Published: Tue, 09 September 2025
APS scores help students know if they can study special courses at university. It is important for learners in South Africa.
Many students want to study special programs like medicine or law. But they must first check their APS score. APS means Admission Point Score. It is used by South African universities to see if you qualify.
Each subject in matric gives you points. The better your marks, the more points you get. Most universities count your best six subjects. Life Orientation is not always counted.
For example, if you get 80 percent in Maths, you get 7 points. If you get 60 percent in English, you get 5 points. You add all the points to get your APS score.
Different programs need different APS scores. Medicine needs more than 35 points. Engineering needs around 31. Law needs about 28. Teaching needs 23. You must check the university website to see the exact score.
If your APS score is low, you can still apply for a diploma or higher certificate. These need fewer points. You can also upgrade later to a degree if you pass well.
Some programs also need special subjects. For example, engineering needs Maths and Physical Science. Law needs good marks in English. You must also meet subject rules, not just APS.
Universities like UJ, UP, and Wits have APS calculators online. You can use them to check your score before you apply. This helps you plan better.
APS scores also help with bursaries. Some bursaries only go to students with high APS. So it is good to work hard in Grade 12.
What if I fail one subject but still have a good APS? You may still qualify if the failed subject is not counted in the top six. But if it is a required subject like Maths for engineering, you may not qualify. You can rewrite or choose another program.