So you got your matric results, and that APS number is staring at you like a wet weekend. It’s lower than you hoped. Now you’re asking yourself: can I still get into university with a low APS score? Take a deep breath, fam. The answer is yes – but you need to know the right moves. This guide for 2027 will show you exactly how to turn a low APS score into a successful university journey. No lies, no sugar-coating. Just real talk and real solutions.
What Is an APS Score Anyway? 🤔
First things first. APS stands for Admission Points Score. Universities use it to see if you qualify for a specific degree. You calculate it by adding up your matric subject percentages (each percentage gives you points from 1 to 8). If you have a low APS score, it usually means you didn’t get high marks in subjects like maths, English, or your best three other subjects. But here’s the secret: a low APS requirements is not the end of your story. Thousands of students with a lower APS results still make it to university every year. They just take different routes.
What Counts as a Low APS Score in 2027? 📉
Different Universities have different standards. Generally speaking, a lower APS score is anything below 28 for a bachelor’s degree programme. For highly competitive degrees like medicine or engineering, a low APS might be anything below 40. But don’t panic. Even with a low APS, you have options. Some programmes accept APS scores as low as 18 to 22. The key is knowing where to look and being willing to take an alternative path.
Option 1: Extended Degree Programmes (The Best Kept Secret) 🌟
This is your golden ticket. Many universities offer extended degree programmes (also called access or foundation programmes) specifically designed for students with a lower university entry score. These programmes take four years instead of three. The first year is catch-up year where you build your skills in maths, English, and study methods. If you pass, you go into the regular degree. So if you have a low APS, an extended programme is often the smartest choice.
Which universities offer extended programmes for a low APS score?
- University of Pretoria (UP) – Extended programmes in engineering, business, and humanities.
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) – Access programmes for health sciences and commerce.
- University of Cape Town (UCT) – Academic development programmes.
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) – Foundation programmes across many faculties.
- Stellenbosch University – Extended degree programmes (EDPs).
- University of Johannesburg (UJ) – Extended curriculum programmes.
- University of the Western Cape (UWC) – Access and foundation courses.
So yes, even with a lower APS points, these universities have a door open for you. You just need to knock.
Option 2: TVET College First, Then University 🔄
This path is massively underrated. If you have a low admission score, you can go to a TVET college first. Study a National Certificate (Vocational) or an NATED diploma. After completing NQF Level 4 or 5, you can apply to university. Many universities accept TVET qualifications even if your original APS was low. So a lower admission point score doesn’t mean no university – it just means taking the scenic route. You’ll also save money and gain practical skills along the way. Clever, right?
Option 3: Higher Certificate Programmes 🎓
Another great option when you have a lower APS marks is a Higher Certificate. These are one-year programmes that sit below a diploma or degree. They have lower entry requirements. For example, a Higher Certificate in Business Management might only need a lower APS of 15 to 18. Pass that, and you can often get into a diploma or even a degree at the same university. So a low university entry score becomes a temporary hurdle, not a permanent wall.
Popular Higher Certificates for students with a low APS score:
- Higher Certificate in Information Technology
- Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Development
- Higher Certificate in Business Management
- Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences
- Higher Certificate in Policing
Option 4: Private Colleges and Distance Learning 📚
Private colleges like Damelin, Boston City Campus, or IIE MSA often have more flexible entry requirements. They might accept a low university entry score because they have bridging courses. Also, UNISA (University of South Africa) is a public university but has lower entry requirements for many certificates and diplomas. So if you have a lower APS results, UNISA could be your best friend. The catch? You need to be disciplined because it’s distance learning. But it’s very affordable.
Option 5: Rewrite Matric or Upgrade Subjects ✍️
Sometimes the honest truth is that you need to improve your marks. If you have a low APS results because of one or two bad subjects, you can rewrite those subjects through the Second Chance Matric Programme. It’s free. You register with the Department of Basic Education. Improve your maths or English or whatever let you down. Once you boost that low APS score, you can reapply to university. Yes, it takes another year. But that year can change your entire life.
Which Degrees Can You Still Get With a Low APS Score? 🎯
Not all degrees are super competitive. Even with a low university entry score, you can still get into certain fields if you’re willing to start at a certificate or diploma level. Here are realistic options:
- Higher Certificate in Policing (APS 15–18)
- Higher Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work (APS 16–19)
- Diploma in Information Technology (APS 18–22)
- Diploma in Public Management (APS 17–20)
- Bachelor of Social Work (sometimes APS 24–26 at less competitive unis)
- Bachelor of Arts (some unis accept a low APS score of 22–25)
So don’t think a lower university admission score means you can only do “easy” things. You can still build a solid career. You just start from a different place.
