Bachelor of Arts at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

The programme is highly flexible and students can choose one of three possible streams: Two languages as majors One language and one social sciences as majors or Two social sciences as majors. Students can choose two of the following disciplines: Anthropology Afrikaans & Dutch Business Management English English language studies History French Geography Industrial Psychology isiXhosa Political Studies Psychology Public Administration Sociology Any other discipline may be taken as a core module, in consultation with the department and programme leader involved. The BA degree enables learners to develop communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will make them flexible global players.

Faculty: Humanities | Duration: 3 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

The published curriculum is an NQF Level 7 qualification of 360 credits.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Anthropologist, Historian, Industrial Psychologist, Journalist, Linguist, Philosopher, Politician, Public Administrator, Public Manager, Sociologist, Media and Communication Practitioner, Copywriter.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum APS: 350. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR CURRENT GRADE 12 LEARNERS Minimum NSC statutory requirements for degree entry must be met. An applicant with NSC Grade 12 Mathematics or Technical Mathematics requires a minimum Applicant Score of 350. An applicant with NSC Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy requires a minimum Applicant Score of 365. NSC achievement rating of at least 60% in any one Home or First Additional Language. NSC achievement rating of at least 35% for Mathematics or Technical Mathematics or 55% for Mathematical Literacy.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities