The Admission Point Score (APS) is a key measure in South Africa’s education system that helps determine if students can get into various higher education programmes. It is a standard way to look at a student’s performance in their final year of high school. As a result, APS makes it easier for universities and colleges to decide if a student meets the requirements for their chosen course.
In South Africa, the APS score is very important for the admission process for tertiary education. It makes sure that the selection process is fair and clear, allowing students to get into programmes that fit their academic skills. So, by understanding how the APS score works, students can prepare better for their future and make smart choices about their education and careers. In this article, we will discuss your question, ‘How much should my APS score be?’ by exploring the APS score requirements for different qualifications.
Table of Contents
Understanding APS Score
The APS score is a numerical representation of a student’s academic performance based on their final high school exam results. It takes the grades from a student’s six best subjects (not including Life Orientation) and converts them into points on a scale from 1 to 7, with 7 being the best. The total APS score is the sum of these points.
Below is a table showing how percentage scores translate into APS scores:
| Percentage Obtained | APS Score |
| 80-100% | 7 |
| 70-79% | 6 |
| 60-69% | 5 |
| 50-59% | 4 |
| 40-49% | 3 |
| 30-39% | 2 |
| 0-29% | 1 |
APS Score Requirements for Different Qualifications
When aiming for higher education, different qualifications have varying APS score requirements. Knowing these requirements is important for students to plan their studies and choose the right programmes.
Here, we have outlined the APS score requirements for various qualifications, including bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, higher certificates, and National Senior Certificates. This will help you find the answer to your question, ‘How much should my APS score be?’
Bachelors Degree APS Score
Getting a Bachelor’s Degree Pass is the highest level of Matric pass and shows top academic performance. Students who earn distinctions usually get a Bachelor’s Degree Pass. To qualify for a Bachelor’s Degree Pass, you need to:
- Score at least 40% in your Home Language
- Get at least 50% in four other subjects at a Higher Credit level
- Achieve at least 30% in one more subject for the Senior Certificate (Amended) or 30% in two additional subjects for the National Senior Certificate.
What APS Score Do You Need for a Bachelor’s Degree?
To get a Bachelor’s degree in South Africa, you need a minimum of 23 Admission Point Score (APS) points. This score is calculated based on your performance in the following areas:
- 4 APS points for each of the four subjects at the Higher Credit level
- 3 APS points for the Home Language subject
- 2 APS points each for two additional subjects
Diploma APS Score
Diploma programmes generally have lower APS requirements compared to bachelor’s degrees. For most diploma courses, the minimum APS score is 19. Here’s how the APS is calculated for a Diploma pass:
- Score a minimum of 40% (3 APS points) in your Home Language
- Achieve 40% (3 APS points) in four other High Credit subjects
- Obtain at least 30% (2 APS points) in two additional subjects for the National Senior Certificate
Higher Certificate APS Score
To achieve a Higher Certificate Pass, students need a minimum of 15 APS points. The distribution of these points is as follows:
- Get 40% (3 APS points) in Home Language
- Score 40% ( 3 APS points) in two other subjects
- Achieve 30% (2 APS points) in three additional subjects for the National Senior Certificate
- One of your Home Languages must be English or Afrikaans to qualify for this certificate
National Senior Certificate APS Score
Students who pass with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) will receive at least 14 APS points. This is achieved by:
- 40% (3 APS points ) in Home Language
- 40% (3 APS points) in two other subjects
- 30% (2 APS points) in four additional subjects
APS Score Requirements by Field of Study
Knowing the APS score requirements for different fields of study is important for students planning their education and careers. Each programme has its own APS score based on the challenges and competitions in the field.
Whether you are aiming for accounting, business management, law, or another area, understanding the required APS score helps you set achievable goals and make better choices about your studies. The table below outlines the minimum APS score requirements for each field of study, along with essential subjects and other requirements:
| No. | Field of Study | Minimum APS Score | English | Mathematics | Additional Requirements |
| APS Score for BCom Accounting | 28 | 4 (50%) | 4 (50%) | Mathematical Literacy is not accepted. | |
| 2. | Business Management APS Score | 26 | 4 (50%) | 4 (50%) | Mathematical Literacy is not accepted |
| 3. | APS Score for Chartered Accountants | 33 | 4 (50%) | 5 (60%) | Mathematical Literacy is not accepted |
| 4. | APS Score for Criminology | 20-30 | Varies | Varies | Depends on university |
| 5. | APS Score for Dentistry | 30-40 | 5 (60%) | 6 (70%) | Physical Sciences 5 (60%) |
| 6. | APS Score for Flight Attendant | N/A | 4 (50%) | 4 (50%) | Customer service experience preferred |
| 7. | APS Score for Information Technology (IT) | 30 | 5 (60%) | 6 (70%) | None |
| 8. | APS Score for Law | 28-32 | 5 (60%) | 3 (40%) | Additional Language 4 (50%) |
APS Scores for Engineering and Sciences
When aiming for a career in engineering or science, knowing the APS score requirements for these fields is important. Engineering and science programmes can be challenging and competitive, so they need specific APS scores. Understanding the required scores for different engineering and science programmes will help you meet your academic goals. However, the APS score for these programmes can vary for different institutions.
