
Here is an example of how to calculate your APS for Wits:
| Subject | Mark (%) | APS Points | Counted? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 75% | 6 | Yes |
| English Home Language | 68% | 5 | Yes |
| Physical Sciences | 72% | 6 | Yes |
| Life Sciences | 65% | 5 | Yes |
| Geography | 58% | 4 | Yes |
| History | 55% | 4 | Yes |
| Life Orientation | 70% | 6 | NOT counted at Wits |
| Wits APS Total | 30 | ||
In this example, the student has an APS of 30, which is below the minimum of 35 for most Wits programmes. They would need to improve their marks to qualify.
Wits Medicine Requirements (MBChB) 2026
Admission to Wits Medicine is highly competitive. Requirements include:
- Minimum APS: 44 (out of 49, excluding Life Orientation)
- Mathematics: Level 6 (70%+)
- Physical Sciences: Level 6 (70%+)
- Life Sciences: Level 6 (70%+)
- English: Level 5 (60%+)
- NBT: Academic Literacy (AL) and Quantitative Literacy (QL) — high performance required
- Additional: Interview may be required
Wits Medical School is one of the largest medical schools in sub-Saharan Africa. Places are extremely limited — apply early and aim for the highest possible marks.
Wits Engineering Requirements 2026
Engineering at Wits (Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment) is also highly competitive:
- Minimum APS: 37 (varies slightly by programme)
- Mathematics: Level 6 (70%+)
- Physical Sciences: Level 5 (60%+)
- English: Level 4 (50%+)
- NBT: Required (Mathematics and Academic Literacy)
Engineering programmes at Wits include: Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Mining, Industrial, and Aeronautical Engineering.
How to Improve Your APS for Wits
If your current APS is below the Wits minimum, here are steps to improve:
- Focus on your weakest subjects: Even a 10% improvement in one subject can change your APS rating level by 1 point
- Use AI tutoring: StudyBuddy's AI tutor helps you master CAPS topics quickly and cost-effectively — most students improve 15–25% within weeks
- Past papers practice: Doing past NSC papers is one of the most effective ways to boost your final marks
- Don't neglect your sixth subject: Your sixth best subject also contributes to your Wits APS
Wits Application Process
- Applications Open: April 1 each year
- Application Deadline: September 30
- Application Fee: R100 (non-refundable)
- Apply Online: wits.ac.za/students/undergraduate/applying
Struggling to reach your target APS? StudyBuddy's AI tutor helps Grade 10–12 students improve their marks across all subjects. Start free today — no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum APS for Wits University in 2026?
The minimum APS at Wits is 35 for most programmes. However, competitive programmes require higher scores: Medicine needs APS 44, Law needs 38, Engineering needs 37. Life Orientation is NOT counted in Wits's APS calculation.
What APS do you need for Medicine at Wits?
Wits Medicine (MBChB) requires a minimum APS of 44, along with Mathematics 6+, Physical Sciences 6+, Life Sciences 6+, and English 5+. NBT tests are also required. This is one of the most competitive programmes in South Africa.
Does Wits count Life Orientation in APS?
No. Wits University does NOT include Life Orientation in its APS calculation. Your APS at Wits is calculated from your six best subjects, excluding Life Orientation.
What APS do you need for Law at Wits?
Wits Law (LLB) requires a minimum APS of 38. You also need English at Level 5 (60%+) and Mathematics at Level 4 (50%+) or Mathematical Literacy at Level 6 (70%+). NBT tests are required.
How does Wits calculate APS?
Wits calculates APS from your six best NSC Grade 12 subjects (excluding Life Orientation). Each subject receives points from 1 to 7 based on your percentage: 80-100%=7, 70-79%=6, 60-69%=5, 50-59%=4, 40-49%=3, 30-39%=2, 0-29%=1. Your APS is the sum of all six subject scores.