Nelson Mandela University (NMU) is a new generation university, distinguished by the wide range of study options and access routes open to students. NMU nurtures innovation, fosters creativity, embraces technology and develops people to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Quality higher education is offered to more than 27 000 students across six campuses, making NMU the largest university in the Eastern Cape.
Applying To Study At Nelson Mandela University
To apply to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University , you need the documents below :
1) A certified copy of the green bar coded ID
2) Proof of payment of any relevant application fees
3) Certified copy of grade 11 results and any latest grade 12 results
Applicants must check individual further requirements for each course and each tertiary institution. Please also be aware of NBTs and check with your university if you need NBT results to apply.
FYI: South Africans learners wishing to apply online will need a working email address and an ID number. Foreign learners wishing to apply will need to have their passport number.
Nelson Mandela University NMU Application Dates
1) Academic Applications
Applications for 2022 open: 1 April
Early closing date: 02 August
Late closing date: 30 September
2) On-Campus accommodation
Applications for on-campus accomodation open: 1 April
Closing date: 30 September
3) International Applicants
International students First Semester 2022 (February): Deadline – 31 October (Application fee of R500)
Application Fees:
- There is no application fee for South African students.
- The application fee for international students is R500.
Applications For Academic Admission
Prospective undergraduate students who wish to join Nelson Mandela University in 2022are invited to apply for a certificate, diploma or degree qualification by using our online application system which is now OPEN.
In order to ensure adequate time for application, processing and planning by the university and yourself, applications for early admission in 2022 should be submitted by 01 August.
Applications may be considered after this date, provided that there is still space available in the course you wish to apply for, and on academic merit until 30 September 2022. In addition, places in some qualifications are limited, and it is therefore in your best interest to submit your application form and ALL supporting documentation by 01 August.
Before completing an application form, please take note of the minimum admission requirements for the qualification that you are applying for or refer to the relevant faculty guide.
Advanced Diploma applications
Nelson Mandela University students who are currently completing a three-year Diploma (Dip) qualification and would like to apply to pursue their Advanced Diploma (AdvDip) in the same field of study here next year, are only required to complete the Advanced Diploma application form (see list below to download a form). Your completed application form must please be submitted to the admissions office on or before 1 August 2022 (no supporting documentation required). Please also review the faculty prospectus for the admission requirements related to your field of study prior to applying.
Prospective new students who have already completed their Diploma (Dip) studies at Nelson Mandela University or at another tertiary institution and opted to enter the work force, or take a gap year before commencing their Advanced Diploma (AdvDip) studies, are required to complete a new online application, and submit a certified copy of their ID, academic record and certificate of conduct, along with any other documentation required in order for their application to be considered. Applications close 1 August 2022 and no application fee is required. Please also review the faculty prospectus for the admission requirements related to your field of study prior to applying.
NMU Postgraduates Application
Postgraduate Master’s and doctoral degrees by research candidates can apply at any time of the year – application is free. Postgraduate M & D applicants must also complete the relevant Postgraduate form (U24) in addition to the manual Postgraduate application form. Space is limited and you should view the list of full programmes before applying. Postgraduate (U24) applications must be submitted to: postgraduateadmission@mandela.ac.za
Nelson Mandela University NMU Application Procedures
You may apply by following one of these routes:
- Apply online for either an Undergraduate, Advanced Diploma or Postgraduate studies (PG Diploma, PG Certificate, Honours, Master’s or Doctoral Degrees).
- Postgraduate applicants must also complete the relevant Postgraduate form (U24) For information on postgraduate programmes, please consult the General Information and Admission Requirements for Postgraduate Programmes.
- Make sure you have paid the Application fee (international students only), before submitting your application form.
- Your application form must be accompanied by:
- a certified copy of your final Grade 11 exam results or;
- a most recent Grade 12 (June/Sept) exam report (No March results), or if you have already passed Grade 12, a certified copy of your matriculation certificate, or results as well as certified copies of diploma/degree certificates and academic records for postgraduate applications,
- a certified copy of your ID/Passport,
- a certified copy of the identity document of your parent/legal guardian/surety,
- declaration by your parent / legal guardian / surety if you are a dependent, or currently at school, or studying at a tertiary institution, or have recently left school and do/will not have permanent employment when applying or studying at the university.
