Access programmes

Two Access Programmes are offered, namely, the Engineering Access Programme (EAP) on the Howard College Campus, and the Science Access Programme (SAP) on both the Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses.

EAP

Engineering Access Programme

We offer a five-year Access programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (BEng).

An initial specialised, two-year augmented academic curriculum provides a holistic and solid foundation in the engineering sciences in preparation for the mainstream syllabus (years 3-5).

Students acquire full first-year credits in Engineering Drawing, Technical Communication, Engineering Design, Engineering Materials, Mathematics and Physics.

Once students reach their third year in the programme, they continue into the mainstream modules of their chosen field of engineering to complete their degree.

An Engineering Access student has the opportunity to choose any of the disciplines on offer within the School of Engineering.

Disciplines of Engineering include:

Agricultural (Bioresources) Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Land Surveying

Minimum entrance requirements:

NSC degree pass with Maths, English, Life Orientation and Physical Science at level 4 (50%)
Emphasis is given to disadvantaged students.

Admission points required:

26 – 48 (Highest scoring students are taken first)

How to apply:

Like all university programmes applications to the EAP must be done via the Central Applications Office (CAO).
The programme will appear as BSc4 Augmented in the CAO handbook.

SAP

Science Access Programme

We offer a four-year undergraduate programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc).

Students do their level 1 modules over a period of two years. In year 1, students register for Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics, as well as Communication in Science. In year 2, they must register for two augmented modules, as well as the level 1 modules required for their chosen majors. After two full years in the programme, students move into the mainstream level 2 modules of their chosen majors.

An Access Science student has the opportunity to choose any of the majors on offer within the following Schools in the College:

Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Chemistry and Physics
Life Sciences
Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science

A student may choose either a general and flexible BSc degree with numerous possible major combinations or one of the focussed programmes offered by the Schools.

Minimum entrance requirements:

NSC degree pass with English and Life Orientation at level 4, Maths at level 3, and Agricultural Science or Physical Science or Life Sciences at Level 3.

Admission points required:

How to apply:

Like all university programmes applications to the SAP must be done via the Central Applications Office (CAO).
The programme will appear as BSc4 Augmented in the CAO handbook.