Your APS Score is used to decide whether you qualify for university admission in South Africa. As a general rule, you need at least 23 APS points for a Degree course and 19 APS points for a Diploma course. However, this is where many students get confused. Meeting the minimum APS Score does not automatically mean you will be accepted.
Most universities have their own APS admission score, while each course also has a separate APS requirement. This means a university may accept your APS Score, but the specific course you apply for may still require a higher score. Because of this, students are often encouraged to apply for a second or third choice, or to consider a Diploma course first if their APS Score does not meet Degree requirements.
Here is an example of a student that is applying at a university:
| Student applies to “University A” and wants to apply for a Business Management Programme | ||
| University A’s APS Score Expectation | Students APS Score | Business Management Programme’s Expectation |
| APS Score 23 | APS Score 24 | APS Score 25 |
As seen in the table above, the student can gain entry into the university, but not for the course they wish to complete. This means that they will have to consider another course.
Here are the (4) four factors that universities consider:
- APS Score
- You Matric Pass Level
- Your final Matric exam results (percentages)
- Your final Matric subject
What Does APS Stand For?
APS stands for Admissions Point Score. This is a credit system that is used in South Africa to determine whether students qualify for admission to a university and a Degree Course at university after passing matric. Each university has its own entry requirements or APS Score.
What Is A Good APS Score?
A good APS Score is determined by what you want to achieve as a student. If you would like to complete a:
- Short Course
- Further Education and Training Certificate Course
- Higher Certificate Course
- Diploma Course
- Degree Course
The higher level of education you choose to study, the higher your APS Score should look like.
Is 27 A Good APS Score?
Yes, 27 is a good APS Score. This is a Bachelor’s Degree Pass. Apply for the following courses with this APS Score:
- Short Course
- Further Education and Training Certificate Course
- Higher Certificate Course
- Diploma Course
- Degree Course
Is 33 A Good APS Score?
Yes, 33 is a good APS Score. This is a Bachelor’s Degree Pass. Apply for the following courses with this APS Score:
- Short Course
- Further Education and Training Certificate Course
- Higher Certificate Course
- Diploma Course
- Degree Course
What we do
We help you get, or improve, your matric certificate. We understand the problems that students face once they have left school.
This is where we come in to help you achieve your dream of the matric certificate you deserve.
What Should My APS Score Be?
Your APS Score should be the APS score that matches your needs as a student. This means that you should apply for courses that match your Matric results, or you should aim for an APS Score that matches the type of course you would like to apply for.
How Do You Calculate Your APS Score?
You can calculate your APS Score by looking at your own percentages and adding up the code you have received for each subject. Here are the percentages with the codes received for each:
| Percentages (%) | Codes (APS Score) |
| 80 – 100 % | 7 |
| 70 – 79% | 6 |
| 60 – 69% | 5 |
| 50 – 59% | 4 |
| 40 – 49 % | 3 |
| 30 – 39% | 2 |
| 0 – 29% | 1 |
Here is an example of a student’s marks:
| Percentages (%) | Codes (APS Score) |
| 80 % – English Home Language | 7 |
| 78 % – Mathematics | 6 |
| 67 % – Life Orientation | 0 (Most universities do not accept this subject) |
| 50 % – First Additional Language | 4 |
| 49 % – Life Sciences | 3 |
| 30 % – Physical Sciences | 2 |
| 39 % – Business Studies | 2 |
| This student’s total APS Score is 29 Points. | |
Is An APS Score The Same As A Matric Pass Level?
No, an APS Score is not the same as a Matric Pass Level. Your APS Score is determined by your Matric Pass Level, as well as the percentages and codes you receive for each subject in High School.
Bachelor's Degree Pass
- 40% for your Home Language
- 50% for four other Higher Credit subjects
- 30% for two other subjects
Diploma Certificate Pass
- 40% for your Home Language
- 40% for four other High Credit subjects
- 30% for two other subjects
Higher Certificate Pass
- 40% in your Home Language
- 40% in two other subjects
- 30% in three other subjects
One of your Home Languages has to be English or Afrikaans to qualify for this certificate.
National Senior Certificate Pass
- Pass 4 subjects with 40%. Of these, one should be a home language.
- Pass at least 2 subjects with 30%
- You are allowed to fail 1 subject
How Can I Improve My APS Score?
You can improve your APS Score by completing our Matric Upgrade Course. This course allows students to:
- Improve their APS Scores
- Go from failed Matric to passing Matric with a Bachelor’s Degree
- Change subjects to ones that are more suited to the course they would like to apply for
- Change subjects to ones that are easier to understand
- Change subjects to one that the student is passionate about
- Add subjects to your certificate
Matric Upgrade
Here is what you need to gain entry into the matric upgrade course:
- Failed Matric Certificate
- Incomplete Matric Certificate
- Passed Matric Certificate
- Statement of results
- Read, write and understand English
- Study through distance learning
How Can I Get My Matric?
You can get your Matric these (2) two ways:
- Adult Matric
- High School
Adult Matric
If you have not completed Matric in High School and would like to complete your Matric as an adult, you can apply for our Adult Matric Course. This is what you need to qualify for this course:
- Be 21 or older
- Have an ABET Level 4 or Grade 9 Certificate
- Understand, read and write Afrikaans or English
- Study through distance learning
You need to pass (5) five subjects to pass this course.
High School
You can complete Matric the traditional way, which is at High School. This is what you need to qualify for this course:
- Be 21 or younger
- Have a Grade 11 Certificate
- Understand, read and write in your preferred language
- Study at school
You need to pass (6) six subjects to pass this course.
Which Courses Can I Study Without Matric?
Here are your options at Matric College:
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Benefits Of Studying At Matric College
Here is why you should consider completing a course at Matric College:
- Gain a qualification that is in demand
- Improve your Matric marks
- Complete your Matric
- Study with or without matric
- Apply any time of the year
- Work and study
- Get textbooks at no additional cost
Matric College Team are the most supportive team. I have no complaints on anything they do. They are always there for you in anything you need to know. Thank you Matric College Team for the great support that I get from you guys. – Ashrelucia I
Start your studies at Matric College or improve your Marks for university!
People Also Ask
Yes, you can apply to universities with your final Grade 11 results, and you will be conditionally admitted based on those. Your admission status will be finalized upon the release of your final National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) results.
Students who score below 15 do not qualify for a diploma or degree program, but there are training courses that accommodate points below 15.
Yes, while the APS score is crucial, it’s not the only factor considered. Universities may also look at specific subject requirements, portfolios for creative courses, entrance exams for competitive fields, and other criteria.
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy is only required for certain qualifications but not all of them. There are a host of programs that do not require Maths or Maths Literacy.
You need a Matric pass and an APS Score that meets the entry requirements for your chosen course. Some universities also ask for specific subjects.
An impressive APS Score is 30 points or more. This usually qualifies you for most Bachelor’s Degree programmes at South African universities.
Author: Jesmé Africa
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: June 10, 2022