Dlamini BlessingThe University of the Western Cape (UWC) offers a diverse range of undergraduate programmes across its faculties, and many of these do not require Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy for admission. This guide focuses on courses in the Humanities, Law, Education, Community and Health Sciences (non-science streams), and Economic and Management Sciences where Maths is not a strict prerequisite.
Please note that while these programmes do not require Maths, most require English as a Home Language or First Additional Language at a specific level, and you must meet the faculty’s Admission Point Score (APS) requirements.
UWC Courses That Don’t Require Maths (Western Cape)
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities is the primary destination for students who excel in languages, social sciences, and the humanities. None of the programmes in this faculty require Mathematics for admission.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
APS Requirement: 27
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language (specific level required, consult prospectus)
Duration: 3 years
What You Will Study: This flexible degree allows you to major in subjects such as History, Sociology, Psychology, Political Studies, English, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies, and Gender Studies. You can tailor your degree to your career interests.
Career Paths: Journalism, public relations, human resources, government administration, research, NGO work, marketing, and teaching (with a PGCE).
Extended Programme: UWC offers a 4-year Extended BA programme for students who need additional foundational support before proceeding to mainstream degree studies.
Bachelor of Library and Information Studies (BLIS)
APS Requirement: 27
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 3-4 years
What You Will Study: This programme prepares you for careers in libraries, archives, and information management. You will learn about information organisation, cataloguing, digital libraries, knowledge management, and information literacy.
Career Paths: Librarian (school, public, academic, special), archivist, records manager, information officer, knowledge manager, and data curator.
Bachelor of Theology (BTh)
APS Requirement: 27
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 3-4 years (full-time and part-time options available)
What You Will Study: This programme focuses on religious studies, biblical literature, theology, ethics, and ministry. You will explore religious traditions, philosophical theology, and pastoral care.
Career Paths: Minister, pastor, chaplain, religious educator, counsellor, NGO worker, and community development officer.
Faculty of Law
The Faculty of Law offers several programmes that do not require Mathematics. These programmes focus on legal theory, reasoning, and writing rather than quantitative skills.
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
APS Requirement: 32
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 4 years (full-time) or 5 years (extended)
What You Will Study: This professional degree qualifies you to practice law in South Africa. You will study constitutional law, criminal law, civil procedure, contract law, property law, law of evidence, legal ethics, and family law.
Career Paths: Attorney, advocate, prosecutor, magistrate, legal advisor, corporate counsel, legal researcher, compliance officer, and law lecturer. With further study, you can specialise in areas such as human rights law, environmental law, or tax law.
BA Law
APS Requirement: Consult UWC prospectus for specific requirement
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 3 years
What You Will Study: This degree combines legal theory with humanities subjects. You will study foundational law modules alongside arts subjects such as Psychology, Sociology, or Political Studies.
Career Paths: This degree is excellent preparation for the LLB (you may receive credit for certain modules), or careers in compliance, legal administration, paralegal work, human resources, and government.
BCom Law
APS Requirement: Consult UWC prospectus for specific requirement
Mathematics Requirement: Typically requires Mathematics or Accounting; however, some pathways may consider Mathematical Literacy. Confirm with the admissions office.
Duration: 3 years
Note: This programme has a commerce focus and may require Mathematics depending on the specific stream. It is listed here for completeness, but students without Maths should confirm directly with UWC.
Higher Certificate in Forensic Examination
APS Requirement: Consult UWC prospectus
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Duration: 1 year
What You Will Study: This certificate programme introduces you to forensic investigation, crime scene management, evidence handling, and forensic accounting basics.
Career Paths: This certificate can serve as a pathway to further studies in law or criminology, or lead to entry-level positions in forensic investigation and security.
Faculty of Education
If you are passionate about teaching languages, social sciences, life orientation, or business studies, the Faculty of Education offers several programmes that do not require Mathematics. You can still become a teacher without Maths.
BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching
APS Requirement: 27
Mathematics Requirement: Not required (focus on literacy and life skills)
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 4 years
What You Will Study: This programme prepares you to teach Grade R to Grade 3 learners. You will study child development, early literacy, numeracy (basic, not advanced maths), life skills, and teaching methodologies.
Career Paths: Foundation phase teacher, curriculum developer, early childhood development specialist, and education officer.
BEd in Languages and Social Sciences
APS Requirement: 27
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 4 years
What You Will Study: This programme qualifies you to teach languages (e.g., English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa) and social sciences (History, Geography) in the Senior Phase and FET (Grades 7-12).
