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How to become a Chemist

Studies materials and reactions - medicines, fuels, materials, food.

What does a Chemist actually do?

More about this career

Works on the materials and reactions behind medicines, fuels, plastics, cosmetics and food – mostly lab-based, in industry, government labs or research. Analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry are the main specialisations, each leading to somewhat different industries.

Where this degree can take you

  • Analytical Chemist
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Quality Control Chemist
  • Materials Scientist

This is our general description of the role and related jobs, not from an official source – it’s here to give you a fuller picture, not as a careers-counselling guarantee.

Not from an official source

Subjects that usually help

  • Mathematics
  • Physical Sciences

This is our general guidance about which school subjects suit this career. It is not an admission requirement and not from an official source – the real requirements are on the degrees below.

Not from an official source

Where to check this yourself

What the programmes we’ve captured actually ask for

  • Mathematics – asked for by 33 of 34 programmes
  • Physical Sciences – asked for by 32 of 34 programmes
  • Life Sciences – asked for by 7 of 34 programmes
  • Technical Mathematics – asked for by 6 of 34 programmes
  • Agricultural Sciences – asked for by 1 of 34 programmes
  • Technical Sciences – asked for by 1 of 34 programmes

Counted from the requirements below (an “or” alternative counts for each subject named). Each programme links to the page it came from.

Programmes that lead here

34 programmes at 18 universities. More are added as we verify them.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Diploma in Analytical Chemistry

Applied Sciences, Bellville Campus · 3 years

CPUT APS 30 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CPUT’s own prospectus course page. APS 30 on the Mathematics route, 31 on the Technical Maths route. CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Partly verifiedNot fully verifiedNo cut-off published

National Diploma in Food Technology (Extended Curriculum Programme)

Applied Sciences

CPUT APS 27 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Two of three subjects – Two of Mathematics, Physical Sciences or Life Sciences at a minimum of 45%, with at least one of them at 50%.

CPUT’s prospectus no longer lists this code (D3FDTX); the BSc-level Bachelor of Food Science and Technology has its own row. Only the Extended Curriculum Programme’s own APS (27) was found on the page read; the mainstream National Diploma’s figure was not stated. Duration not stated beyond an optional 4th year leading to a B Tech. CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Bachelor of Food Science and Technology

Applied Sciences

CPUT APS 32 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Two other subjects – Any two other subjects (excluding languages) at level 3 or better.

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CPUT’s own prospectus course page. CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Analytical Chemistry (Extended Curriculum)

Applied Sciences, Bellville Campus · 4 years

CPUT APS 28 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CPUT’s own prospectus course page. Extended Curriculum Programme (4 years). APS 28 with Mathematics, 29 with Technical Mathematics; a level 3 (45%) is allowed in one of Mathematics, Physical Sciences or Life Sciences if the other three are 50% or above. CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Durban University of Technology

No cut-off published

Diploma in Analytical Chemistry

Applied Sciences · 3 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 3 (40% or more)

New row, from the user-supplied Department of Chemistry handbook. No single APS number was stated for this diploma, only these subject minimums.

Source: View the official page (dut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

No cut-off published

Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemistry

Applied Sciences · 3 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)

New row, from the user-supplied Department of Chemistry handbook - the degree-level sibling to the Diploma in Analytical Chemistry above. No single APS number was stated, only these subject minimums.

Source: View the official page (dut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

Bachelor of Applied Science in Industrial Chemistry

Applied Sciences · 3 years

DUT APS 28 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Two more subjects – Two further recognised NSC 20-credit subjects at level 4.

New row, read directly from DUT’s 2027 Study Opportunities prospectus (dut-pass-3). DUT says applicants with 28 points or more (excluding Life Orientation) will be considered. A second table in the prospectus allows Physical, Life or Sport Science with three further subjects. From DUT’s 2027 Study Opportunities prospectus. Applications go through the CAO (cao.ac.za), not directly to DUT; general closing date 30 September 2026 (fee R250 SA / R300 international).

Source: View the official page (dut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Mangosuthu University of Technology

No cut-off published

Diploma in Analytical Chemistry

Applied and Health Sciences · 3 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • English: level 4 (50% or more)

RAW-CONFIRMED by a second MUT document (the user-supplied First-Year Prospectus 2026) - same subject minimums and 3-year duration, still no single published APS number across either document.

Source: View the official page (mut.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Nelson Mandela University

BSc (Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology & Physiology)

Science · 3 years

NMU Applicant Score (AS) 410 out of 600

  • Mathematics: 60%

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from the user-supplied NMU "Undergraduate Programmes 2027" Z-Card (A-Z table of Applicant Scores and subject percentages). Extended Curriculum (4 years): AS 370, Mathematics 50%.

