APS for SA universities
APS Score Calculator 2026: how to calculate your APS
The standard 1–7 scale on your 6 best subjects gets you to 42 — but UCT (FPS), Stellenbosch (TPT) and Wits (7 subjects) all use variations. Here's the full breakdown plus 2026 thresholds for the biggest programmes.
Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers
Open UCT APS Calculator - Standard max APS
- 42 (best 6 subjects, exc LO)
- UCT max FPS
- 600 (percentages-based)
- Wits
- 7 subjects, includes LO
- Stellenbosch
- TPT (percentage average)
- Medicine APS
- 38–46+
- Engineering APS
- 31–38
Who needs APS
- Grade 12 learners applying to SA universities
- Matriculants with NSC, IEB or SACAI results
- Mature students with older Senior Certificate qualifications
- Applicants with Cambridge AS/A-level or IB qualifications (conversion tables apply)
What you'll need to calculate APS
- Grade 11 final results (for early applications) or Grade 12 final NSC
- Specific subject results (Maths vs Maths Literacy matters)
- Knowledge of your target programme's required subjects
- Each target university's calculator (see list below)
Step by step
-
Convert each subject % to APS points (standard scale)
Use the standard NSC-to-APS conversion:- 80–100% = 7 points
- 70–79% = 6 points
- 60–69% = 5 points
- 50–59% = 4 points
- 40–49% = 3 points
- 30–39% = 2 points
- 0–29% = 1 point
-
Sum your best 6 subjects (excluding Life Orientation)
Most SA universities use this rule. Maximum APS = 42 (6 × 7). Required subjects (e.g. Maths for Engineering, Life Sciences for Medicine) must be in the count even if they're not your best six.Tip: At Rhodes and UCT, subject results <strong>below 40% don't attract points at all</strong> — they're zero. -
Check English level — usually compulsory
English is compulsory and must be at Level 4 (50%+). Some programmes require Level 5 (60%+) or Level 6 (70%+). -
Use the right calculator for your target university
UCT uses FPS (Faculty Points Score), Stellenbosch uses TPT, Wits uses a 7-subject calculation including Life Orientation. See the university-by-university section below.Tip: Always cross-check on the official university calculator before treating any APS number as final. -
Compare against programme thresholds
Published minimums are floors, not realistic offer thresholds for competitive programmes. Medicine, Engineering, Actuarial Science and CA stream Commerce all admit well above their minimums. -
If your APS is too low, plan a backup
Higher Certificates, Extended Degree / Foundation Programmes, TVET colleges, UNISA distance learning, or upgrading your Matric and reapplying. See the dedicated section below.
The standard APS conversion scale
| NSC % | Achievement Level | APS Points |
|---|---|---|
| 80–100% | 7 | 7 |
| 70–79% | 6 | 6 |
| 60–69% | 5 | 5 |
| 50–59% | 4 | 4 |
| 40–49% | 3 | 3 |
| 30–39% | 2 | 2 |
| 0–29% | 1 | 1 |
Used by UP, UJ, NWU, UKZN, NMU, TUT and most others. Maximum = 42 points (6 subjects × 7).
Important calculation rules
- Use the 6 best subjects, excluding Life Orientation (standard rule)
- English is compulsory and usually required at Level 4 (50%+); some programmes need Level 5 or 6
- Required subjects must be in the count, even if not your best six (e.g. Maths for Engineering or Commerce CA stream)
- Maths Literacy is NOT accepted for Engineering, Science, Commerce CA stream, Actuarial Science, Computer Science and most Health Sciences. BCom Management/General often accepts Maths Lit.
- At Rhodes and UCT, subject results below 40% don't attract points at all
- Life Orientation must still be passed to obtain the NSC, even though it usually doesn't count toward APS
How each university calculates APS — important variations
- UCT — Faculty Points Score (FPS)
- Does NOT use the 1–7 scale. APS at UCT = sum of percentages of your 6 best subjects (excluding LO, Advanced Programme Maths/English, and any subject below 40%). Max 600. FPS varies by faculty: in Science, Maths and Physical Sciences scores are doubled. In Engineering, FPS combines NSC percentages with NBT scores (NSC %/12 + NBT/6). In Health Sciences, a Medical Points Score (MedPS) combines APS with NBT.
