Your Admission Point Score (APS) determines which tertiary qualifications you qualify for in South Africa, ranging from Higher Certificates (APS 15–19) and National Diplomas (APS 19–24) to general Bachelor’s Degrees (APS 21–29) and competitive professional programmes like Engineering, Law, and Medicine (APS 30–45+). While meeting the baseline APS is essential, admission also depends on specific subject prerequisites (such as Pure Mathematics versus Mathematical Literacy) and faculty-specific selection capacity.
How the Admission Point Score (APS) Works
The Admission Point Score (APS) is a standardized point system used by South African universities, universities of technology, and colleges to convert National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Senior Certificate (Amended) percentages into a single numeric value.
APS Calculation Scale
Each subject percentage corresponds to a specific point value on a 1 to 7 scale:
| NSC Percentage Range | Achievement Level | APS Points Allocated |
| 80% – 100% | Level 7 (Outstanding) | 7 Points |
| 70% – 79% | Level 6 (Meritorious) | 6 Points |
| 60% – 69% | Level 5 (Substantial) | 5 Points |
| 50% – 59% | Level 4 (Adequate) | 4 Points |
| 40% – 49% | Level 3 (Moderate) | 3 Points |
| 30% – 39% | Level 2 (Elementary) | 2 Points |
| 0% – 29% | Level 1 (Not Achieved) | 1 Point |
Your overall score is calculated by adding the points from your best six subjects (typically including English Home Language or First Additional Language, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and four other recognized subjects). Most institutions either exclude Life Orientation from the core calculation or award it a maximum of 1 to 3 points.
What Can I Study with an APS of 15 to 19?
An APS in the 15 to 19 range qualifies you for National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5 Higher Certificates, occupational vocational training, and TVET college qualifications.
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ NQF LEVEL 5 │
│ Higher Certificates │
│ - Higher Certificate in Business Principles │
│ - Higher Certificate in Office Administration │
│ - Higher Certificate in Information Systems │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ TVET / NATED PATHWAY │
│ N4 to N6 National Diplomas │
│ - Financial Management - Human Resource Mgmt │
│ - Marketing Management - Educare / Childcare │
│ - Management Assistant - Legal Secretary │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Higher Certificate Programmes
Higher Certificates serve as an entry point into higher education. Completing a 1-year Higher Certificate allows you to upgrade your academic standing and articulate directly into a 3-year National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree.
- Fields Available: Business Administration, Information Systems, Logistics and Supply Chain, Tourism, Accounting Support, and Early Childhood Development.
TVET & NATED (Report 191) Qualifications
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges offer National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) courses starting at N4 level.
- Popular Fields: Educare, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Financial Management, Public Relations, and Tourism Management.
- Progression: Completing N4, N5, and N6 plus 18 months of practical workplace experience leads to a National N-Diploma (NQF Level 6).
What Can I Study with an APS of 20 to 25?
An APS score between 20 and 25 opens access to standard National Diplomas at Universities of Technology (such as TUT, CPUT, VUT, and DUT) as well as Extended Curriculum Programmes (ECP) and selected general Bachelor’s Degrees.
National Diploma Courses (APS 20–24)
Diplomas focus on practical, career-oriented education:
- Information Technology: Software Development, Technical Support, Business Applications.
- Business & Commerce: Cost and Management Accounting, Retail Business Management, Human Resources, Public Management.
- Applied Arts & Design: Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Photography, Interior Design.
- Hospitality & Tourism: Event Management, Hospitality Operations, Ecotourism.
Extended Curriculum Programmes (Foundation Degrees)
Many universities offer Extended Degrees (typically 4 years instead of 3) for students with an APS between 22 and 25:
- Extended BCom / BA: Provides additional foundational academic modules in mathematics, economics, and academic writing to bridge the gap into full degree modules.
What Can I Study with an APS of 26 to 34?
With an APS between 26 and 34, you qualify for the majority of traditional 3-year Bachelor’s Degrees at mainstream South African universities (such as UJ, UP, Wits, UCT, Stellenbosch, UNISA, and UKZN).
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ APS 26–34 DEGREE SPECTRUM │
├──────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────┤
│ HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCI. │ Bachelor of Arts (BA) │
│ │ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) │
│ │ Bachelor of Education (BEd) │
├──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────┤
│ COMMERCE & MANAGEMENT │ Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) │
│ │ Bachelor of Accounting (BAcc) │
│ │ BCom Business Analytics │
├──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────┤
│ SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY │ Bachelor of Science (BSc IT) │
│ │ BSc Biological Sciences │
│ │ Bachelor of Laws (LLB) │
└──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────┘
Humanities, Law, and Education (APS 26–30)
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): Media Studies, International Relations, Psychology, Linguistics, Journalism.
- Bachelor of Education (BEd): Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, or Senior/FET Phase Teaching.
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB): Standard 4-year undergraduate legal degree (some universities require an APS of 32+ and 65%+ in English).
Commerce and Business (APS 28–34)
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom): Economics, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Investment Management.
- Accounting Degrees (CA Stream): BCom Accounting / Bachelor of Accounting (often requires Pure Mathematics level 5 or 6).
Science and Applied Computing (APS 28–34)
- BSc Life Sciences / Environmental Science: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Environmental Management.
