What Rhodes University Actually Looks for

Rhodes University uses the Admission Point Score (APS) as its primary screening tool. Understanding how it is calculated and what the thresholds mean for each faculty is the single most important thing a prospective student can do before applying.

How Rhodes University APS Is Calculated

Take the percentage you scored in each of your six subjects (excluding Life Orientation), divide each by 10, and add the results together. Life Orientation is not counted toward your APS, but you must achieve at least Level 4 (50%) in it to be considered.

Example:

English Home Language: 78% → 7.8 points
isiXhosa: 74% → 7.4 points
Mathematics: 65% → 6.5 points
Life Sciences: 75% → 7.5 points
Accounting: 72% → 7.2 points
History: 69% → 6.9 points
Total APS: 43.3

APS Thresholds by Faculty

Faculty of Commerce

BCom / BEco: 40+ for provisional offer; 34–39 Dean's discretion
BBS (Bachelor of Business Science): 45+ provisional; 38–44 Dean's discretion
English minimum: Level 4 (50–59%); Mathematics minimum: Level 4 (50–59%)
BBS requires Mathematics at Level 6 (70–79%)

Faculty of Humanities

BA, BSS, BFA, BMus, BJourn: 45+ provisional; 34–44 Dean's discretion
English Home Language minimum: 60%; English FAL minimum: 65%
Some programmes (Fine Art, Music) require a portfolio

Faculty of Education

BEd (Foundation Phase): 44+ provisional; 39–43 Dean's discretion
English Level 4 minimum; Mathematics Level 3 (40–49%) or Mathematical Literacy Level 4

Faculty of Law

LLB: 45+ provisional; 40–44 Dean's discretion
English Home Language Level 5 (60–69%) minimum; English FAL Level 6 (70–79%)
Mathematics Level 4 or Mathematical Literacy Level 5

Faculty of Pharmacy

BPharm: 45+ provisional (with Maths Level 6, Life Sciences Level 6, Physical Science Level 6); 40–44 Dean's discretion (with those subjects at Level 5)
This is one of the most competitive programmes at RU. An APS of 45 alone is insufficient — the specific subject requirements at Level 6 are equally enforced.

Faculty of Science

BSc: 45+ provisional; 39–44 Dean's discretion
English Home Language 60% / FAL 65%; Life Sciences Level 5 OR Mathematics Level 4; Physical Science Level 5
BScInfoSys: 45+ provisional; 40–44 Dean's discretion; Mathematics Level 4, Physical Science Level 5, English Level 5

Dean's Discretion — What It Means in Practice

An APS of 36–44 (depending on faculty) does not mean rejection. It places your application under Dean's Discretion review. The Dean looks at the full picture — NBT scores, school context, subject performance trends, and the information provided on your application form. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds with strong potential may also qualify for the Extended Studies Programme (ESP), which extends a three-year degree to four years in a more supported learning environment.

Applying under discretion requires you to submit complete information. Vague or incomplete applications are not given the benefit of the doubt.

Requirements for International Applicants

International applicants are assessed on a converted APS equivalent:

40+ points: Firm offer
37–39 points: Application placed on hold until end of September, then reviewed by the Dean if space allows

Qualifications accepted and their point equivalents:

A Level: A=10, B=9, C=8, D=7, E=6
AS Level: A=9, B=8, C=7, D=6
O Level / IGCSE: A=5, B=4, C=3
IB Higher Level: 7=10, 6=9, 5=8, 4=7, 3=6
IB Standard Level: 7=7, 6=6, 5=5, 4=4, 3=3

Five subjects are counted for A/O/IGCSE/HIGCSE combinations, with an additional one-fifth added to the total. ZIMSEC applicants deduct three points from their calculated total.

All international applicants must hold a Certificate of Full Exemption or Foreign Conditional Exemption from the South African Matriculation Board.

National Benchmark Tests (NBT)

All first-time South African applicants are strongly recommended to write the NBT. It is not compulsory for those meeting automatic entry requirements, but becomes a decisive factor in Dean's discretionary review. The AQL (Academic and Quantitative Literacy) test applies to all faculties. The MAT (Mathematics) test applies to Commerce, Pharmacy, and Science applicants.

Register at www.nbt.ac.za or call 021 650 3523.