Verified against university prospectuses 2027
Published by NavyBlue Editorial Team
What can I study with an APS score of 21?
APS 21 opens entry-level Diplomas at Universities of Technology, alongside Higher Certificates. Subject levels still decide specific programmes.
How an APS of 21 compares
of students scored lower than 21
is the middle score, so 21 sits below it
programmes the typical student with APS 21 qualified for
Based on 20 340 students who used the NavyBlue APS calculator between June 2026 to October 2026, including 1 027 with an APS of exactly 21. 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 21 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 21
| Course / Degree | Typical universities |
|---|---|
| Diploma (Business, IT, Engineering Tech) | TUT, DUT, VUT, MUT |
| Higher Certificate | UNISA, CPUT |
| Foundation / Extended BA / BCom | UJ, UFS |
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 21
Next steps
- Diploma minimums vary. Check each Diploma's APS and subject needs.
- Maths Literacy is usually accepted for Diplomas.
- Apply early. Diplomas fill quickly at Universities of Technology.
Other APS brackets
Questions students ask about this score
Is 21 a good APS score?
An APS of 21 is higher than about 20% of students who used the NavyBlue APS calculator, where the middle score is 25. APS 21 opens entry-level Diplomas at Universities of Technology, alongside Higher Certificates. Subject levels still decide specific programmes.
Is 21 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 21 APS points?
Students with an APS of 21 qualified for a median of 32 programmes when they checked on NavyBlue. APS 21 opens entry-level Diplomas at Universities of Technology, alongside Higher Certificates. Subject levels still decide specific programmes.
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