Rhodes University Application Form 2023-2024

Detail about how to apply

When you apply for admission to the University, you are admitted to a particular Faculty of the University and this is determined by the degree for which you wish to read. Your first step in applying for admission to the University is to decide which degree you wish to take. Refer to the Curriculum Selection section and the Faculty information to see which degrees are offered.

Your application will only be considered for admission to the University if you qualify for Bachelor’s degree study AND you satisfy the faculty requirements. To qualify for a Bachelor’s pass status, learners are required to take seven subjects, four of which are compulsory (two languages, Life Orientation and either Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy) and three of the learner’s own choice from the subjects on offer at the school.

FUNDING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FIRST-YEAR APPLICANTS STRAIGHT FROM SCHOOL ONLY

Special merit awards are automatically (you do not apply for this) made by the University to eligible students enrolling for the first time for an undergraduate degree. The awards, ranging from R32 900 to the Full tuition fee, are based on the final National Senior Certificate examination results.

Should the student withdraw from Rhodes University during the academic year, the merit award will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. In order to qualify for one of these awards, a student would have to obtain at least 47 admission points in the National Senior Certificate examination. Please note that International Students are not eligible for merit awards.

CALCULATE YOUR ADMISSION POINT SCORE (APS)

Example

SUBJECT	PERCENTAGE	POINTS
English Home Language	78%	7,8
Additional Language: Afrikaans/ IsiXhosa	73%	7,3
Mathematics	89%	8,9
Life Science	70%	7,0
Dramatic Arts	89%	8,9
Accounting	73%	7,3
Life Orientation	90%
Additional Mathematics	60%
TOTAL POINTS		47,2

The Application Procedure

Please read this section carefully. An inaccurate or incomplete application form will hold up the processing of your application. Please note that if you provide any false information your application will be rejected immediately.

Page 1: Population Group e.g. Indian, Coloured, White

We ask this question because some donors have stipulated that their bursaries may only be awarded to a particular race. The Government also requires this information for statistical purposes. PLEASE INDICATE ANY PHYSICAL DISABILITY. Examples of a disability would be blindness, cerebral palsy, deafness, paraplegia, partial hearing, and wheelchair use.

We need this information in order for us to assist you with your needs; it will not jeopardise your application. However, if you do not disclose a disability in your application, you will not be able to claim any concessions in this regard during your registration at Rhodes University (e.g. extra time in examinations, etc.)

Page 2: Choices of Degree/Diploma

The degrees which may be taken at Rhodes are listed under the Curriculum Selection section. ENROLLMENT AT A PREVIOUS TERTIARY INSTITUTION If you have previously been or are currently registered at another institution a copy of a full academic transcript giving your final results is required. Midyear results may be considered but the Dean may defer his decision until your final results are available. Please submit a transcript from the institution. not a Result Slip.

Page 3: Address Details

Please complete it in detail. We cannot respond to your application if this information is incomplete. DETAILS OF PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR FEES Please ensure that this information is supplied. Do not list a Bursary or Government sponsor.

This must be the person who will take care of ensuring that your fees are paid. They are also the person who will liaise with the bursary or Government Department to ensure that your fees are paid.

Page 4: Examination Results

If you have already matriculated or completed your O levels / A levels it is essential that you enclose a certified copy of the certificate. PLEASE ONLY COMPLETE THE SECTION RELEVANT TO YOUR SCHOOLING (only if you are currently at school).

Please do not use Tippex on your results or alter them in any way. Make sure that the Principal of your school completes this section. Also remember that if you do not have the required points for admission, a positive report from the Principal will assist the University in assessing your potential. If you have left school this section need not be completed.

Page 5: Current year’s activity

Choose one of the Grade 12 pupils at school (i.e. upgrading your results), a university student, a technikon student, a technical college student, a technical institute student, a teachers’ training college or a labour force (i.e. working). If you have been working or travelling, a letter detailing your activities would be of great assistance.

Pages 6,7 & 8

Complete Section Two of the form fully, giving as much detail as possible. The Deans will read this section when assessing your application. It is particularly important if you do not have the required number of points for admission. Page 8: DECLARATION AND AGREEMENT Make sure that you complete this page of the form. if this is not done the form will be returned to you.

Entry Requirements

To qualify for degree studies at Rhodes University, learners must pass:

English language at an achievement rating of 4 (50 – 59%) or above.

At least four of the seven subjects must be from the list of recommended subject list set out below and students must have obtained an achievement rating of 4 (50 – 59%) or above.

Meet Faculty requirements: subject requirements and percentage required.

PLEASE NOTE: Obtaining the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance!

Recommended subject list:

Accounting, Agricultural Science, Business Studies, Consumer Studies, Dramatic Arts, Engineering Graphics & Design, Economics, Geography, History, Information Technology, Languages, Life Sciences, Mathematics / Mathematical Literacy, Music, Physical Science, Religion Studies, and Visual Arts.

The minimum entry requirements for admission to Rhodes University in 2023-2024 are set out in the following table below. Note (a) the point levels that are required (b) the differences in the achievement levels that are needed for Mathematical Literacy, and (c) the need for Life and/or Physical Sciences for degrees in Science or Pharmacy.

HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ADMISSION POINT SCORE (APS)

The percentages achieved in National Senior Certificate examinations (preliminary and final examinations) will be allocated an admissions score using the percentage obtained for each subject.

