What is an APS score in South Africa?

An Admission Point Score (APS) is a number calculated from your matric achievement levels (1–7). Add up your 6 best subjects plus Life Orientation to get your total. The maximum APS is 49. Universities use APS to determine whether you meet minimum entry requirements for their programmes.

How do I calculate my APS score?

Convert each matric subject percentage to an achievement level (1–7), then add up your 6 best subjects. Add your Life Orientation level (capped for most programmes). Example: six Level 5 subjects = 30 APS + LO points.

What is the maximum APS score in South Africa?

The maximum APS score in South Africa is 49 — that is 42 from six subjects at Level 7 each, plus 7 from Life Orientation.

What APS do I need for university in South Africa?

Minimum APS requirements vary by programme and university. General guidelines: Bachelor's Degree programmes require APS 28–42+; Diploma programmes require APS 16–22; Higher Certificates require APS 14–18. Competitive programmes like Medicine, Engineering and Law have higher requirements.

What APS do I need for UKZN?

UKZN minimum APS by programme: Medicine 42, Engineering 34, Law 34, Commerce (BCom) 30, Science (BSc) 32, Education (BEd) 28, Social Science (BA) 28, Nursing 26.

What APS do I need for DUT?

DUT minimum APS by programme: Engineering Diplomas 22, IT Diploma 22, Business Admin 20, Graphic Design 18, Fashion Design 16, Biomedical Technology 24.

APS Calculator South Africa 2026 – Calculate Your Admission Point Score

What Is an APS Score?

The Admission Point Score (APS) is a numerical value used by South African universities to assess whether applicants meet the minimum academic requirements for their programmes. Your APS is calculated by converting your matric percentage marks into achievement levels (1-7) and adding them up. Learn more in our detailed guide on what an APS score is and how it works.

How APS Levels Work

Level	Percentage Range	Description	Points
7	80% – 100%	Outstanding Achievement	7
6	70% – 79%	Meritorious Achievement	6
5	60% – 69%	Substantial Achievement	5
4	50% – 59%	Adequate Achievement	4
3	40% – 49%	Moderate Achievement	3
2	30% – 39%	Elementary Achievement	2
1	0% – 29%	Not Achieved	1

Minimum APS Requirements by Qualification Type

Different qualification types have different minimum APS requirements. These are general guidelines – specific programmes may require higher scores:

Qualification	Typical Minimum APS	Duration
Bachelor's Degree	30+	3-4 years
Diploma	22+	3 years
Higher Certificate	15+	1 year

For university-specific requirements, see our detailed guides: UKZN APS requirements, DUT APS requirements, MUT APS requirements, and UNIZULU APS requirements.

Tips for Maximising Your APS

Focus on your six best subjects – your APS is based on your best six subjects plus Life Orientation.
Prioritise gateway subjects – Maths, English and Physical Science are required for many programmes.
Every level counts – improving from Level 4 to Level 5 in just one subject increases your APS by 1 point.
Choose subjects wisely – some subjects are easier to score highly in. See our guide on best matric subjects for university.

Want more strategies? Read our comprehensive guide on how to improve your APS score.

APS and Your CAO Application

When you apply through CAO, your APS is one of the primary factors universities consider. However, specific subject requirements also matter. For example, an Engineering programme may require Maths at Level 5 and Physical Science at Level 5, regardless of your total APS. Always check both the minimum APS and subject requirements for your chosen programmes.

After calculating your APS, use our eligibility checker to get a complete picture of your chances, and compare universities to find the best fit for your scores.

University-Specific APS Calculators

Need requirements for a specific university? Use our dedicated calculators for each KZN institution:

UKZN APS Calculator – University of KwaZulu-Natal (degrees from APS 26+)
DUT APS Calculator – Durban University of Technology (diplomas from APS 16+)
MUT APS Calculator – Mangosuthu University of Technology (diplomas from APS 16+)
UNIZULU APS Calculator – University of Zululand (degrees from APS 20+)

APS Calculator South Africa 2026 – Admission Point Score

Calculate Your APS Score