Entry Requirements South Africa

General Requirements

National Senior Certificate

Pass in 6 subjects at NSC with at least 40%
(excluding Life Orientation)
Two subjects must be at least at Level 6 NSC

If you're following international curriculum, please see the following links for entry requirements:
- Cambridge A Level
- International Baccalaureate Diploma

If you have previously studied at university, you may be eligible for direct entry in our courses. Please contact us for further information

English Language Requirements

National Senior Certificate:

English Home Language 40%
English Additional Language 60%

For additional information, please refer to
UCD Minimum English Language Requirements

This page provides information and guidance on entry requirements for international (non-EU/ non-EEA) students only.

Please be advised that your fee assessment status determines how you should apply.

In all cases, UCD applicants who are granted EU fee status will only be admitted through the Central Applications Office (CAO) system and in line with CAO policies and procedures and National University of Ireland (NUI) matriculation regulations.

If you are eligible for EU fees please contact UCD Registry-Admissions for further advice (www.ucd.ie/askus).

Students with UK citizenship and who meet the residency requirement will continue to be assessed for EU fees in the normal manner and should apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO). All other prospective applicants with UK citizenship who are assessed for non-EU fees should apply direct to UCD. For more detailed information on the EU fee assessment process and the conditions which require a formal assessment to be submitted to UCD Registry, please refer to the EU Fee Assessment webpage.

Specific subjects and grades required for programme are detailed below.

The equivalences are provided as guidance and are indicative only. In addition, please note that the equivalences shown are the minimum required to be eligible for consideration on a competitive basis.

The information provided below is subject to change and annual review.

‡ indicates course has alternate entry pathway through Liberal Arts & Sciences (LBS1)

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths	Other Language
Business	BSS1	Commerce ‡‡	63% Average in 6 subjects	70% in NSC
	BSS2	Economics & Finance	100% Average in 6 subjects or 64% Average in 6 subjects & 50% in 1st Year Uni or equivalent	75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC
	BSW1	Commerce International	63% Average in 6 subjects	70% in NSC	If choosing a language at Beginners Level, 40% in NSC in Other Language is required. If at Advanced Level, a 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC in that language is required. French is only available at Advanced Level
	B722	BSc Business ‡‡	63% Average in 6 subjects	70% in NSC

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths	Other Language
Law	BSJ4	Business & Law	63% Average in 6 subjects	70% in NSC
	LWS2	Law with French	63% Average in 6 subjects		80% in 1st Year Uni in French
	LWS6	Law	63% Average in 6 subjects
	LWW1	Law with Philosophy	63% Average in 6 subjects
	LWW2	Law with History	63% Average in 6 subjects
	LWW3	Law with Politics	63% Average in 6 subjects
	LWW4	Law with Economics	63% Average in 6 subjects	65% in 1st Year Uni or 70% in NSC
	LWW9	Law with Social Justice	63% Average in 6 subjects
	LWWC	Law with Chinese	63% Average in 6 subjects		Note: No prior knowledge of Mandarin required. Those with prior knowledge of Mandarin are most welcome.
	LWWD	Criminology with Psychology	63% Average in 6 subjects

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Other Language
Arts & Humanities	BAU4	BA Modern Languages	58% Average in 6 subjects	At least one Advanced Level language must be selected, 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC in that language required. If studying two at Advanced Level, 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC required in both..
	BAU5	BA Arts (2 subjects) ‡‡	50% Average in 6 subjects	If choosing a language at Beginners Level, 40% in NSC in Other Language is required. If at Advanced Level, a 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC in that language is required. French is only available at Advanced Level For Mathematics subject combinations, we strongly recommend that you also have at least a 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC in Mathematics.
	AYS1	Languages, Linguistics and Cultures	50% Average in 6 subjects	If choosing a language at Beginners Level, 40% in NSC in Other Language is required. If at Advanced Level, a 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC in that language is required. French is only available at Advanced Level
	CCS2	Creative & Cultural Industries	50% Average in 6 subjects
	CAS1	Classics, Art History and Archaeology	50% Average in 6 subjects
	CAS2	Classics, English and History	50% Average in 6 subjects
	ENS5	English Literature	50% Average in 6 subjects
	ENS6	English with Creative Writing	50% Average in 6 subjects
	ENS7	English, Drama and Film	50% Average in 6 subjects
	HPS1	History And Politics	50% Average in 6 subjects
	HSS3	History	50% Average in 6 subjects
	HSS5	Global Studies	50% Average in 6 subjects	If choosing a language at Beginners Level, 40% in NSC in Other Language is required. If at Advanced Level, a 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC in that language is required. French is only available at Advanced Level
	HSS6	European Studies	50% Average in 6 subjects	If choosing a language at Beginners Level, 40% in NSC in Other Language is required. If at Advanced Level, a 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC in that language is required. French is only available at Advanced Level
	ISS1	Irish Studies	50% Average in 6 subjects
	MCS4	Music, Film and Drama	50% Average in 6 subjects

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements
Liberal Arts & Sciences	LBS1	Liberal Arts and Sciences	54% Average in 6 subjects

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths
Sustainability	STS1	BSc Sustainability	58% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths	Other Language
Social Sciences	COS1	Philosophy, Politics & Economics	58% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC
	ECS4	BSc Economics	58% Average in 6 subjects	70% in 1st Year Uni or 80% in NSC
	EMS1	Economics, Mathematics & Statistics	58% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC
	LSS2	Archaeology, Geography & History	58% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC
	PCS2	BSc Psychology	67% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC
	SBU2	BSocSc Social Policy & Sociology	58% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC
	SBU3	BSc Social Science (2 Subjects) ‡‡	58% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC Please Note: In order to study Mathematics, a 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC in Mathematics is required. In order to study Economics, a 40% in NSC in Mathematics is required.	German: In First Year two streams are offered, one for absolute beginners and another for non-beginners. For the non-beginners level a minimum of 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC or equivalent is required.
	SCS1	Computational Social Science	58% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths	Lab Science
Engineering ‡	NUS1	Engineering Omnibus‡	63% Average in 6 subjects	75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC Pilot for 2025/26 Ecctis OMPT-D: 55%	65% in 1st Year Uni or 70% in NSC

