Everything You Should Know About APS

Many university courses are defined by their APS entry requirement. So what is an APS, and how do you find yours?

What Is APS?

APS stands for Admission Points Score. Your APS is calculated using your Matric marks. This is a system used by universities to determine whether you are eligible to apply to study certain courses. Each course has its own APS requirements, and some universities have their own APS requirements as well. 

How Do You Calculate APS?

Your APS is calculated using your Matric marks. The marks are separated into percentage brackets, which are each allocated a number of points. The point allocation is as follows: 

Percentage Bracket

Point Allocation

80% – 100%

7

70% – 79%

6

60% – 69%

5

50% – 59%

4

40% – 49%

3

30% – 39%

2

0% – 29%

1

Using this, you can find how many points you have for each subject. Add up these points to get your APS. 

You can also use an online calculator. Remember to input Life Orientation as the single point bracket, no matter what your actual marks were. This is because Life Orientation does not count toward your APS. 

Why Is LO Not Included In APS?

Life Orientation is not included when calculating your APS. This is because some universities count L. O. for one point if you passed it. Other universities will count it for half the number of allocated points. Other universities will not count it at all.

Which Subjects Count For APS?

The subjects that count towards your APS are as follows:

Accounting  Agricultural Management Practices
Agricultural Sciences  Agricultural Technology
Business Studies  Civil Technology
Computer Applications Technology Consumer Studies 
Dance Studies Dramatic Arts 
Economics  Electrical Technology
Engineering Graphics and Design  Geography 
History  Hospitality Studies
Information Technology  Life Sciences 
Mathematics  Mathematical Literacy
Mechanical Technology Music 
Physical Sciences  Religion studies 
Tourism Visual Arts

Your Home Language and your First Additional Language subjects will also count toward your APS.

How Many Subjects Do You Need To Pass Matric?

You will write exams for seven subjects in your Matric final exams. You must pass six of your seven subjects, including your Home Language subject. You may fail one subject, except for your Home Language subject. 

What Is The APS For Teaching?

The APS Score for Teaching is between 24 – 35. Keep in mind that the APS required for teaching is different at different universities. You will need to check with the university you want to study at for the requirements for studying teaching.

What Is The Highest APS?

The highest APS you can get is 42. This is because the highest number of points you can get for a subject is 7, and only six of your subjects count toward your APS. This is because Life Orientation is excluded from your APS.

What Is The Minimum APS For A Bachelor Degree?

The minimum APS for a Bachelor’s degree is 23. The minimum APS requirements for each of the four passing levels are as follows:

  • Bachelor’s pass – minimum APS 23
  • Diploma pass – minimum APS 19
  • Higher Certificate pass – minimum APS 15
  • NSC pass – minimum APS 14

Remember that these are only the minimum requirements, and achieving this does not guarantee you entry into any course. Remember to check with the university you are applying to for any extra requirements for the course you are applying for. 

What Is The Difference Between APS And Bachelor’s Degree Pass?

The difference between APS and Bachelor’s Degree pass is that a Bachelor’s Degree pass is one of the four passing levels, while APS is a system used to determine your passing level. 

Why Do Universities Use APS?

APS is a system that universities use to streamline the application process. Instead of allowing everyone to apply to study a Bachelor’s Degree course, universities will first calculate your APS. This allows the university to determine what level you can study at.

Once this has been determined, then the university will look at specific subjects to determine which courses you can study. 

What Is A Good APS?

A good APS is subjective, as the APS you need depends on the course you want to study and the university you want to study at. 

What Marks Do Universities Look At?

Universities can look at both Grade 11 and Matric marks. If you apply early, universities will look at your Grade 11 marks to decide whether to grant you provisional entry.

If you are granted provisional entry, the university will then look at your Matric marks once they are released to make a final decision about whether to grant you admission. If you do not apply early, universities will only look at your Matric marks. 

What Is The APS Needed For University?

The APS you need will depend on the course you want to study and the university you want to study at. The minimum requirements are as follows. 

Bachelor’s Degree Pass

To receive a Bachelor’s Degree pass, you must have the following:

  • 40% or above for your Home Language subject
  • 50% or above for four subjects 
  • 30% or above for two other subjects

This makes your APS total 23.

Diploma Pass

To receive a Diploma pass, you must have the following:

  • 40% or above for your Home Language subject
  • 40% or above for four other subjects
  • 30% or above for two other subjects

This brings your APS total to 19, which is the minimum entry requirement for a Diploma at a university. 

Higher Certificate Pass

To receive a Higher Certificate pass, you must have the following:

  • 40% or above for your Home Language subject
  • 40% or above for two other subjects 
  • 30% or above for three other subjects

This brings your APS total to 15 which is the minimum entry requirement for a Higher Certificate at a college. 

NSC Pass

To receive an NSC pass, you must have the following:

  • 40% or above for your Home Language subject
  • 40% or above for two other subjects 
  • 30% or above for the remaining subjects
  • You can fail one subject

This brings your APS total to 14 which is the minimum requirement to pass matric, but will not admit you into any university or higher certificate courses.

Note that these are just the minimum requirements, and achieving these requirements does not guarantee you admission into any university course. 

What Can I Study With My APS?

Many universities have their own entry requirements, as well as their own set of requirements for specific courses. Each university has its own method of calculating your APS, and many have calculators on their websites.

However, calculating your own APS gives you a good starting point. Check with the university you are applying to about their requirements for the course you want to apply to. Some great ones to look at are:

What Can I Do If My APS Is Not High Enough?

There are options available if your APS is not high enough for the course you want to study. These options include:

  • Study at a lower level 
  • Matric Rewrite 
  • Matric Upgrade 

Study At A Lower Level

If your APS does not meet the requirements for the course you would like to study, you can begin at a lower level and work your way up.

For example, if you want to study a Bachelor’s degree course, but your APS does not meet the requirements, you could begin by studying for a Diploma Course instead. This does mean it will take longer to get your qualification, but it means you can still get it.

Matric Rewrite

This option is available to anyone under the age of 21 who would like to improve their Matric marks. You may rewrite a maximum of four subjects. These must be subjects you wrote for your Matric final exams, you cannot change subjects.

There is no limit to the number of times you can rewrite Matric, as long as you are still under the age of 21. To apply for Matric Rewrite, you will need:

  • A copy of your Statement of Results
  • A certified copy of your ID

Matric Upgrade

This option is available to anyone who would like to improve their Matric marks and is over the age of 21. You must be over the age of 21 because you will write the Adult Matric exams.

You may upgrade a maximum of four subjects. You may also choose to change any four subjects instead. There is no limit to the number of times you can upgrade your Matric. To apply for a Matric Upgrade, you will need:

  • A copy of your Statement of Results
  • A certified copy of your ID 

What Have We Learned?

  • APS is calculated using your Matric marks
  • Life Orientation does not count towards your APS
  • You can pass Matric with six subjects. You can calculate your APS yourself, or use an online calculator
  • The highest APS you can achieve is 42
  • The APS requirements for certain courses will differ depending on the university you are applying to
  • The minimum APS to pass Matric is 14
  • Universities can look at both Grade 11 and Matric marks
  • There are options available if your APS does not meet the requirements for the course you want to study

Author: Chloe Bydawell 
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: June 30, 2022