Details of Stenden University South Africa Application 2026/2027
Admission requirements – Stenden University South Africa
Bachelor of Commerce Hospitality Management
South African applicant’s minimum admission requirements
Students who have completed their schooling through the South African schooling system must have qualified for the National Senior Certificate and have met the minimum requirements for admission to bachelors’ degree as gazetted for admission to higher education in South Africa. In order to obtain admission to Stenden South Africa Bachelor of Commerce in Hospitality Management, a student must have met the above minimum requirements, together with English passed with at least 50%.
Other certificates / other situations
- Senior certificate (Grade 12) with at least a D pass in English and at least 2 years relevant industry experience;
- Senior Certificate (Grade 12) with at least a D pass in English and one successful tertiary academic year in a related field. The programme must be registered with SAQA bearing at least 120 credits on NQF level 5.
Mature Applicants
In exceptional cases, mature applicants who do not satisfy the requirements detailed above may be admitted if there is evidence that they possess the intellectual and technical abilities to complete the programme successfully. For this purpose, a mature applicant shall be defined as one aged 23 or more. Stenden South Africa will require that the candidate should write an entrance test in this case. A National Senior Certificate is a requirement.
English
Since English is the language of instruction, further criteria for this language apply. These are distinguished for South African applicants and non-South African applicants.
Non South African English
Applicants that have not completed undergraduate education in South Africa need to comply with one of the following conditions:
- An academic IELTS-test with Band score 6.0 and no sub scores under 5; visit the IELTS website for more information.
- A TOEFL-test of 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer-based). The TOEFL is only accepted when the IELTS-test is not offered in the applicants’ country of residence.
- Applicants who are native speakers of English or who have successfully undertaken secondary or post-secondary courses (for a minimum of two years) where English was the language of instruction are not required to submit an IELTS or TOEFL test score.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Stenden South Africa recognises prior education or working experience. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is governed by the Stenden South Africa RPL Policy. Several principles are leading in this policy:
- The process of RPL is separated from the process of application;
- RPL is governed by criteria set by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC);
- RPL is subject to proof that can be recognised and documented; and
- Prior learning can only be recognised by the Exam Committee and each case is treated individually.
Bachelor of Business Administration Disaster Management
South African Applicants
Students who have completed their schooling through the South African schooling system must have qualified for the National Senior Certificate and have met the minimum requirements for admission to bachelors’ degree as gazetted for admission to higher education. In order to obtain admission to Stenden South Africa Bachelor of Business Administration in Disaster Management, a student must have met the above minimum requirements, together with English passed with at least 50%. It is strongly recommended that Geography has been passed with 50% on NSC level, however this is not compulsory.
Other certificates / other situations
- Senior certificate (Grade 12) with at least a D pass in English and at least 2 years relevant industry experience;
- Senior Certificate (Grade 12) with at least a D pass in English and one successful tertiary academic year in a related field. The programme must be registered with SAQA bearing at least 120 credits on NQF level 5.
Mature Applicants
In exceptional cases, mature applicants who do not satisfy the requirements detailed above may be admitted if there is evidence that they possess the intellectual and technical abilities to complete the programme successfully. For this purpose, a mature applicant shall be defined as one aged 23 or more. Stenden SA will require that the candidate should write an entrance test in this case. A National Senior Certificate is a requirement.
English
Since English is the language of instruction, further criteria for this language apply. These are distinguished for South African applicants and non-South African applicants.
Non South African English
Applicants that have not completed undergraduate education in South Africa need to comply with one of the following conditions:
- An academic IELTS-test with Band score 6.0 and no sub scores under 5; visit the IELTS website for more information.
- A TOEFL-test of 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer-based). The TOEFL is only accepted when the IELTS-test is not offered in the applicants’ country of residence.
- Applicants who are native speakers of English or who have successfully undertaken secondary or post-secondary courses (for a minimum of two years) where English was the language of instruction are not required to submit an IELTS or TOEFL test score.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Stenden South Africa recognises prior education or working experience. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is governed by the Stenden South Africa RPL Policy. Several principles are leading in this policy:
- The process of RPL is separated from the process of application;
- RPL is governed by criteria set by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC);
- RPL is subject to proof that can be recognised and documented; and
- Prior learning can only be recognised by the Exam Committee and each case is treated individually.
