What Are The Requirements For WSU Teaching Course? Complete Guide

What Are The Requirements For WSU Teaching Course? If you want to become a teacher in South Africa, choosing the right university and teaching course is an important step. Walter Sisulu University (WSU) offers different education programmes for students who want to build a career in teaching. However, before applying, it is important to understand the WSU teaching course requirements, including your matric results, subject marks, Admission Point Score (APS), and language requirements.

The requirements can be different depending on the teaching programme you choose. For example, the requirements for Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching are not exactly the same as those for Senior Phase and Further Education and Training (FET) Teaching.

This guide explains the main requirements for WSU teaching courses in simple. It also covers the important subjects, APS requirements, Foundation Phase teaching, Senior Phase and FET teaching, and other things you should know before applying.

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What Are the Requirements for WSU Teaching Course?

For students applying for undergraduate teaching programmes at WSU, the main requirement is usually a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a bachelor’s endorsement. You must also meet the subject requirements and minimum APS for the specific teaching programme you choose.

For example, the current WSU information for the Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching (W62006) lists an APS of 24 and requires specific achievement in English, isiXhosa, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, Life Orientation, and two additional subjects.

The exact requirements depend on your chosen teaching specialisation, so you should always check the requirements for that particular programme before submitting your application.

Quick Overview of WSU Teaching Requirements

Requirement	What You Generally Need
School certificate	National Senior Certificate (NSC)
NSC status	Bachelor’s endorsement
APS	Depends on the teaching programme
English	Required at a specific level depending on the programme
African language	Required for many WSU education programmes
Mathematics	Required for some programmes
Mathematical Literacy	Accepted for certain programmes
Other subjects	Depends on your selected teaching specialisation
Teaching experience	Practical/workplace experience forms part of the BEd programme

WSU uses APS together with subject-specific requirements when checking whether an applicant qualifies for admission. The university explains that Education applicants may have their APS calculated using seven subjects, including Life Orientation where applicable.

National Senior Certificate With a Bachelor’s Pass

One of the first things you need for a WSU teaching degree is the right school-leaving qualification. For current undergraduate Bachelor of Education programmes, WSU requires a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a bachelor’s endorsement. This means your matric results must allow you to enter a bachelor’s degree programme.

Having an NSC alone does not automatically mean that you qualify for every teaching course. You also need to meet the required marks for the subjects listed under your chosen programme. Therefore, before applying, check both:

Your NSC status
Your subject marks
Your APS
The specific requirements for your selected BEd programme

You Need the Required APS Score

The Admission Point Score (APS) is another important part of the WSU teaching course requirements. WSU uses APS together with subject requirements when assessing applications. The required APS can differ between education programmes. For example, the current WSU undergraduate information lists an APS of 24 for the Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching.

Some other education programmes have different subject combinations and requirements. This means you should not assume that one APS requirement applies to every WSU teaching course.

Your APS is calculated from your school results according to WSU’s APS system. The university provides an APS conversion table to help applicants understand how percentage marks are converted into APS points.

English Language Requirement

English is an important requirement for many WSU teaching programmes because students need strong communication skills to complete university work and prepare for teaching. The required English level depends on the programme.

For example, the current BEd Foundation Phase Teaching requirements include English First Additional Language at Level 4 (50–59%).

Other WSU teaching programmes can require a different English level. For example, the BEd Senior Phase and FET Teaching in Languages requires English at Level 5 (60–69%) as either Home Language or First Additional Language. So, always check the English requirement for your selected course.

IsiXhosa May Be Required

For several WSU teaching programmes, an African language is an important admission requirement. For the BEd Foundation Phase Teaching programme, applicants need isiXhosa Home Language at Level 4 (50–59%). The programme is designed for teaching in the Foundation Phase, and WSU also states that proficiency in the languages of learning and teaching, including isiXhosa and English, is required.

For Senior Phase and FET programmes, the exact language requirement depends on the specialisation. For example, the BEd Senior Phase and FET Teaching (Languages) programme requires:

English at Level 5
isiXhosa at Level 4
Two other subjects at Level 4
Three additional subjects that together meet the stated APS requirement

The programme has an APS requirement of 24 in the current WSU information.

Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy

Mathematics is another important subject for some WSU teaching courses. For the BEd Foundation Phase Teaching programme, WSU currently accepts:

Mathematics at Level 2 (30–39%), or
Mathematical Literacy at Level 4 (50–59%).

This is useful for students who did Mathematical Literacy instead of Mathematics at school. However, the requirement can change according to the teaching specialisation. For example, some Senior Phase and FET programmes may require Mathematics or other science-related subjects at higher levels.

Life Orientation Requirement

For Foundation Phase Teaching, Life Orientation is also part of the subject requirements. The current WSU admission information requires Life Orientation at Level 5 (60–69%) for the BEd Foundation Phase Teaching programme.

This means applicants should carefully check their Life Orientation mark before applying. It is also important to understand that WSU’s APS calculation for Education programmes can include Life Orientation where the qualification rules allow it.

Requirements for Foundation Phase Teaching

If your goal is to teach young children from Grade R to Grade 3, the Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching (W62006) is one of the WSU programmes designed for this area. The current published requirements include:

National Senior Certificate with bachelor’s endorsement
APS of 24
isiXhosa Home Language Level 4
English First Additional Language Level 4
Mathematics Level 2 or Mathematical Literacy Level 4
Life Orientation Level 5
Any other two additional subjects totalling 8 points

These requirements are published by WSU for the programme. The programme prepares students for professional teaching in the Foundation Phase and includes educational theory, subject knowledge, practical skills, research, and workplace experience.

