What can I study with my APS score in 2027?
Your APS determines the minimum courses you can apply for. APS 20 to 22 opens Higher Certificates. APS 25 to 27 opens Diplomas at Universities of Technology. APS 28 to 30 is the typical minimum for BA and general BCom degrees. APS 32 to 35 unlocks BSc, Law, Engineering and competitive BCom streams. APS 38 to 42 puts MBChB (Medicine), Actuarial Science and BCom Accounting Sciences in reach. APS 45+ is top tier. Subject requirements still matter on top of APS.
Jump to your APS bracket
APS 17 is below most diploma minimums, but you still have real options: Higher Certificates, TVET, and upgrading your matric.
See APS 17 courses →APS 18 meets the minimum for many Higher Certificates and some foundation programmes.
See APS 18 courses →APS 20 is typically at the Higher Certificate level at most South African universities. You can look at certificates, TVET diplomas, foundation programmes and some extended degree routes.
See APS 20 courses →APS 21 opens entry-level Diplomas at Universities of Technology, alongside Higher Certificates.
See APS 21 courses →APS 22 is a comfortable range for three-year Diplomas at Universities of Technology.
See APS 22 courses →APS 23 covers most Diplomas and brings some extended or general degrees into reach.
See APS 23 courses →APS 24 is a strong Diploma range, just under the common Bachelor's minimum.
See APS 24 courses →APS 25 opens up Diploma programmes at Universities of Technology and some Bachelor's options with extended programmes.
See APS 25 courses →APS 26 keeps every Diploma open and brings general Bachelor's degrees into reach at some universities.
See APS 26 courses →APS 28 is a common minimum for mainstream BA and general BCom degrees. Subject requirements still matter.
See APS 28 courses →APS 30 unlocks more competitive BCom, BA and some BSc programmes. You start to qualify for named BCom streams.
See APS 30 courses →APS 32 is a solid Bachelor's-pass-plus range. Many BCom and BSc streams become realistic.
See APS 32 courses →APS 35 puts competitive degrees in reach: Engineering, BSc streams, Law and some health science programmes.
See APS 35 courses →APS 38 is competitive range, with BCom Accounting Sciences, top engineering streams and BSc Honours-track programmes in reach.
See APS 38 courses →APS 42 is the traditional 6 subject maximum. Most competitive degrees are in reach, but subject minimums and additional selection (NBT, portfolio) still apply.
See APS 42 courses →APS 45+ is top tier. You qualify for essentially any programme, although competitive fields like Medicine and Actuarial Science still screen on subject level marks and NBT results.
See APS 45 courses →Or pick a university directly
Each university calculator shows the courses you qualify for once you've entered your marks.
Courses by APS: common questions
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