Dlamini BlessingFor many South African students, the absence of Pure Mathematics in their matric subjects feels like a closed door to university education. Sol Plaatje University (SPU) in Kimberley is proving that assumption wrong. SPU offers a wide range of accredited programmes that accept Mathematical Literacy or have minimal mathematics requirements, making higher education accessible to students from diverse academic backgrounds .
Sol Plaatje University Courses That Don’t Require Maths
Courses That Accept Mathematical Literacy or Require No Maths
The following courses at Sol Plaatje University are open to students who do not have Pure Mathematics. Many accept Mathematical Literacy, and some have no mathematics requirement whatsoever.
School of Humanities
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The Bachelor of Arts degree is one of the most flexible options for students without Pure Mathematics. This programme offers majors in languages, history, heritage studies, sociology, and other humanities disciplines .
Mathematics Requirement: NSC Level 2 (30%) for Pure Mathematics OR NSC Level 3 (40%) for Mathematical Literacy.
Additional Notes: Students wishing to major in Economics, Geography, or Mathematics must achieve a minimum of Level 4 (50%) in those specific subjects. For other majors, the minimum mathematics requirement stands .
APS Requirement: Minimum 30 points
Higher Certificate in Heritage Studies
This one-year programme is designed for students interested in heritage, museums, archives, and cultural preservation work. It serves as an excellent foundation for further study in the humanities .
Mathematics Requirement: NSC Level 2 (30%) for Pure Mathematics OR NSC Level 3 (40%) for Mathematical Literacy .
APS Requirement: Minimum 25 points
Higher Certificate in Court Interpreting
This unique programme prepares students for careers in legal interpreting and court services. Students must have English and at least one other African language .
Mathematics Requirement: NSC Level 2 for Pure Mathematics OR NSC Level 3 for Mathematical Literacy .
Additional Requirements: Students should have another African language taken as Home Language at Level 4 or First Additional Language at Level 5 .
APS Requirement: Minimum 25 points
School of Education
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Foundation Phase (Grades R to 3)
This four-year degree trains students to teach at the early primary school level. It focuses on foundational literacy, numeracy, and life skills development .
Mathematics Requirement: NSC Level 3 for Pure Mathematics OR NSC Level 4 for Mathematical Literacy .
APS Requirement: Minimum 30 points
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 to 6)
This programme prepares teachers for the intermediate primary school phase. Students can choose subject specialisations that do not require Pure Mathematics .
Mathematics Requirement: Accepts Mathematical Literacy depending on subject choices. Students specialising in languages, life skills, and social sciences do not need Pure Mathematics .
APS Requirement: Minimum 30 points
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Senior and FET Phase (Grades 7 to 12)
For students who want to teach at high school level, certain subject combinations such as Languages and History do not require Pure Mathematics . However, if Mathematics is chosen as a teaching subject, Pure Mathematics at Level 4 is required .
Mathematics Requirement: Stream-specific. Language and History streams accept Mathematical Literacy.
APS Requirement: Minimum 30 points
School of Natural and Applied Sciences
Diploma in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) – Applications Development
This three-year diploma focuses on computer programming, software development, and ICT skills. It is ideal for students who want to enter the tech industry without studying Pure Mathematics .
Mathematics Requirement: NSC Level 3 for Pure Mathematics OR NSC Level 5 for Mathematical Literacy .
Recommended Subjects: Computer Applications Technology (CAT) or Information Technology (IT) are highly recommended but not mandatory .
APS Requirement: Minimum 25 points
School of Economic and Management Sciences
Diploma in Retail Business Management
This three-year diploma prepares students for careers in retail operations, store management, merchandising, and customer service .
Mathematics Requirement: NSC Level 3 for Pure Mathematics OR NSC Level 5 for Mathematical Literacy .
Additional Requirements: At least one of the following at NSC Level 4: Accounting, Business Studies, or Economics .
APS Requirement: Minimum 25 points (some sources state 22 points)
Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship
This one-year programme is designed for aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs. It covers business planning, marketing, finance basics, and small business management .
Mathematics Requirement: NSC Level 3 for Pure Mathematics OR NSC Level 4 for Mathematical Literacy .