Career Paths: High school language teacher, social science teacher, subject advisor, curriculum developer, and education consultant.
BEd in Languages and Life Orientation
APS Requirement: 27
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 4 years
What You Will Study: This programme prepares you to teach languages and life orientation (LO) in Grades 7-12. LO covers topics such as personal well-being, citizenship, health education, and career guidance.
Career Paths: High school language and LO teacher, student counsellor, youth worker, and community educator.
BEd in EMS and Social Sciences
APS Requirement: 27
Mathematics Requirement: Not required (though some basic numeracy is involved in EMS, Maths is not an admission requirement)
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 4 years
What You Will Study: This programme qualifies you to teach Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) and Social Sciences in the Senior Phase. EMS covers economics, business studies, and basic financial literacy.
Career Paths: High school EMS and social science teacher.
Faculty of Community and Health Sciences (Non-Science Streams)
While many programmes in this faculty require strong science and mathematics backgrounds, there are exceptions focused on social sciences and community development.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
APS Requirement: 30
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 3 years or 5 years (extended programme available)
What You Will Study: 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, counselling, and social research methods.
Career Paths: Social worker, child protection officer, school social worker, forensic social worker, community developer, probation officer, and NGO programme manager.
BA Human Ecology
APS Requirement: Consult UWC prospectus
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 3 years
What You Will Study: Human Ecology explores the relationship between people and their environment, focusing on family studies, consumer science, nutrition (basic), housing, and community development.
Career Paths: Community development officer, family counsellor, consumer advisor, housing officer, and NGO programme coordinator.
BA Sport Recreation and Exercise Science
APS Requirement: Consult UWC prospectus
Mathematics Requirement: Not required
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 3 years
What You Will Study: This programme focuses on sport management, recreation planning, exercise science, and community sport development. It is less science-intensive than the BSc Sport and Exercise Science.
Career Paths: Sport administrator, recreation officer, fitness centre manager, community sport coordinator, and events manager.
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences has some programmes that may accept Mathematical Literacy. However, many BCom programmes require Mathematics. The Bachelor of Administration is the most accessible option for students without Maths.
Bachelor of Administration (BAdmin)
APS Requirement: Consult UWC prospectus (generally lower than BCom)
Mathematics Requirement: Mathematical Literacy may be accepted. Confirm with admissions.
Subject Requirements: English Home Language or First Additional Language
Duration: 3 years (full-time or part-time options)
What You Will Study: This degree focuses on public administration, management, governance, and policy implementation. You will learn about organisational behaviour, human resources, public finance (basic), and administrative law.
Career Paths: Public administrator, government official, municipal manager, policy analyst, NGO administrator, and corporate administrator.
Higher Certificate in Economic Development
APS Requirement: Consult UWC prospectus (lower than degree programmes)
Mathematics Requirement: Mathematical Literacy may be accepted
Duration: 1 year
What You Will Study: This certificate programme introduces you to economic development principles, community development, project management, and basic economics.
Career Paths: This certificate can serve as a pathway to degree studies or lead to entry-level positions in economic development, NGO work, and community projects.
Important Note on BCom Programmes
Standard BCom programmes (General, Accounting, Information Systems, Finance, Economics, Marketing) typically require Mathematics or a strong Mathematics background. If you do not have Maths, these programmes are unlikely to accept you. The BAdmin and Higher Certificate pathways are better options.