- Stellenbosch — Toelatingspuntetelling (TPT)
- Percentage-based, not 1–7 scale. Roughly the average of best 6 NSC subjects (excluding LO) as a percentage, with weighting for required subjects per programme. Engineering needs ~70%+ in Maths and Physical Sciences; CA Stream BCom needs 60%+ in Maths.
- Wits — 7-subject APS
- Includes Life Orientation in a 7-subject score with bonus points for English and Maths. Maximum ~48.
- UWC
- Includes Life Orientation in a 7-subject calculation.
- UFS
- Awards partial credit for Life Orientation (max 1 point).
APS required by major SA universities (2026)
| University | General Bachelor's | Competitive Programmes |
|---|---|---|
| UCT (FPS) | ~360–400 Humanities; ~400+ Science | Medicine 450+; Engineering 400+; BBusSc 480+ |
| Wits (7 subj, includes LO) | ~36–40 | MBBCh 45+ (Composite Index with NBT); Engineering high 40s |
| UP (Tuks) | 30 (BA/BCom General) | BEng 35; MBChB 35 (with high subject minimums); LLB 35; BCom Accounting Sciences 34; BSc Actuarial 36 |
| Stellenbosch (TPT %) | ~60–70% TPT | Engineering 70%+ Maths/Phys Sci; MBChB 45–50+ Admission Rating; BCom CA 60%+ Maths |
| UKZN | ~28–30 | MBChB 36 minimum (successful 44–47); Engineering 34 + Maths Level 5 |
| NWU | ~24–26 | Engineering 31; MBChB 38–42+ |
| Rhodes | 45 automatic; 38–44 conditional | Programme-specific subject requirements |
| UJ | 26–32 | Engineering ~33–35; MBChB not offered |
Published minimums are floors. Competitive programmes admit well above. Numbers shift each cycle.
APS for popular degrees (cross-university bands)
- Medicine (MBChB/MBBCh): Standard APS 38–46+. UCT FPS 450+ (MedPS with NBT). Life Sciences and Physical Sciences at Level 5/6+ (60–70%+), English Level 5+. Almost all medical schools layer NBT scores and a composite index on top.
- Engineering (BEng): APS 31–38 (UCT FPS 400+). Maths Level 5+ and Physical Sciences Level 5+ are near-universal. Stellenbosch and UCT effectively need 70%+ in both.
- BCom Accounting (CA Stream): APS 34–40+ (UP 34, NWU/UJ similar; Wits and UCT effectively higher). Maths Level 5+ required.
- LLB Law: APS 30–40 (UP 35, UCT FPS 360–400). English at Level 5+ commonly required.
- BSc Computer Science: APS 32–40+. UCT FPS 380–400. Maths Level 5+ required.
- BSc Actuarial Science: Among the most competitive — APS 40+, often 44+. UP 36 minimum; Wits/UCT/Stellenbosch effectively need 80%+ Maths.