APS Requirement: Minimum 25 points
Important Note on Courses That Do Require Pure Mathematics
For clarity, it is equally important to know which SPU courses will not accept Mathematical Literacy. Students without Pure Mathematics cannot apply for the following programmes :
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) – Requires Pure Mathematics Level 4. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted.
Bachelor of Science in Data Science – Requires Pure Mathematics Level 5. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted.
Bachelor of Commerce (General) – Requires Pure Mathematics Level 4. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted.
Comparison Table
| Qualification | Mathematics Requirement | APS Required |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) | Maths Level 2 OR Maths Lit Level 3 | 30 |
| B.Ed. Foundation Phase | Maths Level 3 OR Maths Lit Level 4 | 30 |
| B.Ed. Intermediate Phase | Accepts Maths Lit (subject dependent) | 30 |
| B.Ed. Senior & FET Phase (Languages/History) | Accepts Maths Lit | 30 |
| Higher Certificate in Heritage Studies | Maths Level 2 OR Maths Lit Level 3 | 25 |
| Higher Certificate in Court Interpreting | Maths Level 2 OR Maths Lit Level 3 | 25 |
| Diploma in ICT (Applications Development) | Maths Level 3 OR Maths Lit Level 5 | 25 |
| Diploma in Retail Business Management | Maths Level 3 OR Maths Lit Level 5 | 25 |
| Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship | Maths Level 3 OR Maths Lit Level 4 | 25 |
Diploma in Agriculture / Maths Lit Level 5 (with Sciences) / 25
Important Note: The Diploma in Agriculture is also available for students with Mathematical Literacy at Level 5, provided they also have Physical Sciences and Life Sciences or Agricultural Sciences at Level 3.
Application Tips for Students Without Pure Mathematics
1. Verify Your Specific Requirements: While this guide provides general requirements, always check the official SPU prospectus for your specific programme, as requirements can change annually .
2. Calculate Your APS Correctly: SPU uses an 8-point scale. Remember that Life Orientation is included but capped. Use the official SPU conversion table to calculate your APS accurately .
3. English is Mandatory: All programmes require English Home Language at Level 4 OR English First Additional Language at Level 5 .
4. Meeting Minimums Does Not Guarantee Admission: SPU is a smaller university with limited spaces. Selection is competitive, and students who exceed the minimum requirements have a better chance of admission .
5. Apply Early: Applications for the following academic year typically open on 1 April and close on 30 September. Early application is strongly recommended .
6. No Application Fee: SPU is one of the few universities that does not charge an application fee, making it highly accessible for all students .
How to Apply
Applications to Sol Plaatje University are submitted online through the official SPU website at www.spu.ac.za . You will need:
– Your South African ID number or passport
– Your Grade 11 final results or Grade 12 examination number
– A unique email address and cell phone number
– Certified copies of your ID and latest academic results
For any queries, you can contact the Student Recruitment Office at [email protected] or call +27 53 491 0000 .
Understanding the Maths Requirement at SPU
Sol Plaatje University uses a unique 8-point APS scoring scale, which is different from most other South African universities that stop at 7 points. SPU awards 8 points for a distinction of 90% or higher, rewarding exceptionally high achievers . Additionally, SPU awards bonus points for strong performance in Pure Mathematics and Home Language, but this does not penalise students who took Mathematical Literacy.
Importantly, SPU includes Life Orientation in its APS calculation, though on a capped scale. A score of 90% or above in LO earns 4 points, 80-89% earns 3 points, 70-79% earns 2 points, and 60-69% earns 1 point. Any score below 60% for LO earns 0 points .
For students without Pure Mathematics, the key distinction is this: some programmes accept Mathematical Literacy, others require no mathematics at all, and a few (mainly in Science and Commerce) require Pure Mathematics and will not accept Mathematical Literacy .
Conclusion
Sol Plaatje University offers genuine opportunities for students who did not take Pure Mathematics in high school. From the humanities and education to ICT and retail management, there are multiple accredited pathways to meaningful careers. The key is to identify which programme aligns with your interests and strengths, then ensure you meet the specific Mathematical Literacy or English requirements for that course.
With no application fee, a unique APS system that rewards strong performance, and a commitment to accessible education, SPU is an excellent choice for students who want to succeed without Pure Mathematics. Your matric results do not define your future, and at Sol Plaatje University, the door to higher education remains wide open