Requirements to Study Teaching (BEd) in South Africa 2026: APS Scores & Subjects

Key Takeaways: The “Calling” Qualification

The Qualification: You need a Bachelor of Education (BEd), which is a 4-year degree. (The old “Teaching Diploma” no longer exists).

The Golden Number: A Bachelor’s Pass with an APS of 26–28 is the standard safe zone.

The Trap: You cannot teach High School Mathematics if you did Math Literacy in Matric. Your Matric subjects determine your teaching subjects.

Police Clearance: All education students must eventually get a “Sexual Offenders Register” clearance to do practicals.

Funding: Funza Lushaka is the primary bursary, but it only funds “Priority Subjects” (Maths, Science, African Languages).

In 2026, the demand for teachers in South Africa is higher than ever, but universities have become stricter about who they let in. Gone are the days when teaching was a “backup plan” for students with low marks. Today, getting into a BEd programme at UJ or Wits is often harder than getting into a BA.

To study teaching, you must first choose your Phase. A Foundation Phase teacher (Grade R) needs a completely different personality and Matric profile from a High School Physics teacher.

This guide breaks down the admission requirements for the three main teaching streams for the 2026 academic year.

1. The Three Teaching Streams (Choose Wisely)

You do not just “study teaching.” You study a specific age group.

A. Foundation Phase (Grade R – 3)

The Job: Teaching toddlers to read, write, and count. Requires extreme patience.
Matric Requirements:
- Maths: Pure Maths (Level 3/4) OR Math Literacy (Level 5/6). Yes, Math Lit is accepted here.
- Languages: High marks (Level 5+) in a Home Language are critical.

B. Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – 7)

The Job: Teaching specific subjects (Geography, Maths, English) to pre-teens.
Matric Requirements:
- Maths: Pure Maths is preferred if you want to teach Maths. Math Lit is accepted for non-maths streams (like History/Languages).

C. Senior & FET Phase (Grade 8 – 12)

The Job: High School teacher. You are a subject specialist.
Matric Requirements:
- Strict Rule: You generally need a Level 5 (60%) in the subject you want to teach.
- Example: To study “BEd: Physical Science,” you must have Physical Science in Matric. You cannot switch from History to Science in university.

2. University-Specific APS Scores (2026 Intake)

Here is what the top universities are asking for in their 2026 prospectuses. Note: These are minimums; acceptance often requires higher.

1. University of Johannesburg (UJ)

APS Requirement: 26 – 28.
Maths: Level 4 (50%) for pure Maths streams.¹
Math Lit: Level 5/6 accepted for Foundation Phase.
Note: UJ is very popular for teaching. An APS of 26 is the bare minimum; aim for 30.

2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

APS Requirement: 36+ (Wits APS Scale).
Status: Wits is the “Elite” teaching school. They want high performers.
Maths: Level 5 required for most FET streams.

3. University of Pretoria (UP)

APS Requirement: 28.
English: Level 4 (50%).³
Selection: They place a huge emphasis on African Languages. If you speak Sepedi, Zulu, or Tswana fluently, you have an advantage.

4. UNISA (Distance Learning)

APS Requirement: 20 – 23 (Depending on the stream).
Why it’s lower: Distance learning has more capacity.
The Catch: You must find your own schools for practicals (25 weeks over 4 years).
Maths: Level 3 (40%) or Math Lit Level 4 (50%) for Foundation Phase.

5. University of the Western Cape (UWC)

APS Requirement: 30+ (Recommended).
Focus: Strong focus on Math and Science teachers.

3. The “Subject Match” Rule

This is where 50% of applications fail. You cannot apply for a teaching major if you didn’t pass it in Matric.

If you want to teach…	You need this in Matric…
FET Mathematics	Pure Maths (Level 5+). Math Lit is NOT accepted.
FET Physical Science	Physical Science (Level 5) AND Maths (Level 5).
FET Accounting	Accounting (Level 4/5) AND Maths (Level 4).
FET Life Sciences	Life Sciences (Level 5).
Foundation Phase	Math Lit (Level 5) OR Maths (Level 3).

Can I study to teach IT if I didn’t do IT?

Sometimes. Some universities (like UJ) allow you to take “CAT” or “IT” as a teaching subject if you have strong Maths, even if you didn’t do IT in school. But for Math and Science, there are no shortcuts.

4. The Police Clearance (Sexual Offenders Register)

Teaching is one of the few degrees with a “Character” requirement.

The Law: To register with SACE (South African Council for Educators) after you graduate, you must have a clean criminal record.
University Rule: Many universities now ask you to submit a “Police Clearance Certificate” or sign an affidavit before you do your second-year practicals.
Warning: If you have a criminal record involving children or violence, do not study teaching. You will never be allowed to register or work in a school.

5. Funding: Funza Lushaka vs. NSFAS

Most BEd students apply for Funza Lushaka.

What is it? A full bursary that pays for everything + a stipend.
The Condition: You must teach in a public school for the same number of years you received the bursary.
Priority Subjects 2026: Funza Lushaka prioritizes Foundation Phase (African Languages), Neurodevelopment, Maths, Science, and Technology. They rarely fund “History” or “Life Orientation” anymore.

6. Alternative Route: The PGCE

If you already have a degree (e.g., a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) and want to become a teacher, you do not do the BEd.

Qualification: Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Duration: 1 Year.
Requirement: Your undergraduate degree must have two “school-related” majors (e.g., Psychology and English) at 2nd-year level.
Note: The PGCE is capped (limited space). Universities prefer BEd students because they have 4 years of training, whereas PGCE students only have 1 year of training.

Summary Checklist for 2026 Applicants

Check your APS: Do you have 26+? (If not, look at UNISA or TUT).
Check your Maths: If you have Math Lit, stick to Foundation Phase or Intermediate Phase. Do not apply for FET Maths.
Check your Language: Teaching requires excellent communication. If your English mark is below 50%, you will struggle.
Apply Early: Teaching faculties fill up fast. Apply by July 2026 for the 2027 intake.

Disclaimer: Admission requirements are subject to change by the Faculty of Education at each university. Always consult the official 2026 Prospectus.