Are you planning your future and considering Rhodes University for your 2026 studies? Renowned for its academic excellence, vibrant campus life, and strong research culture, Rhodes offers a world-class education in the heart of Makhanda. Navigating course options and understanding what it takes to get in can be overwhelming.
List of courses offered at Rhodes University and the entry required for the 2026 academic year, giving you all the information you need to start your application journey.
Why Choose Rhodes University in 2026?
Before diving into the specifics, it’s worth noting why Rhodes remains a top choice. With a reputation for producing critical thinkers and leaders, Rhodes provides a unique, intimate learning environment with a high staff-to-student ratio. Its faculties are research-intensive, ensuring you learn from experts at the forefront of their fields. Whether you’re drawn to the sciences, arts, commerce, or law, Rhodes has a structured path to help you achieve your career aspirations.
List of Courses offered at Rhodes University
Rhodes University is organised into six distinct faculties, each housing a variety of departments and schools. Here is a detailed look at the academic programmes available for 2026.
Faculty of Commerce
The Faculty of Commerce offers a range of programs that equip students with critical business and economic skills, preparing them for leadership roles in the corporate world, finance, and entrepreneurship.
Undergraduate Degrees:
- Bachelor of Business Science
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Economics
Postgraduate Degrees:
- Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis
- Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analysis
- Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Management
- Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation
Faculty of Education
The Faculty of Education at Rhodes University provides a variety of programs aimed at developing educators and education specialists for all levels of teaching, from foundation phase to higher education.
Undergraduate Degrees:
- BEd (Foundation Phase Teaching) degree
- BEd (in-service) degrees
Postgraduate Programs:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education
- Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability Learning
- Bachelor of Education Honours
- Masters in Education degrees
- PhD (Education) degrees
Faculty of Humanities
The Faculty of Humanities offers students the opportunity to explore diverse cultural, historical, and social disciplines. Programs in this faculty provide a robust foundation for those pursuing careers in creative industries, research, journalism, and social sciences.
Undergraduate Degrees:
- Bachelor of Art (BA)
- Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA)
- Bachelor of Journalism (BJourn)
- Bachelor of Music (BMus)
- Bachelor of Social Science (BSS)
Faculty of Law
Rhodes University’s Faculty of Law offers a comprehensive range of law degrees, providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the legal profession, both in South Africa and abroad.
Undergraduate Degree:
- LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
Postgraduate Degrees:
- LLM (Master of Laws)
- PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Faculty of Pharmacy
The Faculty of Pharmacy at Rhodes University offers specialized programs in pharmaceutical sciences, preparing students for careers in healthcare, research, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Undergraduate Degree:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
Postgraduate Degrees:
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Master of Pharmacy (MPharm)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Doctor of Science (DSc)
Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science offers a wide range of programs, including undergraduate, honours, and postgraduate degrees, across a variety of scientific disciplines. Students can choose from a broad spectrum of courses that provide both theoretical and practical knowledge in science and technology.
Undergraduate Degrees:
- Bachelor of Science (BSc): A flexible three-year (or four-year) degree program.
- Bachelor of Science (Information Systems) (BSc(InfSys))
Postgraduate Degrees:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) (BSc(Hons))
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Departments within the Faculty of Science:
- Biochemistry and Microbiology
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Environmental Science
- Geography
- Geology
- Human Kinetics and Ergonomics
- Ichthyology and Fisheries Science
- Mathematics
- Physics and Electronics
- Statistics
- Zoology and Entomology
Entry requirements
Understanding the Entry Required is crucial for a successful application. While specific requirements vary by programme, here are the general and faculty-specific guidelines for 2026.
National Senior Certificate (NSC) Applicants:
- You must have passed the NSC with a degree endorsement.
- Meet the minimum Faculty Points Score (FPS) and Admission Points Score (APS). These scores are calculated from your final matric results.
- Example: A Bachelor of Commerce typically requires an APS of 40+ and specific subjects like Mathematics.
International & Other Qualifications:
- Applicants with A-levels, IB diplomas, or other international qualifications are welcome. Rhodes University provides a conversion scale to equate these results to the South African system.
General Minimum Requirements:
- Home Language: Level 4 (50-59%)
- Additional Language: Level 3 (40-49%)
- Mathematics: Certain degrees (Commerce, Science, Pharmacy) require Mathematics. Others may require Mathematical Literacy.
- Life Orientation: Excluded from APS calculation but a pass is required.
Faculty-Specific Entry Requirements (Overview)
- Commerce: Strong performance in Mathematics is essential. The Bachelor of Business Science often has higher requirement thresholds than the standard BCom.
- Humanities: Focus is on language proficiency. Subjects like History, Geography, or Visual Arts may be recommended.
- Law (LLB): Has a high APS requirement and places strong emphasis on language skills.
- Pharmacy (BPharm): Highly competitive. Requires outstanding scores in Mathematics, Physical Science, and Life Sciences.
- Science: Requires Mathematics and Physical Science, with Life Sciences needed for fields like Pharmacy, Biochemistry, and Zoology.
- Education: Requires subject-specific competency for the phase you wish to teach.
Important Note: The above are guidelines. You must consult the official Rhodes University website or prospectus for the 2026 academic year for the definitive, detailed entry requirements for your chosen programme. Requirements can change, and some courses may have additional selection criteria, such as portfolios for Fine Art or auditions for Music.
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