UP NBT Requirements 2027: Is the Test Required?

The University of Pretoria (UP) is one of South Africa’s largest and most respected public universities. 

Each year, thousands of students apply to study undergraduate degrees across its many faculties. 

As part of the admissions process, many South African universities use the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) to assess academic readiness. 

However, UP’s policy on NBTs is unique and has changed in recent years. 

Is the NBT Required for UP Admission in 2027? 

No. For the 2027 undergraduate admissions cycle, the University of Pretoria does not require applicants to provide NBT results for most programmes. 

UP removed the NBT as a general admission requirement for the majority of its degree studies. 

This means that prospective first-year students applying for 2027 are not obliged to sit the NBT as part of the standard application process.

Faculties or Programmes with Exceptions

Although UP removed the NBT from general admission rules, there are still specific cases where sitting the NBT may matter:

1. Faculty of Health Sciences programmes still require applicants to write the NBT if they wish to be considered for selection. Applicants who fail to write the test will not be considered for Health Sciences.
2. Some extended or selection programmes may recommend or use NBT results as part of academic profiling, but the official UP general prospectus states NBT is not a requirement for most bachelor’s.

It is important to check the most recent faculty brochures for details on exceptions, as policies can change.

UP NBT Requirements 2027 

The National Benchmark Tests are standardised assessments developed to evaluate academic literacy, quantitative literacy, and, where applicable, mathematics proficiency. 

Even though UP does not generally require NBT results for the 2027 intake, the university may still value strong NBT performance for some programmes where competition is high or where specific academic readiness is useful for placement decisions.

NBTs consist of two modules:

• Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) – Assesses comprehension, reasoning, and quantitative thinking.
• Mathematics (MAT) – Assesses mathematical understanding and reasoning at a level relevant to university coursework.

Health Sciences and other specialised areas that still require NBTs typically require applicants to write both AQL and MAT, especially where mathematics forms part of the programme entry requirements.

Comparison Between NBT Scores and APS Scores

Your Admission Point Score (APS) is calculated from your National Senior Certificate (NSC) results. 

APS is based on the achievement levels in your six best subjects, excluding Life Orientation.

This score is used by UP to determine whether you meet the minimum academic requirements for acceptance into degree programmes.

NBT scores are different. They assess readiness for university learning above and beyond your school results.

APS measures achievement in specific subjects, while NBTs measure foundational academic skills that are not tied directly to school curricula. 

UP’s recent changes mean that APS scores are the primary academic metric for general admissions in 2027, while NBT scores will only be relevant where specific programmes, such as Health Sciences, still require them.

How to Register for the NBTs (Even If Not Required Everywhere)

If you plan to apply to a programme at UP that still requires the NBT, or if you want to keep your options open for other universities that do require it, you can still register for the NBT through the official NBT website:

1. Go to www.nbt.ac.za.
2. Create a profile with your South African ID or passport if you are an international applicant.
3. Select a test date and venue. Tests are offered throughout the year in many centres across South Africa.
4. Complete payment and confirm your booking.
5. After your test, you will receive a reference number and a score report. Keep this for your university applications.

Even if UP does not require the NBT for your selected programme, having strong NBT results can be helpful if you also plan to apply to universities like UCT or Wits that do use NBT results.

NBT results are valid for three years from the date of writing.

How UP Uses NBT Results Where Required

Where UP still requires NBTs, such as in the Faculty of Health Sciences, your NBT scores will be used alongside your APS to determine eligibility and competitiveness. 

Health Sciences applicants who do not write the required tests will not be considered for selection. 

Strong NBT performance in academic literacy, quantitative literacy, and mathematics can influence selection rankings and chances of acceptance.

Relevant Bursaries Linked to UP and NBT Performance

Some bursaries consider strong academic performance, including performance in NBTs where applicable:

1. UP Merit-Based Scholarships – These awards recognise students with excellent academic results, where a good NBT performance can strengthen a candidate’s profile in addition to APS.
2. Health Sciences Bursaries – Faculty bursaries for medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, and related fields may consider NBT results alongside APS results as part of eligibility criteria.
3. Government and Private Sector Bursaries – Certain external sponsors prefer to see NBT results when supporting students in competitive fields that require strong academic and reasoning skills.
   Always check the official UP Financial Aid and bursary portals for the most current criteria and application dates.

Registration Notes for Applicants

Prospective students who plan to write the NBT should register early. 

Registration opens months before test dates, and test venues can fill up quickly. 

UP advises applicants who need NBT results for specific programmes to write their tests early in Grade 12 or the year before intended study.