University Access Programme
The University Access Programme (UAP) began in the Bloemfontein region of the Free State Province in January 1993 as the NEED Programme (Need for Education and Elevation). The necessity for this programme arose due to imbalances in the school system, which resulted in many deserving students not being able to meet the entrance requirements of universities. The UAP provides prospective students, who have UFS Admission Point (AP) scores of 18 to 24, the opportunity to 'perform themselves into higher education'. Successful UAP students gain access, with credit recognition, to appropriate further degree studies.
The UAP has evolved over the years from a lecture-based to a resource-based learning curriculum, i.e. the students are provided with all the resources they need on their first day of studying; they do not need to go to shops off-site to purchase textbooks, for example. The programme (originally called the Career Preparation Programme, or CPP, and later on the University Preparation Programme, or UPP) was expanded to Bethlehem in 1998, to Kimberley in 1999, to Welkom and Sasolburg in 2000, to Oudtshoorn in 2001, and to Motheo TVET College (Bloemfontein) and Maluti TVET College’s Kwetlisong Campus in Phuthaditjhaba in January 2017. From January 2017 onwards, two new Higher Certificates are being offered, both on the South Campus and at the sub-region sites as mentioned. Since 2003, students with AP scores of 20-24 have also been accommodated as 'access' students on the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS).
Click on the links below to access more information on the different UAP study options:
Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences
Higher Certificate in the Humanities
University Preparation Programme in Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Mathematics and Chemistry and Agricultural Sciences study options)
University Preparation Programme in Education
How do I apply?