Mangosuthu University of Technology tells applicants something most prospectuses don’t: where you rank it on your CAO form counts. MUT says it receives more than 100 000 applications a year for roughly 3 500 first-year places across its three faculties. When qualified applicants compete, it selects those who chose MUT first. Its own MUT Undergraduate Prospectus (PDF) even suggests making MUT your first, second and third choice.
The prospectus cover prints no year. MUT uploaded the file in May 2026 and links it from its Where and when to apply page, so it is the current edition for 2027 entry. All first-year applications go through the CAO, and every MUT programme code starts with MN-M. Our MUT application guide walks you through the CAO form itself.
MUT’s points scale and the 25-point floor
- 90–100% earns 8 points, 80–89% earns 7, 70–79% earns 6, 60–69% earns 5, 50–59% earns 4 and 40–49% earns 3 (prospectus page 7).
- Most programmes need at least 25 points and a Level 4 pass in English. Diplomas need an NSC with a diploma pass.
- MUT’s admission requirements page calculates the total from your best five subjects. Some departments also set a compulsory entrance test.
What each MUT faculty asks for
The tables on pages 12, 18 and 24 of the prospectus give subject levels. The CAO handbook adds the minimum points where a programme has one.
- Diplomas in Civil (MN-M-DCV) and Electrical (MN-M-DEE) Engineering: Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English FAL at 4 each. The prospectus accepts Technical Mathematics and Technical Science only for Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, but the CAO handbook accepts them for Civil and Electrical as well. Mechanical also asks for Technical Drawing or EGD at 4.
- Diploma in Accounting (MN-M-DAT): English HL 4 or FAL 5, Accounting 4, and Mathematics 3 or Maths Literacy 6. It runs over three or four years. The CAO handbook adds a 25-point minimum.
- Diploma in Human Resource Management (MN-M-DHR): English HL 3 or FAL 4, Accounting 3, and Mathematics 3 or Maths Literacy 4. The CAO lists 25 points.
- Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (MN-M-BLS): a bachelor’s pass with English HL, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at 4. It takes four years, the last 18 months in a training laboratory. The CAO minimum is 30 points.
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health (MN-M-BE4): a bachelor’s pass with English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences at 4. MUT recommends Geography and Agricultural Science at 4. The CAO lists 32 points, and students register with the HPCSA.
A second chance at engineering: the access courses
If you missed the diploma marks, page 13 of the prospectus lists six bridging access courses. They cover Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Building and Surveying. Each asks for Mathematics 3, Physical Sciences 3, and English HL 4 or FAL 3. Building runs for a year and the others for six months, and they prepare you to start the matching diploma.
When the prospectus and the CAO handbook disagree
MUT’s prospectus and the CAO Handbook 2027 Entry (PDF) do not always print the same rules. For the Diploma in Accounting, the CAO accepts English FAL at 4 and Maths Literacy at 5, where MUT’s own table asks for 5 and 6. The prospectus shows Environmental Health as a three-year degree, but the CAO shows four years. When figures differ, MUT selects on its own rules, so check with MUT on 031 907 7111 or at info@mut.ac.za before you count on the lower one.
Dates: January closed, July still ahead
On-time applications for a January 2027 start closed on 30 September 2026 in all three faculties. MUT’s prospectus says it accepts late applications until 30 November 2026. The CAO fee is R250 until 31 October and R470 from 1 November. MUT is unusual among the CAO universities because it has a second-semester intake. Engineering and Analytical Chemistry take July applications, which close on 31 May 2027. Compare this with other institutions on our closing dates page or the prospectus hub.