If your APS has turned out lower than you expected, it can make your options seem limited. However, no matter your APS, there are options available to you.
Courses For APS 14 And Below
Courses you can study with an APS of 14 or less are as follows:
- NATED courses (requires APS 14, as NATED courses require Matric or Matric Equivalent)
- ICB courses
- Short courses
- Rewrite Matric
- Upgrade Matric
NATED Courses
National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) courses are designed to make sure you are workplace-ready by the time you complete the final level of the course. NATED courses require you to have Matric at any pass level. You can apply with a school Matric or an Adult Matric. NATED courses you can study are:
- Business Management
- Educare
- Financial Management
- Human Resource Management
- Legal Secretary course
- Management Assistant course
- Marketing Management
NATED courses are also structured so that you can begin working after only your first year of studying. This creates a good opportunity to work to earn an income while you complete your studies.
ICB Courses
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is an independent external examinations body that offers fully accredited courses through reputable distance learning colleges. There are three different ICB courses you can choose to study:
- Business Management
- Financial Accounting
- Office Administration (requires APS14, as this course requires Matric or a Matric Equivalent)
The ICB Financial Accounting course requires you to have completed Grade 10 to apply.
The ICB Business Management course requires you to have completed Grade 11 to apply.
The ICB Office Administration course requires you to have your Matric at any pass level, or Matric Equivalent Certificate.
Short Courses
You can also choose to take an open-access short course. Open-access means that all you need to be able to apply is to be able to understand, read and write in English. Short courses you can study include:
- Beauty Therapy course
- Child Daycare course
- Child Psychology course
- Crèche Management course
- Digital Photography course
- Event Management course
- Facial Skincare course
- Guest house Management course
- Human Resource Management course
- Make-up Application course
- Nail Care course
- Operational Health and Safety course
- Personal Assistant course
- Project Management course
- Receptionist courses
- Supply Chain Management course
- Tourism Marketing course
- Tourism Management course
- Wedding Planning course
Rewrite Matric
Doing a Matric rewrite is one of the options available to anyone under the age of 21. This option helps you to improve your Matric marks to get a better APS.
You may rewrite a maximum of four subjects. These must be subjects you wrote for your Matric final exams, you cannot change subjects for the rewrite. 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 a Matric Rewrite, you will need:
- A copy of your Statement of Results
- A certified copy of your ID
Upgrade Matric
Getting a Matric upgrade is an option available to those who are over the age of 21 and would still like to improve their Matric marks and their APS.
You may upgrade a maximum of four subjects. You may choose to change any of these four subjects. There is no limit to the number of times you can upgrade your Matric. You must be over the age of 21 because you will write the Adult Matric exams.
To apply for a Matric Upgrade, you will need:
- A copy of your Statement of Results
- A certified copy of your ID
Courses For APS 15 To 17
With an APS of 15 or more, you can apply to study any Higher Certificate course. Higher Certificate courses are available at universities, or you could choose to take an ICB or NATED course. ICB and NATED courses are structured so that you may end your studies at the Higher Certificate level instead of taking it all the way to the Diploma level if you choose.
Courses For APS 18 To 20
With an APS of 18 or above, you can apply to study any Diploma courses. You can choose to apply to universities, or you can choose to study ICB or NATED courses, which go up to the Diploma level.
What Is The Minimum APS?
The minimum APS to pass Matric is 14, but this will not grant you access to any university courses.
The minimum requirements for each passing level are as follows:
Bachelor’s Pass/Matric Exemption (APS 23)
- 40% or above for your Home Language subject
- 50% or above for four subjects
- 30% or above for two other subjects
Diploma Pass (APS 19)
- 40% or above for your Home Language subject
- 40% or above for four other subjects
- 30% or above for two other subjects
Higher Certificate Pass (APS 15)
- 40% or above for your Home Language subject
- 40% or above for two other subjects
- 30% or above for three other subjects
NSC / SC Pass/Matric Pass (APS 14)
- 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
Note that these are just the minimum requirements, and achieving this does not guarantee you admission into any university courses.
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 First Additional Language will also count towards your APS, and you must pass your Home Language subject with at least 40% to pass Matric. Note that Life Orientation does not count towards your APS.
How To Calculate Your APS
Knowing how to calculate your APS can be very helpful in determining what level you can apply to study. Your APS is calculated using your Matric marks. Your Matric marks are converted into a points-based system that will tell you what level of study you can apply to.
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 |
Remember that Life Orientation does not count toward your APS.
An Example Of How To Calculate Your APS:
Subject (%) | APS |
Mathematics: 67% | 5 |
English Home Language: 72% | 6 |
Afrikaans First Additional Language: 54% | 4 |
Life Orientation: 76% | 6 (excluded) |
Dramatic Arts: 87% | 7 |
Economics: 63% | 5 |
Geography: 81% | 7 |
Total APS | 34 |
Because Life Orientation is not counted, this adds up to an APS of 34, not 40.
You can also choose to calculate it online with an online calculator. Remember to input Life Orientation in the single point bracket no matter what your actual mark was.
What Have We Learned?
- There are many options available no matter what your APS is
- The minimum APS to pass Matric is 14
- Life Orientation does not count towards your APS
- You can calculate your APS yourself, or you can calculate it online
Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: June 30, 2022