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How to become a Chiropractor

Diagnoses and treats musculoskeletal problems, mainly of the spine, through manual adjustment.

Apply early

Selection programmes like this often close months before the standard application deadline, and marks alone don’t guarantee a place. See the Dates page for the exact closing dates.

What does a Chiropractor actually do?

More about this career

Treats back, neck and joint problems through hands-on spinal manipulation and other manual techniques, usually running an independent practice rather than working in a hospital. Registration with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) is required before you can practise.

Where this degree can take you

  • Physiotherapist
  • Biokineticist
  • Sports Rehabilitation Therapist
  • Osteopath

This is our general description of the role and related jobs, not from an official source – it’s here to give you a fuller picture, not as a careers-counselling guarantee.

Not from an official source

Subjects that usually help

  • Mathematics
  • Physical Sciences
  • Life Sciences

This is our general guidance about which school subjects suit this career. It is not an admission requirement and not from an official source – the real requirements are on the degrees below.

Not from an official source

Where to check this yourself

What the degrees we’ve captured actually ask for

  • Mathematics – asked for by 1 of 1 degrees
  • Life Sciences – asked for by 1 of 1 degrees
  • Physical Sciences – asked for by 1 of 1 degrees

Counted from the requirements below (an “or” alternative counts for each subject named). Each degree links to the page it came from.

Degrees that lead here

1 degree at 1 university. More are added as we verify them.

Durban University of Technology

Partly verifiedNo cut-off publishedNot fully verified

National Diploma: Chiropractic (Foundation Programme)

Health Sciences

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Psychometric assessment and interview – Required for all applicants who meet the minimum subject requirements.

DUT’s own page did not state a numeric APS, and describes the qualification as the first step of a combined N.Dip/B.Tech/M.Tech pathway regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) - this older qualification structure, rather than a straight Bachelor’s degree, may not be current for the 2027 intake; confirm with DUT before relying on it. From DUT’s 2027 Study Opportunities prospectus. Applications go through the CAO (cao.ac.za), not directly to DUT; general closing date 30 September 2026 (fee R250 SA / R300 international).

Source: View the official page (dut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Are your marks enough?

Put your subjects in once and we’ll check them against every degree above – scored each university’s own way.

What do I qualify for?