UCT Faculty Points Score (FPS) vs APS: 2027 Guide

For South African Grade 12 students applying to the University of Cape Town (UCT) for 2027 entry, it is important to understand how the university evaluates matric results. 

UCT does not simply use the standard APS points system that many South African universities use. 

Instead, the university applies a slightly different method known as the Faculty Points Score (FPS). 

Knowing the difference between the Admission Points Score (APS) and FPS helps you assess whether you meet the minimum requirements for your chosen programme. 

In some faculties, UCT also uses the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) and a disadvantage factor to adjust scores. 

APS at UCT

The Admission Points Score (APS) is your raw score based on your Grade 12 academic results. 

UCT calculates APS by adding the percentage marks of your best six NSC subjects, excluding Life Orientation, and results below 40% do not contribute any points. 

You must include English Home Language or English First Additional Language as one of the six subjects. 

APS gives a score out of a maximum of 600, where each percentage point equals one point.

UCT provides an online APS calculator to help applicants work this out.

FPS at UCT

UCT’s Faculty Points Score (FPS) is the score the university uses to rank applicants for admission in different faculties. For most faculties, FPS equals the APS. 

This means your APS directly becomes your FPS if your chosen faculty does not adjust the standard APS. 

The faculties where FPS equals APS include Commerce, Humanities and Law.

However, some faculties adjust the APS to calculate FPS:

• The Faculty of Science often weights Mathematics and Physical Sciences, meaning those subject percentages are counted twice for FPS. This increases the total possible score.
• The Faculty of Health Sciences uses the APS plus your NBT scores to calculate FPS. The NBTs are tests you write separately from your school exams. The combined score of APS and NBT results forms the FPS for Health Sciences applicants.

How to Calculate APS and FPS: Step-by-Step

Step-by-Step APS Calculation

1. List all your NSC subjects and their final matric percentages.
2. Exclude Life Orientation and any subject with a mark below 40%.
3. Make sure to include English (Home or First Additional Language).
4. Select your top six subjects based on percentage marks.
5. Add the numerical percentages of these six subjects together.
6. The total is your APS score out of 600.

Step-by-Step FPS Calculation (By Faculty)

1. Use your APS score as a base.
2. For Commerce, Humanities, or Law, FPS equals APS.
3. For Science programmes, double the Mathematics and Physical Sciences marks and add them to the APS total partly. The result will be FPS out of 800.
4. For Health Sciences, add your NBT scores (Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, Mathematics) to your APS to form FPS out of 900.
5. If eligible, a disadvantage factor may be applied to increase your FPS for final selection.

Percentage to Points Table (UCT FPS and APS)

Below is a clear table that shows how National Senior Certificate (NSC) percentages convert into points under UCT’s FPS and APS systems. 

UCT uses your actual percentage score for APS and FPS rather than the South African 1-7 level system used at other universities.

NSC Percentage	UCT Points in APS/FPS
90% to 100%	90 to 100 points
80% to 89%	80 to 89 points
70% to 79%	70 to 79 points
60% to 69%	60 to 69 points
50% to 59%	50 to 59 points
40% to 49%	40 to 49 points
Below 40%	0 points (no contribution)

This table reflects how UCT directly uses your final NSC percentages.

A higher subject mark results in a higher point contribution to your APS and FPS.

Course Requirements at UCT 

Admission to UCT programmes depends on meeting minimum FPS criteria and other subject requirements. 

The following provides general benchmarks for some popular faculties:

Faculty of Commerce and Business

• Minimum APS/FPS is typically between 380 and 460 for undergraduate degrees.
• English competency is compulsory.
• Mathematics performance helps competitiveness, but is not always mandatory for all Commerce degrees.

Faculty of Law (LLB)

• Law programmes generally require a higher FPS, often above 450–470.
• English and language proficiency are important.
• Competitive applicants may require higher scores to secure limited places.

Faculty of Science

• Requires FPS calculated with double weighting for Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
• Competitive programmes such as Computer Science typically seek FPS well above 400–450 due to weighting.

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

• Engineering degrees usually require strong Mathematics and Physical Science results.
• FPS, including weighting and sometimes NBT inputs, often needs to be above 450–500 for competitive fields.

Faculty of Health Sciences (e.g., MBChB)

• Health Sciences programmes like Medicine require APS plus high NBT scores, yielding FPS out of 900.
• These programmes are highly competitive and require strong performance in both school results and NBTs.