What is the difference between FPS and APS at UCT?

At UCT, APS usually refers to the Faculty Points Score, or FPS. That is the total of your 6 best subject percentages out of 600. Some faculties also use a Weighted Points Score for selection. So when UCT talks about 450 points, it is not the same kind of APS number used at standard 42 point universities.

What APS do I need for the most popular courses at UCT?

Indicative minimums on UCT's 600 point scale are around 450+ for Medicine, about 480+ for Business Science and Actuarial routes, around 400+ for BCom, roughly 400+ for Engineering, around 350+ for BA Humanities, and close to 400+ for LLB. Real offers usually go to applicants above those floor numbers.

Does UCT require the NBT?

Yes. UCT requires National Benchmark Tests for all South African undergraduate applicants, and some international applicants too. The AQL and MAT papers matter most in faculties like Commerce, Engineering, and Health Sciences. If you are applying to UCT, you should plan your NBT date early enough for results to be ready before the deadline.

Does Life Orientation count at UCT?

No. UCT excludes Life Orientation completely from its APS or FPS calculation. Your score comes from your best 6 other subjects, including English and any subjects required for the degree you want. A strong LO result will not increase your UCT total.

Does UCT accept Mathematical Literacy?

UCT accepts Mathematical Literacy for very few programmes, mainly in some Humanities routes. It is not accepted for Commerce, Science, Engineering, Health Sciences, or Law. If you take Maths Literacy, your UCT options are much narrower even before APS is considered.

How competitive is UCT admission?

UCT is one of the most competitive universities in South Africa. Programmes like Medicine and Business Science attract far more qualified applicants than available places. Your score, NBT performance, school context, and programme demand all matter, so meeting the minimum threshold is only the first step.

When do UCT applications open and close?

UCT applications usually open on 1 April and close on 31 July. That makes UCT one of the earliest deadlines in the country. You should not wait until September. Competitive faculties can also have extra document or test requirements, so finishing early is the safer move.

What is a conditional offer from UCT?

A conditional offer means UCT has provisionally accepted you based on your Grade 11 or trial results, but your place is still subject to your final matric marks and NBT results. If your final performance drops below the offer conditions, UCT can withdraw the offer.

What APS do I need for law (LLB) at UCT?

To study Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Band C at UCT you need a minimum of about APS 470. Law is competitive, so aim higher than the minimum and confirm the current cut-off in the UCT prospectus.

What APS do I need for teaching (BEd) at UCT?

Check the education programmes in the list above for the UCT teaching (BEd) minimum APS. The phase you choose changes the subjects you need.

What APS do I need for engineering at UCT?

Engineering (Bachelor of Architectural Studies - Band C) at UCT needs a minimum of about APS 348. Strong Mathematics and Physical Sciences are essential, so aim well above the minimum.

Does meeting the minimum APS get me into UCT?

Not on its own. The APS is the first gate at UCT. You also need the right subjects at the right level, and popular programmes fill up, so they take the top students first. Some programmes add a test like the NBT or an interview.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

University of Cape TownAPS Calculator

In South Africa

#164

In the world

If you want to study in Cape Town with some of the best in SA, UCT is the spot. You need to meet their strict entry criteria, so check your APS carefully.

Calculate my APS See full university guide

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Higher Education Content

Published 16 Apr 2026Verified against UCT Guidelines for Admission for NSC holders

www.uct.ac.za is the official University of Cape Town site. Always confirm programme cutoffs in the current prospectus before you apply.

How does UCT calculate APS?

UCT uses the Faculty Points Score (FPS), not the traditional 42-point APS. Your FPS adds the raw NSC percentages of your best 6 subjects (excluding Life Orientation and Life Sciences overlaps), for a total out of 600. A 70% in English contributes 70 points to your FPS, a 65% in Maths contributes 65, and so on.

UCT then applies a Weighted Points Score (WPS) on top of your FPS for redress. The WPS adds a percentage uplift based on school context (quintile, school resources) and family background (parents' education, household income, home language). The uplift is capped at 10% in most faculties and up to 20% for Health Sciences (MBChB).

Faculty cutoffs sit well below 600. Humanities starts near 380 FPS, Commerce near 420, Science near 420, Engineering near 450, and Health Sciences (MBChB) from around 510 FPS. Most UCT programmes also require the National Benchmark Tests (NBT) on top of FPS. Check the official UCT prospectus for exact details.

Read the full UCT FPS and WPS breakdown →

Does UCT include Life Orientation in APS?

No. Life Orientation is excluded.

Compare all 26 SA universities →

What's the UCT APS system at a glance?

