Can you go to university without Maths in South Africa?

Yes, it is possible to go to university without Mathematics in South Africa, but it depends on what course you want to study.

Many learners worry that not taking Mathematics means university is no longer an option. That is not true. While some degree programmes require Mathematics, many others accept students who took Mathematical Literacy or who did not need advanced Maths for their chosen field.

The important question is not just "Do I have Maths?"

The better question is:

What course do I want to study, and what subjects does it require?

Different university programmes have different subject requirements.

For example:

• Engineering usually requires Mathematics
• Commerce often prefers or requires Mathematics
• Some science degrees require Mathematics and Physical Sciences
• Many humanities and social science degrees do not require Mathematics
• Some education, arts, media, law, and language programmes may accept students without pure Maths

Mathematics vs Mathematical Literacy

South African universities usually treat Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy differently.

Mathematics

This is usually required for:

• Engineering
• Accounting
• Actuarial Science
• Many BSc programmes
• Some business and commerce degrees
• Data-related fields

Mathematical Literacy

This may still be accepted for:

• Some humanities programmes
• Social sciences
• Certain education programmes
• Some diploma and higher certificate courses
• A few degrees that do not require advanced Maths

However, many universities do not accept Mathematical Literacy for courses that clearly require pure Mathematics.

Can you still get a Bachelor pass without Maths?

Yes.

A Bachelor pass is based on your overall matric performance, not only on whether you took Mathematics.

That means you can still earn a Bachelor pass and qualify to apply for degree programmes even if you did not take pure Maths.

But remember:

A Bachelor pass does not automatically mean you qualify for every degree.

You must still meet:

• APS requirements
• Subject requirements
• Additional university rules

What can you study without Maths?

There are many possible options, depending on your results and the institution.

Examples of fields that may be open to you include:

• Languages
• Journalism or media-related studies
• Law (depending on the university)
• Teaching
• Psychology
• Social work
• Public administration
• Theology
• Arts and design
• Hospitality
• Human resources
• Some marketing-related courses

The exact requirements vary by institution, so you should always check the university’s official admission rules.

What if you want a course that needs Maths?

If the course you want requires Mathematics and you do not have it, you still have options.

You may be able to:

• Rewrite or upgrade your subject
• Start with a higher certificate or diploma pathway
• Apply for a bridging or access route
• Choose a related course and move later
• Look at institutions with different entry requirements

This means missing Mathematics now does not always close the door forever.

Universities check more than one thing

Even if a course does not require Mathematics, universities still look at:

• Your APS score
• Your Home Language mark
• Other subject performance
• Space available in the programme
• Whether you meet all minimum requirements

So your full matric results still matter.

Final advice

You can go to university without Mathematics in South Africa, but your options depend on the course you want to study.

The smartest thing to do is:

• decide what field interests you
• check the subject requirements
• compare your APS to the course requirements
• look at more than one institution

Not having Mathematics may change your options, but it does not mean higher education is over for you.

If you want to understand your options better, also read our guides on Bachelor pass, APS points, and what you can study with your APS.