{"id":318,"date":"2026-02-19T07:36:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T07:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/?p=318"},"modified":"2026-02-18T17:39:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T17:39:07","slug":"unisa-aps-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/unisa-aps-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"UNISA APS Requirements for 2027 Teaching &amp; Nursing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Knowing the Admission Point Score (APS) requirements at UNISA is essential before you apply for teaching or nursing programmes for the 2027 academic year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The APS is a score based on your final National Senior Certificate (NSC) results and is used to determine whether you qualify for a specific qualification.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UNISA uses your best six subjects to calculate your APS, and Life Orientation is excluded from this calculation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How UNISA Calculates APS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>UNISA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/stellenbosch-aps\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/stellenbosch-aps\/\">calculates your APS<\/a> by converting the percentage you achieved in your best six NSC subjects into points.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each percentage range corresponds to a specific achievement level and points value.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UNISA excludes Life Orientation when calculating APS for most undergraduate qualifications, including teaching and nursing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step-by-Step APS Calculation for UNISA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Step 1: List Your Final NSC Percentages<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with your official final matric results. List all subject percentages except Life Orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Step 2: Convert Each Subject to APS Points<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Use the standard UNISA APS table below to assign points to each subject result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Step 3: Select Your Best Six Subjects<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose the six subjects that give you the highest total points. English is always included in the calculation because it is the language of teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Step 4: Add the Points Together<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Add the points from your six best subjects to get your total APS score. This score is compared with the minimum required APS for your chosen qualification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UNISA APS Points Table (2027)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>NSC Percentage<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Achievement Level<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>APS Points<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>80\u2013100%<\/td><td>Level 7<\/td><td>7<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>70\u201379%<\/td><td>Level 6<\/td><td>6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>60\u201369%<\/td><td>Level 5<\/td><td>5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>50\u201359%<\/td><td>Level 4<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>40\u201349%<\/td><td>Level 3<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>30\u201339%<\/td><td>Level 2<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>0\u201329%<\/td><td>Level 1<\/td><td>1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This table is the standard scale used by UNISA to convert subject percentages into APS points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does Life Orientation Count for UNISA APS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No. Life Orientation is excluded from the <a href=\"https:\/\/apply.org.za\/aps\/unisa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">APS calculator at UNISA<\/a> for most undergraduate qualifications.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only your six best other subjects contribute toward your APS total.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means even if you scored high in Life Orientation, it would not increase your APS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UNISA APS Requirements for 2027 Teaching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Admission criteria for UNISA teaching qualifications vary depending on the pathway you choose.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are the main qualification categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Higher Certificate in Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minimum APS of about 15 to 18 points.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NSC with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning and 40% in Mathematics is recommended.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This qualification helps applicants gain entry into the Bachelor of Education (BEd) programme by satisfying basic academic requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bachelor of Education (BEd)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Typically requires a minimum APS of about 20 to 24 points or higher, depending on the competitiveness of the specific teaching phase (e.g., Foundation, Intermediate).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>English (the language of instruction) is compulsory with at least a 50% pass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For specialisations like Mathematics or Science teaching, a higher percentage in those subjects may be required.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Subject Requirements for Teaching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from APS, you must meet specific subject minimums:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A strong pass in English (home language or equivalent).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A pass in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, depending on the programme stream.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some teaching streams require Mathematics at a higher level if you will teach Maths subjects.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee acceptance; limited spaces and competition often require a higher APS for successful admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UNISA APS Requirements for 2027 Nursing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nursing at UNISA is treated as a specialised qualification with distinct requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The nursing qualification is often listed as a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing Science or similar Health Sciences degree.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although UNISA entry criteria may update yearly, the following reflects typical requirements based on the most recent guidance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nursing Bachelor\u2019s Degree<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The minimum APS required is around 20 points for entry into nursing science programmes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You must have NSC with a degree endorsement and a strong language pass, typically at least 50% in English.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subjects like Life Sciences and Mathematics (or Mathematical Literacy) are highly recommended, and performance in these subjects strengthens your application.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Requirements for Nursing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some nursing qualifications require a professional registration process with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) at later stages of your studies, but this is after admission, not part of APS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">General APS Benchmarks at UNISA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>UNISA\u2019s APS thresholds are broader for undergraduate qualifications:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Higher Certificates: APS ~15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diplomas: APS ~18\u201322<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bachelor\u2019s Degrees (Teaching, Nursing, etc.): APS ~20\u201324 or higher<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>These thresholds may vary by qualification and applicant competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always check UNISA\u2019s official prospectus or admission notification for the exact 2027 requirements before applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UNISA will assess your APS along with subject minimums, endorsements, and available spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meeting the minimum APS is a necessary condition but not a guarantee of admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>English is the language of instruction at UNISA, and a minimum language proficiency is compulsory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Knowing the Admission Point Score (APS) requirements at UNISA is essential before you apply for teaching or nursing programmes for the 2027 academic year.&nbsp; The APS is a score based on your final National Senior Certificate (NSC) results and is used to determine whether you qualify for a specific qualification.&nbsp; UNISA uses your best six&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":154,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"iawp_total_views":90,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-applications"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=318"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":319,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/318\/revisions\/319"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}