tA bridging course is there to provide an opportunity for individuals who didn’t initially meet the requirements for university admission. It serves as a second chance for matriculants to gain entry into their desired higher education institution. In South Africa, there are many universities that offer bridging courses designed to help students improve their academic performance and secure admission to the tertiary institution of their choice. But let us not be in a rush, before we take a look at the universities that provide bridging courses in South Africa, it’s important to gain an understanding of what a bridging course means and how it works.
What are Bridging Courses
Bridging courses in South Africa are targeted, short-term educational programmes that aim to close the gap between a student’s current academic standing and the requirements of a specific university course or degree. These courses are usually aimed at students who do not meet the necessary entry requirements for their desired field of study or need additional preparation in certain subjects. I know you want to know the specifics of how bridging courses can help a student right?
Bridging courses can help students:
- Improve their grades from Matric (Grade 12) to meet the entry standards of a university or specific course.
- Change fields of study by empowering them with the foundational knowledge required in their new academic direction.
- Refresh their skills and knowledge if they’ve been out of the education system for some time.
- Meet the requirements as international students entering the South African higher education system.
It is in your best interest to know that bridging courses cover a range of subjects, including but not limited to:
- Mathematics
- Sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry)
- Business Studies
- Languages
- Law
Still on the matter of your best interest, then I will tell you that bridging courses are offered by various universities, colleges, or private training providers. Also, the duration of these courses is not the same across different institutions. It can take from a few weeks to several months.
How Do Bridging Courses Work?
Students enrolled in a bridging course are required to retake any matric subjects in which they previously failed or got low grades. Learners may meet the necessary requirements for their chosen qualification and reapply for the following intake at the higher education institution of their choice once they have retaken these matric topics and passed.
If your goal is to become a doctor, for example, it’s possible that you didn’t receive the necessary matric science or math grades to be admitted to an undergraduate programme.
You may be able to get there with the help of a bridge course, and in order to be admitted into the university where you desire to earn your medical degree, you would have to either retake your matriculation courses or enroll in an extended learning programme.
Hey, just know that medical degrees aren’t the only courses on offer when it comes to bridging courses. There are plenty of programmes you can take that will help you bridge the gap from matric to university.
Are you prepared to know which South African Universities offer bridging courses? Now let’s get started.
List of Universities that offer Bridging Courses in South Africa
It’s time to start applying to university bridging courses now that you understand what they are and how they work. There are a few South African colleges that provide bridging courses, but how can you decide which one is best for you We’ve put up a list of the top universities in South Africa that provide bridging courses to make it easier for you to find out which one is right for you.
1. University of Pretoria (UP)
Bridging Course: Four-year Programmes
Programmes: BSc (Mathematical Sciences), BSc (IT), BIS (Multimedia), BCom
Requirements: APS scores between 22 and 26, National Senior Certificate, National Benchmark Test (NBT)
Note: The Four-Year Programmes at the University of Pretoria have 2 phases:
1. The first phase lasts for eighteen months, or three semesters, during which you will get intensive academic and psychological training to further your studies.
You will engage with the academic content at a slower pace than normal students throughout the first 18 months of the Four-Year Programme provided by University of Pretoria. This will give you more time to grasp the subject and receive more assistance and support.
2. You will enroll as a first-year student in the standard three-year mainstream degree programs during the second part of the four-year program.
2. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
Bridging Course: Extended Learning Programmes
Programmes: Certificate in Public Administration, Certificate in Sports Science, Certificate in Business Administration
Requirements: Minimum NSC points (24+), industry experience, Mathematics and English proficiency
3. Stellenbosch University (Maties)
Bridging Course: SciMathUS (Science and Accounting streams)
Programmes: Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Financial Accounting
Requirements: Recent matriculants, 60% average, minimum 45% in Mathematics and Physical Sciences
4. North-West University (NWU)
Bridging Course: UnivPrep
Programmes: BA in Public Governance, BCom, BTh
Requirements: APS of at least 20, minimum 50% in English, Mathematics requirements vary by programme
5. Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
Bridging Course: Extended Curriculum Programmes
Programmes: Diplomas in Agricultural Management, Forestry, Game Ranch Management, Tourism, BCom (General Accounting)
Requirements: APS-based requirements, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, subject-specific conditions
6. University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Bridging Course: Extended Diploma Programmes
Programmes: Engineering, Commerce, Humanities
Requirements: APS 22-26, relevant high school subjects, typically Mathematics and English
7. University of the Free State (UFS)
Bridging Course: UPP (University Preparation Programme)
Programmes: Various undergraduate degrees in Law, Humanities, and Natural Sciences
Requirements: APS of at least 20, successful completion of the UPP year
8. Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
Bridging Course: Foundation Programme
Programmes: Health Sciences, Engineering, IT, and Science
Requirements: Minimum APS depending on course, NSC, specific high school subjects like Mathematics or Science
9. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
Bridging Course: Extended Curriculum Programme
Programmes: Engineering, Business, Applied Sciences
Requirements: NSC, APS score of at least 22, specific subject marks
10. Durban University of Technology (DUT)
Bridging Course: Extended First-Year Programmes
Programmes: Health Sciences, Engineering, IT, Business
Requirements: NSC, specific APS and subject scores (Mathematics and English)
11. Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
Bridging Course: Foundation Programmes
Programmes: Engineering, Management Sciences, IT
Requirements: APS score depending on the course, Mathematics, and Physical Science
12. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
Bridging Course: Extended Programmes
Programmes: Health, Sciences, Engineering, IT, Management
Requirements: Minimum APS of 22–24, subject-specific requirements
13. University of South Africa (UNISA)
Bridging Course: Foundation Phase
Programmes: Law, Education, Science, Commerce
Requirements: NSC, age exemptions for mature students, APS scores vary
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14. University of Limpopo (UL)
Bridging Course: Extended Degree Programmes
Programmes: Health Sciences, Agriculture, Law, Education
Requirements: APS score between 20–25, NSC
15. Rhodes University
Bridging Course: Extended Studies Programmes
Programmes: Humanities, Commerce, Science
Requirements: NSC, specific APS, 50% in key subjects
16. University of Venda (UNIVEN)
Bridging Course: Extended Degree Programme
Programmes: Agricultural Sciences, Health, Law
Requirements: NSC, APS scores between 22–26, subject-specific conditions
17. Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
Bridging Course: Extended Curriculum Programme
Programmes: Engineering, ICT, Natural Sciences
Requirements: NSC, APS of at least 22, specific subject marks
18. Sol Plaatje University (SPU)
Bridging Course: Extended Degree Programmes
Programmes: Humanities, Natural and Applied Sciences
Requirements: APS of at least 20, subject-specific requirements
19. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
Bridging Course: Extended Degree Programmes
Programmes: Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing
Requirements: NSC, APS score, specific subjects like Mathematics, Life Sciences
20. Central University of Technology (CUT)
Bridging Course: Extended Curriculum Programmes
Programmes: Engineering, Business, Health and Environmental Sciences
Requirements: APS scores vary, Mathematics and relevant high school subjects
FInal Thought
You can complete your tertiary education and meet your educational goals at these institutions by enrolling in any one of the mentioned bridge courses.
To graduate and land the job you’ve been dreaming of, make sure to put in a lot of effort and concentrate when studying for your bridging course.