Source: View the official page (mandela.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma (Analytical Chemistry)

Science · 3 years

NMU Applicant Score (AS) 350 out of 600

  • Mathematics: 55%
  • Physical Sciences: 50%

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from the user-supplied NMU "Undergraduate Programmes 2027" Z-Card (A-Z table of Applicant Scores and subject percentages). Includes a year of work-integrated learning.

Source: View the official page (mandela.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

North-West University

BSc (Natural Sciences streams, e.g. Biochemistry & Chemistry)

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

NWU APS 26 points out of 48

  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the user-supplied NWU 2026 Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences yearbook (admission-requirements tables). Shown for the Biochemistry & Chemistry stream: Mathematics level 4 (or Technical Mathematics 5) and Physical Sciences 4, APS 26. The physical-science streams (Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics/Applied Mathematics/Computer Science combinations) need Mathematics level 5 and Physical Sciences 4 at the same APS 26 - see the individual rows. NWU adds your six best subjects (excluding Life Orientation) on an 8-point scale, for a total out of 48 - read from NWU’s own APS calculator. The requirement shown is what NWU publishes.

Source: View the official page (studies.nwu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

BSc (Chemistry and Physics / Mathematics / Applied Mathematics)

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

NWU APS 26 points out of 48

  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the user-supplied NWU 2026 Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences yearbook (admission-requirements tables). Potchefstroom and Mahikeng campuses. NWU adds your six best subjects (excluding Life Orientation) on an 8-point scale, for a total out of 48 - read from NWU’s own APS calculator. The requirement shown is what NWU publishes.

Source: View the official page (studies.nwu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Rhodes University

BSc (Chemistry / Medicinal Chemistry)

Science · 3 years

Rhodes points 45 points

  • English: 60% if it is your Home Language, 65% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the Rhodes 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (pages 13-19): points bands, English and subject levels match. Rhodes points of 39-44 are considered at the Dean’s discretion; 45 or more receives a provisional offer. We show 45 as the qualifying number so that "you qualify" means exactly that - but you are still worth an application from 39. Rhodes has no Engineering and no MBChB. The NBT is recommended, not required. This is Rhodes’ general Faculty of Science admission requirement, not a Chemistry-specific published figure - you are admitted to the BSc and choose your major once you arrive. Life Orientation is not scored, but you need at least 50% in it.

Source: View the official page (ru.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Stellenbosch University

Selection programme

BSc Chemistry

Science · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 65 %

  • Mathematics: 70%
  • Physical Sciences: 50%

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

BSc in Food Science

AgriSciences · 4 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 60 %

  • English or Afrikaans – English OR Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language) at 50%.
  • Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 50%

Read 2026-10-04 from the Stellenbosch 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). The number shown is the NSC aggregate (excluding Life Orientation). Page 3. Not available as an extended programme. Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Tshwane University of Technology

BSc Industrial Chemistry

Science · 4 years

TUT APS 24 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against TUT’s 2026 faculty prospectus: APS and subject levels match. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted. Closes 31 July 2026. From TUT’s 2027 First-Year Course Information and General Information PDFs. Applications opened 1 April 2026 (fee R240).

Source: View the official page (tut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Analytical Chemistry

Science · 3 years

TUT APS 21 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

New row, read directly from TUT’s 2026 faculty prospectus (tut-pass-3). Closes 31 July 2026 (TUT First-Year Course Information).

Source: View the official page (tut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Cape Town

BSc Chemistry

Science · 3 years

UCT Science Faculty Points Score 660 out of 800 (band a)

  • Mathematics: 70%
  • Physical Sciences: 60%

Band A (guaranteed offer) is an FPS of 660. Band B (likely offer) is a WPS of 640 - the WPS adds a 0-10% disadvantage factor that we cannot work out from your marks, so we only check you against Band A. Band C (550) applies to redress categories only. All Science majors share these entry bands (Mathematics 70%+, Physical Sciences 60%+; NBTs in Mathematics, AL and QL must be written but do not affect admission). Admission is to the BSc and a major is chosen once you are in; selected students may be counselled onto the four-year Extended Degree Programme.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Johannesburg

BSc (Biochemistry and Chemistry)

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 31 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2P70Q. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Chemistry and Mathematics)

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 31 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2P71Q. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Chemistry and Physics)

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 31 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2P72Q. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Pretoria

BSc Chemistry

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

UP APS 34 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

The UP tables group Chemistry, Physics, Geology and similar BSc streams together at this level. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of the Free State

BSc (Chemistry and Physics)

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

UFS AP score 32 points out of 49

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the table on the faculty’s page in the UFS 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). Plan code QC432140 (Qwaqwa campus table). Chemistry and Botany also needs Life Sciences at level 5.

Source: View the official page (ufs.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of the Western Cape

BSc Chemical Sciences

Natural Sciences · 3 years

UWC weighted points 33 points out of 65

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Another language – Another language (Home or First Additional) at level 3.
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from UWC’s own 2026 programme rules (the "Program Overview" PDF on the programme page, Calendar 2026). UWC points are its own weighted score (see the calculator note).

