What APS Score Do You Need for Engineering, Medicine and BCom in South Africa?
Your Grade 12 Maths and Physical Science marks determine more than just your matric result. They determine which university programmes will accept you — and which ones will not, no matter what your other subjects look like.
Every year, thousands of Grade 12 students realise too late that their Maths or Physical Science mark was the one thing standing between them and the degree they wanted. An APS score of 32 sounds solid — until you discover that Engineering at Wits requires 40, or that UCT doubles your Maths and Physical Science percentages when calculating your admission score. The rules are not complicated, but most students only learn them after the fact.
This guide covers the actual APS requirements for the most competitive degrees in South Africa, how Maths and Physical Science marks are weighted, and what you need to be targeting right now in Grade 12.
- How the APS system works and what score you need for different degree types
- The exact Maths and Physical Science requirements for Engineering at Wits, UCT, and UP
- Why UCT doubles your Maths and Physical Science marks — and what that means for you
- Medicine requirements at Wits, UCT, Stellenbosch, and UP
- BCom requirements including Accounting and Economics at top universities
- What mark you need in Grade 12 Maths to keep all options open
How the APS System Works
The APS — Admission Point Score — is calculated from your best six NSC subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Each subject percentage is converted to a point value on a 7-point scale:
| Percentage | APS Points | Achievement Level |
|---|---|---|
| 80 – 100% | 7 | Outstanding |
| 70 – 79% | 6 | Meritorious |
| 60 – 69% | 5 | Substantial |
| 50 – 59% | 4 | Adequate |
| 40 – 49% | 3 | Moderate |
| 30 – 39% | 2 | Elementary |
| 0 – 29% | 1 | Not achieved |
A student who scores 75% in six subjects has an APS of 36. But here is what most students miss: meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission. Competitive programmes have subject-specific minimum marks on top of the total APS. You could have a strong overall APS and still be rejected from Engineering if your Maths percentage falls below the required level for that faculty.
The most important thing to understand: For Engineering, Medicine, and most science-based degrees, your Maths and Physical Science percentages are evaluated separately from your overall APS. A 40% in Maths will disqualify you from Engineering at every major university regardless of your total points. This is why these two subjects are not just important — they are gatekeepers.
Engineering — What You Actually Need
Engineering is one of the most popular target degrees for students taking Maths and Physical Science. It is also one of the most competitive. Requirements vary by university and by engineering field, but the patterns are consistent: you need strong Maths, Physical Science is compulsory, and your overall APS needs to be well above the minimum.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) — Engineering
| Programme | Min APS | Maths Required | Physical Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Engineering (all fields) | 40+ | Level 6 (70%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
| BSc Engineering — Civil | 40+ | Level 6 (70%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
| BSc Engineering — Electrical | 40+ | Level 6 (70%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
University of Cape Town (UCT) — Engineering
UCT uses a different scoring system for Engineering called the FPS (Faculty Points Score), calculated out of 800. Critically, UCT doubles your Maths and Physical Science percentages when calculating your FPS. This means a 75% in Maths contributes 150 points to your FPS, not 75. A strong Maths and Physical Science result at UCT is worth significantly more than at other universities.
| Programme | Min FPS (out of 800) | Maths Minimum | Physical Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Engineering (all fields) | 550+ | 60%+ (typically 70%+ competitive) | 60%+ compulsory |
University of Pretoria (UP) — Engineering
| Programme | Min APS | Maths Required | Physical Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEng — Civil, Mechanical, Electrical | 32+ | Level 6 (70%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
| BEng — Chemical, Industrial | 32+ | Level 6 (70%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
The real target for Engineering: The minimum APS is not your goal. It is the floor. At Wits Engineering, the average student who actually gets in scores well above the minimum. If Engineering is your target, you should be aiming for 70%+ in both Maths and Physical Science. Anything below 60% in either subject closes most engineering doors entirely. Read our guides on Grade 12 calculus and Newton's Laws — these are the highest-weighted topics in the two subjects that engineering programmes care most about.
Medicine — The Most Competitive Degree in South Africa
Medicine (MBChB or MBBCh) has the highest entry requirements of any undergraduate degree in South Africa. Thousands of students apply each year and only a few hundred are accepted per university. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted — you must take pure Mathematics. Physical Science is compulsory. And meeting the minimum requirements is nowhere near enough at most institutions — you need marks well above the published minimums to be competitive.