- Either an acknowledgement letter or outcome of your admission will be sent to you within 10 working days during April to June. During the period leading up to the closing dates stipulated above the turnaround time will be 14 – 20 working days.
- If your Applicant Score (AS) and subject specific marks do not meet the entry requirements for your chosen programme, you will need to consider another qualification as we no longer test applicants for admission, unless otherwise indicated.
- Some programmes have additional selection requirements; please consult the Undergraduate Guide for your specific faculty which can be downloaded from the links on the right of this page (available from May).
- You may track the status of your application.
- The outcome of your application will be conveyed to you via our website and sms. Please ensure that we have your correct cell phone number.
- If you are provisionally admitted you will receive an Orientation Booklet together with registration information in November/December.
- Final acceptance is subject to your final NSC/IEB results meeting the minimum admission requirements for your chosen programme.
Applicants who have studied at other tertiary institutions
- In order to ensure adequate time for processing, assessment testing and planning by the university and yourself, applications for admission in 2020 should be submitted by 1 August – No application fee for South African applicants.
- Late applications will be considered after this date based on academic merit until 30 September – No application fee for South African applicants.
- Submit together with your application form, a certified copy of your official academic record and certificate of conduct as well as a certified copy of your school leaving certificate.
- Should you be applying for module exemptions, download the module exemption form and complete it and note that there is a module exemption fee to be paid before the exemption can be processed. You must attach copies of module outlines/syllabus.
- The application fees above are applicable for International applicants.
Nelson Mandela University Accommodation
The process when applying for on-campus residence:
- Applicants must first be accepted by the faculty before they can be considered for on-campus residences.
- The closing date for applying to the university is the end of September each year.
- Receipt of your application for on-campus residence will be acknowledged but this does not guarantee a space in the residence.
- All first year students are expected to share rooms.
- Applicants are grouped and selected within the same faculty so that common academic interests are shared and opportunities to learn from each other are created.
- Nelson Mandela University accepts no responsibility for a student’s personal property. Please ensure that you are insured against such eventualities.
- Priority will be given to applicants with high Admission Point Scores (APS). In the case of a number of applicants having the same APS, the Quintile 1, 2 & 3 schools (no-fee schools) you come from will determine the applicant’s selection.
- Priority will be given to applicants living outside the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) for Port Elizabeth campuses and outside the George Municipality for George Campus.
- Final acceptance into on-campus residence, for first years will depend on your final examination results.
- Students are advised to come to residence only if they have received a sms clearly specifying the date of arrival.
- Applicants who are not accepted due to on-campus residences being full, will be placed in our accredited off-campus residences.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum admission requirements for a selected programme but do meet the criteria for testing and are referred to CAAR for assessment/testing, must take serious note of the following:
- The applicant must make an early appointment to write the CAAR tests by contacting the CAAR office before the end of September to be considered for on-campus residences.
- Applicants who write the test, receive their CAAR results and are accepted into the programme after the above-mentioned closing date, may be referred to our accredited off-campus residences
- Applicants are advised not to make any payments to the residences until advised to do so via a communique from the Residence Admission and Placement Office.
Nelson Mandela University Admission Requirements
- The table below explains how well you will need to do in your school subjects to meet the minimum statutory requirements for each qualification level (Higher Certificate, Diploma or Degree)
- The university has also set its own additional minimum entry requirements.
