Vaal University of Technology puts its 2027 entry rules on one large sheet rather than in a glossy book. The 2027 Undergraduate Minimum Admission Requirements (PDF), uploaded in March 2026, lists every diploma and degree by faculty, with the compulsory subjects, the minimum APS, departmental contacts and the application rules. If you only download one VUT document, make it this one.
The academic deadline for first-semester and year students was 30 September 2026, so course applications for 2027 have closed. Residence applications run later, until 31 October 2026. VUT charged an application fee of R110, and its how-to-apply page says applicants must pay it on the application portal only.
How VUT counts points
The sheet counts a maximum of six subjects and leaves Life Orientation out every time. Its rating key runs from 3 for 40–49% up to 8 for 90–99%, so distinctions earn an extra point. Many VUT diplomas set two thresholds: a lower APS if you took Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, and one or two points more if you took Mathematical Literacy. First selection uses your final Grade 11 or latest Grade 12 results.
Engineering diplomas: 24 points, or 22 for the extended route
VUT’s engineering offering consists mainly of three-year diplomas in Chemical, Civil, Industrial, Mechanical, Metallurgical, Electronic, Power, Process Control and Computer Systems Engineering. Each needs an NSC with an APS of 24 or more and at least level 4 in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English. The four-year extended versions of the same diplomas accept an APS of 22 with at least level 3 in those three subjects. The Operations Management diploma asks for an APS of 23, with Mathematics 4, Physical Sciences 3 and English 4.
Other VUT courses learners ask about
- Diploma: Information Technology (3 years): English 4; Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 4, or Mathematical Literacy 6; APS 26, or 28 with Mathematical Literacy.
- Extended Information Technology Programme: the same subject levels, with an APS of 24, or 26 with Mathematical Literacy.
- Bachelor of Health Sciences: Medical Laboratory Science (4 years): English 4, Mathematics 4, Physical Science 4, Life Science 5; total 27. Applicants may need job-shadowing experience and may sit placement tests.
- Accountancy diplomas (Financial Information Systems; Cost and Management Accounting): APS 20 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, 22 with Mathematical Literacy. Internal Auditing needs 20, or 23 with Mathematical Literacy.
- Diploma: Legal Assistance: English 5, another language 3, Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 3, or Mathematical Literacy 4; APS 23, or 24 with Mathematical Literacy.
- Fashion, Photography, Graphic Design and Fine Art diplomas: APS 21, or 22 with Mathematical Literacy, plus a compulsory practical interview and portfolio.
- BEd (Senior Phase and FET Teaching): language of teaching and learning 4; Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 4, or Mathematical Literacy 6; APS 22, or 24 with Mathematical Literacy.
The sheet repeats that meeting these minimums does not guarantee acceptance. Most qualifications also require your matric certificate to show admission to diploma study, or to bachelor’s study for the degrees.
The older general prospectus and faculty pages
VUT’s admission-requirements page also offers a General Prospectus (PDF). Despite its 2025 file name, its edition list stops at the thirteenth edition of 2023, and it covers rules, policies and student conduct rather than 2027 entry scores. Where it and the 2027 sheet differ on requirements, follow the 2027 sheet. Faculty pages on the VUT site describe each programme in more detail.
For the steps through the VUT portal, read our VUT application guide. If you will need funding for fees, start with our NSFAS page, and the prospectus hub collects other institutions’ documents. The VUT Student Contact Centre answers on 086 186 1888 and at studentenquiries@vut.ac.za.