Vaal University of Technology

Programme overview

VUT’s Applied and Computer Sciences listing covers several discipline-specific diploma programmes (three-year diplomas) and a four-year Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science. Programmes are managed across the Department of Natural Sciences, Department of Computer Sciences and Department of Health Sciences and include information technology, analytical chemistry, biotechnology, agricultural management, environmental science, non-destructive testing and an extended IT option.

What you'll study

• Diploma: Analytical Chemistry — three-year diploma in the Department of Natural Sciences.
• Diploma: Biotechnology — three-year diploma in the Department of Natural Sciences.
• Diploma: Agricultural Management — three-year diploma in the Department of Natural Sciences.
• Diploma: Environmental Science — three-year diploma in the Department of Natural Sciences.
• Diploma: Information Technology — three-year full-time diploma in the Department of Computer Sciences.
• Extended Information Technology Programme — extended route administered by the Department of Computer Sciences.
• Diploma: Non-Destructive Testing — three-year diploma in the Department of Physical Sciences.
• Bachelor of Health Sciences: Medical Laboratory Science — four-year degree in the Department of Health Sciences.

Entry requirements

Programme-specific minimums are set by NSC endorsement and required subject achievement levels as listed by VUT. Selected requirements from the published listings:

• Analytical Chemistry (3 years): NSC endorsement; English level 4; Mathematics or Technical Mathematics or Engineering Mathematics (TVET N4) level 4 or 60% equivalent; Physical Science or Engineering Sciences (TVET N4) level 4 or 60%; plus three other subjects; total points 21 (LO excluded).
• Biotechnology (3 years): NSC endorsement; English 4; Mathematics or Engineering Mathematics or 60% Physical Science or 4 Engineering Science; Life Sciences 4; total points 23 (LO excluded).
• Agricultural Management (3 years): NSC endorsement; English 4; Mathematics 3 or Technical Mathematics 3 or Mathematical Literacy 4; Agriculture or Life Science 3; total 21 (with maths) or 22 (with mathematical literacy) excluding LO; recommended subjects include Business Studies, Economics, Computer Studies, Geography.
• Environmental Science (3 years): NSC endorsement; English 4; Mathematics 4; Physical Science 4; total 21 (LO excluded); recommended subjects include Business Studies, Economics, Computer Studies, Geography.
• Information Technology (3 years, full time): NSC endorsement; English 4; Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 4 or Mathematical Literacy 6; four other subjects (excluding LO); APS 26 when Mathematics/Technical Mathematics used (excl. LO) or 28 when Mathematical Literacy used (excl. LO). A maximum of six subjects (excluding LO) count toward APS.
• Extended Information Technology Programme: NSC endorsement; English 4; Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 4 or Mathematical Literacy 6; other four subjects (excluding LO); APS 24 (with Mathematics/Technical Mathematics) or 26 (with Mathematical Literacy); APS calculation uses up to six subjects excluding LO.
• Non-Destructive Testing (3 years): NSC endorsement; English 3; Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 3; Physical Science or Technical Science 4; APS 19 (LO excluded).
• Bachelor of Health Sciences: Medical Laboratory Science (4 years): NSC endorsement for bachelor eligibility; compulsory subjects English 4, Mathematics 4, Physical Science 4, Life Science 5; total 27 (LO excluded). Applicants may be required to have industrial knowledge (job shadowing) and could undergo placement testing.

Career prospects

Each programme targets applied, technical or laboratory roles related to its discipline: IT and extended IT prepare students for operational IT roles; analytical chemistry, biotechnology and medical laboratory science prepare students for laboratory and analytical positions; agricultural management and environmental science prepare students for applied roles in those sectors; non-destructive testing prepares students for inspection and testing roles in physical sciences and industry. Exact job titles and pathways depend on the chosen diploma and local employer requirements.

Scholarships & funding angle

Students should investigate institutional bursaries, departmental funding and national funding schemes; many applied diplomas attract workplace training or industry partnerships that can help with placement or financial support. Check VUT departmental contacts for programme-specific funding possibilities.