- Please note that the achievement of the minimum statutory entry requirements does not necessarily guarantee you admission to any programme or field of study at this University.
| Qualification | Minimum Statutory Entry Requirement |
|---|---|
| Higher Certificate | Pass NSC with: A minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution, together with any other university requirements. |
| Diploma | Pass NSC with: A minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution, coupled with an achievement rating of 3 (40–49%) or better in four recognised NSC 20-credit subjects (this excludes LO which is 10-credits), together with any other university requirements. |
| Bachelors Degree | Pass NSC with: A minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution, coupled with an achievement rating of 4 (50–59%) or better in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects (this excludes LO which is 10-credits), together with any other university requirements. |
*(LOTL) Language of Teaching & Learning, which is English at Nelson Mandela University.
Designated subjects
As per the Government Gazette Notice No.165 No. 41473 dated March 2018, the list of designated subjects has been revoked with immediate effect. Subsequent to this announcement, the revised admission requirements for degree entry as they pertain to Nelson Mandela University, are further explained below:
- Applicants must meet the minimum statutory entry requirements for each type of qualification they wish to apply for as stated above.
- The University may add additional subject specific requirements for certain qualifications.
- Applicants will also need to comply with the Applicant Score (AS), subject(s) and percentage % pass required for specific subjects which may be required for certain qualifications, before a final decision will be made of the outcome of his/her application.
- Any recognized 20-credit NSC subject combinations (dependent on school capacity) can be used towards applying for degree studies (this excludes LO which is 10-credits), provided that each of these four subjects are also passed on a level 4 (50-59%) or higher.
How to calculate your Applicant Score (AS)
- Your Applicant Score (AS) will be different if you took Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy or Technical Mathematics at school.
- Your Applicant Score (AS) is calculated using six subjects. Please note that Life Orientation (LO) is excluded.
- Write down your Grade 12 subjects and the most recent percentage (%) obtained in each subject (NO Gr 12 March results).
- You MUST include the results for the following three fundamental subjects: 1) Home language; 2) 1st Add. Language; and 3) Math’s; or Math’s Lit; or Technical Math’s.
- For applicants with seven Grade 12 NSC/IEB subjects, your AS is calculated by adding the percentages for your six 20-credit subjects (Note that LO is not included as it is a 10-credit subject). This gives a score out of 600.
- For those applicants taking eight or more subjects your AS is calculated as follows: add the percentages obtained for your three fundamental subjects (two languages and Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy or Technical Mathematics), plus the percentage(s) for any subject(s) required by the programmed, together with the percentage(s) for the next best / highest subject(s), to a maximum of six subjects.
- In addition, for those applicants from quintile 1 to 3 schools who attain 50% or higher for Life Orientation (LO), 7 points are added to their score out of 600 to arrive at their final AS.
- If your Applicant Score (AS) & subject requirements are below the minimum required, you will need to consider another qualification for which you do qualify.
The table below provides examples of how to calculate the AS for:
- Applicant 1 who has 7 NSC Grade 12 subjects, who is applying for a programme with Life Science and Physical Science as required subjects; and
- Applicant 2 who is applying for the same programme, but who took 8 subjects in Grade 12.
- Applicant 3 who is applying for the same programme, but who is from a quintile 1, 2 or 3 school.
Example: Applicant 1
| NSC/IEB Subject | % obtained | % used to calculate the AS |
|---|---|---|
| isiXhosa Home Language | 78 | 78 |
| English 1st Additional | 60 | 60 |
| Mathematics | 65 | 65 |
| Life Science | 62 | 62 |
| Physical Science | 50 | 50 |
| Geography | 55 | 55 |
| Life Orientation | 88 | – |
| APPLICANT SCORE (AS) | 370 |
Example: Applicant 2
| NSC/IEB Subject | % obtained | % used to calculate the AS |
|---|---|---|
| isiXhosa Home Language | 78 | 78 |
| English 1st Additional | 60 | 60 |
| Mathematics | 65 | 65 |
| Life Science | 62 | 62 |
| Physical Science | 50 | 50 |
| Geography | 55 | – |
| Life Orientation | 88 | – |
| History | 60 | 60 |
| APPLICANT SCORE (AS) | 375 |
Example: Applicant 3 from a Quintile 1, 2 or 3 school
| NSC/IEB Subject | % obtained | % used to calculate the AS |
|---|---|---|
| isiXhosa Home Language | 78 | 78 |
| English 1st Additional | 60 | 60 |
| Mathematics | 65 | 65 |
| Life Science | 62 | 62 |
| Physical Science | 50 | 50 |
| Geography | 55 | 55 |
| Life Orientation | 88 LO>50% | + 7 |
| APPLICANT SCORE (AS) | 377 |
Disclaimer: All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the information contained on the website is accurate at the date it was published.
