Stellenbosch University doesn’t publish an APS table. Its 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus for NSC and IEB applicants (PDF) states each programme’s entry bar as an NSC aggregate: the average of your subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Each programme then adds subject minimums. Stellenbosch’s 2027 application window, residences included, shut on 31 July 2026.
The prospectus runs to 16 pages, organised by faculty. For each degree it gives the minimum aggregate, the required subjects and percentages, similar programmes and career paths. Stellenbosch also published a How to apply: 2027 intake (PDF) guide covering NBT rules, closing dates and application fees. International-curriculum applicants use a separate 2027 International Undergraduate Prospectus (PDF).
Selection, not just minimums
The prospectus calls every SU programme a selection programme. Meeting the published minimum puts you in the pool, and each faculty then ranks applicants using selection guidelines published on maties.com. Stellenbosch also has strict language rules. Many programmes accept English or Afrikaans at Home Language or First Additional Language level, and they set a higher percentage for a First Additional Language.
Aggregates and subjects for sought-after degrees
MBChB (prospectus p. 12)
About 280 candidates are selected each year. You need an aggregate of at least 75% excluding Life Orientation, Mathematics 60%, Physical Sciences 50% and Life Sciences 50%. Selection also weighs non-academic merit, and registered university students are considered only if they study at SU.
BEng programmes (p. 10)
The entry bar is a 70% aggregate, Mathematics 70%, Physical Sciences 60%, and English Home Language 50% or First Additional Language 60% (with alternatives that combine English and Afrikaans). Engineering then ranks you on a selection mark out of 800: Mathematics % + Physical Sciences % + (6 × your average of the six best subjects, excluding Life Orientation). The prospectus notes that in recent years a mark of 600 or more gave a good chance for some BEng programmes, while others needed 620 or more.
Commerce (p. 8)
- BAcc, the first step towards becoming a chartered accountant: 70% aggregate; Mathematics 70%, or Mathematics 60% with Accounting 70%; English or Afrikaans Home Language 50% or First Additional Language 70%.
- BCom (Actuarial Science): 80% aggregate, Mathematics 80% and Home Language 60%. If your Home Language is not English, you also need English First Additional Language at 75%.
- BCom (Management Accounting) and BCom (Financial Accounting): 65% aggregate, Mathematics 60%, with the same language rule as the BAcc.
Law (p. 11)
- Four-year LLB: 120 places. 70% aggregate; English or Afrikaans Home Language 60% or First Additional Language 70%; the NBT Academic and Quantitative Literacy test written before 31 July.
- BCom (Law): 80 places. The same aggregate and language rule, plus Mathematics 60% and both the AQL and Mathematics NBTs.
- BAccLLB: 35 places. 80% aggregate; Mathematics 70%, or 60% with Accounting 70%.
Humanities (p. 4)
The BA in Humanities needs a 63% aggregate, Home Language 50% and First Additional Language 40%.
NBTs: needed for Law only, among NSC applicants
The 2027 prospectus says NSC and IEB applicants don’t need the NBTs, with one exception: every Faculty of Law programme. Applicants from School of Tomorrow, online schools, the South African-based American High School Diploma and the IEB International Secondary Certificate must also write them. Law applicants had to write by the end of July, and the other groups by the end of September.
Fees, deadlines and what is left for 2027
- The portal opened on 1 April 2026, and programme and residence applications both shut on 31 July 2026.
- The Diploma in Public Accountability closes much later, on 15 December.
- SU’s own financial assistance applications closed on 30 September.
- The application fee is R100 for South African citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers and diplomatic-status holders, and R400 for international applicants. Some applicants are exempt, depending on their school’s quintile.
You could choose up to three programmes and receive more than one offer, but you can hold only one active offer at a time. Offers made on Grade 11 results stay conditional until your final NSC or IEB marks meet the programme’s requirements. Our Stellenbosch application guide walks through the portal. For NSFAS funding, see our NSFAS page, and for other institutions, our prospectus collection.
For advice before applying, Stellenbosch’s Division for Student Recruitment takes bookings at csr@sun.ac.za or 021 808 4709.
Do Stellenbosch’s extended programmes have lower requirements?
Often, yes. In AgriSciences, for example, the extended curriculum programme accepts Mathematics between 55% and 59.9% with Physical Sciences at 50%. All BEng programmes also run as five-year extended programmes, and selection there considers socio-economic background.