Comparison Table: UWC Courses Without Maths
| Programme | Faculty | APS Requirement | Duration | Extended Option | Career Paths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) | Arts & Humanities | 27 | 3 years | Yes (4 years) | Journalism, HR, government, research |
| Bachelor of Library & Information Studies | Arts & Humanities | 27 | 3–4 years | No | Librarian, archivist, information officer |
| Bachelor of Theology | Arts & Humanities | 27 | 3–4 years | No | Minister, chaplain, counsellor |
| Bachelor of Laws (LLB) | Law | 32 | 4–5 years | Yes (5 years) | Attorney, advocate, legal advisor |
| BA Law | Law | Consult prospectus | 3 years | No | Legal admin, compliance, paralegal |
| BEd Foundation Phase | Education | 27 | 4 years | No | Foundation phase teacher |
| BEd Languages & Social Sciences | Education | 27 | 4 years | No | High school teacher |
| BEd Languages & Life Orientation | Education | 27 | 4 years | No | High school teacher, youth worker |
| BEd EMS & Social Sciences | Education | 27 | 4 years | No | High school teacher |
| Bachelor of Social Work | Community & Health Sciences | 30 | 3–5 years | Yes (5 years) | Social worker, child protection |
| BA Human Ecology | Community & Health Sciences | Consult prospectus | 3 years | No | Community development, family services |
| BA Sport Recreation & Exercise Science | Community & Health Sciences | Consult prospectus | 3 years | No | Sport management, recreation |
| Bachelor of Administration (BAdmin) | Economic & Management Sciences | Consult prospectus | 3 years | No | Public administrator, government official |
| Higher Certificate in Economic Development | Economic & Management Sciences | Consult prospectus | 1 year | No | Pathway to degree, NGO work |
Extended Curriculum Programmes (ECP)
UWC offers Extended Curriculum Programmes for students who meet the minimum requirements but need additional foundational support. These programmes typically take one extra year to complete and provide extra academic support, smaller classes, and foundational modules.
Extended programmes are available for:
Bachelor of Arts (4-year Extended)
Bachelor of Laws (5-year Extended)
Bachelor of Social Work (5-year Extended)
The admission requirements for extended programmes may be slightly lower than the standard programmes, making them an excellent option if your APS is close to but not meeting the standard requirement.
General Admission Requirements at UWC
Before exploring specific courses, it is essential to understand how UWC calculates your Admission Point Score (APS). UWC uses a specific scale to convert your Matric results into points:
NSC Achievement Level 7 (80-100%) = 8 APS points
NSC Achievement Level 6 (70-79%) = 7 APS points
NSC Achievement Level 5 (60-69%) = 6 APS points
NSC Achievement Level 4 (50-59%) = 5 APS points
NSC Achievement Level 3 (40-49%) = 4 APS points
Meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission, as space is limited and selection may consider additional criteria such as interviews or portfolios.
How to Apply
Applications for the academic year at UWC typically open around April and close in September. You should check the UWC website for exact dates.
Application Steps:
1. Choose your programme from the list above
2. Calculate your APS using your Matric results (or final Grade 11 results if you are a current Grade 12 learner)
3. Check that you meet the subject requirements (e.g., English level)
4. Apply online through the UWC application portal
5. Submit your application before the deadline
6. Pay the application fee
You can use the official UWC APS Score Calculator on their website to determine which programmes you qualify for based on your results.
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, as a strict admission requirement. However, some programmes like BAdmin may accept Mathematical Literacy as a valid subject for calculating your APS, even though it is not required.
Can I become a lawyer without Maths?
Yes. The LLB degree at UWC does not require Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy for admission. Law requires strong reading, writing, analytical, and reasoning skills, not mathematical ability.
Can I become a social worker without Maths?
Yes. The Bachelor of Social Work at UWC does not require Mathematics. Social work focuses on counselling, casework, community development, and social policy, not mathematics.
Can I become a teacher without Maths?
Yes, you can become a teacher specialising in languages, social sciences, life orientation, or EMS (Economic and Management Sciences). The BEd programmes listed above do not require Mathematics for admission. However, to become a mathematics or physical science teacher, you would need Maths.
What if my APS is below the requirement?
If your APS is close to but not meeting the standard requirement, you may be eligible for an Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP). ECP programmes take one year longer but provide additional academic support. Contact the UWC admissions office to discuss your options.
Conclusion
Not having Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy does not have to be a barrier to university education at the University of the Western Cape. The Faculty of Arts and Humanities offers BA, BLIS, and BTh programmes with an APS requirement of 27. The Faculty of Law offers the LLB degree (APS 32) and BA Law. The Faculty of Education offers various BEd programmes (APS 27) for future teachers of languages, social sciences, life orientation, and EMS. The Faculty of Community and Health Sciences offers Social Work (APS 30), BA Human Ecology, and BA Sport Recreation. The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences offers the BAdmin and Higher Certificate in Economic 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 a strong performance in languages and humanities subjects, you can apply for these programmes without worrying about maths.
Focus on your strengths in languages, social sciences, and humanities, and build a meaningful career around your talents.
Disclaimer: Admission requirements, APS scores, and application deadlines are subject to change. Always confirm with the official University of the Western Cape admissions office or the latest UWC prospectus before applying. The information provided here is based on the most recent publicly available data and is intended as a guide only.