The sum of six subject scores, excluding Life Orientation but including English and any other required subject(s) for the relevant programme is considered when deciding on admission. Results below 40% for any subject do not attract a score.

Mathematics Paper 3 does not contribute to the APS score but the results will be captured for the Dean to note when making an admission decision.

EXAMPLES OF POINTS CALCULATIONS

English Home Language	78%	7.8 points
Afrikaans/isiXhosa first/Additional Language	73%	7.3 points
Mathematics	69%	6.9 points
Life Sciences	70%	7.0 points
Dramatic Arts	89%	8.9 points
Accounting	73%	7.3 points
Life Orientation	90%	0 points
Additional Mathematics	60%	0 points
TOTAL POINTS		45.2 points

Apply online visit: www.ru.ac.za/admissiongateway

Apply online visit: https://ross.ru.ac.za

1. Register on the online system at https://ross.ru.ac.za/ using your email address and creating a password

2. You will then be sent an email with a link to activate you on the system.

3. Click the link to activate your registration.

4. This process will take you back to ROSS where you need to click the Admission/Other buttons (clicking the right button here is important)

5. You will then be allowed to enter your login and password created in step one.

6. Once you have completed your application you need to tick the button accepting the terms and conditions and submit.

7. When you have submitted you are required to pay the R100 application fee. Various options are provided by the system.

8. If you pay your application fee to the bank you need to use your application number as the reference and email the deposit slip to us.

9. Once you have completed the process above we will process the application and you are provided with a student number and login.

DEANS DECISIONS

If you do not meet the APS score of 45 points for automatic acceptance, you may still be considered for a place at the Dean’s discretion. Such places are usually offered with some extra conditions. Some places are usually offered to students with an APS score of 38 – 44 with some extra conditions (see extended studies below).

It is therefore very important to give full information when completing the application form as this is the information that the Dean will use for making a decision.

Extended Studies Programme

This is an alternative route to university studies at Rhodes. A limited number of students who show potential to succeed are exposed to a carefully designed and supportive learning environment which enhances their ability to succeed at Rhodes University.

This option is for students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds on the condition that they take their degree over an extra year at University. It is therefore very important to give full information when completing the application form as this is the information that the Dean will use in making a decision.

NATIONAL BENCHMARK TESTS (NBT’S)

It is recommended that all first-time university-entering South African applicants write the NBT’s. If the applicant does not meet the automatic entry requirements the NBT results will be used by the Dean to make decisions on applications. These test results can also be used if a candidate does not meet the entrance requirements in their final examinations.

There are two NBT’s. The Academic and Quantitative literacy test (AQL) consists of two components, namely academic literacy and quantitative literacy. All applicants should write the AQL test. The second is a Mathematics Test (Mat), which is for applicants who wish to enter the: Pharmacy, Science or Commerce faculties.

The tests are written throughout the year at various centres. For further information about the NBT’s, dates and venues, please visit www.nbt.ac.za or 021 650 3523.

2023-2024 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Apply Online

International Requirements

An APS score of 40 points and above will receive a firm offer, 37-39 points will remain on hold until the end of September to be considered by the Dean if space is available. Candidates who offer a combination of Advanced level (A), Advanced Subsidiary level (AS), Ordinary level (O), Higher International General Certificate of Secondary Education (HIGCSE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), five (5) different subjects are counted.

The basic minimum requirement for admission to the University is a certificate of Full Exemption or Foreign Conditional Exemption from the Matriculation Board (visit: http://he-enrol.ac.za). Applicants who have passed A levels are eligible for full exemption provided the passes in approved subjects meet the following requirements:

A-level: symbols A-E (minimum of 2 subjects)

AS-level: symbols A-D (4 subjects and 1 at O-level)

O-level: symbols A-C (maximum of 3 subjects)

At least 2 subjects at A-level and 3 different subjects at O-level or 3 subjects at A-level and 2 at O-level

HIGCSE/IGCSE qualification:

HIGCSE: symbols 1-3 (4 subjects)

IGCSE: symbols A-C (1 subject)

International Baccalaureate (B)

3 High level (HL) subjects: Grade 4

4 Standard Level (SL) subjects: Grade 5

Points rating

Symbol/Result/ Grade			Points Awarded
A, O & IGCSE	HIGCE	IB	A Level	AS Level	HIGCSE	O Level & IGCSE	IBHL SL
A	1	7	10	9	8	5	10	7
B	2	6	9	8	7	4	9	6
C	3	5	8	7	6	3	8	5
D	4	4	7	6			7	4
E		3	6				6	3

If you are applying for Pharmacy your A-Levels or AS Levels must include Mathematics, Science and Biology. If you are applying for Science your A-Levels, AS Levels or O Levels should include Mathematics, Science and Biology.

For candidates who offer A and O levels and HIGCSE and IGCSEs five different subjects are counted. An additional one-fifth of the total is added to this total. Zimsec students only deduct three points for a final count.

With at least 1 subject from each of the following groups:

Group I	English
Group II	Afrikaans, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Nederlands, Portuguese or any other language approved by HESA
Group III	Biology, Botany, Chemistry, General Science, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Physics & Chemistry, Zoology or any of the following if not offered under Group II – Afrikaans, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Nederlands or any other language approved by HESA

Please note that Psychology, Sociology, Physical Education, General Paper and Thinking Skills are not recognised subjects for entry to a South African University.

Where to submit the necessary documents?

Documents not submitted through the online method can be mailed to:

Student Bureau
Rhodes University
PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140