At the recent SciMathUS year-end function, at lunch at STIAS, five students in the current year group were acknowledged for their performance in the different subjects

SciMathUS is a university preparation programme. It affords students who have already passed Grade 12, but with results not good enough to enter higher education, a second opportunity to do so.

SciMathUS offers quality tuition in Mathematics and Physical Sciences OR Mathematics, Introduction to Financial Accounting and Introduction to Economics. With new improved Grade 12 results in Physical Sciences and Mathematics, participants of this programme may reapply.

Accountancy and introduction to Economics are offered and assessed by SU.

Students also do an introductory course to first year Mathematics after they have written the NSC exams in November.

The programme further offers tuition in Academic and Computer Literacy and the opportunity for its participants to acquire skills necessary for successful study at university level. That also entails learning how to take responsibility for one's own learning.

To be considered for the programme, applicants should have

• passed Grade 12 within the last two years (writing Grade 12 now or did so in 2015);
• an average of at least 60%, (excluding Life Orientation);
• taken at least four subjects from the group of subjects designated for university admission;  and
• have a minimum of 50% in Afrikaans or English (Home Language or First Additional Language).
• For the Mathematics and Science stream, applicants should have obtained a minimum of 45% in Mathematics AND 45% in Physical Sciences.
• For the Mathematics and Accounting stream, applicants should have obtained a minimum of 45% in Mathematics.
• All applicants should submit their final NSC results.

Meeting the above-mentioned criteria does not guarantee selection. All applications will be considered on merit. A selection committee will decide on the best suited candidates.

The programme accommodates 100 students per annum.

The online application process for the 2017 intake opens on 7 November 2016 and closes on 20 January 2017.  The link will be provided on the web site and the programme's facebook page.

This programme is offered in line with SU's commitment to diversify its student corps. Preference is given to students from educationally disadvantaged circumstances.

On this picture are, from left to right with Ms Nokwanda Siyengo, Programme manager, the top performers 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.