BCom (PPE)

Entrance requirements to study a BCom

Application for admission

A person who wishes to be admitted as a student for the degree shall lodge his or her application on the College’s application form with the Registrar, submitting evidence of his or her academic, general, or other qualifications.  All suitable applicants are expected to write an admissions assessment and will be notified in writing of the dates and times of these assessments.

Eligibility for admission

In addition to the minimum requirements set out in General Rule G.4 and successful completion of the admissions assessment, which relate to both the matriculation requirements in force up to the end of 2007 and the new National Senior Certificate from the end of 2008, an applicant must hold either  (1) or (2) below:

(1)           Matriculation or matriculation exemption (the old Senior Certificate)

A minimum of a matriculation or matriculation exemption (as set out in General Rule G.4), plus:

(a)           A pass in English (Home Language) at the Higher Grade or a standard of at least 40% in English (Second Additional) at the Higher Grade.

(b)           A pass in Mathematics at the Higher Grade with at least 50% or a pass in Mathematics at the Standard Grade with at least 70%.

(c)           A pass at the Higher Grade in at least two of the following subjects: A language other than English; Accounting; Art; Biblical Studies; Biology; Drama; Economics; Geography; History; Music; Physical Science; Physiology; Speech and Drama, provided that if one of the subjects passed by the candidate is Art, Drama, Music or Speech and Drama, the applicant must, in addition, pass one of the other subjects in the above list.

(d)           Satisfactory performance in both the College’s pre-admission tests for English and Mathematics.

Any one of these conditions may be waived if all the others are satisfied and Senate is satisfied that an applicant would cope with the degree programme.

(2)           National Senior Certificate

A National Senior Certificate with:

(a) 26 points on the NSC scale of achievement (excluding points for Life Orientation); and, at least adequate achievement in English Home Language or First Additional Language and Mathematics with at least 50% points) on the NSC scale of achievement; and,

(b) at least substantial achievement (60%) in at least one of English and Mathematics; and,

(c) no subject at the not achieved level (29% or less) and,

(d) no more than one subject at the elementary achievement level (39% or less) and,

(e) no more than two subjects at the moderate achievement level (49% or less); and,

(f)  at least 4 points (50 – 59%) for each of four of the designated subjects in the NSC list of designated subjects; and,

(g) satisfactory performance in both the College’s pre-admission tests for English and Mathematics, if required to write them. 

Any one of these conditions may be waived if all the others are satisfied and the Senate is satisfied that an applicant would cope with the degree programme.

(3)           Foreign/Non-South African conditional/full exemption

1. a pass in English.
2. a pass in Mathematics.

(4)           Special admission

1. In a special case, the admission of an applicant may be permitted in terms of the College’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and procedures.

2. Students with 60% or more for Mathematics Literacy at Grade 12 level who wish to enroll for the Bachelor of Commerce, may enrol for the Mathematics Conversion Module which is a full year non-credit bearing module. The purpose of this module is to provide students who have achieved at least 60% for Mathematics Literacy in the National Senior Certificate, and who have been admitted to the Bachelor of Commerce degree with an extended curriculum, the mathematical foundation required for entry into MATH101 and STAT102.