Senior Phase and FET Teaching Requirements

WSU also offers different Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching programmes. These programmes are designed for students who want to teach older learners and specialise in particular subjects.

The requirements depend on the selected specialisation. For example, the current BEd Senior Phase and FET Teaching (Languages) requirements include:

APS of 24
English at Level 5
isiXhosa at Level 4
Two other subjects at Level 4
Three additional subjects totalling 7 APS points

Other Senior Phase and FET programmes have different subject requirements. WSU lists programmes covering areas such as Humanities, Creative Arts and History, Consumer and Management Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, and Maths, Science and Technology.

Your Subjects Should Match Your Teaching Area

Choosing the right school subjects can be important if you already know which teaching field you want to enter. For example, a student applying for a teaching programme focused on Mathematics, Science and Technology may need specific subjects such as Mathematics and Life Sciences or Physical Sciences.

WSU’s current information for the BEd Senior Phase and FET Teaching (Maths, Science and Technology) requires English and another African language at Level 4, Mathematics at Level 4, plus either Life Sciences or Physical Sciences at Level 4 and other required subjects. This shows why applicants should not only look at the APS. Subject combinations are also important.

Practical Teaching Experience

Getting accepted into a teaching programme is only the beginning. WSU’s BEd programmes are designed to prepare students for real teaching environments. The Foundation Phase programme, for example, includes School Based Experience, which helps students learn from practical teaching environments. Practical experience can help student teachers understand:

How classrooms work
How to communicate with learners
How to plan lessons
How to support different learners
How to assess learner progress
How to apply teaching methods

This practical part is important because teaching involves much more than studying books and passing exams.

Do You Need a Bachelor’s Degree Before Applying?

For an undergraduate Bachelor of Education, you generally do not need to already have another bachelor’s degree. You apply after completing the required school qualification, such as an NSC with bachelor’s endorsement, and then meet the programme-specific subject and APS requirements. However, postgraduate education programmes are different.

For example, WSU’s Bachelor of Education Honours has a different entry requirement. WSU states that applicants need an NQF Level 7 qualification in a related field with at least 60% for subjects offered at undergraduate level. So, make sure you are checking the requirements for the correct level of study.

What Documents Should You Prepare?

When applying to WSU, it is a good idea to have your important academic information ready. Depending on the application process and your applicant category, you may need documents such as:

Identity document
Matric certificate or statement of results
Previous academic records if applicable
Other supporting documents requested by WSU

Always follow the latest application instructions from WSU because document requirements and application procedures can change.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many students focus only on their APS and forget about specific subject requirements. This can create problems during the application process. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

Mistake 1: Looking Only at APS

Having the required APS does not necessarily mean that you meet every subject requirement.

Mistake 2: Choosing the Wrong Teaching Programme

WSU has different BEd programmes. Each one can have different subjects and marks.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Language Requirements

English and African language requirements can be important for WSU education programmes.

Mistake 4: Using Old Requirements

University admission requirements can change from one intake year to another. Always check the latest WSU admission information before applying.

Mistake 5: Assuming All Teaching Courses Have the Same Requirements

Foundation Phase, Senior Phase and FET programmes can have different entry rules.

How to Check If You Qualify for a WSU Teaching Course

You can use this simple process:

Step 1: Check that you have an NSC with bachelor’s endorsement.
Step 2: Decide which WSU teaching programme you want to study.
Step 3: Check the programme’s required subjects.
Step 4: Compare your matric marks with the required levels.
Step 5: Calculate or check your WSU APS.
Step 6: Make sure you meet the required APS.
Step 7: Prepare your supporting documents.
Step 8: Submit your application according to WSU’s current application instructions.
Step 9: Check your application status and respond to any further instructions from the university.

FAQs About WSU teaching

What is the APS requirement for WSU teaching?

The APS depends on the teaching programme. For example, the current WSU requirement for the BEd Foundation Phase Teaching programme is 24 APS. Some other education programmes may have different requirements.

Can I study teaching at WSU with Mathematical Literacy?

Yes, some WSU teaching programmes accept Mathematical Literacy. For example, the BEd Foundation Phase Teaching programme accepts Mathematical Literacy at Level 4 (50–59%) instead of Mathematics at Level 2.

What marks do I need for English at WSU?

The required English mark depends on the programme. The Foundation Phase programme currently requires English First Additional Language at Level 4, while the Senior Phase and FET Languages programme requires English at Level 5.

Do I need isiXhosa to study teaching at WSU?

Some WSU teaching programmes have an isiXhosa requirement. For example, Foundation Phase Teaching requires isiXhosa Home Language at Level 4, while the Languages programme also requires isiXhosa at Level 4.

Can I become a Foundation Phase teacher after completing the WSU BEd?

The BEd Foundation Phase Teaching programme is specifically linked to Grades R–3 and is designed as an initial professional teacher qualification.

Are all WSU teaching course requirements the same?

No. WSU offers different education programmes, and the required APS and subjects can vary according to the programme and teaching specialisation.

Conclusion

The WSU teaching course requirements depend on the specific Bachelor of Education programme you want to study. In general, you need the right NSC qualification, a bachelor’s endorsement, the required APS, and the correct marks in the subjects listed for your chosen programme.