What Marks Do You Need to Get Into University in South Africa?
APS scores, subject minimums, and exactly what Wits, UCT, UP, Stellenbosch, and UJ require for the most popular degrees — so you know right now what you are working toward in Grade 12.
Every Grade 12 student heading toward university needs to answer one question before anything else: what marks do I actually need? Not vague reassurance that you need to "do well" — the specific numbers, the specific subjects, and the specific pass types that the university programmes you want will accept. This post gives you all of it in one place.
South African university admission works on an APS system. Your subject marks are converted to points on a 7-point scale. Those points are added up and compared against the minimum APS for your chosen programme — plus any subject-specific minimums. Both conditions must be met simultaneously. A strong total APS with a weak Maths mark will still disqualify you from engineering. Understanding this is the starting point.
- How the APS score is calculated — the exact conversion from percentage to points
- The difference between a Bachelor Pass, Diploma Pass, and what each allows you to study
- APS and subject requirements for the most popular degrees at Wits, UCT, UP, Stellenbosch, and UJ
- Why Maths and Physical Science are the two subjects that determine the most doors
- What marks you need right now to keep every option open
- The specific minimum you need to target in Grade 12 if university is your goal
Step 1 — How the APS Score Works
The APS — Admission Point Score — is calculated from your best six NSC subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Each subject percentage is converted to an achievement level on a 7-point scale. The maximum possible APS from six subjects is 42.
| Percentage | APS Points | Achievement Level | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 – 100% | 7 | Level 7 | Outstanding Achievement |
| 70 – 79% | 6 | Level 6 | Meritorious Achievement |
| 60 – 69% | 5 | Level 5 | Substantial Achievement |
| 50 – 59% | 4 | Level 4 | Adequate Achievement |
| 40 – 49% | 3 | Level 3 | Moderate Achievement |
| 30 – 39% | 2 | Level 2 | Elementary Achievement |
| 0 – 29% | 1 | Level 1 | Not Achieved |
Example: A student scores 78% English, 72% Maths, 65% Physical Science, 68% History, 71% Geography, 55% Accounting. Their APS = 6 + 6 + 5 + 5 + 6 + 4 = 32. Life Orientation is excluded regardless of the mark.
The most important thing most students miss: Meeting the minimum APS is not enough on its own. Every competitive university programme has subject-specific minimums on top of the total APS requirement. You could have an APS of 38 and still be rejected from engineering if your Maths percentage is below the faculty's subject minimum. Both the APS and the subject minimums must be met simultaneously.
Step 2 — The Bachelor Pass Is the Entry Ticket
Before the APS even comes into play, you need a Bachelor Pass. Without it, no university will consider your application regardless of how strong your marks are in individual subjects. A Bachelor Pass requires:
| Requirement | Minimum % | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home Language | 40% | Level 4 — compulsory |
| First Additional Language | 30% | Level 3 — compulsory |
| Mathematics or Maths Literacy | 30% | Level 3 — but universities require much more |
| Three other recognised subjects | 50% each | Must meet Level 4 in all three |
| Life Orientation | Compulsory | Not counted in APS |
The Bachelor Pass minimum of 30% in Maths gets you the pass type but nothing more. As you will see below, actual university programmes require Maths marks of 60% to 80%+ depending on the degree. Read our full guide on how to get a Bachelor Pass in matric for the complete breakdown.
What Marks You Need at South Africa's Top Universities
Each university has its own APS calculation method. Some use the standard 7-point scale. UCT uses a percentage-based system out of 600. Wits uses the standard APS. Always check the university's own prospectus for the year you are applying — requirements do change.
Wits uses the standard 7-point APS scale from six subjects excluding Life Orientation. Maximum APS is 42. Wits is highly competitive — most engineering and commerce programmes are oversubscribed every year.
| Programme | Min APS | Maths Required | Physical Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Engineering (all fields) | 40+ | Level 6 (70%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
| BCom Accounting Science | 44+ | Level 6 (70%+) | Not required |
| BCom General Commerce | 38+ | Level 5 (60%+) | Not required |
| BCom Economic Science | 42+ | Level 7 (80%+) | Not required |
| MBBCh Medicine | 40+ | Level 5 (60%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
| BSc (General Sciences) | 36+ | Level 5 (60%+) | Level 4 (50%+) |
| BA (Humanities) | 36+ | Level 4 (50%+) | Not required |
| LLB Law | 40+ | Level 5 recommended | Not required |
UCT uses its own APS system calculated out of 600 — the sum of your six best subject percentages (excluding Life Orientation). For Engineering and Science, UCT doubles your Maths and Physical Science percentages in their Faculty Points Score (FPS) calculation out of 800. This means a 75% in Maths contributes 150 points to your FPS, not 75.
