What Are the Easiest Degrees to Pass in South Africa?
Choosing a university degree that’s easier to pass can be a strategic move for students seeking a smoother academic journey in South Africa, where the tertiary education system is known for its rigor. With a 31.9% national unemployment rate (Stats SA, Q4 2023) and a 50–58% completion rate for undergraduate degrees (Council on Higher Education, 2023), finding a program with lower academic hurdles can boost confidence and employability.
What Makes a Degree “Easy” to Pass?
“Easiest” doesn’t mean low quality—it reflects degrees with higher pass rates, less complex content, fewer quantitative demands, and strong institutional support. Factors considered include:
Pass Rates: Percentage of students completing within the expected timeframe.
Coursework vs. Exams: Emphasis on assignments over high-stakes tests.
Math/Technical Load: Minimal reliance on advanced mathematics or technical skills.
Support Systems: Tutoring, flexible pacing, and accessible faculty.
Completion Data: Insights from DHET and university reports.
South Africa’s 26 public universities enrolled 1.1 million students in 2023 (DHET), but only 56% of a 2010 cohort completed 3-year degrees within six years (BusinessTech, 2019). Degrees with higher throughput and lower dropout rates stand out as easier options.
Top 5 Easiest Degrees to Pass in South Africa
Here are the top degrees identified as the easiest to pass, based on pass rates, student feedback, and academic structure.
1. Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Humanities
Why It’s Easy: Focuses on qualitative subjects like history, sociology, and languages, avoiding complex math or science. Assessment often leans on essays and projects, which suit students strong in writing and critical thinking.
Pass Rate: 65–70% completion within 6 years (Stellenbosch University, 2016 study), higher than STEM degrees (50–55%).
Time to Completion: 3 years standard; many finish in 4 years with support.
- Best Universities:
- University of South Africa (UNISA): Distance learning offers flexibility; 62,000 humanities students enrolled in 2023 (DHET).
- University of Johannesburg (UJ): 75% pass rate for BA majors like Sociology (UJ, 2023).
- Stats: Humanities graduates face a 12% unemployment rate, better than the 34.4% for matric-only holders (Nexford.edu, 2021).
- Cost: R20,000–R40,000/year (UNISA, 2025 estimate).
2. Bachelor of Education (BEd) – Foundation Phase
Why It’s Easy: Designed for teaching grades R–3, it emphasizes pedagogy and practical teaching skills over theoretical depth. Coursework includes classroom practice, reducing exam pressure.
Pass Rate: 94% of BEd graduates complete within 6 years (UNISA, 2023), bolstered by structured support.
Time to Completion: 4 years, with 80% finishing on time (UKZN, 2023).
- Best Universities:
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): 587th globally (QS 2025); graduates 1,000+ teachers yearly.
- UNISA: Enrolls 5,000+ BEd students annually; 90% pass rate (UNISA, 2023).
- Stats: 20,000 teacher vacancies yearly (DHET, 2023); 94% employed within 6 months.
- Cost: R25,000–R35,000/year.
3. Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc)
Why It’s Easy: Covers sociology, psychology, and anthropology with minimal math (basic stats only). Flexible electives and project-based assessments ease the load.
Pass Rate: 60–65% completion within 6 years (UCT, 2023); higher for non-quantitative majors.
Time to Completion: 3 years standard; 70% finish in 4 years with tutoring (Wits, 2023).
- Best Universities:
- University of Cape Town (UCT): 167th globally (QS 2025); 80% pass rate in Sociology (UCT, 2023).
- Wits University: 264th globally; strong student support systems.
- Stats: 10,000+ social science grads enter the workforce yearly (DHET, 2023); 15% unemployment rate.
- Cost: R40,000–R50,000/year.
4. Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) – General
Why It’s Easy: Unlike specialized BComs (e.g., Accounting), the general stream offers business management, marketing, and economics with lighter math requirements. Group projects and case studies dominate.
Pass Rate: 70% completion within 6 years (UJ, 2023); lower dropout than Accounting (25% vs. 35%).
Time to Completion: 3 years; 65% finish on time (SU, 2023).
- Best Universities:
- University of Johannesburg (UJ): 639th globally (QS 2025); 88% employment rate for BCom grads (UJ, 2023).
- Stellenbosch University (SU): 283rd globally; robust tutoring programs.
- Stats: 426,000 managers employed in financial services (Stats SA, Q3 2024); starting salaries at R250,000–R350,000/year.
- Cost: R45,000–R55,000/year.
5. Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Why It’s Easy: Focuses on media, public relations, and journalism, relying on creativity and practical skills rather than heavy theory or math. Assessments include portfolios and presentations.
Pass Rate: 68–72% completion within 6 years (UP, 2023); supported by hands-on training.
Time to Completion: 3 years; 75% finish in 4 years (UNISA, 2023).
- Best Universities:
- University of Pretoria (UP): 591–600 globally (QS 2025); strong media focus.
- UNISA: Flexible online delivery; 5,000+ communication students (2023).
- Stats: 1,800 publishing/media jobs in SA (SABDC, 2023); 80% employed within 6 months.
- Cost: R20,000–R40,000/year (UNISA).
Why These Degrees Are Easier to Pass
Lower Dropout Rates: Humanities and education degrees report 25–28% dropout vs. 40%+ in STEM (BusinessTech, 2019).
Flexible Assessment: Essays and projects (e.g., 60% of BEd grade) vs. exams (e.g., 80% in BSc Math).
Support Systems: UNISA’s distance model and UCT’s tutoring serve 70%+ of at-risk students (DHET, 2023).
Less Math: Only 38% of matriculants pass math (Eighty20, 2023), making non-quantitative degrees more accessible.
Statistics & Trends
Graduation Rates: Only 6% of South Africans hold degrees (DHET, 2021); easier degrees boost this figure.
Throughput: 56% of 3-year degree students graduate in 6 years (BusinessTech, 2019); humanities and education exceed this (60–94%).
First-Year Dropout: 22% for African students in degrees vs. 15% for whites (BusinessTech, 2019); support-heavy programs reduce this gap.
Enrollment: 1.1 million students in public universities (DHET, 2023); 62,000 in humanities alone.
Tips to Pass Any Degree
Choose Wisely: Match your strengths (e.g., writing for BA, people skills for BEd).
Leverage Support: 80% of UNISA students use online tutoring (2023).
Start Early: 70% of dropouts cite poor first-year prep (CHE, 2023).
Plan Finances: Bursaries like NSFAS cover R20,000–R60,000/year for eligible students.
Conclusion
The easiest degrees to pass in South Africa for 2025—BA Humanities, BEd Foundation Phase, BSocSc, BCom General, and BA Communication—offer 60–94% completion rates, lower technical demands, and robust support. Offered by top universities like UCT, UNISA, Wits, UJ, and UP, they range from R20,000–R55,000/year and lead to employment within 3–6 months. For students seeking a manageable path to graduation, these degrees balance accessibility with opportunity. Visit university websites for 2025 admissions and start your journey today!