Method: Sum of your percentages
Max APS: 600
LO rule: No
Basis: Faculty Points Score (raw % sum, best 6, LO & LS excluded)

How to calculate your UCT APS step by step

Identify the 6 eligible subjects UCT will use, including English and any required subjects.
Keep the raw percentages instead of collapsing them into 1 to 7 points.
Compare that subject total with the faculty score needed for your chosen programme.

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 UCT'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 marks are you using? *

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What APS do you need for UCT?

Programmes at UCT range from about APS 300 for the lowest-entry courses up to APS 810 for the most competitive. The minimum APS and required subjects for each programme are below, grouped by faculty. UCT scores APS using Faculty Points Score (raw % sum, best 6, LO & LS excluded) (max 600).

Popular programme cut-offs at UCT

The minimum APS for the programmes people ask about most. Aim higher than the minimum for competitive courses.

Law (LLB): Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Band C
Engineering: Bachelor of Architectural Studies - Band C
Medicine (MBChB): Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - MBChB - Band C
Commerce (BCom): Bachelor of Commerce - Band C
Science (BSc): Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies - Band C

Faculty of Commerce

Bachelor of Business Science

APS 435

Bachelor of Business Science - Actuarial Science

APS 500

Bachelor of Business Science - Actuarial Science - Band A

APS 500

Bachelor of Business Science - Actuarial Science - Band B

APS 525

Bachelor of Business Science - Actuarial Science - Band C

APS 475

Bachelor of Business Science - Band A

APS 435

Bachelor of Business Science - Band B

APS 470

Bachelor of Business Science - Band C

APS 430

Bachelor of Business Science - Computer Science & Statistics

APS 435

Bachelor of Business Science - Computer Science & Statistics - Band A

APS 435

Bachelor of Business Science - Computer Science & Statistics - Band B

APS 470

Bachelor of Business Science - Computer Science & Statistics - Band C

APS 430

Bachelor of Business Science - Data Science

APS 435

Bachelor of Business Science - Data Science - Band A

APS 435

Bachelor of Business Science - Data Science - Band B

APS 470

Bachelor of Business Science - Data Science - Band C

APS 430

Bachelor of Commerce

APS 435

Bachelor of Commerce - Band A

APS 435

Bachelor of Commerce - Band B

APS 470

Bachelor of Commerce - Band C

APS 430

Bachelor of Commerce - Quantitative Finance

APS 500

Bachelor of Commerce - Quantitative Finance - Band A

APS 500

Bachelor of Commerce - Quantitative Finance - Band B

APS 525

Bachelor of Commerce - Quantitative Finance - Band C

APS 475

Faculty of Engineering & The Built Environment

Bachelor of Architectural Studies

APS 450

Bachelor of Architectural Studies - Band A

APS 450

Bachelor of Architectural Studies - Band B

APS 408

Bachelor of Architectural Studies - Band C

APS 348

Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies

APS 450

Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies - Band A

APS 450

Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies - Band B

APS 420

Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies - Band C

APS 390

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering

APS 500

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering - Band A

APS 500

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering - Band B

APS 480

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering - Band C

APS 420

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering

APS 500

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering - Band A

APS 500

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering - Band B

APS 460

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering - Band C

APS 420

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechatronics

APS 500

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechatronics - Band A

APS 500

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechatronics - Band B

APS 480

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechatronics - Band C

APS 420

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechanical, and Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering

APS 500

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechanical, and Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering - Band A

APS 500

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechanical, and Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering - Band B

APS 480

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechanical, and Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering - Band C

APS 420

Bachelor of Science in Geomatics

APS 450

Bachelor of Science in Geomatics - Band A

APS 450

Bachelor of Science in Geomatics - Band B

APS 420

Bachelor of Science in Geomatics - Band C

APS 390

Bachelor of Science in Property Studies

APS 450

Bachelor of Science in Property Studies - Band A

APS 450

Bachelor of Science in Property Studies - Band B

APS 420

Bachelor of Science in Property Studies - Band C

APS 390

Faculty of Health Sciences

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - MBChB

APS 810

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - MBChB - Band A

APS 810

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - MBChB - Band B

APS 807

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - MBChB - Band C

APS 644

Bachelor of Science in Audiology

APS 720

Bachelor of Science in Audiology - Band A

APS 720

Bachelor of Science in Audiology - Band B

APS 710

Bachelor of Science in Audiology - Band C

APS 550

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy

APS 730

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy - Band A

APS 730

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy - Band B

APS 782

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy - Band C

APS 565

Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy

APS 730

Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy - Band A

APS 730

Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy - Band B

APS 797

Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy - Band C

APS 580

Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

APS 715

Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology - Band A

APS 715

Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology - Band B

APS 670

Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology - Band C

APS 510

Faculty of Humanities

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

APS 450

Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Band A

APS 450

Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Band B

APS 450

Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Band C

APS 380

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art (BA(FA))

