Understanding Your APS Score: The Key to University Admissions

If you are a matric student planning to study at a South African university, your Admission Point Score (APS) is the most important number on your final report card.

While your matric certificate shows your percentages and subject levels, universities use the APS system to standardize these results and determine if you qualify for specific faculties, degrees, and diploma programs.

What is an Admission Point Score (APS)?

An APS is a unified grading system used by South African tertiary institutions to evaluate a prospective student’s academic performance. Each of your National Senior Certificate (NSC) subject percentages is converted into a point value ranging from 1 to 7. The sum of your core subjects creates your total APS.

Universities use this total, alongside specific subject requirements (like a minimum level in Mathematics or Physical Sciences), to make admission decisions.

How is the APS Score Calculated?

Calculating your APS is straightforward. The Department of Basic Education assigns a point for each percentage bracket:

• Level 7 (80% – 100%): 7 Points
• Level 6 (70% – 79%): 6 Points
• Level 5 (60% – 69%): 5 Points
• Level 4 (50% – 59%): 4 Points
• Level 3 (40% – 49%): 3 Points
• Level 2 (30% – 39%): 2 Points
• Level 1 (0% – 29%): 1 Point

Your total APS is usually the sum of your six best subjects.

Does Life Orientation (LO) Count Towards My APS?

This is one of the most common questions matriculants ask, and the answer depends entirely on the institution.

Most major universities—including the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), University of Cape Town (UCT), and University of Johannesburg (UJ)—exclude Life Orientation from the final APS calculation.

However, some institutions or specific faculties may divide your LO score by half (e.g., an achievement level of 6 becomes 3 points) or award a maximum of 1 or 2 points for it. Because of this variation, it is always safest to calculate your core APS without Life Orientation to know exactly where you stand.

What APS Score Do I Need to Pass Matric?

To qualify for higher education in South Africa, you need to meet the minimum statutory requirements set by the Department of Higher Education and Training:

• Bachelor’s Degree Pass: You need an APS of at least 23, including achieving a Level 4 (50-59%) or better in four subjects from the designated list.
• Diploma Pass: You need an APS of at least 19, including achieving a Level 3 (40-49%) or better in four recognized subjects.
• Higher Certificate Pass: You need an APS of at least 15, passing your Home Language at a Level 3 (40%+) and two other subjects at a Level 3.

Note: Meeting these minimum requirements allows you to apply, but it does not guarantee admission. Competitive programs like Medicine, Engineering, or Law often require an APS of 35 or higher.

Do All South African Universities Use the Same APS System?

While the basic 1-to-7 point scale is standard across the country, universities apply the points differently.

For example, the University of Pretoria (UP) and Stellenbosch University use a standard point-for-point system. Conversely, the University of Cape Town (UCT) uses a unique Faculty Point Score (FPS) system where they calculate scores out of 600 based on exact percentages rather than the 1-7 levels.

Always check the specific prospectus of your chosen university to verify their exact admission criteria for your desired year of study.