Verified against university prospectuses 2027
Published by NavyBlue Editorial Team
What can I study with an APS score of 45?
APS 45+ is the top tier. You qualify for every programme at every university, but NBT, subject levels and admission interviews still decide the most competitive streams.
How an APS of 45 compares
of students scored lower than 45
is the middle score, so 45 sits above it
of students who pick one university qualify for nothing there
Based on 20 096 students who used the NavyBlue APS calculator between June 2026 to October 2026. 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 45 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 45
| Course / Degree | Typical universities |
|---|---|
| MBChB (Medicine) at top tier | UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch |
| Actuarial Science | Wits, UCT, UP, Stellenbosch |
| Any BCom / BEng / BSc stream | All 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 45
Next steps
- Use this APS to explore scholarships. Many are competitive on academic performance.
- For Medicine, prepare for the NBT and interviews. APS alone is not enough.
- Apply to 4 to 6 universities across provinces to maximise offers and financial aid options.
Other APS brackets
Questions students ask about this score
Is 45 a good APS score?
An APS of 45 is higher than about 100% of students who used the NavyBlue APS calculator, where the middle score is 25. APS 45+ is the top tier. You qualify for every programme at every university, but NBT, subject levels and admission interviews still decide the most competitive streams.
Is 45 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 45 APS points?
APS 45+ is the top tier. You qualify for every programme at every university, but NBT, subject levels and admission interviews still decide the most competitive streams.
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