The Government has amended minimum admission requirements for entry into a bachelor’s degree programmes at universities, which includes a 30% pass in a language.
Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor made the changes after consulting the Council on Higher Education, and it applies to the 2019 academic year intake, reports the Cape Times.
The changes mean if the language of teaching at a university is English, the minimum admission requirement for a matriculant to get into that university would be 30% in English.
This will be coupled with an achievement of between 50 and 59% in four 20-credit National Senior Certificate (NSC) subjects.
A 20-credit subject makes up the seven-subject package needed to obtain an NSC.
In March, the department revoked the designated list of subjects for the NSC, meaning pupils need to score higher than 50% for any four subjects, excluding life orientation.
An institution will still be entitled to specific subject requirements for a particular programme. For example, maths and physical science might be considered as requirements for admission to a BSc.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) spokesperson Lauren Kansley said while the university will amend its entry requirements, this does not mean students with low marks will gain automatic or easier entry.
“Acceptance into university remains a competitive process and CPUT always endeavours to provide a space to the most well-deserving and academically achieving individuals. This remains the case,” said Kansley.