Open Day 2022

The University remains committed to making sure that staff, students, prospective students, service providers and the community at large remain safe. The country has been through a lot over the past two years dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

As much as things have improved in relation to COVID-19, we are still working hard in ensuring that everyone is safe and for our country to be COVID-19 free.

We therefore are continuing to plan for a virtual event in 2022. Information on Open Day 2022 will be published online as soon as our plans have been finalised. The situation is continually monitored, and we will endeavour to ensure that all prospective applicants, parents, and stakeholders are updated on our progress.

For more information, please contact Ms Nosi Mrara at openday@mandela.ac.za or call 041 504 2164.

Kind Regards,
Student Recruitment Team

Before applying to Nelson Mandela University, please take note of the following:

• Your application for admission should be submitted before the August closing date. Late applications will however only be considered after this date, based on academic merit, until the September closing date.
• MBChB and Bachelor or Radiography (Diagnostic) qualifications close earlier than the dates listed above. Applicants need to consult the student access & enrolment office, website, or faculty to determine annual closing dates. No late applications will be considered after the published closing date.
• Places for some qualifications are limited and it is therefore in your best interest to submit your application early.
• Prospective students must meet the minimum statutory entry requirements based on the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or IEB or equivalent school-leaving certificate for admission to a higher certificate, diploma or degree qualification, in order to be considered.
• Submission of a completed application form does not mean that you have been accepted as a student, or that you may register.
• All prospective students are selected in accordance with the admissions policy of the university, and applicants will be notified of the outcome by the student access & enrolment office.
• Provisional admission is based on your Applicant Score (AS) obtained in your Grade 11 final, or Grade 12 June/September examinations. However, the final decision is based on your final Grade 12 exam results.
• In addition to the general university admission requirements, each programme also has its own specific requirements.
• Applicants with international or foreign qualifications must satisfy the requirements laid down by the Matriculation Board to qualify for a certificate of exemption for a particular international or foreign school leaving qualification.
• In the case of applications by candidates who have studied at other higher education institutions accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the results obtained at such institutions will be considered, together with their academic record and certificate of conduct.

First you have to make sure that you meet the admission requirements of the programme you wish to apply for (https://myfuture.mandela.ac.za/Applicant-Score). Obtain a copy of the undergraduate programme guide or Z-Card to assist you in making an informed choice. As soon as you know what you want to study and that you meet the admission requirements, you can apply online (https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za/).

You must submit your application form together with ALL the relevant supporting documentation before the initial closing date. Your application cannot be considered if you do not include all your supporting documents with your application form.

All prospective applicants will be notified by sms and e-mail of the outcome of their application.

Yes, places are limited and it is therefore in your best interest to submit your application early. 

2023 Closing Dates 

Prospective undergraduate, postgraduate and international students who wish to join Nelson Mandela University in 2023 are invited to apply online as from April 2022.

• MBChB applications: 30 June 2022 with the NBT (if applicable) to be written by no later than 31 July 2022.
• Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) applications: 30 June 2022
• Early applications (excluding MBChB & BRad): 4 August 2022
• Late applications (excluding MBChB & BRad): 30 September 2022
• International student applications (excluding MBChB & BRad): 30 September 2022
• Student Housing applications: 30 September 2022

Only applicants who apply for certain programmes will be required to attend an interview. During this interview you may be asked to present a portfolio of your work and to answer questions about your interests and inspirations. Details of the requirements for the interview and portfolio will be sent to you after your application form has been processed. Portfolios are currently only a requirement for students who wish to pursue studies in the creative and visual arts.

Yes, applicants are first considered for their first choice, but if they do not meet the direct entry requirements for this choice, then their second choice will be considered provided that there is still space available in that particular programme and they meet the direct entry requirements for their second choice .

Applicants can use their grade 11 final exam results to apply to the university before the final closing date in August. They will however need to submit their grade 12 June/July or September results if they apply in either August or September in order to gain provisional admission to Nelson Mandela University. The final decision is based on the final grade 12 NSC/IEB exam results.

