Dlamini BlessingMathematics is a challenging subject for many students, and it can be a significant barrier to pursuing higher education. Many learners who excel in languages, social sciences, or business studies struggle with mathematics, yet they have valuable skills and talents that deserve a place at university. Fortunately, the University of Limpopo (UL) offers a wide range of degree programmes across the Humanities, Management & Law, and Education faculties that do not require Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy for admission. This means you can pursue your academic dreams without the stress of a maths prerequisite.
You can apply for these programmes with a Bachelor’s pass and an Admission Point Score (APS) typically ranging from 24 to 26, provided you have passed English with at least Level 4 (50%). Some extended programmes accept APS scores as low as 22 to 24.
University of Limpopo (UL) Courses That Don’t Require Maths
Top UL Courses That Don’t Require Maths
Here is a comprehensive list of UL courses you can apply for without needing Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, organised by faculty.
Faculty of Humanities (Bachelor of Arts Programmes)
The Faculty of Humanities is the largest faculty at UL offering non-Maths degrees. These programmes focus on languages, social sciences, communication, media, psychology, and the arts.
BA (Languages Stream)
This degree is ideal for students who love language, literature, and linguistics. You can study Northern Sotho, English, Afrikaans, or other South African languages. Career paths include teaching, translation, editing, publishing, copywriting, and journalism. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA (Translation and Linguistics)
This specialised degree trains students to become professional translators and linguists. You will learn the theory and practice of translation between South African languages and English. Career paths include translation, interpreting, language editing, and language policy development. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA (Performing Arts)
This degree is for students passionate about drama, theatre, dance, and performance. You will study performance theory, acting techniques, stagecraft, and production. Career paths include acting, theatre production, directing, arts administration, and drama teaching. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA (Information Studies)
This degree prepares students for careers in libraries, archives, and information management. You will learn about information organisation, cataloguing, digital libraries, and knowledge management. Career paths include librarian, archivist, records manager, information officer, and knowledge manager. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA (Contemporary and Multilingual Studies)
This interdisciplinary degree combines contemporary social issues with multilingual studies. You will study South African society, cultural diversity, and multiple languages. Career paths include community development, public administration, language planning, and social research. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA (Communication Studies)
This degree focuses on mass communication, media theory, and communication practices. You will learn about public relations, corporate communication, interpersonal communication, and media analysis. Career paths include public relations officer, communication specialist, corporate communicator, and media liaison. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA (Media Studies)
This degree is for students who want to work in journalism, broadcasting, digital media, or film production. You will learn about news writing, media ethics, video production, and media law. Career paths include journalist, broadcaster, content creator, social media manager, and film producer. Extended degree option available. APS requirement: 24 to 26 (standard), 22 to 24 (extended). No Maths required.
BA (Political Studies)
This degree focuses on political systems, government, public policy, and international relations. You will learn about South African politics, African governance, political theory, and comparative politics. Career paths include public servant, policy analyst, political researcher, diplomat, and political journalist. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA Psychology
This degree is the first step toward becoming a psychologist or social researcher. You will study human behaviour, cognitive processes, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and research methods. Career paths include psychology (with further study), human resources, counselling, social work, and market research. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA in Social Work
This professional degree qualifies you to become a social worker registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). You will study social welfare policy, casework, community development, child protection, and counselling. Career paths include social worker, child protection officer, community developer, and family counsellor. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA Criminology and Psychology
This combined degree explores the intersection of criminal behaviour and psychological theory. You will study criminological theories, criminal justice systems, forensic psychology, and deviant behaviour. Career paths include probation officer, corrections officer, crime intelligence analyst, and forensic psychologist (with further study). APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA Cultural Studies
This degree examines culture, identity, representation, and social meaning. You will study cultural theory, popular culture, identity politics, and media culture. Career paths include cultural analyst, arts administrator, heritage manager, and diversity consultant. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BA Sociology
This degree studies society, social structures, inequality, and social change. You will learn about social theory, research methods, urban sociology, and social problems. Career paths include social researcher, policy analyst, community development officer, and NGO worker. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
Faculty of Management and Law
You do not need Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy to apply for the majority of courses under the Faculty of Management and Law at the University of Limpopo. These programmes focus on administration, law, development, and business management without quantitative prerequisites.
BAdmin (Bachelor of Administration)
This degree prepares students for careers in public administration and government. You will study public policy, administrative law, human resource management, and public financial management (though the financial components are basic and do not require advanced maths). Career paths include public administrator, government official, municipal manager, and policy implementer. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
BAdmin (Bachelor of Administration in Local Government)
This specialised degree focuses on municipal administration and local governance. You will study local government law, municipal finance (basic), community development, and service delivery. Career paths include local government administrator, municipal manager, town clerk, and community development officer. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
This professional degree qualifies you to become a lawyer, advocate, or legal advisor. You will study constitutional law, criminal law, civil procedure, contract law, and legal ethics. Career paths include attorney, advocate, legal advisor, prosecutor, magistrate, and corporate counsel. Extended degree option available. APS requirement: 24 to 26 (standard), 22 to 24 (extended). No Maths required.