APS 380

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art (BA(FA)) - Band A

APS 380

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art (BA(FA)) - Band C

APS 300

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance (BA(T&P))

APS 380

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance (BA(T&P)) - Band A

APS 380

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance (BA(T&P)) - Band C

APS 300

Bachelor of Music (BMUS)

APS 380

Bachelor of Music (BMUS) - Band A

APS 380

Bachelor of Music (BMUS) - Band C

APS 300

Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc)

APS 450

Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc) - Band A

APS 450

Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc) - Band B

APS 450

Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc) - Band C

APS 380

Bachelor of Social Science in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (BSocSc) (PPE)

APS 450

Bachelor of Social Science in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (BSocSc) (PPE) - Band A

APS 450

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

APS 450

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) - Band A

APS 450

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) - Band B

APS 450

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) - Band C

APS 380

Diploma in Music Performance (DMP)

APS 380

Diploma in Music Performance (DMP) - Band A

APS 380

Diploma in Theatre & Performance (DTP)

APS 380

Diploma in Theatre & Performance (DTP) - Band A

APS 380

Faculty of Law

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Band A

APS 500

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Band B

APS 485

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Band C

APS 470

Faculty of Science

Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Band A

APS 680

Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Band B

APS 640

Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Band C

APS 550

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 UCT prospectus before you apply.

Calculate my UCT APS →

Popular programmes at UCT

ProgrammeMin. APS

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - MBChB

810+

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - MBChB - Band A

810+

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery - MBChB - Band B

807+

Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy - Band B

797+

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy - Band B

782+

About UCT

UCT is known for its tough entry requirements and strong reputation in business, science, and research. It's based in Cape Town, so you get city life and mountain views.

Campus and residence

If you get into res at UCT, you'll start in a first-tier residence with meals included. As you move up, you could get into self-catering or semi-autonomous accommodation. There are also options for postgrad and students with families, but space is limited.

View all 109+ programmes →

FAQ

How does University of Cape Town calculate APS? Common questions

These are the calculator questions that matter most before you apply.

Need help with University of Cape Town?

If you are stuck between programmes, deadlines, or subject requirements, send us a message and we'll help.

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UCT does not use the standard 42 point APS system. It adds the actual percentages from your best 6 subjects, excluding Life Orientation, to create a Faculty Points Score out of 600. If a subject is below 40%, it contributes zero. English and any required programme subjects must still be part of the 6 subjects UCT considers.

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.

Three quick links most people open after calculating their UCT APS.

Compare APS requirements at other universities before you apply.

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University of Cape TownAPS Calculator

How does UCT calculate APS?

Does UCT include Life Orientation in APS?

What's the UCT APS system at a glance?

How to calculate your UCT APS step by step

Calculate your APS score

What APS do you need for UCT?

Popular programme cut-offs at UCT

Faculty of Commerce

Faculty of Engineering & The Built Environment

Faculty of Health Sciences

Faculty of Humanities

Faculty of Law

Faculty of Science

Popular programmes at UCT

About UCT

Campus and residence

How does University of Cape Town calculate APS? Common questions

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How does UCT calculate APS?

Does UCT include Life Orientation in APS?

What's the UCT APS system at a glance?

How to calculate your UCT APS step by step

Calculate your APS score

What APS do you need for UCT?

Popular programme cut-offs at UCT

Faculty of Commerce

Faculty of Engineering & The Built Environment

Faculty of Health Sciences

Faculty of Humanities

Faculty of Law

Faculty of Science

Popular programmes at UCT

About UCT

Campus and residence

How does University of Cape Town calculate APS? Common questions

Need help with University of Cape Town?

How does UCT calculate APS?-

What is the difference between FPS and APS at UCT?+

What APS do I need for the most popular courses at UCT?+

Does UCT require the NBT?+

Does Life Orientation count at UCT?+

Does UCT accept Mathematical Literacy?+

How competitive is UCT admission?+

When do UCT applications open and close?+

What is a conditional offer from UCT?+

What APS do I need for law (LLB) at UCT?+

What APS do I need for teaching (BEd) at UCT?+

What APS do I need for engineering at UCT?+

Does meeting the minimum APS get me into UCT?+

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