APS Score Explained: How South African Universities Really Choose Students

The Admission Point Score, or APS, is the single most important number in most Grade 12 learners' university applications. It looks straightforward — add up the points for your best six or seven subjects — but the details differ from university to university, from faculty to faculty and from year to year. This guide explains how APS works, what a competitive score looks like for popular degrees, and how to boost yours before finals.

The standard APS table

Most universities use the following scale for calculating APS points from NSC final percentages:

| Percentage | APS | | --- | --- | | 80 – 100 | 7 | | 70 – 79 | 6 | | 60 – 69 | 5 | | 50 – 59 | 4 | | 40 – 49 | 3 | | 30 – 39 | 2 | | 0 – 29 | 1 |

Add up the points for your best seven subjects. Life Orientation is not counted at Wits, UCT, UP or UJ. Stellenbosch and UKZN include Life Orientation but often only half its value. Rhodes uses its own point system.

An APS of 42 means all seven subjects at 80% or above. An APS of 35 means all subjects between 70% and 79% — solid distinction territory.

Faculty variations

Different universities calculate APS differently for competitive faculties. Examples:

• UCT uses a Weighted Points Score (WPS) rather than a straight APS. WPS is calculated using percentages directly (rather than banded points), which rewards learners who scored high 80s and 90s. UCT also applies the Extended Weighted Points Score (EWPS), which adds up to 15% for learners from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Wits uses APS scores plus Faculty-Specific Score requirements. Their commerce faculty requires certain subjects (mathematics at 70% minimum for many BCom degrees).
• UP (Pretoria) uses APS scores plus mathematics thresholds for engineering, health sciences and BCom.
• Stellenbosch uses TPT (Toelatingspuntetelling / Admission Points Total) which is slightly different. Consult their prospectus.

Always read the specific faculty requirements on the university's website. Do not assume the APS you calculated at home is the one the university will use.

Subject requirements

Beyond APS, universities require specific subjects at specific minimum marks:

• Engineering — Mathematics at 60–70%, Physical Sciences at 60–70%.
• Medicine / MBChB — Mathematics at 70%+, Physical Sciences at 70%+, Life Sciences at 60%+. Extremely competitive.
• Actuarial Science — Mathematics at 80% or 90%+ depending on the university.
• Law / LLB — English HL or FAL at 60%+ typically.
• Commerce (BCom) — Mathematics at 60–70% for most streams. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted for BCom Accounting, Finance or Economics at most universities.
• Health Sciences (physiotherapy, nursing, dietetics) — subject requirements vary by degree. Life Sciences and English are usually required.
• Humanities and Social Sciences — often the lowest APS thresholds, typically 25–33 APS.

Sample competitive APS by degree (indicative for 2025–2026)

These are ballpark numbers only. Always confirm on the university website.

| Degree | Typical minimum APS | | --- | --- | | BA Humanities (UP) | 26 | | BEd Foundation Phase | 26–32 | | BCom General (UJ) | 28 | | BSc Computer Science (Wits) | 40 | | BEng Chemical (UP) | 35 | | MBChB (UCT) | 45+ (with subject minimums) | | LLB (Wits) | 38 | | BA Fine Arts (Stellenbosch) | 32 | | BSc Actuarial (Wits) | 44+ |

How to raise your APS before finals

• Aim for one subject to move up a band. A 79% becomes 80% and jumps from 6 to 7 APS points. That is a single point of APS won at low cost.
• Do not neglect Life Orientation even though some universities exclude it. Some do count it, and a high LO mark gives you a comfortable buffer.
• Do the past papers in the subjects you are weakest on. Every mark counts. See our subjects library for past papers.
• Use the AI tutor for targeted concept help. Ask Nae to explain the specific topics you are losing marks on.

National Benchmark Tests (NBTs)

Many universities (UCT, Wits, Rhodes, UWC, UFS and others) require the NBTs in addition to APS. NBTs test academic literacy, quantitative literacy and mathematics separately. Some faculties use NBTs as the deciding factor when APS alone would place learners on a waiting list.

Book your NBTs early — slots fill up. Practise with the released NBT questions available online.

What if your APS is below the requirement?

Options exist:

• Extended-degree programmes. Many universities offer a "foundation year" or "extended-curriculum programme" for learners whose APS is slightly below the requirement. You complete your degree in one extra year.
• Alternative universities. UNISA has open access for many programmes. Distance learning while working is a real path.
• Higher Certificates. A one-year Higher Certificate can be a pathway to a Diploma and then a Degree. NQF level increases each year.
• Bridging courses. Programmes at institutions like Boston City Campus or Damelin bridge you into a diploma.
• Rewriting subjects. You may rewrite up to two subjects in the following year to improve your APS. Consult your school.

Do not rely on APS alone

Universities increasingly use holistic admissions. Personal statements, community service, sport, art, leadership and financial need all count. Prepare a strong application, not just a strong APS. If your dream degree seems out of reach, apply anyway. Waiting lists move, and universities regularly admit learners who fell slightly short.

The best thing you can do now is put in the twelve weeks of focused revision (see our 12-week plan) and give yourself the strongest APS you are capable of. The number will follow the effort.