After Matric, you have several options for starting your career. Many people prefer to attend university and pursue a degree. This is a fantastic decision, but before you begin applying, you should first understand the admission requirements.
Here you can get all the information you need regarding the Matric points you will need for university entrance, as well as all the other requirements you must meet.
What Is An APS Score?
Matric points, traditionally known as an Admission Point Score (APS), are the points used by Universities to determine whether you can study at their University. Not all Universities have the same APS requirements for their courses.
Some courses require a higher score than others, so before you begin applying to Universities, you must first calculate your APS and identify which Universities and courses you are qualified to apply for.
Having a high APS score is usually a good idea, as Universities often pick students with the highest APS. This is because sometimes spaces are limited at Universities.
How Can I Calculate My APS Score?
You can determine your APS by first looking at the percentage you obtained on your Matric certificate for all of your subjects. Once you have all of your subject percentages, you can use this table to calculate the APS for each of your subjects:
Percentage you received for a subject | Your APS |
100% – 80% | 7 |
70% – 79% | 6 |
60% – 69% | 5 |
50% – 59% | 4 |
40% – 49% | 3 |
30% – 39% | 2 |
0% – 29% | 1 |
After you have calculated the APS for each of your subjects, you can just add them all together, and then you will know your APS score.
What Can I Study With APS Of 19?
With an APS score of 19, you can study one of the following courses:
- Diploma Course
- Higher Certificate Course
- Certificate Course
- Short Courses
Which Subjects Count Towards An APS Score?
Not all subjects you take in Matric count towards your APS, for example, Life Orientation. Here is the list of subjects you can use to calculate your APS:
- Accounting
- Agricultural Management Practices
- Agricultural Sciences
- Agricultural Technology
- Business Studies
- Civil Technology
- Computer Applications Technology
- Consumer Studies
- Dance Studies
- Dramatic Arts
- Economics
- Electrical Technology
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Geography
- History
- Hospitality Studies
- Information Technology
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Mechanical Technology
- Music
- Physical Sciences
- Religion studies
- Tourism
- Visual Arts
Note: Home languages and First Additional Languages also count towards your APS.
How Many Subjects Do You Need To Pass Matric?
You need to pass six (6) of your seven (7) subjects to pass Matric. This means you can fail one subject and still pass Matric. But it is recommended to pass all seven (7) subjects if you wish to apply for University admission.
How Do You Get Accepted Into A University?
To be accepted into University, there are general requirements that need to be met:
- Have a good APS according to the admission requirements of the University
- Have the right subjects for the course you want to study
- Pass with a Diploma pass or Bachelor’s pass at the end of your Matric year
Now that we have covered how to calculate your APS, we will now look at the different types of passes you can achieve in Matric.
What Are The Types Of Matric Passes?
There are four (4) different types of passes you can achieve on your Matric certificate. They are the following:
- National Senior Certificate Pass
- Higher Certificate Pass
- Diploma Pass
- Bachelor’s Pass
Here is how you can achieve each of these passes:
National Senior Certificate Pass
This is the lowest pass you can achieve in Matric. The requirements are:
- 40% for your Home Language subject
- 40% for 2 other subjects
- You are allowed to fail 1 subject, but if you do, you need to achieve 30% for 6 subjects
Higher Certificate Pass
With this pass, you can apply for a Higher Certificate course. To achieve this pass, you must meet these requirements:
- 40% or above in your Home Language subject
- 40% for 2 other subjects
- 30% for 3 other subjects
Diploma Pass
This is the second-highest pass you can achieve in Matric and with it, you can apply for a Diploma course. The requirements are:
- 40% in your Home Language subject
- 40% in 3 other subjects (outside your Home Language subject)
- 30% in 2 other subjects
Bachelor’s Pass
With this pass, you can apply to study for a degree at a University. The requirements to receive this pass are:
- 40% in your Home Language subject
- 50% for 4 other subjects
- 30% for 2 other subjects
What Is The Highest Pass In Matric?
The highest pass you can achieve in Matric, is a Bachelor’s pass with an APS score of 21 or above.
How Do You Get 7 Distinctions In Matric?
To get seven (7) destinations in Matric is a great achievement to have. Here are some tips and tricks on how you can achieve destinations in each of your subjects at the end of your Matric year:
- Make notes in class on the work that is being discussed
- Ask questions about concepts you do not understand
- Take extra classes and look for free study guides online that can help you
- Design a study schedule and make time for each of your subjects
- Find a quiet, well lit and organised space to do your studies
- Remember to take breaks in between your studies
- Join a study group, such as here at Together We Pass, to discuss and understand topics together with other students
What Can I Do If I Do Not Meet The University Entry Requirements?
Here are the options you have when you did not meet the requirements for University Admission:
- If you do not have a Matric certificate you can apply for your Adult Matric at a distance learning institution, or you can apply for courses that do not require Matric such as ICB courses or short courses.
- If you already have a Matric certificate but want to improve your marks or redo a subject, you can apply for supplementary exams within a year of finishing your Matric. If it has been more than a year since you passed your Matric, but you still want to improve your grades, you can still apply for a Matric Rewrite.
- If you wish to apply to university but lack the necessary marks or subjects, you can apply for a Matric Upgrade to get the necessary results and subjects.
- If you do not want to improve your Matric certificate to adhere to the entry requirements of a University, you can study a Diploma course or a Higher certificate pass if you have respectable passes for each.
Also Read: What Can I Study With My APS?
Author: Esmari Pool
Editor: Megan Dreyer
Published Date: November 3, 2022
I want to upgrade my subject
I have a Diploma pass can i get help from here for me to get into the university and do my diploma course or high certificate course please.
I need help i need to apply
Got an APS of 21 & yet a Higher Certificate Pass symbol, possible to enter a University which offers a course that has a minimum APS of 21?
Technically you could enter university with your APS BUT you are restricted to only doing a higher certificate qualification since that is what you passed your Matric with.
According to the University of Western Cape I have and APS score of 42, the required APS for the degree I want to do is 40. What are my chances of getting accepted. ( the degree I want to do is in health sciences)
The APS is not the only factor that can help you qualify. Keep in mind that you have to meet the course admission requirements in order to qualify. So even if you have a higher APS, you would still have to pass certain subjects with a specific pass, like 60% in all languages for example.