Verified against university prospectuses 2027
Published by NavyBlue Editorial Team
What can I study with an APS score of 23?
APS 23 covers most Diplomas at Universities of Technology and brings some extended or general degree programmes into reach.
How an APS of 23 compares
of students scored lower than 23
is the middle score, so 23 sits below it
programmes the typical student with APS 23 qualified for
Based on 20 340 students who used the NavyBlue APS calculator between June 2026 to October 2026, including 1 318 with an APS of exactly 23. 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 23 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 23
| Course / Degree | Typical universities |
|---|---|
| Diploma (most fields) | TUT, DUT, CPUT, VUT, MUT |
| Extended BCom / BA / BSc | UJ, UFS, UKZN |
| BEd Foundation Phase (some universities) | Various universities |
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 23
Next steps
- For a general degree, check whether an extended (4-year) programme fits.
- Diplomas can articulate into a degree, so a Diploma is not a dead end.
- Confirm English and Maths or Maths Literacy levels for each programme.
Other APS brackets
Questions students ask about this score
Is 23 a good APS score?
An APS of 23 is higher than about 31% of students who used the NavyBlue APS calculator, where the middle score is 25. APS 23 covers most Diplomas at Universities of Technology and brings some extended or general degree programmes into reach.
Is 23 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 23 APS points?
Students with an APS of 23 qualified for a median of 35 programmes when they checked on NavyBlue. APS 23 covers most Diplomas at Universities of Technology and brings some extended or general degree programmes into reach.
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