Wits — MBBCh Medicine
| Requirement | Minimum | Competitive Target |
|---|---|---|
| Overall APS | 40 | 44 or above |
| Mathematics | Level 5 (60%+) | 70%+ to be competitive |
| Physical Science | Level 5 (60%+) | 70%+ to be competitive |
| English | Level 5 | Level 6 preferred |
UCT — MBChB Medicine
UCT calculates Medicine admission using a combination of APS (out of 600) and NBT (National Benchmark Test) scores. APS at UCT is the sum of your six best subject percentages — no doubling for Medicine like Engineering. Competitive applicants typically score 450 to 550 out of 600.
| Requirement | Minimum | Competitive Target |
|---|---|---|
| UCT APS (out of 600) | ~400 | 450 – 550+ |
| Mathematics | 60%+ | 75%+ to be competitive |
| Physical Science | 60%+ | 70%+ to be competitive |
| NBT (Math + Academic Literacy) | Compulsory | Strong score required |
Stellenbosch — MBChB Medicine
| Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Overall APS | 36+ |
| Mathematics | Level 5 (60%+) — 70% strongly recommended |
| Physical Science | Level 5 (60%+) compulsory |
| Life Sciences | Strongly recommended |
The hard truth about Medicine: At Wits and UCT, applicants with 80%+ in Maths and Physical Science still do not always get in. The number of available spots is small and the competition is fierce. If Medicine is your goal, the only strategy is to push for the highest possible marks in both subjects from the beginning of Grade 12 — not from Term 3. Our guide on how to achieve 90% in Grade 12 Physical Science and how to achieve 90% in Grade 12 Pure Maths show you what that level of preparation looks like.
BCom — What Maths Mark Do You Need?
BCom degrees cover a wide range — from general commerce to Accounting, Economics, and Law. Maths requirements vary significantly depending on the specific programme and university. Mathematical Literacy is accepted for some BCom programmes but not for the more competitive ones like Accounting Science.
Wits — BCom Requirements
| Programme | Min APS | Maths Required |
|---|---|---|
| BCom General | 38+ | Level 5 (60%+) Pure Maths |
| BCom Accounting Science | 44+ | Level 6 (70%+) Pure Maths |
| BCom Economic Science | 42+ | Level 7 (80%+) Pure Maths |
| BCom Law | 43+ | Level 5 Pure Maths |
Notice that BCom Economic Science at Wits requires Level 7 — that is 80% or above in pure Mathematics. This is one of the most Maths-intensive BCom programmes and is a feeder for careers in actuarial science, investment banking, and quantitative finance.
UCT — BCom Requirements
| Programme | APS (out of 600) | Maths Required |
|---|---|---|
| BCom General | 360+ | 50%+ Pure Maths |
| BCom Accounting | 400+ | 60%+ Pure Maths |
| BCom Finance and Accounting | 420+ | 65%+ Pure Maths |
Mathematical Literacy vs Pure Maths for BCom: Some BCom programmes accept Maths Literacy for general entry, but the more competitive and career-relevant BCom programmes — Accounting, Finance, Economics — require pure Mathematics. If you are in Grade 12 taking pure Maths, you already have access to a far wider range of BCom programmes than Maths Literacy students do. Do not waste that advantage with a low mark. Read our guide on finance, growth and decay — this topic directly underpins BCom first-year content.
How Maths and Physical Science Marks Affect Every Option
Here is a clear picture of what different Maths percentage ranges open up and close off:
What your Maths percentage unlocks
The jump from 59% to 60% is not just one percentage point — it is the difference between being eligible for Engineering or not. The jump from 69% to 70% opens Medicine at most universities. These thresholds are real and they matter enormously.
If you are currently scoring in the 50s in Maths and want to get into Engineering or BCom Accounting, you have a specific gap to close — and closing it requires understanding exactly where your marks are being lost. Our post on the 10 most common mistakes in Grade 12 Maths Paper 1 is a good starting point. So is our breakdown of the NSC Maths exam format — understanding how marks are distributed helps you focus your revision on the right topics.
For Physical Science, if Medicine is your goal, read our guides on electric circuits, chemical equilibrium, and organic chemistry — three of the highest-mark topics on Paper 2.
The marks you need are achievable. The right support makes the difference.
A-Game Academy teaches Grade 12 Pure Maths and Physical Science online via Zoom. Mr Sawaya — 30 years experience, SACE registered, CAPS and NSC specialist. Small classes, max 15 students. Past paper practice every term. Study notes for every topic.
If Engineering, Medicine, or BCom is your goal, your Grade 12 Maths and Physical Science marks are the most important numbers in your application. Do not leave them to chance.
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