Bachelor of Business Administration
This degree focuses on business management, organisational behaviour, and administration. You will study business principles, human resources, marketing (basic), and operations management. Note that while this is a business degree, it does not require Mathematics. Career paths include business manager, office administrator, human resources officer, and retail manager. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
Bachelor of Development Planning and Management
This degree focuses on development planning, project management, and community development. You will study development theory, project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation, and community participation. Career paths include development planner, project manager, NGO coordinator, and community development officer. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
Faculty of Education (Bachelor of Education Programmes)
If you are passionate about teaching, UL offers several Education degrees that focus on Languages, Social Sciences, and Economic Studies rather than Mathematics. These programmes prepare you to become a qualified teacher in schools.
B.Ed: Senior Phase and FET (Languages and Life Orientation)
This degree qualifies you to teach languages and life orientation in grades 7 to 12. You will specialise in two languages (e.g., English, Northern Sotho, Afrikaans) and life orientation. Career paths include high school language teacher, life orientation teacher, and subject advisor. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
B.Ed: Senior Phase and FET (Languages and Social Science)
This degree qualifies you to teach languages and social sciences (history, geography) in grades 7 to 12. You will specialise in two languages and social science. Career paths include high school language and social science teacher. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
B.Ed: Senior Phase and FET (Economic and Management Studies)
This degree qualifies you to teach business-related subjects in grades 7 to 12. You will study business studies, accounting (basic), economics (basic), and management. While this includes some numerical content, it does not require Mathematics as an admission requirement. Career paths include high school business studies teacher, accounting teacher, and economics teacher. APS requirement: 24 to 26. No Maths required.
Extended Curriculum Programmes (ECP)
If your APS is slightly below the standard requirement (22 to 24 instead of 24 to 26), UL offers Extended Curriculum Programmes for many of the degrees listed above. These programmes take one extra year (typically four years instead of three) and provide additional academic support, foundational modules, and skills development to help you succeed.
Extended programmes are available for:
BA Media Studies (Extended)
LLB (Extended)
BA (Extended options may be available for other humanities programmes)
The admission requirements for extended programmes are typically lower, with APS scores around 22 to 24 instead of 24 to 26. However, you still do not need Maths for admission.
Understanding the APS System at UL
Before diving into the specific courses, it is important to understand how the University of Limpopo calculates your Admission Point Score (APS). Unlike some other universities, UL uses a simplified APS calculation based on your six best subjects, excluding Life Orientation.
Here is the UL APS scale:
80-100% = 5 points
70-79% = 4 points
60-69% = 3 points
50-59% = 2 points
40-49% = 1 point
0-39% = 0 points
For example, if you achieved 65% in English, you would earn 3 points. If you achieved 75% in History, you would earn 4 points. Your total APS is the sum of your six best subjects. Most of the courses listed in this guide require an APS between 24 and 26, though some extended programmes accept lower scores.
It is also important to note that while these courses do not require Maths, you still need a Bachelor’s pass in your Matric. This means you must meet the minimum requirements for university admission as set by the Department of Basic Education.
General Admission Requirements
While these courses do not require specific Maths results, you still need to meet the general entry requirements for the University of Limpopo.
You must have a Bachelor’s pass in your Matric. This means you must have achieved at least:
40% in your home language
50% in four other subjects (excluding Life Orientation)
At least 30% in a sixth subject (or a 40% pass in a fifth subject depending on the pass type)
English must be at least Level 3 (40-49%) for most programmes, but Level 4 (50%) is strongly recommended as it is the language of learning and teaching (LoLT). Some programmes may require English Level 4.
You must meet the specific Admission Point Score (APS) for your chosen course, which is calculated from your top six subjects excluding Life Orientation. The APS scale at UL is as follows: 80-100% = 5 points, 70-79% = 4 points, 60-69% = 3 points, 50-59% = 2 points, 40-49% = 1 point, 0-39% = 0 points.
Most of the courses listed require an APS of 24 to 26. Extended programmes may accept 22 to 24.
Some programmes may have additional requirements such as a portfolio (for performing arts), a personal statement, or an interview. Check the specific programme requirements in the UL prospectus.
Application Process and Deadlines
If you are planning to apply for the academic year, applications close on 30 September last year for most programmes. Medicine closed earlier in July.
Applications are submitted online through the University of Limpopo’s application portal. You will need your Matric results (or final Grade 11 results if you are a current Grade 12 learner), your ID document, and proof of application fee payment.
Late applications may not be accepted, so it is important to apply well before the deadline.
Career Pathways for Non-Maths Graduates
Many students worry that not having Maths will limit their career options. However, graduates from these programmes have excellent career prospects in fields that value communication, critical thinking, research, and people skills.
Humanities graduates can work in journalism, public relations, human resources, social work, counselling, market research, publishing, editing, translation, interpreting, archiving, librarianship, community development, NGO management, and government administration.