| Programme | UCT APS (out of 600) | Maths Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Engineering | FPS 550+ (out of 800) | 60%+ (70%+ competitive) | Maths and Physical Science doubled in FPS |
| MBChB Medicine | ~400–450+ | 60%+ (75%+ competitive) | NBT also required |
| BCom Accounting | ~400+ | 60%+ Pure Maths | Mathematical Literacy not accepted |
| BCom Finance | ~420+ | 65%+ | Highly competitive |
| BSc (Sciences) | ~360+ | 60%+ | Physical Science recommended |
| LLB Law | ~420+ | Not specified | English strong requirement |
UP uses the standard APS scale and is one of the largest universities in South Africa. UP programmes are generally slightly more accessible than Wits or UCT for the same field but still highly competitive in Engineering, Health Sciences, and Law.
| Programme | Min APS | Maths Required | Physical Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEng (all engineering fields) | 32+ | Level 6 (70%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
| MBChB Medicine | 34+ | Level 5 (60%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
| BCom Accounting Sciences | 32+ | Level 5 (60%+) | Not required |
| BCom (General) | 28+ | Level 4 (50%+) | Not required |
| BSc (Sciences) | 30+ | Level 5 (60%+) | Level 4 (50%+) |
| LLB Law | 30+ | Level 4 recommended | Not required |
Stellenbosch uses the standard APS scale. It is the primary Afrikaans-medium university in South Africa and is highly competitive, particularly in Engineering, Medicine, and Actuarial Science. English instruction is available across most programmes.
| Programme | Min APS | Maths Required | Physical Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEng (Engineering) | 36+ | Level 6 (70%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
| MBChB Medicine | 36+ | Level 5 (60%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
| BCom Actuarial Science | 38+ | Level 7 (80%+) | Recommended |
| BCom (General) | 30+ | Level 4 (50%+) | Not required |
| BSc (Sciences) | 30+ | Level 5 (60%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
UJ uses the standard APS scale and is more accessible than Wits for students with a solid but not elite matric result. UJ offers strong programmes in Engineering, Commerce, Education, and Health Sciences.
| Programme | Min APS | Maths Required | Physical Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEng (Engineering) | 28+ | Level 6 (70%+) | Level 5 (60%+) |
| BCom Accounting | 28+ | Level 5 (60%+) | Not required |
| BCom (General) | 24+ | Level 4 (50%+) | Not required |
| BSc (Applied Sciences) | 26+ | Level 5 (60%+) | Level 4 (50%+) |
Why Maths and Physical Science Are the Gateway Subjects
No other two subjects in the NSC determine as many university doors as Maths and Physical Science. They are the gatekeepers for engineering, medicine, actuarial science, data science, BSc, and most competitive BCom programmes. Here is what different Maths percentages unlock:
The jump from 59% to 60% is not 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 hard and they matter enormously. For the full breakdown of what each career requires, read our guide on what you can study with Maths and Physical Science after matric.
What Marks Should You Be Targeting Right Now?
If you are currently in Grade 12, the practical question is: what must your Maths and Physical Science marks be at the end of this year to access what you want to study? Here is the honest answer:
For Engineering at any top South African university
You need a minimum of 60% in both Maths and Physical Science. To be competitive at Wits or UCT you need 70%+. An APS of 35+ with strong Maths and Physical Science will give you options across multiple institutions. Read our calculus guide and Newton's Laws guide — these are the two highest-mark topics in your gateway subjects.
For Medicine anywhere in South Africa
60% in Maths and Physical Science gets you past the minimum threshold. But minimum is not competitive. At Wits and UCT, applicants with 80%+ in both subjects still do not always get in. Medicine requires you to maximise both subjects — not just pass them. Read our detailed guide on exactly what marks you need to apply for Medicine in South Africa.
For BCom at a top university
BCom General starts at 50% Maths at most universities. BCom Accounting at Wits requires 70%+. BCom Economic Science at Wits requires 80%+. If your goal is chartered accountancy or investment banking, you need strong Maths — not just adequate. Read our finance and growth guide — this topic is directly tested in first-year BCom.
The window is now: The students who secure the marks they need for their chosen degree are the ones who build the foundation in Term 1 and Term 2 — not the ones who panic-study in October. A student currently scoring 62% in Maths who targets 75% has four to six months to close that gap with consistent, structured preparation. That is achievable. Starting in September is not.
The marks you need are achievable. The right support makes the difference.
A-Game Academy teaches Grade 12 Pure Maths and Physical Science live via Zoom. Mr Sawaya — 30 years NSC experience, SACE registered, CAPS specialist. Small classes, max 15 students. Past paper practice every term. Study notes for every topic.
Whether your goal is Engineering, Medicine, Actuarial Science, or BCom — the marks that open those doors are built in Grade 12. Not in January when results are already out.
0 comments