Nelson Mandela University reserves the right to make changes to the programme details (e.g. rules, admissions requirements) as published on this website.
Prospective students are advised to consult the admissions department prior to applying.
Banking Account Details (International Students – Application Fee only)
- Bank: Standard Bank
- Account Name: Nelson Mandela University – Main
- Account No.: 080263011
- Bank Swift Code: SBZA ZAJJ
- Internet Banking Code: 051001
- Reference: 5350 4605 & Student Name
- E-mail copy of deposit: intfees@mandela.ac.za
- Bank Address: Rink Street, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Please attach a copy of the proof of payment to your application form.
Credit Card Payments:
Online credit card payments can be made ONLY if you have applied to Nelson Mandela University.
Alternatively, if you are unable to apply online, send your application form to intfees@mandela.ac.za, subject field should read: “Process application for online payment”.
We will allocate a student number so you may make your payment online.
Allow three working days for processing. Also, a copy of the proof of payment should be in your possession at all times.
For security reasons, manual credit card payments are NO longer available.
Application fees are non-refundable. Payment of application fees does not guarantee entry to the university.
Please do not send cash in the post.
Forms and documents
Postgraduate Application Form for M_D (201 kB)
Postgrad admission to studies U24 (70 kB)
UADS student reasonable accommodations application form (320 kB)
Change of Qualification Application Form for Current Students (233 kB)
Postgraduate Guide (6.4 MB)
Nelson Mandela University study fields 2020 (19.3 MB)
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Open Day Take Place?
Open Day 2022
Open day is your opportunity to explore our various courses on offer, range of student services, sporting codes and student clubs you can join and so much more.
Learners, parents, teachers and intrested stakeholders are invited to join us in:
George: 3 & 4 May 2022
Port Elizabeth: 10 & 11 May 2022
Things To Know Before Applying To NMU
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.
- 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 admissions 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.
How do I Apply To Nelson Mandela University?
First you have to make sure that you meet the admission requirements of the programme you wish to apply for (http://www.mandela.ac.za/Academic/Courses-on-offer/APS-Calculator). 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 (http://applyonline.mandela.ac.za/apply.aspx).
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.
What is the Deadline for NMU Applications?
Applications for undergraduate courses close on the first working day of August each year. Applications will still be accepted after this date but at a higher application fee. There is no guarantee that you will be accepted after this date as preference is given to applicants who submit their applications before the official closing date.
2022Applications Close
Early applications close: 1 August 2022
Late applications close: 30 September 2022
Is there Interview After Applying To Nelson Mandela University?
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.
What Grades Do I Need To Apply to NMU ?
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.
Where can I obtain NMU application form?
Application forms can be obtained from the university’s admissions offices on South, George or Mission vale campuses or by requesting one via e-mail from info@mandela.ac.za. Prospective applicants can apply online from the university’s website (www.nmmu.ac.za/application).
How much is the Application fee?
No application fee is required for South African citizens, but there is an application fee for International Students.
How Can I Check My Application Status ?
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.
How long before I am informed of the outcome of my application to Nelson Mandela University ?
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 admissions office, or a decision has been taken by the department concerned regarding a specific qualification.
What can NC (V) applicants study At NMU?
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.
Postal Address
The Admissions Office
PO Box 77000
Nelson Mandela University
PORT ELIZABETH
6031
When Is NMU Prospectus Ready?
A university or school prospectus is a document sent to potential (prospective) students to attract them to apply for admissions. It usually contains information about the institution and the available courses, including advice on how to apply and the benefits of accepting a place.