The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) wishes to clarify a matter concerning the registration of students enrolled for the Diploma in Animal Health at the University of South Africa (UNISA).
In early 2023, UNISA informed the SAVC of an administrative error, which allowed students without mathematics and Life/Physical Sciences into the Diploma in Animal Health despite the prerequisite of these subjects as per the relevant regulations pertaining to the prescribed qualification.
After considering UNISA’s submission, the SAVC resolved to accept that students who had already completed the diploma be authorised for registration, with a condition that they successfully complete the Basic Numeracy module and/or the Introduction to Applied Sciences module based on its equivalence to the relevant matric subjects by December 2024, after which they would be registered.
Furthermore, students who were enrolled in the diploma between 2020 and 2023 without the prerequisite subjects were also required to complete the respective modules. The SAVC Education Committee advised that, where possible, these modules should be completed before students’ progress into the Diploma in Animal Health, as Mathematics and Life Sciences are prescribed (by regulations) as prerequisites. The SAVC made it clear that, from the end of 2024 onwards, no new student should be admitted into the Diploma in Animal Health without meeting the prerequisite subjects as required under the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, Act 19 of 1982. Should a student be admitted without meeting these prerequisites, they will not qualify for automatic registration with the SAVC.
The matter surrounding the admission error by UNISA’s administration was considered by Council again, at the meeting held 30 and 31 July 2025. It was decided that students that were incorrectly admitted with BNU in 2025, will not qualify for automatic registration with the SAVC and will be required to sit for, and pass the SAVC AHT registration examination (at their own cost) after they have obtained the Diploma in Animal Health to be eligible for registration. The candidate must demonstrate equivalence with matric pure maths.
The Council has expressed its concern to UNISA regarding the number of students that are still being affected by this error. The SAVC stresses that it is UNISA’s legal responsibility to ensure that prospective students meet all prerequisites for the Diploma in Animal Health, and requirements for registration with relevant regulatory professional bodies (where applicable) before being admitted into the programme.
The SAVC emphasises that animal health and welfare remain of the highest importance, and that quality education in veterinary and para-veterinary professions is essential to support this. The Council remains committed to maintaining the prescribed professional standards and ensuring that training institutions uphold them.
Engagement between the SAVC and UNISA is still ongoing. Students are urged to address concerns with the university.