The table below gives you an overview of the minimum APS score requirements for programmes like Chemical, Civil, and Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. It makes it easier for you to find the answer to the question, ‘How much should my APS score be for engineering and science?’
| No. | Programme | Minimum APS Score | English | Mathematics | Physical Science |
| 1. | Chemical Engineering APS Score | 30 | 4 (50%) | 5 (60%) | 5 (60%) |
| 2. | Civil Engineering APS Score | 32 | 5 (60%) | 5 (60%) | 5 (60%) |
| 3. | Computer Science APS Score | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| 4. | APS Score for Mechanical Engineering | 32 | 5 (60%) | 5 (60%) | 5 (60%) |
APS Scores for Healthcare Programmes
If you have questions like “What is the APS Score for Medicine?” or “What is the APS Score for Social Workers?”, you must know that each field in healthcare has specific APS score requirements. However, a good APS score shows you are ready for your desired healthcare programme.
In the table below, you can observe the minimum APS score of the healthcare programmes along with additional requirements:
| No. | Programme | Minimum APS Score | English | Mathematics | Additional Requirements |
| 1. | APS Score for Medicine | 35 | 5 (60%) | 6 (70%) | Physical Sciences- 5 (60%) |
| 2. | APS Score for Nursing | 25-28 | 4 (50%) | 4 (50%) | Life Sciences- 4 (50%) |
| 3. | Pharmacist APS Score | 32 | 5 (60%) | 5 (60%) | Physical Sciences- 5 (60%) |
| 4. | APS Score for Psychology | 26-30 | 4 (50%) | 3-4 (40-50%) | Varies by university |
| 5. | Social Worker APS Score | 21-31 | 4-5 (50-60%) | 3-4 (40-50%) | Varies by university |
APS Scores for Teaching
Teaching programmes usually have specific APS scores you need to meet to show that you’re ready for the challenges of the field. To the question, ‘What APS Score is Needed for Teaching?’ The answer is you will need an APS score between 15 and 25 to get into most teaching programmes.Below are the minimum APS scores required for various teaching qualifications:
| No. | Teaching Qualification | Minimum APS Score |
| 1. | Higher Certificate in Education (Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching) | 15 |
| 2. | Diploma in Education | 18 |
| 3. | Bachelor of Education (BEd) Degree | 21 or higher (depending on specialisation) |
This score range ensures you have the right academic background to handle the coursework and training. Achieving or exceeding this APS requirement will help you start your journey toward a successful teaching career.
Conclusion
Knowing the APS score requirements is very important for students wanting to attend college or university in South Africa. These scores show if you are ready for the challenges of your chosen field. Moreover, by meeting or exceeding the minimum APS scores, you can improve your chances of getting into competitive programmes like Medicine, Law, Engineering, and more.
This guide has explained the APS score requirements for different types of qualifications, such as bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, and higher certificates. It also provided the specific APS scores needed for various fields of study, including healthcare, teaching, and engineering. So, we hope our article will help you plan your studies and set realistic academic goals. Remember, a good APS score is your first step toward many educational and career opportunities in South Africa. Best of luck on your academic journey!
FAQs: How Much Should My APS Score Be For Higher Education?
What is the minimum APS score for a Bachelor Degree?
The minimum APS score for a Bachelor’s Degree in South Africa is 23 points. This score is based on your performance in six subjects, excluding Life Orientation.
What is the APS score for IT?
The APS score required for Information Technology (IT) programmes in South Africa generally varies by institution. However, a common minimum IT APS score is around 30 points.
What is the APS score for Law?
The Law APS score in South Africa typically ranges between 28 and 32 points. Students must score at least 60% in English and 40% in Mathematics. Additionally, having a good score in an additional language can also be beneficial.
What is the Mechanical Engineering APS score?
The minimum APS score required for Mechanical Engineering programmes is usually 32 points. This includes achieving at least 60% in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and English.
What are the medicine APS score and nursing APS score?
For Medicine programmes in South Africa, the minimum APS score is generally 35 points, including at least 60% in English and Physical Sciences and 70% in Mathematics. Nursing programmes typically require an APS score between 25 and 28 points, with at least 50% in English, Mathematics, and Life Sciences.
