Calculate your APS score in seconds
Enter your subject marks below to work out your Admission Point Score (APS). No sign-up needed — your best six subjects are used and Life Orientation is excluded automatically.
Your APS score
0
Based on your best 0 subjects (Life Orientation excluded)
Enter your subjects & marks
This is an estimate to guide you. Always confirm specific requirements with each institution.
How the APS score is calculated
Each subject percentage is converted into a points value (1–7). Your APS is the total of your best six subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Here is the standard conversion table South African institutions use:
| Percentage | APS points |
|---|---|
| 80 – 100% | 7 |
| 70 – 79% | 6 |
| 60 – 69% | 5 |
| 50 – 59% | 4 |
| 40 – 49% | 3 |
| 30 – 39% | 2 |
| 0 – 29% | 1 |
Ask: what APS do I need?
Type any question about a course, university or college and get an instant answer — like “What APS do I need to study Medicine at UCT?”
Answers are a guide generated by EduPathSA's AI. Cut-offs change every year — always confirm with the institution.
What APS do I need?
Typical APS ranges for popular fields in South Africa — a starting guide, not every faculty. Exact cut-offs vary by university and change each year.
Medicine
35 – 42Wits Medicine APS 42 · UCT Medicine 40+ · UP & UKZN also highly competitive
Engineering
33+Maths & Physical Sciences required
Nursing
28+Diploma or degree pathways
Law
30 – 36Varies widely by university
Education
24 – 30Teaching diplomas & degrees
Business / Commerce
26 – 34BCom, BAdmin, diplomas
Accounting (CA route)
30 – 36BCom Accounting, Maths required
IT / Computer Science
28 – 34Maths strongly recommended
Pharmacy
32 – 38Maths & Physical Sciences required
Veterinary Science
38+Only at UP — extremely competitive
Psychology
26 – 32BA / BSocSci pathways
Social Work
24 – 30Strong demand across SA
Architecture
30 – 36Maths & a portfolio often required
Humanities / Arts
24 – 30BA, languages, media, design
You have your APS — now what?
Your APS number on its own doesn't tell you where you can study. Create a free EduPathSA account to turn this score into real decisions:
- ✓ See every university, TVET college and course you qualify for
- ✓ Match bursaries to your marks, field and institution
- ✓ Track your APS across all four terms automatically
- ✓ Build a shortlist and apply in one guided place
APS calculator FAQs
What is an APS score?
APS stands for Admission Point Score. It is a number out of roughly 42 that South African universities and colleges use to decide whether you qualify for a course. It is worked out from your best six subjects, with each subject converted to a point value based on your percentage.
How is the APS score calculated?
Each subject mark is converted to points (80–100% = 7, 70–79% = 6, 60–69% = 5, 50–59% = 4, 40–49% = 3, 30–39% = 2, 0–29% = 1). Your APS is the sum of your best six subjects. Life Orientation is normally excluded from the best-six total.
Is Life Orientation counted in the APS?
Most universities exclude Life Orientation from the best-six APS calculation, so this calculator leaves it out by default. A few institutions use it differently, so always confirm with the specific institution.
Is this APS calculator free?
Yes. The EduPathSA APS calculator is completely free, with no sign-up required to get your score. To then see which universities, TVET colleges and courses you qualify for, and which bursaries match your profile, create a free EduPathSA account.
What APS score do I need for university?
It depends on the course. Many degrees need an APS of 26–36, diplomas and higher certificates often need less, and competitive programmes like medicine or engineering need more. Sign in to EduPathSA to match your exact APS to courses you qualify for.