North-West University

About NWU

North-West University was formed through the merger of Potchefstroom University and the University of North-West, and operates across three campuses — Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark — each with a distinct character and regional focus.

It has grown into one of South Africa's largest universities by enrolment, with recognised strength in pharmacy, law, education and business alongside a broad general academic offering. Its Potchefstroom campus in particular has a long-standing reputation for pharmaceutical sciences research.

NWU has invested significantly in growing its distance and online learning offering in recent years, extending its reach well beyond its three physical campuses to students across the country.

Why students choose NWU

• Three distinct campuses across two provinces
• Strong pharmaceutical sciences research reputation
• Growing distance and online learning offering

Fields of study

• Economic & Management Sciences
• Education
• Health Sciences
• Humanities
• Law
• Natural & Agricultural Sciences

What you'll need to apply

Every South African public university sets its own admission point score and subject requirements per programme, so the details below are general guidance rather than NWU-specific rules — always confirm exact requirements on the official site before applying.

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) that meets the minimum admission point score for your chosen programme.
• Specific subject and mark requirements, which vary by faculty — competitive programmes like medicine or engineering typically set higher thresholds.
• An online application through the university's own portal, usually opening the year before you intend to start.
• Supporting documents such as certified copies of your ID and academic records, and proof of application fee payment where applicable.