Code

Description

2025 Entry Requirements

Maths

Lab Science

Engineering ‡

NUS1

Engineering Omnibus‡

63% Average in 6 subjects

75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC

Pilot for 2025/26

Ecctis OMPT-D: 55%

65% in 1st Year Uni or 70% in NSC

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths
Architecture	LDS2	Landscape Architecture	54% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC
	RCS3	City Planning & Environmental Policy ‡‡	54% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC
	ATS4	Architecture ‡‡	63% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths	Lab Science
Science, Computer Science & Actuarial Science	BSS3	Actuarial and Financial Studies	100% Average in 6 subjects or 64% Average in 6 subjects & 50% in 1st Year Uni or equivalent	85% in 1st Year Uni
	CSSA	Computer Science	63% Average in 6 subjects	70% in NSC
	Science programmes, including:
	SCU1	Science - Explore Multiple Streams ‡‡	63% Average in 6 subjects	70% in NSC	70% in NSC
	BLS1	Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences ‡‡
	CHS2	Chemistry ‡ (includes Medicinal/Sustainable/Biophysical)‡
	EES1	Earth & Environmental Sciences ‡‡
	MHS2	Mathematics ‡ (includes Applied/Financial/Statistics)‡
	PYS2	Physics ‡ (includes Theoretical/Astronomy & Space Science)‡
Check out the Science Brochure for details!

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths	Lab Science
Agricultural Science	ANS1	Animal Science ‡‡	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	CPS1	Animal & Crop Production ‡‡	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	CPS3	Crop Science ‡‡	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	DBS1	Dairy Business ‡‡	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	EQS1	Animal Science - Equine ‡‡	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	ESS1	AgriEnvironmental Science ‡‡	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	ETS2	Agricultural Systems & Technology	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	FAS1	Food and Agribusiness Management ‡‡	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	FAW1	Food Business with Chinese Studies ‡‡	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	FOS1	Forestry ‡‡	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	FSS2	Food Science ‡‡	58% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	FSS6	Sustainable Food Systems	58% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	HLS6	Horticulture ‡‡	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	HMS1	Human Nutrition ‡‡	67% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	UAS1	Agricultural Science - Omnibus (You can decide on your area of study during first year).	56% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths	Lab Science
Health Science	BHS1	Biomedical, Health & Life Sciences	67% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	MDS2	Medicine	75% Average in 6 subjects + Interview Successful applicants often present with a stronger academic background	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	MDS4	Radiography	65% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	MDS5	Physiotherapy	100% Average in 6 subjects or 64% Average in 6 subjects & 50% in 1st Year Uni or equivalent	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	MDSJ	Diagnostic Radiography (Graduate Entry)	The 2.5-year graduate entry programme is open to applicants who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree (NFQ Level 8) with a minimum of Second Class Honours and above, or equivalent.		40% in NSC
	MDS9	Medicine (Graduate Entry)	The 4-year graduate entry programme is open to applicants who hold or are expected to hold a 4-year Bachelor degree(NFQ Level 8) in any discipline with a minimum overall Second Class Honours (Upper Division) and above, or equivalent. Additionally, all applicants are required to submit a current GAMSAT* or MCAT* score (minimum 57 and 503 respectively). Although only graduates are eligible to apply for this programme, the graduate Medicine degree is equivalent in standard to the undergraduate Medicine degree. *Currency of Results: GAMSAT: must have been taken within two years from 01 September prior to the start of programme (i.e. for admission in September 2025, the earliest acceptable test date would be 01 September 2023). MCAT: must have been taken within two years from 01 August prior to the start of programme (i.e. for admission in September 2025, the earliest acceptable test date would be 01 August 2023). Students who have previously been unsuccessful in any Medicine programme (i.e. have not met academic or other requirements within the programme) or have any issues which would affect their registration with the Irish Medical council will only be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis in exceptional circumstances, to be considered by the Medicine programme board.

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths	Lab Science
Sports & Performance	MDSK	Sport, Health & Exercise Science	65% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
Sports & Performance	SMS2	Sport & Exercise Management	63% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC

	Code	Description	2025 Entry Requirements	Maths	Lab Science
Veterinary Medicine	VTS1	Veterinary Medicine	100% Average in 6 subjects or 64% Average in 6 subjects & 50% in 1st Year Uni or equivalent	40% in NSC	Chemistry 75% in 1st Year Uni or 90% in NSC
	VTS1	Veterinary Medicine	Applicants must normally have at least 60 hours practical experience relevant to animal handling. This must have been undertaken in the last three years i.e. for entry in 2025, between 1st February 2022 and 5th July 2025, and all details must be submitted by 5th July 2025 to be taken into consideration. This must include experience with at least two of the following four animal categories: Pets, Horses, Farm Animals, Wildlife/Zoos. For full details and to complete your records of experience, please click here for more information.
	VTS2	Veterinary Nursing	63% Average in 6 subjects	40% in NSC	40% in NSC
	VTS3	Veterinary Medicine (Graduate Entry)	The 4 year graduate entry programme is open to applicants who hold or are expected to hold a 4-year Bachelor degree in a biological / biomedical / animal science discipline with a minimum of Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or above [or equivalent]. For full details about the application and assessment procedures, including information about pre-requisites, please refer to the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine website: www.ucd.ie/vetmed

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