Law graduates can become attorneys, advocates, legal advisors, prosecutors, magistrates, corporate counsel, legal researchers, and compliance officers.
Education graduates become qualified teachers in schools, subject advisors, curriculum developers, and educational consultants.
Management graduates can work as public administrators, government officials, municipal managers, business managers, office administrators, project managers, and development planners.
Some career paths may require further study, such as a postgraduate degree in psychology to become a registered psychologist, or an LLB to become an attorney or advocate. However, the undergraduate degrees listed above are the first step toward these careers.
Comparison Table: UL Courses Without Maths
| Course | Faculty | APS Requirement | Extended Option | Career Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA Languages | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | Teaching, translation, editing |
| BA Translation & Linguistics | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | Translator, interpreter, editor |
| BA Performing Arts | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | Actor, theatre producer, arts admin |
| BA Information Studies | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | Librarian, archivist, records manager |
| BA Communication Studies | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | PR officer, communication specialist |
| BA Media Studies | Humanities | 24–26 | Yes | Journalist, broadcaster, content creator |
| BA Political Studies | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | Policy analyst, public servant, diplomat |
| BA Psychology | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | HR, research, further study in psychology |
| BA Social Work | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | Social worker, child protection officer |
| BA Criminology & Psychology | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | Probation officer, crime analyst |
| BA Cultural Studies | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | Cultural analyst, heritage manager |
| BA Sociology | Humanities | 24–26 | Possibly | Social researcher, community development |
| BAdmin | Management & Law | 24–26 | Possibly | Public administrator, government official |
| BAdmin Local Government | Management & Law | 24–26 | Possibly | Municipal manager, town clerk |
| LLB | Management & Law | 24–26 | Yes | Attorney, advocate, legal advisor |
| BBA | Management & Law | 24–26 | Possibly | Business manager, HR officer |
| BDev Planning & Management | Management & Law | 24–26 | Possibly | Project manager, development planner |
| B.Ed Languages & LO | Education | 24–26 | Possibly | Language and LO teacher |
| B.Ed Languages & Social Science | Education | 24–26 | Possibly | Language and social science teacher |
| B.Ed EMS | Education | 24–26 | Possibly | Business studies teacher |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any of these courses require Mathematical Literacy?
No. The courses listed above do not require any form of mathematics, including Mathematical Literacy. You can apply with or without Mathematical Literacy. However, having Mathematical Literacy will not disqualify you, and it may contribute to your APS calculation.
Can I still become a psychologist without Maths?
Yes. The BA Psychology degree does not require Maths. After completing your BA Psychology, you can apply for an Honours degree in Psychology, followed by a Master’s degree to become a registered psychologist. The path to psychology does not require mathematics at any level.
Can I become a lawyer without Maths?
Yes. The LLB degree does not require Maths. You can study law and become an attorney, advocate, or legal advisor without having taken mathematics in high school. Law requires strong reading, writing, and analytical skills, not mathematical ability.
What if my APS is below 24?
If your APS is between 22 and 24, you may still be eligible for an Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) for some degrees. ECP programmes offer additional academic support and take one extra year to complete. Contact the UL admissions office to discuss your options.
Can I apply with a Diploma pass?
No. The courses listed above require a Bachelor’s pass. If you have a Diploma pass, you may be eligible for Higher Certificate programmes at UL, but not for these degree programmes.
What is the closing date for applications?
Applications are usually open till September, while Medicine usually closes earlier in July.
Important Notes
The programmes listed above are based on the most recent available admission requirements from the University of Limpopo.
APS cut-offs can change annually depending on application volumes and available spaces. The figures provided (24-26) are typical ranges, but confirm the exact requirement for your chosen course.
Meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee acceptance, as many programmes have limited spaces and selection is competitive.
For the most current requirements, always check the official University of Limpopo prospectus or contact the admissions office directly.
Conclusion
Not having Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy does not have to be a barrier to university education. The University of Limpopo offers a wide variety of degree programmes across Humanities, Management and Law, and Education that do not require Maths for admission. Whether you are interested in languages, media, psychology, social work, law, public administration, or teaching, there is a path for you.
From BA Psychology and BA Social Work to LLB and B.Ed programmes, from BA Media Studies with extended options to BAdmin in Local Government, these courses lead to meaningful careers in journalism, law, social services, education, government, business administration, and community development. Extended Curriculum Programmes provide additional support for students who need it, making university accessible to even more learners.
If you meet the Bachelor’s pass requirement and have an APS of 24 to 26 (or 22 to 24 for extended programmes), you can apply for these programmes without worrying about maths. Focus on your strengths in languages, social sciences, and business studies, and build a career around your talents.
Disclaimer: Admission requirements, APS scales, and application deadlines are subject to change. Always confirm with the official University of Limpopo admissions office or the latest UL prospectus before applying. The information provided here is based on the most recent publicly available data and is intended as a guide only.