Accounting is one of the prominent courses that is studied in South Africa. This course gives students a comprehensive knowledge on accounting principles as well as financial knowledge. Studying accounting in South Africa will equip you with skills in areas such as accounting, economics, management and finance. This will enable you to work in any sector of the industry.

In this field, you need to have a good foundation in business subjects before you can gain admission. Additionally, studying accounting in South Africa will provide you with a solid theoretical foundation in financial accounting. You will gain a thorough understanding in areas such as auditing, taxation, management, etc. However, you must have the required qualifications before you can study accounting in South Africa.

In this piece, I will discuss the basic admission requirements that are needed for studying accounting in South Africa.

Requirements for studying Accounting in South Africa

1. Meet the Academic Qualifications

   You must have a National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification before you can study accounting in South Africa. Additionally, you must have business related subjects in your Grade 12 certificate.

2. Meet the Required Subjects Percentage

   You need to meet the minimum percentage for each subject in your certificate. Your certificate must include subjects such as Mathematics, English and Accounting. The minimum required score for these subjects is 40%. Additionally, you may be required to have a minimum percentage in a South African language. This is based on the location of the University you apply to. Furthermore, you need to have a minimum of 30% in Life orientation.

3. Meet the Admissions Requirements

   You need to meet the admissions requirements of the university you wish to study at. Most Universities have similar admissions requirements. However, some might have slight differences. Therefore, you need to verify from the school’s website before you make your application. Most Universities will require a minimum score on the National Benchmark Test(NBT) to screen applicants. Generally, the minimum admissions points score for accounting in most universities is 38 points.

4. Submit your Academic Transcripts

   You need to submit all the transcripts of your previous education. Additionally, your transcript should be written in English. Your transcript should contain all your grades and courses you have studied.

5. English Language Requirements

   English Language is the language of instruction for South African schools. Therefore, you need to show proof of your English Language Proficiency. Additionally, you need to pass English Home Language or First Additional Language with a minimum of 60%.

6. International Students

   If you are not a citizen of South Africa, your qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Additionally, you must have a valid study permit.

Requirements to Obtain a Master’s Degree in Accounting in South Africa

1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

   You must have a bachelor’s degree before you can study for a master’s degree in accounting. This bachelor’s degree must be a 4-year program from a recognised university. Additionally, this bachelor’s degree must be in a field related to the field of accounting. Additionally, you must submit your academic transcript showing all the grades and courses you offered.

2. Meet the minimum score

   You need to have a high GPA to obtain a master’s degree in accounting. The minimum percentage you should have is 55% for each module and an overall percentage of 57.5%. Therefore, you need to make sure that your GPA is qualified to meet the requirements.

3. Submit your Academic Transcripts

   You must submit an academic transcript of your bachelor’s degree. This transcript must contain all your courses and grades that you have studied. Additionally, this transcript must be an official one and it must be written in English.

How to Apply

Firstly, you need to visit the website of the school that you wish to apply to. Secondly, you need to fill out the online application and submit all the required documents.

Duration

The duration for obtaining a degree in accounting depends on the degree you choose to pursue. The bachelor’s degree takes about three to four years. However, the master’s degree takes about one to two years.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for studying accounting in South Africa varies based on the university and the degree you are pursuing. Generally, the average tuition fee ranges from R15 000 to R 60 000.

Universities in South Africa that Offer Accounting

1. University of Pretoria
2. University of the Witwatersrand
3. North-West University
4. University of Cape Town
5. University of Stellenbosch
6. Nelson Mandela University
7. University of KwaZulu-Natal
8. University of South Africa
9. Rhodes University
10. University of Johannesburg
11. University of the Free State
12. Tshwane University of Technology
13. University of Limpopo
14. University of the Western Cape
15. Durban University of Technology
16. University of Fort Hare
17. Vaal University of Technology
18. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

In Conclusion, you need to verify all these requirements before you make your application. This is because some schools in South Africa have special admission requirements that they use to screen applicants. Additionally, you need to make sure that you submit your application early before the deadline. Feel free to reach out to us for further inquires and assistance.

Good luck!

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