SUNCEP
Welkom by Universiteit Stellenbosch

SciMathUS

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​About us

​ This programme offers learners, who have already passed Grade 12 (with an average of at least 60%) but who do not qualify for higher education, a second opportunity to improve their NSC results in  specific subjects to enable them to re-apply for university programmes. 
​​​​​Preference is given to students form educationally disadvantaged circumstances that prevent them from demonstrating their academic potential to access higher education.​

​Our s​​uccess stories​


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Congratulations to 

16 more former SciMathUS students who graduate at the March graduation ceremony of this university. 

Congratulations to the SciMathUS class of 2016!

9 distinctions in Mathematics and 15 in Physical Sciences.

Best wishes to you all.

 

In this picture are, from left to right with Ms Nokwanda Siyengo, Programme manager, the top performers  during the year: Kevin Naude (best performance in Physical Sciences and Academic Literacy), Shelaine Hartnick (Computer Literacy), Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice Rector, Teaching and Learning at SU, Jabulile Mabaso (Introduction to Economics), Natalie Mashingaidze (Accounting), Kayleen van Harte (Mathematics) and Ms Thandi Nkonzo, Manager Social & Economic Development from the Eskom Development Foundation, one of the funders of the programme.

Also congratulations to 

39 former SciMathUS students who graduated at the SU at the end of 2016. 

 

Here, with Mr Cerenus Pfeiffer, Mathematics facilitator (left) and Mrs Elsje Beyers, Computer literacy facilitator (right) are BCom graduates Lungiswa Tolobisa Mmathapelo, Shebi Nolubabalo, Sigcawa Sihle Mchunu, Marillee du Toit and Kelly Ann Stockenstroom in December 2016. 
More pictures are on the facebook page.​​​​​​​​


More information

This programme offers learners, who have already passed Grade 12 (with an average of at least 60%) but who do not qualify for higher education, a second opportunity to improve their NSC results in  specific subjects to enable them to re-apply for university programmes. 

SciMathUS  is the acronym for the words Science (and) Mathematics (at) Stellenbosch University.  As the name suggests, its focus is on Mathematics and (Physical) Sciences and therefore also prepares students to enter science related fields of study.

This programme is offered in line with Stellenbosch University's commitment to diversify its student corps. Preference is given to students form educationally disadvantaged circumstances such as poverty, poor health or other factors that prevent them from demonstrating their academic potential to access higher education.

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​Curricula​​​

The programme offers students a choice between a Science and Accounting stream. Students therefore take either:

  • Mathematics and Physical Sciences. These students rewrite the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination in both subjects; or
  • Mathematics and Introduction into Financial Accounting and Introduction in Economics. These students rewrite the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination only in Mathematics. The other two subjects are offered and assessed by Stellenbosch University as part of the Extended degree programme in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

The programme follows an active learning ap​proach where students learn to take responsibility for their own learning.

Apart from the core academic programme, students have the opportunity to develop reasoning, interpersonal and problem solving skills in the Academic Literacy course. Students also do a Computer skills course. 

Students are assisted to make informed career choices. 

The programme is presented in Afrikaans and English. 

Qualifying criteria 

To be considered for this programme in 2018, prospective students should:

  • have matriculated in 2016 or 2017. Only students who matriculated within two years of attending the programme will be considered;
  • have at least four subjects from the group of subjects designated for university admission*
  • have a Grade 12 average of at least 60% (excluding Life Orientation); and
  • have obtained a minimum of 50% in Afrikaans or English (Home Language or First Additional Language).
  • For the Science track, students should have obtained a minimum of 45% in Mathematics and 45% in Physical Sciences.
  • For the Accountancy track, students should have obtained a minimum of 45% in Mathematics.

Application

Hard copy applications open 15 November 2017.  The online application system open 30 November 2017.

  • Meeting the selection criteria will merely guarantee that you will be considered for the programme.  It does NOT necessarily ensure you a place in the programme. 
  • A selection committee will decide on the best suited candidates for the programme. Successful candidates will be informed of their acceptance as soon as the selection process has been concluded.  The decision of the selection committee is final.

History, stats and performance of former SciMathUS students

Since this programme's inception in 2001, students on average managed to improve their NSC Mathematics and Physical Sciences results with 15 percentage points after completing the programme. This afforded them the opportunity to reapply for higher education and for programmes with specific entry requirements.

More than 1 100 students have successfully completed the programme.

On average, 75% of former SciMathUS students enrolled as undergraduates at Stellenbosch University. Students also enrol at other higher education institutions.

More than 150 former SciMathUS students obtained degrees at Stellenbosch University between December 2005 and December 2016. They are now qualified medical doctors, physiotherapists, speech therapists, teachers, engineers, agriculturists, accountants, food scientists, etc.

45 of these students obtained second qualifications (degrees or diplomas) at this institution and more than 10 a third qualification.

Two former SciMathUS students received PhD degrees.

Testimony of a former student​​​

​​​​​Click on this video ​below where Gerald Maarman, a former SciMathUS student, who received his PhD at the end of 2014, tells his story. ​