Where to calculate your APS
- UCT: publicaccess.uct.ac.za (FPS Calculator)
- UP: linked from up.ac.za/students/admission-information
- Wits: linked from the undergraduate prospectus
- NWU: studies.nwu.ac.za/studies/aps-calculator
- Stellenbosch, UJ, UKZN, Rhodes: all have programme-specific tools
- Third-party calculators (VarsityToolkit, CourseMatch, Num8ers, FundiConnect) cover most/all 26 SA universities in one place — cross-check against official tools
What if your APS is too low
- Higher Certificates / Bridging Programmes — UNISA accepts APS as low as 15–19 for Higher Certificates; complete one and articulate into a degree
- Extended Degree / Foundation Programmes at UJ, NWU, Rhodes, UP, UKZN — adds a year to strengthen Maths/English/Science
- TVET Colleges — Matric Pass usually sufficient; NSFAS funds these. See our TVET hub
- UNISA distance learning — large catalogue with lower thresholds. See our UNISA guide
- Upgrade Matric with a private institution (IEB rewrite or supplementary exams) and reapply
- Switch programmes — start in a related but lower-APS degree (e.g. BSc Life Sciences) and transfer internally
Common APS mistakes
- Including Life Orientation in the count (excluded at almost all universities except Wits and UWC)
- Counting 7 subjects instead of 6 (only Wits/UWC count 7)
- Forgetting required subjects (e.g. excluding Maths because it's not in your top 6 — many programmes still need it included)
- Confusing Maths Literacy with Maths — Maths Lit is not accepted for Engineering, BSc, CA stream, Medicine
- Using percentages instead of levels (or vice versa) for the wrong university
- Assuming the minimum APS guarantees a place — competitive programmes routinely admit well above minimums
- Not checking if subject marks below 40% are excluded (Rhodes and UCT)
Life Orientation and APS — where it counts
- Excluded from APS: UCT, UP, UJ, UKZN, Stellenbosch, NWU, Rhodes, NMU, TUT (most universities)
- Included at Wits and UWC in a 7-subject calculation
- Partial at UFS (maximum 1 point, only if Level 5+)
- You MUST still pass Life Orientation to be awarded the NSC — failing LO means failing Matric regardless of other marks
APS for older qualifications
Conversion of older qualifications (Senior Certificate pre-2008, Cambridge AS/A-level, IB) to APS is handled by each university individually. Generally:
- Senior Certificate (HG/SG) has a published conversion table per institution
- Cambridge A-level: A* = 7, A = 6, B = 5, C = 4, D = 3, E = 2 (typical)
- IB: Higher Level grades 7–1 map to APS 8–2 (varies)
- Mature-age, RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) and Senate Discretionary admission routes exist for students who didn't write NSC
Frequently asked questions
How is APS calculated?
Sum the points (on the 1–7 scale, or percentage for UCT/SU) of your six best NSC subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Include required subjects regardless of rank. Max on standard scale = 42.
What is the highest APS you can get?
On the standard scale: 42 (6 × 7). On Wits' 7-subject scale (with bonus): about 48. On UCT's FPS scale: 600 (or higher in Science where Maths/Sci are doubled).
What APS do you need for Medicine?
Roughly 38–46+ on the standard scale, with Life Sciences and Physical Sciences at Level 5/6+. UCT requires FPS 450+ (MedPS with NBT). Successful applicants score considerably higher; selection always involves NBT and a composite index.
What APS for Engineering?
Roughly 31–38 on the standard scale, with Maths Level 5+ and Physical Sciences Level 5+. UCT requires FPS 400+ with NBT. Stellenbosch effectively needs 70%+ Maths and Physical Sciences.
Does Life Orientation count toward APS?
Excluded at most universities (UCT, UP, UJ, UKZN, Stellenbosch, NWU, Rhodes, NMU, TUT). Included at Wits and UWC. Partial at UFS. You must still pass LO to be awarded the NSC.
Can I study with an APS of 20?
Yes — UNISA Higher Certificates, TVET colleges, and some private higher education providers accept APS 15–20. From there you can articulate into a degree.
What's the difference between APS and UCT's FPS?
APS uses a 1–7 scale on best 6 subjects (max 42). UCT's FPS uses raw percentages on best 6 subjects (max 600), and varies by faculty — in Science, Maths and Physical Sciences are doubled; in Engineering and Health Sciences, NBT scores are combined.
What's the difference between APS and Stellenbosch's TPT?
TPT is percentage-based — roughly the average of best 6 NSC subjects with weighting for required subjects per programme. Engineering needs ~70%+ Maths and Physical Sciences; CA Stream BCom needs 60%+ Maths.
Why does Wits include Life Orientation?
Wits uses a 7-subject calculation (including LO) with bonus points for English and Maths. Maximum is approximately 48. This is different from the standard APS used at most other SA universities.
Is Maths Literacy accepted for university?
For Engineering, BSc, Commerce CA stream, Actuarial Science, Computer Science and most Health Sciences — no. Pure Mathematics required. BCom Management/General and most BA programmes accept Maths Literacy.
Does Life Orientation need to be passed?
Yes — you must pass Life Orientation to be awarded the NSC. Failing LO means failing Matric, regardless of your other subject results.
Related guides
Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly —
if something here is out of date, let us know.