International Qualification Entry Requirements
O/GCS – levels with mature age exemption
A candidate who only holds O/GCSE levels (symbols A, B and C only) and no other school leaving examination is not eligible for admission to Stenden South Africa. However, the qualification will be accepted if the candidate has attained the age of 23 before or during the first year of registration and meets the subject combination and grade requirements for mature age exemption.
GCSE A levels
A-level passes (symbols A, B, C, D and E only). To obtain a certificate of complete exemption from HESA a candidate requires two recognized A-level passes and three O/GCSE – level passes, including English Language and an approved second language. A foreign conditional exemption is issued to a candidate who has pass marks in two approved A-level subjects and three approved O/GCSE-level subject credits, including English or English Language.
AS Levels
AS-level passes (symbols A, B, C and D only). To obtain a certificate of complete exemption from HESA, a candidate requires four recognized AS – level passes and one O/GCSE – level pass, including English Language and an approved second language. A foreign conditional exemption is issued to a candidate who has pass marks in four approved AS-level subjects and one approved O/GCSE – level subject credit, including English or English Language but no second language.
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma
Minimum score: 26
Subject prerequisites: English SL (4) or English HL (3)
To obtain a certificate of conditional exemption from HESA a candidate requires two higher level and three subsidiary level subject passes, including English.
For the following International Qualification Admission Requirements, please contact the Education Support Office or Marketing Office:
- Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
- Mauritius Higher School Certificate
- Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level)
- Namibia Higher Senior Secondary School Certificate
- Uganda Advance Certificate of Education
- Nigeria Senior School Certificate
- Tanzania Advance Certificate of Secondary Education
- American High School Diploma and SAT
For all international qualifications HESA exemption to Higher Education in South Africa must be obtained.
Application Process
To apply, candidates must fill out the Stenden South Africa Application Form (four pages) and submit several supporting documents:
- Relevant documentary proof of all qualifications and experience, including the last school results received (certified copies required)
- Passport-sized colour photograph
- Certified copy of your Identity Document/Passport
- Signed Responsibilities Documents
- Proof of payment of the relevant application fee
- A 300 – 400 word essay answering the relevant questions
B.Com Hospitality Management:
- Why does the hospitality industry appeal to you?
- Why do you think you would make a good manager in the hospitality industry?
- Why do you want to study at Stenden South Africa?
BBA Disaster Management:
- Why does the Disaster Management degree appeal to you?
- Why do you think you would make a good manager in Disaster Relief Management?
- Why do you want to study at Stenden South Africa?
After a complete application is received, candidates will have a personal or telephonic interview with at least two members of the Exam Committee. This interview will focus on:
- The communication skills of the candidate;
- The proficiency of the candidate in the English language;
- The motivation of the student to study at Stenden South Africa.
- The ability to perform in a learning environment where the student is required to actively pursue knowledge in a group form in educational methods such as Problem Based Learning (PBL).
The following conditions apply to candidates with other profiles:
- NSC candidates may submit final Grade 11 or mid-Grade 12 results, and will be conditionally accepted pending final NSC results.
- Candidates who qualify with foreign school leaving certificates need to apply to HESA to see if they meet the entry criteria to higher education in South Africa. HESA evaluation is the candidates’ responsibility and HESA approval must be obtained before commencement of studies.
- Candidates with other qualifications aside from school leaving qualifications will be conditionally accepted pending qualifications being evaluated by SAQA. Evaluation of qualifications by SAQA is the candidates’ responsibility and SAQA approval must be obtained before commencement of studies.
- Foreign candidates defined as mature need not obtain HESA evaluation but must obtain SAQA evaluation.
The Exam Committee makes the final decision for admission. Stenden South Africa has the right to accept/reject any application and will inform each applicant in writing of the outcome of the interview.
Apply to Stenden South Africa
Are you eligible to apply?
- Have you looked at the requirements on the Admission Policy?
- Have you chosen which course you wish to apply for?
- Do you know which intake you wish to join Stenden South Africa?
If your answer to all of the above questions is “Yes!”, then please complete the application form bel
Apply Online Here