Source: View the official page (uwc.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of the Witwatersrand

BSc Chemistry with Chemical Engineering

Science · 3 years

Wits APS 43 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 6 (70% or more)
  • NBT – The NBT is required for Science.

A 3-year BSc (Chemistry), not the 4-year ECSA-accredited BSc(Eng) Chemical Engineering shown elsewhere on this site. Wits’s own course-finder page says graduates can continue into a BScEng in Chemical Engineering with two further years of study - so this is a real route toward becoming a chemical engineer, just not a direct one. Named career reflects what the 3-year BSc alone qualifies you as.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc Chemistry

Science · 3 years

Wits APS 42 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • NBT – All Faculty of Science applicants must write the NBT (registration deadline 31 October 2026).

Read from the live 2027 course-finder page on 2026-10-04. Applications close 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Venda

BSc (Chemistry and Mathematics)

Science, Engineering and Agriculture · 3 years

Univen APS 26

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (faculty programme tables, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture). NSC 26 points with level 4 (50-59%) or better in English, Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Sciences; a selection procedure may apply. Programme code in the MNBBS series. Online applications are free and run 1 May - 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Chemistry and Biochemistry)

Science, Engineering and Agriculture · 3 years

Univen APS 26

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (faculty programme tables, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture). NSC 26 points with level 4 (50-59%) or better in English, Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Sciences; a selection procedure may apply. Programme code in the MNBBS series. Online applications are free and run 1 May - 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Chemistry and Applied Chemistry)

Science, Engineering and Agriculture · 3 years

Univen APS 26

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (faculty programme tables, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture). NSC 26 points with level 4 (50-59%) or better in English, Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Sciences; a selection procedure may apply. Programme code in the MNBBS series. Online applications are free and run 1 May - 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology

Science, Engineering and Agriculture · 4 years

Univen APS 26

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Agricultural Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (faculty programme tables, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture). NSC 26 points with level 4 in English, Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Sciences or Agricultural Sciences. Programme code AGBFST. Online applications are free and run 1 May - 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Zululand

From an older document

BSc (Physics or Chemistry major)

Science, Agriculture & Engineering · 3 years

UniZulu APS 28 points out of 48

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 50%

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the admission tables in UniZulu’s 2026 faculty handbook (APS, language and Mathematics rules match). Mathematical Literacy is not accepted; an Augmented stream exists for Mathematics 40%. From UniZulu’s own 2026-labelled faculty handbooks, which contain no 2027-specific intake or closing-date information at all - do not assume a date, and treat this as the most recent official figures available rather than confirmed-current for 2027.

Source: View the official page (unizulu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Vaal University of Technology

Diploma in Analytical Chemistry

Applied & Computer Sciences · 3 years

VUT APS 21 points

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Engineering Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Engineering Sciences: 60%
  • Any other 3 subjects – Contribute 9 combined points to the APS total.

CORRECTED 2026-10-03: this row had actually been carrying Diploma in Non-Destructive Testing's figures (APS 19, English 3, Mathematics 3, Physical Sciences 4) from an earlier web-search pass - two different VUT diplomas conflated. Analytical Chemistry's real figures are APS 21 with English/Mathematics/Physical Sciences all at level 4 (or the TVET N4 equivalents at 60%). Raw-confirmed directly against the user-supplied 2027 Undergraduate Minimum Admission Requirements PDF. From VUT’s 2027 Undergraduate Minimum Admission Requirements PDF. Academic applications close 30 September 2026 (residences 31 October 2026); fee R110.

Source: View the official page (vut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Walter Sisulu University

BSc Chemistry

Natural Sciences · 3 years

WSU APS 25 points out of 48 (56 for Education programmes)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from WSU’s own 2027 Undergraduate Information Brochure & Admission Requirements (main-stream figures; Extended Curriculum Programmes accept a lower APS, noted where the brochure gives one). Extended Curriculum (4 years): APS 23, Mathematics level 4, Physical Sciences level 4. Distinct from the Diploma in Analytical Chemistry. Applications: the brochure lists no closing date - check wsu.ac.za.

Source: View the official page (wsu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Analytical Chemistry

Natural Sciences · 3 years

WSU APS 22 points out of 48 (56 for Education programmes)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from WSU’s own 2027 Undergraduate Information Brochure & Admission Requirements (main-stream figures; Extended Curriculum Programmes accept a lower APS, noted where the brochure gives one). Extended Curriculum route: APS 20 with English 3, Mathematics 3, Physical Sciences 4. The earlier row showed APS 24 and English/Physical Sciences at level 3 - superseded. Applications: the brochure lists no closing date - check wsu.ac.za.

Source: View the official page (wsu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

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