While Nelson Mandela University is committed to multilingualism, the language of learning and teaching at Nelson Mandela University is English. We also strive to develop and promote the isiXhosa language and culture and to ensure the maintenance and strengthening of Afrikaans.

Yes, programmes offered at Nelson Mandela University are internationally recognised and accredited by the relevant professional bodies.

Yes, applicants who have studied at other higher education institutions but would like to complete their studies at Nelson Mandela University can apply for admission. Applicants must ensure that they include their certificate of conduct and academic record from their current institution together with the relevant application form when applying.

The university strives to make as much information and services available to students in order to better equip them after they have graduated. The Graduate and Student Placement division assists students in finding suitable employment through a number of initiatives, including an annual Careers Fair.

Study choices are entirely yours. There is really no right or wrong choice but it is essential to make an informed decision. Look at your interests, your personality traits, speak to a guidance teacher or better, speak to someone in the career you wish to work in. Then seek out courses in this field before you submit your application.

There's more help for you here!

Nelson Mandela University offers students the best of both theory and practice from entry certificate level through to doctoral research. Nelson Mandela University is a leader in fields such as automotive engineering, ecology, marine studies, community health, the built environment, art and design, accounting, education and IT, but there are dozens of other programmes opening up a variety of career opportunities.

With a diploma qualification the academic emphasis is placed on a more practical approach to learning. Diploma studies are offered on a full-time and/or part-time basis but are generally offered over a three-year period. Industry training varies from programme to programme, but can be anything from six months to a year.

With a degree qualification the emphasis is placed on an academic approach to a specified field of study or profession, such as law, pharmacy, architecture. Degree programmes are offered on a full-time or part-time basis and are offered over three to four years, depending on the type of degree programme. Certain programmes require industry training of about six to eight weeks.

No, not all qualifications at Nelson Mandela University include experiential training. Experiential Learning (EL) integrates a student’s academic studies with work experience in participating employer organisations. It is a compulsory component for some diploma and professional degree qualifications and constitutes essentially a third of the qualification.

Extended curricula have been designed to equip students who do not meet the minimum admission requirements with the necessary competencies to be successful in their studies at Nelson Mandela University. Academic support and skills development are integrated with regular academic work. In the first two years of the extended programme students are equipped with the necessary skills and competencies needed to complete their studies successfully.

Van Schaik’s Bookstore is situated at the Student Village centre near South and North Campuses and stocks university textbooks and stationery. Rehab Books also supplies textbooks (both new and second hand) and is situated in the main food court area on the South Campus. Senior students also advertise the sale of their old text books on the university’s notice boards and intranet.

Orientation is a series of eventsand activities designed to help first-year students adjust to university life. You will meet people, find out about resources on campus, learn how to find your way around the campus and have some fun too. However, orientation is more than just a week of activities. It's about our commitment to helping you explore opportunities for involvement on campus and to ensure that you achieve success in all spheres of university life. It is our hope that you will leave Nelson Mandela University as a well-rounded individual.

Yes, because it will help you to settle in quickly. Research has shown that students who attend orientation have a much better chance of succeeding at university.

Prospective applicants can apply online from the university’s website (applyonline.mandela.ac.za).

No application fee is required for South African citizens, but there is an application fee for International Students. 

Yes, you can track your application form via Nelson Mandela University’s website (http://www.mandela.ac.za/Apply/Admission/Check-your-admission-status). Unfortunately Nelson Mandela University does not use any social networking sites to inform applicants of the outcome of their application.

All prospective applicants will be notified via sms or e-mail of the outcome of their application as soon as it has been processed by the student access & enrolment office, or a decision has been taken by the department concerned regarding a specific qualification.

Yes, applicants who are in possession of a National Curriculum (Vocational) level 4 certificate can apply for admission to Nelson Mandela University. Applicants must bear in mind that they can only apply for a related qualification and meet the set admission requirements for NC (V) applicants.

NCV applicants can apply for a limited number of related programmes. This means that NCV applicants can only apply for a qualification which is similar to their current NCV study field.