NB
Published Verified against university prospectuses 2026Higher Education Content
What can I study with an APS score of 20?
APS 20 typically meets the minimum for a Higher Certificate at most SA universities and for foundation or extended degree programmes. You still have strong paths into formal higher education.
Courses typically available at APS 20
| Course / Degree | Typical universities |
|---|---|
| Higher Certificate (most subjects) | UNISA, Univen, TUT, DUT |
| Extended / Foundation BA | UJ, UFH, UniVen |
| TVET Diplomas | Various 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 20
UNISA
Gauteng · Max APS: 42
Calculate UNISA APS →
UL
Limpopo · Max APS: 42
Calculate UL APS →
Univen
Limpopo · Max APS: 49
Calculate Univen APS →
UniZulu
KwaZulu-Natal · Max APS: 42
Calculate UniZulu APS →
Fort Hare
Eastern Cape · Max APS: 45
Calculate Fort Hare APS →
WSU
Eastern Cape · Max APS: 42
Calculate WSU APS →
Next steps
- Check Higher Certificate APS minimums at each university's prospectus.
- Apply to 3+ institutions to widen your options.
- Look at UNISA's Higher Certificate pathway to build toward a degree.
Other APS brackets
Calculate your exact APS
The APS number differs by university. Use NavyBlue's calculator to get your exact score at each of the 26 SA universities.
Open the APS Calculator