UP Admission Selection: How to Calculate your 2027 APS
If you are applying to the University of Pretoria for 2027, understanding how to calculate your Admission Point Score, or APS, is essential.
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UP uses the APS to decide whether you meet the minimum academic requirements for your chosen degree.
Your APS is based on your final National Senior Certificate results.
Each subject percentage is converted into a point according to the university’s official scale.
Unlike some universities, UP does not award bonus points for specific subjects.
The calculation is straightforward, but you must follow the correct method to avoid mistakes.
How to Calculate UP APS
The University of Pretoria calculates APS using your best six recognised NSC subjects. Life Orientation is excluded from the calculation.
The university converts each subject percentage into a level score from 1 to 7.
These levels are then added together to produce your final APS.
UP uses the standard National Senior Certificate achievement levels. Each level corresponds to a specific percentage range.
Only subjects with 40% or higher contribute toward your APS. This system ensures fairness and consistency across all applicants.
Percentage to UP APS Points Table
Below is the official NSC achievement level table used by UP for APS calculation.
| NSC Percentage | Achievement Level | APS Points |
| 80 to 100% | Level 7 | 7 points |
| 70 to 79% | Level 6 | 6 points |
| 60 to 69% | Level 5 | 5 points |
| 50 to 59% | Level 4 | 4 points |
| 40 to 49% | Level 3 | 3 points |
| 30 to 39% | Level 2 | 2 points |
| 0 to 29% | Level 1 | 1 point |
For APS purposes at UP, only subjects with 40% or higher are usually considered competitive for degree admission.
Most degree programmes require at least Level 4 in certain key subjects such as Mathematics or English.
Step by Step Guide to Calculate Your UP APS
Follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: List Your Final NSC Percentages
Write down all your Grade 12 final subject percentages. Make sure they are your official final marks.
Step 2: Exclude Life Orientation
Life Orientation is not included in the APS calculation at UP.
Step 3: Convert Each Subject to APS Points
Using the table above, match each percentage to its achievement level and corresponding points.
For example:
- 75% equals Level 6, which equals 6 points.
- 68% equals Level 5, which equals 5 points.
- 52% equals Level 4, which equals 4 points.
Step 4: Select Your Best Six Subjects
Choose the six subjects with the highest APS points. These must meet the subject requirements for your intended programme.
Step 5: Add the Points Together
Add the six point values together. The total is your APS.
Example Calculation
Suppose your marks are:
- English Home Language: 72%
- Mathematics: 78%
- Physical Sciences: 65%
- Life Sciences: 70%
- Geography: 60%
- Accounting: 58%
- Life Orientation: 80%
First convert to points:
- English 72 percent = 6 points
- Mathematics 78 percent = 6 points
- Physical Sciences 65 percent = 5 points
- Life Sciences 70 percent = 6 points
- Geography 60 percent = 5 points
- Accounting 58 percent = 4 points
Exclude Life Orientation.
Now select the best six subjects and add:
6 + 6 + 5 + 6 + 5 + 4 = 32
Your APS would be 32.
Course Requirements at UP for 2027 Entry
APS requirements vary depending on the faculty and the competitiveness of the programme.
Meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission because space is limited and selection is competitive.
- Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT
Engineering programmes usually require an APS of 35 or higher. Strong results in Mathematics and Physical Sciences are compulsory. Some engineering fields require even higher APS scores due to demand.
- Faculty of Health Sciences
Programmes such as MBChB are highly competitive. APS requirements are often 35 and above, but successful applicants usually have significantly higher scores. Mathematics and Physical Sciences are mandatory at high achievement levels.
- Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Degrees such as BCom typically require an APS between 30 and 34. Mathematics is required for most programmes, while some may accept Mathematics Literacy for specific streams.
- Faculty of Law
The LLB degree generally requires an APS of around 32 to 34. Strong English performance is important because of the reading and writing demands of the programme.
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Science degrees often require an APS between 30 and 34. Mathematics is compulsory for most programmes.
- Faculty of Humanities
Many Humanities programmes require an APS starting from 28 to 30. Some programmes accept Mathematics Literacy instead of Mathematics.
Admission Notes for 2027
The University of Pretoria uses a selection process. Some programmes may calculate a faculty-specific admission score in addition to APS.
Certain degrees also have subject minimum requirements beyond the overall APS.
For example, you may need at least Level 5 in Mathematics even if your total APS meets the minimum.
Always consult the official UP undergraduate brochure for the 2027 academic year to confirm exact requirements before applying.
Admission policies can be updated each year, and competitive programmes often admit students with higher scores than the published minimum.
