UKZN NBT Requirements 2027: Medicine & Law Rules

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a large South African university offering a wide range of undergraduate programmes, including Health Sciences, Law, Engineering, and the Humanities. 

Many applicants preparing for the 2027 intake want clarity about the National Benchmark Test (NBT) rules for admission, especially for high-demand programmes like Medicine and Law.

Some universities use NBTs as part of their selection process. 

Understanding UKZN NBT Requirements 2027 will help you know whether you must write the NBT, how it relates to APS scores, how to register, and which bursaries and tests matter for competitive degrees. 

Official UKZN admissions information shows that NBTs are not part of the formal admissions criteria for most programmes, but it is still important to understand where they may be relevant.

Is the NBT Required for UKZN Admission in 2027? 

No. For the 2027 academic year, UKZN does not require applicants to write the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) for most undergraduate degree programmes. 

The official UKZN FAQs page explicitly states that UKZN does not require NBT results for any degree or programme and does not consider NBT scores in the admission decision.

Faculties or Programmes with Exceptions

According to the most recent official information, UKZN does not list any programmes, including Medicine or Law, that mandate the NBT for undergraduate admission. 

UKZN’s published admissions criteria show that applicants are selected based on their National Senior Certificate (NSC) performance and calculated Admission Point Score (APS), with no reference to NBT requirements for any faculty.

Please note this applies to applications for undergraduate study in 2026/2027. 

Always check the official faculty prospectus or admissions office announcements each year in case of updated rules.

UKZN NBT Requirements 2027

The National Benchmark Tests are standardised assessments designed to evaluate academic literacy, quantitative literacy and mathematical reasoning. 

Universities that require NBTs use them to assess a student’s readiness for university-level coursework, complementing school results. 

At UKZN, the institutional policy is that NBTs are not required for admission to any undergraduate qualifications, including Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB), as of the latest prospectus and admissions guide.

In competitive degrees like Medicine, Law or other professional degrees, selection is made based on APS scores and subject requirements, not NBT results. 

Selection procedures involve ranking applicants by academic merit from NSC school results. 

Medicine applicants are ranked based on their NSC performance and subject thresholds; similarly, Law applicants are assessed primarily on NSC and APS criteria.

Comparison Between NBT Scores and APS Scores

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

APS measures performance in your top subjects (usually six best subjects excluding Life Orientation) and is the core metric UKZN uses for undergraduate selection. 

Meeting the minimum APS and subject requirements is necessary to be considered and ranked for offers.

NBT scores, in contrast, are designed to assess academic literacy, reasoning, and quantitative skills. 

Some universities use them to compare applicants from different schooling backgrounds.

However, at UKZN NBT results are not used in the standard admission decision. APS and specific subject results (such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and English for Medicine) remain the deciding factors.

How to Register for the NBTs

Even though UKZN does not require the NBT for admission, you might still choose to write the tests if you plan to apply to other universities that do require them (e.g., UCT or Wits). 

NBT results remain valid for multiple years after writing.

1. Visit the official National Benchmark Test Project website at www.nbt.ac.za.
2. Create a candidate profile with your South African ID or passport number if you are an international applicant.
3. Select your preferred test date and venue. Tests are run at scheduled times throughout the year.
4. Pay the required NBT fee and complete your registration.
5. You will receive a confirmation with a reference number and details for the test day.
6. Keep your NBT reference number and score report for use with application portals to other universities if needed.

You should register well ahead of university application deadlines so that results are available if you apply to institutions that use NBT scores.

How UKZN Uses Academic Results Where Required

At UKZN, entrance to degrees is determined by meeting minimum academic entry requirements (NSC subject and APS criteria) and then ranking applicants by merit. 

For programmes such as Medicine (MBChB), selection is competitive and based on subject results and overall APS. 

UKZN’s official process for undergraduate selection highlights that applicants with higher APS and strong subject results are prioritised for placement within limited quotas. 

UKZN does not incorporate NBT results in this ranking.

Bursaries for UKZN Applicants

UKZN offers a variety of bursary and financial aid options for students entering undergraduate study. 

While UKZN does not require NBT scores for admission, some bursary sponsors for competitive programmes may consider academic readiness factors. 

Examples include:

1. NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) – Provides funding to eligible South African students based on financial need and academic performance.
2. UKZN Merit-based Scholarships – Based on academic performance as shown in NSC results and APS.
3. Faculty-specific awards for competitive degrees like Medicine, Law, Engineering or Science often consider strong academic results and subject performance.
4. External bursaries offered by government or private sponsors, which may use school performance and readiness indicators for selection.

Applicants should consult the official UKZN Financial Aid and bursary portal for current eligibility criteria and deadlines.