Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Prospectus 2027

At a Quick Glance

Minimum APS Range: NMU uses an Applicant Score (AS) out of 600 instead of a standard APS. You will need a minimum AS between 250 for foundation diplomas and 430+ for highly competitive degrees.

Application Fee: Free for South African citizens applying online. You will need to pay a non-refundable fee of R500 if you are an international applicant.

2027 Closing Date: Early admissions close on 2 August 2026. Late applications push to 29 September 2026, but Medical (MBChB), Pharmacy, and Radiography strictly close on 30 June 2026.

Faculty Breakdown

Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences: You will need a minimum AS of 290–330. For most BCom degrees, you must have Mathematics at Level 4 (50%). If you took Mathematical Literacy, you will need at least a Level 5 (60%) for specific diploma streams.

Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology: You will need an AS of 330–370. Compulsory subjects include Mathematics at Level 5 (60%) and Physical Sciences at Level 5 (60%).

Faculty of Health Sciences: You will need an AS of 370–430+. For big degrees like MBChB, you must have outstanding marks in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences.

Alternative Pathways: If your current subject package is missing core quantitative requirements, the university outlines specific bridge options under their "No Grade 12 Maths?" guidelines for selected humanities and arts programmes.

VarsityToolkit Insider Tip

Here is an important hidden detail for your 2027 Admission strategy: NMU specifically evaluates you on a 600-point Applicant Score (AS) rather than the traditional APS. Life Orientation is usually completely excluded from this calculation. However, if you are applying from a Quintile 1 to 3 school and score above 50% in Life Orientation, NMU will add a flat 7-point bonus to your final AS. Don't guess your eligibility manually—run your exact subjects through the NMU APS Calculator we built to get your precise AS out of 600 and see if you qualify for the Quintile bonus.