The University of South AfricaAPS Calculator
#10 (tied)
In South Africa
#1201-1500
In the world
Unisa is the big name for distance learning in SA. You need around 18 APS or higher, depending on your course, to get in.
Ranking source: THE 2026
www.unisa.ac.za is the official The University of South Africa site. Always confirm programme cutoffs in the current prospectus before you apply.
How does UNISA calculate APS?
UNISA uses standard best 6. Your best 6 NSC subjects are converted to APS points using the standard bands: 80 to 100% = 7, 70 to 79% = 6, 60 to 69% = 5, 50 to 59% = 4, 40 to 49% = 3, 30 to 39% = 2, and 0 to 29% = 1. Life Orientation is excluded from the core APS total. UNISA screens by qualification type, so a higher certificate, a diploma and a degree each have their own threshold. The calculation underneath is the plain best 6 out of 42, and Life Orientation never counts toward it.
Does UNISA include Life Orientation in APS?
No. Life Orientation is excluded from the APS total.
What's the UNISA APS system at a glance?
- Method
- Standard best 6
- Max APS
- 42
- LO rule
- No
- Basis
- Standard best 6 (LO excluded)
How to calculate your UNISA APS step by step
- Convert each eligible subject into APS points using the 1 to 7 bands.
- Keep English and the course required subjects in the mix where a faculty asks for them.
- Add the best eligible subjects on that university's calculator method and compare the total with the programme cut-off.
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 UNISA'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 UNISA?
Programmes at UNISA range from about APS 14 for the lowest-entry courses up to APS 30 for the most competitive. The minimum APS and required subjects for each programme are below, grouped by faculty. UNISA scores APS using Standard best 6 (LO excluded) (max 42).
Popular programme cut-offs at UNISA
The minimum APS for the programmes people ask about most. Aim higher than the minimum for competitive courses.
- Law (LLB)
- Bachelor of Procedural Law
- Teaching (BEd)
- Higher Certificate in Education Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase
- Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Computing
- Commerce (BCom)
- Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences
- Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Science in Computing
College of Accounting Sciences
Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting
APS 20
Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Internal Auditing
APS 20
Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Management Accounting
APS 20
Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Taxation
APS 20
Diploma in Accounting Sciences
APS 18
Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences
APS 14
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Management
APS 21
Bachelor of Consumer Science
APS 21
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
APS 23
Diploma in Agricultural Management
APS 18
Diploma in Animal Health
APS 18
Diploma in Ornamental Horticulture
APS 18
College of Economic and Management Sciences
Bachelor of Administration
APS 20
Bachelor of Commerce
APS 21
Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management
APS 21
Bachelor of Commerce in Economics
APS 21
Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management
APS 21
Bachelor of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology
APS 22
Bachelor of Commerce in Law
APS 22
Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management
APS 21
Diploma in Administrative Management
APS 18
Diploma in Human Resource Management
APS 18
Diploma in Marketing Management
APS 18
Diploma in Public Administration and Management
APS 18
Diploma in Small Business Management
APS 18
Diploma in Tourism Management
APS 18
College of Education
Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching
APS 23
Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching
APS 23
Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching
APS 20
Higher Certificate in Education Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase
APS 15
Higher Certificate in Education Senior Phase Maths and Science Education
APS 15
Higher Certificate in Education Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching
APS 15
College of Human Sciences
Bachelor of Arts
APS 21
Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy and Economics
APS 23
Bachelor of Social Work
APS 22
Bachelor of Theology
APS 21
College of Law
Bachelor of Laws
APS 30
Bachelor of Procedural Law
APS 25
College of Science, Engineering and Technology
Bachelor of Science Applied Mathematics and Physics
APS 25
Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science
APS 25
Bachelor of Science in Computing
APS 20
Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences
APS 20
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics
APS 25
Bachelor of Technology
APS 20
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 UNISA prospectus before you apply.
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Popular programmes at UNISA
Diploma in Information Technology
18
Advanced Diploma in Engineering
60
Advanced Diploma in Information Resource Management
60
About UNISA
Unisa is the go-to place if you want to study while working or if you can't move to a big city for varsity. It's South Africa's biggest distance learning university and has options from certificates to full degrees.
Campus and residence
Since Unisa is distance learning, you won't have the usual res life or campus clubs. You study from home, a library, or anywhere you get signal. There are some regional centers for exams or support, but most of your varsity experience is online.
How does The University of South Africa calculate APS? Common questions
These are the calculator questions that matter most before you apply.
Need help with The University of South Africa?
If you are stuck between programmes, deadlines, or subject requirements, send us a message and we'll help.
Get help on WhatsAppUNISA uses a standard style APS system for programmes that have APS requirements, but the entry levels are often lower than at contact universities. That reflects its distance learning model and wider access philosophy. The exact threshold still depends on the qualification type and the course you choose.
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 UNISA admissions
Three quick links most people open after calculating their UNISA APS.
Read the full breakdown
How UNISA fits into the SA APS landscape, with worked examples and the full calculation method.
APS guideHow to apply to UNISA
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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