STADIO’s mission is to widen access by making higher education available to more individuals. 

There are a number of alternative access routes available for those who do not meet the minimum admission criteria of the programme of their choice.

If you want to study towards a Bachelor’s degree but you did not achieve a bachelor’s degree pass (exemption), there are a number of alternative options:

Candidates who do not meet the requirements for bachelor degree studies, but who have reached the ages of 23 or 45 respectively, may apply for Mature Age Exemption via the USAF Matriculation Board (https://mbit-application.usaf.ac.za/assessment/) under the following conditions:

• Candidates who have reached/will reach the age of 23 during the first year of registration and who have achieved a Senior Certificate with a pass in at least four subjects, including one of the official languages and including one subject on Higher Grade; or
• Candidates who have reached the age of 45 before or during the first year of registration.

Candidates who have acquired extensive knowledge and skill through working and/or non-formal learning may be considered for access via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route. RPL is the process whereby skills, knowledge and experience gained through informal or non-formal learning, work experience, or other life experiences are evaluated, assessed and recognised towards access to a programme. 

Find more information on the RPL process HERE.

RPL for access is available to both undergraduate and postgraduate applicants. The level of knowledge and skills required will depend on the NQF level of the programme candidates are applying for.

An RPL application fee is payable upon application.

NOTE: RPL for access is not available on the following programmes:

• Advanced Diploma in Technical and Vocational Teaching

• Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (PGCE)

• Doctor of Policing

• Doctor of Management

In specified instances it is also possible to apply for RPL for module exemption. Contact your Programme Officer to find out more about eligibility and requirements. 

STADIO actively facilitates the transfer of credits awarded towards qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and offered by recognised providers of education and training in South Africa. Candidates who have completed either a full qualfiication, or modules on a formal qualification at another Higher Education institution may be eligible to transfer credits to STADIO.

CAT is granted based on a comparison mapping which requires a minimum of 80% overlap between the original content and outcomes of the module for which credits have been awarded, and the module for which CAT is being sought.

For your CAT application, you will need to gather detailed information on the courses completed at another institution, such as course outcomes, course outlines, topic outlines and an official transcripts.  

A maximum of 50% of the credits of completed qualification may be transferred to another qualification, while all the credits achieved on an incomplete qualification may be transferred, provided that no more than 50% of the total credits are awarded via CAT on the receiving qualification.

A CAT application fee is payable upon application.