VerifiedUnisa publishes an exact admission point score for every qualification, so there is no need to guess from ranges. This page explains how Unisa counts your score, lists the figures for the qualifications people ask about most, and answers the nursing question honestly, because most advice about it is out of date.
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How Unisa counts your APS
- Six subjects. Unisa takes your best six National Senior Certificate subjects.
- Life Orientation does not count. It is a 10-credit subject and is left out.
- The ordinary 1 to 7 scale. 80% to 100% earns 7, 70% to 79% earns 6, and so on down to 1 for 0% to 29%.
- A language rule on top. Most qualifications also need at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning, which at Unisa is English.
| NSC mark | Level | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 80% to 100% | 7 | 7 |
| 70% to 79% | 6 | 6 |
| 60% to 69% | 5 | 5 |
| 50% to 59% | 4 | 4 |
| 40% to 49% | 3 | 3 |
| 30% to 39% | 2 | 2 |
| 0% to 29% | 1 | 1 |
The scores Unisa asks for
| Qualification | NQF level | APS |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences | 5 | 14 |
| Higher Certificates in Banking, Marketing and Tourism Management | 5 | 15 |
| Higher Certificates in Law and in Criminal Justice | 5 | 17 |
| Higher Certificate in Education | 5 | 18 |
| Diploma in Operations Management | 6 | 17 |
| BA with Geography as a major | 7 | 20 |
| BSc in Life Sciences | 7 | 20 |
| BCom in Supply Chain and Operations Management | 7 | 21 |
| BEd Foundation Phase Teaching | 8 | 23 |
These are the published minimums. Unisa places are limited by an enrolment plan agreed with the Department of Higher Education and Training, so meeting a score does not guarantee a place, and a qualification can also list subject requirements on top of the APS. Check the requirement for your exact qualification on the Unisa admission pages before you apply.
Teaching at Unisa
Teaching is where most Unisa applicants start, and the ladder is clear. With APS 18 and the subject requirements you can take the Higher Certificate in Education. The BEd Foundation Phase asks for APS 23. The higher certificate can carry credits toward a BEd later, so a lower score is a slower route rather than a closed door.
Can you study nursing at Unisa?
Not as a new student. Unisa’s BA Nursing Science is closed to new students, and Unisa does not train new nurses. To become a nurse you need a nursing college or university accredited by the South African Nursing Council, which offers the three-year Diploma in Nursing and the four-year nursing degree. The Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing, the first step on that ladder, is also offered by accredited colleges rather than Unisa.
Any page or advert that quotes a Unisa APS for a first nursing qualification is out of date. Check that a nursing programme is accredited by the South African Nursing Council before you apply or pay.
If your score is short
- Start with a higher certificate that matches your score, then move up. See courses you can do with 15 APS.
- Rewrite a subject to lift one mark into a higher band. Moving from 49% to 50% is worth a whole point.
- Consider a TVET college, which admits on different rules. See who is still open for 2027.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Unisa APS calculated?
Unisa adds the points for your best six NSC subjects on the 1 to 7 scale, leaving out Life Orientation. Most qualifications also need at least 30% in English, the language of teaching and learning.
What APS do I need for teaching at Unisa?
APS 23 for the BEd Foundation Phase Teaching, or APS 18 for the Higher Certificate in Education, plus the subject requirements for each.
What is the lowest APS Unisa accepts?
Some higher certificates open at APS 14 or 15, such as the Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences at 14 and the Banking, Marketing and Tourism Management certificates at 15.
Can I study nursing at Unisa?
Not as a new student. The BA Nursing Science is closed to new students. Nursing training is offered by colleges and universities accredited by the South African Nursing Council.