Verified against university prospectuses 2027
Published by NavyBlue Editorial Team
What can I study with an APS score of 18?
APS 18 meets the minimum for many Higher Certificates and for some foundation or extended programmes. It is a solid base to build a diploma or degree from.
How an APS of 18 compares
of students scored lower than 18
is the middle score, so 18 sits below it
programmes the typical student with APS 18 qualified for
Based on 20 340 students who used the NavyBlue APS calculator between June 2026 to October 2026, including 658 with an APS of exactly 18. Marks are entered by students and are not verified. This shows how you compare to other people using this calculator, not to all South African matrics: students who look up an APS calculator are more likely to be unsure whether they qualify.
Wondering how 18 compares generally? What counts as a good APS score in South Africa explains why the same number means different things at different universities.
Courses typically available at APS 18
| Course / Degree | Typical universities |
|---|---|
| Higher Certificate (most fields) | UNISA, TUT, DUT, CPUT |
| Extended / Foundation programmes | UJ, UFH, Univen |
| TVET Diplomas / NC(V) | Public TVET colleges |
APS alone is not enough. Subject requirements (Maths, English, Physical Sciences) still gate specific programmes. Always verify on each university's prospectus.
Universities to consider with APS 18
Next steps
- Apply for Higher Certificates and foundation programmes at 3 or more institutions.
- A foundation (extended) programme adds a year but gets you into a degree.
- Upgrading a subject can lift you into the diploma range (APS 20+).
Other APS brackets
Questions students ask about this score
Is 18 a good APS score?
An APS of 18 is higher than about 8% of students who used the NavyBlue APS calculator, where the middle score is 25. APS 18 meets the minimum for many Higher Certificates and for some foundation or extended programmes. It is a solid base to build a diploma or degree from.
Is 18 APS a Bachelor pass?
No, these are two different things. A Bachelor pass is decided by your subject results against the NSC pass rules, while your APS is a points total universities use to rank applicants. You can earn a Bachelor pass and still fall short of a programme's APS cutoff, and a good APS does not by itself give you a Bachelor pass.
What can I study with 18 APS points?
Students with an APS of 18 qualified for a median of 14 programmes when they checked on NavyBlue. APS 18 meets the minimum for many Higher Certificates and for some foundation or extended programmes. It is a solid base to build a diploma or degree from.
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