Matric Marks and UniversityHow APS Works and Where Afrikaans Fits

If you’re in Grade 11 or 12 and thinking about university, you’ll keep hearing about your “APS”. It’s simply a way of turning your matric marks into one number that universities use to sort applications. Here’s how it usually works, where Afrikaans fits in, and what you can still do to push your score up.

From marks to levels

Your National Senior Certificate (NSC) results show a percentage for each subject, and each percentage falls into an achievement level from 1 to 7. Most APS systems are built on these levels.

Level	Percentage	What it’s called
7	80–100%	Outstanding achievement
6	70–79%	Meritorious achievement
5	60–69%	Substantial achievement
4	50–59%	Adequate achievement
3	40–49%	Moderate achievement
2	30–39%	Elementary achievement
1	0–29%	Not achieved

Notice how a single mark can move you a level: 69% is a level 5, but 70% is a level 6.

How APS is usually worked out

APS stands for Admission Point Score. The most common way to work it out goes like this:

Give each subject points

Each subject gets points based on its achievement level. In the simplest system, a level 7 is worth 7 points, a level 6 is worth 6 points, and so on.

Add up six subjects

Add the points for six subjects. Many universities leave out Life Orientation, or give it fewer points than other subjects.

Check the course’s subject minimums

Your total APS is only part of the picture. Most courses also have subject minimums on top of the APS, for example a certain level in Mathematics or in English. You can have a high APS and still not qualify if you miss one of these.

A worked example

Here’s an example for an imaginary learner, using the simple “level = points” method and leaving out Life Orientation:

Subject	Mark	Level	APS points
English Home Language	65%	5	5
Afrikaans First Additional Language	72%	6	6
Mathematics	58%	4	4
Life Sciences	61%	5	5
Geography	74%	6	6
History	48%	3	3
Life Orientation	80%	7	not counted
Total APS			29

At another university, the same marks might give a different number, because Life Orientation might count for a few points or the scale might be different.

Pass types, and when your marks are used

When you finish matric, the NSC is awarded at one of three pass levels:

• Higher Certificate pass
• Diploma pass
• Bachelor’s pass

The type of pass decides what you can apply for. A Bachelor’s pass is usually needed for a university degree, a Diploma pass for diploma courses, and a Higher Certificate pass for higher certificate courses. The exact rules for each pass are set by the Department of Basic Education, so check them with your school or the department.

Your Grade 11 results matter too. Applications usually open during Grade 12, before you’ve written your final exams. Many universities make early or provisional offers based on your final Grade 11 results and your early Grade 12 results (for example, your June or September marks). A provisional offer usually still depends on your final matric results, so don’t relax once you have one.

Ways to raise your APS in time

Find the subjects closest to the next level

Look at each subject’s mark and ask: how far am I from the next level? A subject on 67% only needs 3% more to move from a level 5 to a level 6, which adds a full point. That’s usually easier than pushing a 52% up to 60%.

Use Afrikaans to pick up a level

Afrikaans FAL is a good place to gain a level, because a lot of the marks come from things you can practise: question words, grammar rules, idioms, summary format and essay structure. Regular, short practice makes a real difference. Start with the exam tips, the grammar notes and comprehension strategies.

Make a study plan and stick to it

Spread your study over weeks, not nights, and give the most time to the subjects where you can gain the most points. Our study timetable guide shows you how to set one up.

Don’t forget the subject minimums

If the course you want needs a certain level in one subject, that subject comes first, even if another one is closer to the next level.

Common questions

Does Afrikaans count for my APS?

Usually, yes. Afrikaans First Additional Language is normally counted as one of your six subjects, just like any other subject. Check how each university treats languages in its own APS method.

Does Life Orientation count?

It depends on the university. Many leave Life Orientation out of the APS completely, and some count it for fewer points than other subjects. Check each institution’s admissions information.

What APS do I need for university?

There’s no single number. The APS you need depends on the course and the institution, and it can change from year to year. Popular courses usually ask for a higher APS than others. Look up the exact requirements for each course in that university’s prospectus or on its admissions page.

What if my APS is too low?

You still have options. You can work on raising your marks before your final exams, or you may be able to rewrite subjects after matric to improve your results (ask your school or the Department of Basic Education how this works). You could also look at higher certificate or diploma courses, some of which can lead to a degree later, or courses at TVET colleges and other colleges. Speak to your school’s career or Life Orientation teacher about routes that suit you.

When do I apply?

Usually during Grade 12, and often from early in the year. Each institution sets its own opening and closing dates, and some courses close earlier than others. Check each university’s dates well ahead of time and don’t wait for your final results.

Can I work out my APS myself?

Yes. Use your latest report, find the level for each subject, and add up the points the way the university you’re applying to does it. Many universities explain their method in their prospectus.

Need help paying for your studies? Read our guide to bursaries and student funding.