Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityAPS Calculator
#10 (tied)
In South Africa
#1201-1500
In the world
SMU trains doctors, pharmacists, and health workers in Gauteng, and most programs need at least 32 APS out of a max 49 , so grades matter a lot here.
Ranking source: THE 2026
Before you apply, know what you want to study and check that you qualify. Use the calculator below to see your APS score and how it stacks up against SMU's requirements.
Calculate your APS score
Enter your matric marks below. We'll convert them into your APS for every university or pick a specific one.
What APS do you need for SMU?
Programmes at SMU range from about APS 15 for the lowest-entry courses up to APS 38 for the most competitive. The minimum APS and required subjects for each programme are below, grouped by faculty. SMU scores APS using Best 7 including LO (max 49).
Popular programme cut-offs at SMU
The minimum APS for the programmes people ask about most. Aim higher than the minimum for competitive courses.
- Medicine (MBChB)
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Extended Curriculum · Maths 60%+, English 60%+, Physical Sciences 60%+, Life Sciences 60%+
- Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Science Extended Curriculum Programme · Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
School of Denstry
Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Subjects: Maths 70%+, English 60%+, Physical Sciences 70%+, Life Sciences 70%+
APS 37
Bachelor of Dental Therapy
Subjects: Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 28
Bachelor of Oral Hygiene
Subjects: Maths 50%+, Maths Lit 80%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 31
School of Health Care Sciences
Bachelor of Audiology
Subjects: Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Afrikaans HL 50%+, Afrikaans FAL 50%+, IsiNdebele HL 50%+, IsiNdebele FAL 50%+, IsiXhosa HL 50%+, IsiXhosa FAL 50%+, IsiZulu HL 50%+, IsiZulu FAL 50%+, Sepedi HL 50%+, Sepedi FAL 50%+, Sesotho HL 50%+, Sesotho FAL 50%+, Setswana HL 50%+, Setswana FAL 50%+, Siswati HL 50%+, Siswati FAL 50%+, Tshivenda HL 50%+, Tshivenda FAL 50%+, Xitsonga HL 50%+, Xitsonga FAL 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 25
Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery
Subjects: Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 26
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Subjects: Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 25
Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
Subjects: Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 25
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
Subjects: Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 28
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology
Subjects: Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Afrikaans HL 50%+, Afrikaans FAL 50%+, IsiNdebele HL 50%+, IsiNdebele FAL 50%+, IsiXhosa HL 50%+, IsiXhosa FAL 50%+, IsiZulu HL 50%+, IsiZulu FAL 50%+, Sepedi HL 50%+, Sepedi FAL 50%+, Sesotho HL 50%+, Sesotho FAL 50%+, Setswana HL 50%+, Setswana FAL 50%+, Siswati HL 50%+, Siswati FAL 50%+, Tshivenda HL 50%+, Tshivenda FAL 50%+, Xitsonga HL 50%+, Xitsonga FAL 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 25
School of Medicine
Bachelor of Diagnostic Radiography
Subjects: Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 30
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
Subjects: Maths 70%+, English 70%+, Physical Sciences 70%+, Life Sciences 70%+
APS 38
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Extended Curriculum
Subjects: Maths 60%+, English 60%+, Physical Sciences 60%+, Life Sciences 60%+
APS 32
Diploma in Emergency Medical Care
Subjects: Maths 40%+, English 40%+, Physical Sciences 40%+, Life Sciences 40%+
APS 15
Higher Certificate in Emergency Medical Care
Subjects: Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 16
School of Pharmacy
Bachelor of Pharmacy
Subjects: Maths 60%+, English 60%+, Physical Sciences 60%+, Life Sciences 60%+, Accounting 50%+, Economics 50%+
APS 32
School of Science and Technology
Bachelor of Science
Subjects: Maths 60%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 25
Bachelor of Science Extended Curriculum Programme
Subjects: Maths 50%+, English 50%+, Physical Sciences 50%+, Life Sciences 50%+
APS 24
APS is the first gate. You also need the right subjects at the right level, and competitive programmes fill up, so they take the top students first and may add a test (like the NBT) or an interview. Always confirm the current cut-off in the official SMU prospectus before you apply.
Verified against SMU medicine undergraduate admission requirements
Published by NavyBlue Editorial Team
www.smu.ac.za is the official Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University site. Always confirm programme cutoffs in the current prospectus before you apply.
How does SMU calculate APS?
SMU uses all 7 subjects. SMU uses a best 7 APS calculation because it is heavily focused on competitive health science admissions. Life Orientation is included. Programmes such as MBChB have very high pre-selection thresholds, so meeting the basic APS alone is rarely enough.
Does SMU include Life Orientation in APS?
Yes. Life Orientation is included.
What's the SMU APS system at a glance?
- Method
- All 7 subjects
- Max APS
- 49
- LO rule
- Yes
- Basis
- Best 7 including LO
How to calculate your SMU APS step by step
- Convert 7 eligible NSC subjects into APS points.
- Include Life Orientation in the total.
- Check the faculty minimums carefully because SMU's health programmes are among the most competitive in the country.
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Popular programmes at SMU
Diploma in Emergency Medical Care (DIP EMC)
15
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
38
Bachelor of Speech Language Pathology (BSLP01)
28
About SMU
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) sits in Ga-Rankuwa, Gauteng, and it only does one thing, health sciences. You'll find doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and other health pros training here across 17 programs in 5 faculties.
Campus and residence
Res spots at SMU are limited and given out first come first served, so getting in isn't guaranteed even once you're accepted onto your course. If you don't get a res spot, South Point offers accredited off-campus accommodation for SMU students.
How does Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University calculate APS? Common questions
These are the calculator questions that matter most before you apply.
Need help with Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University?
If you are stuck between programmes, deadlines, or subject requirements, send us a message and we'll help.
Get help on WhatsAppSMU uses a standard style APS approach for health sciences selection, but the real pressure comes from how competitive the programmes are. Your APS is only one part of the picture because subject minimums and demand are intense in medicine and related fields. You should treat SMU as a specialist health sciences route, not a general university option.
Important Disclaimer
This APS calculator is for information only. We aim to be accurate based on public university requirements, but admission decisions are made by each university and may consider factors beyond APS scores.
We do not guarantee admission based on our calculations. Requirements may change, and universities may consider additional criteria such as:
- Portfolio submissions, interviews, or entrance tests
- Specific subject requirements and combinations
- Language proficiency requirements
- Availability of spaces in programs
Always verify admission requirements directly with the universities you're applying to. Use this tool as a starting point, not a definitive guide for applications.
Where we show how your APS compares to other students, those marks are typed in by students themselves and are not verified. The comparison covers people who used this calculator, not every matric learner in South Africa, so it shows you what is normal here rather than a national ranking.
More on SMU admissions
Three quick links most people open after calculating their SMU APS.
Read the full breakdown
How SMU fits into the SA APS landscape, with worked examples and the full calculation method.
APS guideHow to apply to SMU
Documents, application fees per university, and the SA application process.
Application stepsCourses by APS score
See what you can study with your APS, from Higher Certificates through Medicine and Actuarial Science.
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