- BSc Computer Science / Information Systems: Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence foundations, Network Architectures (requires Level 5 or higher in Pure Mathematics).
What Can I Study with an APS of 35 and Above?
An APS of 35+ qualifies you for highly competitive, specialized professional degrees with stringent selection criteria and quota systems.
APS 35+ Competitive Programmes
│
├── Health Sciences (APS 35–45)
│ ├── MBChB (Medicine & Surgery)
│ ├── Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
│ ├── Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
│ └── Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy
│
└── Engineering & Mathematical Sciences (APS 36–42)
├── BSc / BEng Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical
├── Actuarial Science
└── Advanced Data Science / Quantitative Finance
Health Sciences
- Medicine and Surgery (MBChB / BChD): Requires an APS of 35 to 45+, combined with outstanding marks in English, Mathematics, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences, alongside National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) where required.
- Allied Health: Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiography, Speech-Language Pathology.
Engineering & Quantitative Sciences
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng / BSc Eng): Chemical, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Mechatronics, and Industrial Engineering (typically requires Mathematics Level 6–7 and Physical Sciences Level 6–7).
- Actuarial Science & Quantitative Finance: Demands Mathematics Level 7 (80%+) and high composite English scores.
Critical Factors Beyond Your Total APS Score
Meeting the overall APS cutoff does not guarantee automated entry. Faculty selection committees evaluate several supplementary criteria:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ADMISSION EVALUATION TRIAD │
│ │
│ [Total APS Score] │
│ │ │
│ ┌──────────┴──────────┐ │
│ ▼ ▼ │
│ [Subject Prereqs] [Faculty Capacity / Merit Ranking] │
│ - Pure Maths vs Tech - Top-ranked applicants selected │
│ - Min. English % - Space availability limits │
│ - Science Levels │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
- Mathematics vs. Mathematical Literacy: Science, Engineering, Commerce, and Technology faculties strictly require Pure Mathematics. Mathematical Literacy is generally accepted for Humanities, Education, and specific Diploma streams.
- Gateway Language Requirements: Most faculties enforce minimum thresholds (typically 50% to 65%) in English Home Language or First Additional Language regardless of your aggregate points.
- Faculty Capacity: Popular courses receive thousands of applications for limited seats. Universities rank qualifying applicants from the highest APS downward until capacity is reached.
Alternative Pathways If Your APS Score Is Below Target
If your APS falls below your target programme’s entry threshold, several academic pathways can help you reach your goals:
- Matric Upgrade or Rewrite: Register through the Department of Basic Education (DBE) Second Chance Matric Programme or accredited private institutions to rewrite specific subjects and increase your aggregate score.
- Start with a Higher Certificate: Enrolling in an NQF Level 5 Higher Certificate in your desired discipline (e.g., Higher Certificate in Economic Sciences) provides an accredited stepping stone to transfer into a degree programme in your second year.
- Complete an N4–N6 TVET Programme: Earning a National N-Diploma allows you to enter the workforce with trade skills or apply for advanced standing at universities of technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Life Orientation count toward my APS score?
It depends on the institution. While some universities and TVET colleges allocate 1 to 3 points for a Life Orientation mark above 60% or 70%, top research universities (such as the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Cape Town, and Stellenbosch University) exclude Life Orientation entirely from their APS calculations. Always check the specific prospectus of your chosen institution to confirm whether they calculate your score out of 6 subjects or 7.
Can I study for a Bachelor’s degree with Mathematical Literacy?
Yes, you can study numerous Bachelor’s Degrees with Mathematical Literacy, provided you meet the required APS score and pass levels. Degrees in Humanities, Law (LLB at certain universities), Social Work, Visual Arts, and Education frequently accept Mathematical Literacy (often requiring 60% or higher). However, STEM fields, Accounting (CA stream), and Medicine strictly require Pure Mathematics.
What is the difference between a minimum APS requirement and the actual admission cutoff?
The minimum APS is the baseline threshold required for an application to be considered for evaluation. Because universities have limited enrollment quotas, qualifying applicants are placed on a merit list ranked from highest to lowest APS. The actual admission cutoff is the score of the final candidate accepted before capacity is reached, which is often significantly higher than the published minimum requirement.
Can I upgrade my Matric results to improve my APS score?
Yes, you can register for a Matric Upgrade or Rewrite via the Department of Basic Education’s Second Chance Matric Programme or through registered private colleges. You can rewrite specific subjects to improve your percentage, which directly increases your overall APS points and helps you meet prerequisite subject benchmarks.
Can I get into university with an APS score below 20?
Direct entry into standard Bachelor’s degree programmes is generally not possible with an APS below 20. However, you can gain university access through alternative pathways, including NQF Level 5 Higher Certificate courses (which require an APS of 15 to 19) or Extended Curriculum Programmes (ECPs). Successfully completing a Higher Certificate often enables you to articulate into a related Diploma or Degree.
How do TVET college NATED courses differ from university degrees?
NATED (Report 191) courses offered at TVET colleges are practical, vocation-specific qualifications that start at N4 level and conclude with an N6 certificate. Once you complete 18 to 24 months of relevant workplace experience, you are awarded a National N-Diploma (NQF Level 6). University degrees, by contrast, are academic, theory-intensive programmes culminating in an NQF Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree.