Your APS (Admission Point Score) is a number universities calculate from your matric marks to decide whether you qualify for a course. You earn points for each subject based on your percentage, add up your best subjects, and compare the total to a course's cut-off. Competitive courses like medicine and engineering need high APS scores; others accept much lower.
How the APS works
Most universities assign points to each subject according to the mark you achieve — for example, a common scale gives 7 points for 80–100%, 6 for 70–79%, 5 for 60–69%, and so on down to 1. You add the points from your best six or seven subjects (rules vary; Life Orientation is often weighted less or excluded) to get your APS.
Important
Each university has its own APS scale and rules, and some (like UCT) use their own scoring. Always calculate your APS using the specific university's method and check the exact cut-off for your course.
Typical APS ranges (as a rough guide)
- Higher certificate / access programmes: lower APS (often high teens to low 20s).
- Diplomas: roughly the low-to-mid 20s.
- Bachelor's degrees: often 26–34+ depending on the course.
- Highly competitive degrees (medicine, engineering, actuarial): high 30s to 40s plus specific subject marks.
It's not just your APS
Meeting the APS is necessary but not always enough. Courses also require specific subjects at minimum marks (for example, high Maths and Physical Sciences for engineering), and some use the National Benchmark Test (NBT). A strong APS with the wrong subjects still won't get you in.
What if your APS is too low?
- 1Apply for a related course with a lower APS and transfer later if you do well.
- 2Consider a higher certificate, bridging or extended (foundation) programme as a stepping stone.
- 3Look at a TVET college or a diploma route into the same field.
- 4Improve your marks through a matric rewrite or supplementary exams, then reapply.
How do I calculate my APS?+
Convert each subject's percentage to points using the university's scale, then add your best six or seven subjects (rules vary, and Life Orientation is often excluded or weighted less). Use each university's own calculator to be accurate.
What is a good APS score?+
It depends entirely on the course. A 30+ APS opens many degrees; competitive programmes like medicine need high 30s to 40s. Always check the specific cut-off for the course you want.
Does Life Orientation count towards APS?+
Often only partially or not at all — many universities exclude Life Orientation or weight it less when calculating APS. Check each university's rules.
Need help applying this to your situation?
Send us a free, no-obligation enquiry and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Get career guidance