Real Stories: Students Who Beat Their Low APS Score 🗣️
I met Thabo from Limpopo. He got a low APS score of 19 after matric. He felt like a failure. Then he found an extended programme at UP for a BCom. He did four years instead of three. Today, he’s a finance manager. He says: “My low APS results didn’t stop me – it just slowed me down for one year. But I got there.” Then there’s Zanele from KZN. She had a low APS points of 17. She did a Higher Certificate in IT at UNISA, then a diploma, then a degree. It took longer, but she’s now a systems analyst earning good money. Both proved that a low APS score is not a dead end.
How to Calculate Your APS Score (Quick Refresher) 🧮
If you have a low APS points, make sure you calculated correctly. Some universities count life orientation, some don’t. Here’s the typical table:
- 80–100% = 7 points
- 70–79% = 6 points
- 60–69% = 5 points
- 50–59% = 4 points
- 40–49% = 3 points
- 30–39% = 2 points
- 0–29% = 1 point
Add your best six subjects (excluding Life Orientation at some unis). If your total is below 24, you have what’s generally called a low APS score. But again – you have options.
What NOT to Do If You Have a Low APS Score ❌
Let me save you some pain. If you have a low APS results, do not do these things:
- Don’t lie on your application. They check. You’ll be blacklisted.
- Don’t apply only to competitive degrees like medicine or engineering. That’s just wasting money.
- Don’t believe people who say “you’ll never go to university.” They are wrong.
- Don’t give up and do nothing. That’s the only real failure.
A low university admission score is disappointing, yes. But it’s not a verdict on your intelligence or your future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 🙋
Here are the most common questions students ask when they have a low APS points. These come from real conversations with matrics and parents.
1. What is considered a low APS score for university in 2027?
Generally, anything below 24 for a bachelor’s degree is a low APS score. For competitive degrees like medicine, anything below 38 is low. But even with a low university admission points, you can access higher certificates, diplomas, or extended programmes.
2. Can I get into any university with a low APS points?
Yes, but not every programme. Many universities have access routes. UNISA is very flexible. TVET colleges also accept a low APS points. You won’t get into Wits medicine with a low APS points, but you can get into Wits access programmes.
3. Does a low APS score mean I’m stupid?
Absolutely not. Your APS is just a number based on one exam. Many brilliant people had a low university admission score because they had bad teachers, family stress, or just a bad exam day. Don’t let a low APS define your worth.
4. Can NSFAS help if I have a low APS score?
Yes, NSFAS doesn’t look at your APS score for funding. They look at your household income. So even with a low APS, you can apply for NSFAS to pay for a higher certificate or TVET college.
5. How long do extended programmes take for someone with a low APS score?
Usually four years instead of three. The first year is a foundation year. So if you have a low APS points, you add one extra year. That’s a small price for a degree.
6. Can I upgrade my low APS score without rewriting matric?
Yes, by doing a higher certificate or TVET course. Those qualifications give you a new NQF level. When you apply to university later, they look at your new qualification, not your old low matric score.
7. Which universities are most forgiving of a low APS score?
UNISA, University of Limpopo, University of Venda, University of Mpumalanga, Sol Plaatje University, and many TVET colleges. Also look at private colleges. Don’t just focus on the big names if you have a low university admission score.
8. Can I study nursing with a low APS score?
Sometimes. Nursing diploma programmes at TVET colleges or certain universities accept a low admission points score of around 18–20. But degree-level nursing usually needs higher marks. So with a low APS score, start with a diploma.
9. Is it better to rewrite matric or do an extended programme?
Depends. If you have a low university entry score because of one bad subject (like maths), rewriting might be faster. If your whole report is weak, an extended programme is better because it supports you. Talk to a career counsellor.
10. What careers can I still pursue with a low APS score?
Many! Social work, policing, IT support, teaching (via diploma), early childhood development, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. A low APS points only closes a few doors – but many others stay wide open.
Step-by-Step Action Plan If You Have a Low APS Score 📝
Don’t just sit there stressing. Here’s exactly what to do if you have a low APS:
- Write down your exact APS score (double-check the calculation).
- List three universities and three TVET colleges near you.
- Check their websites for “extended programmes” or “higher certificates”.
- Apply to at least two higher certificate programmes (they accept low APS scores).
- Apply to at least one TVET college as a backup.
- Apply for NSFAS (deadline is usually September/October for 2027).
- If you can afford it, register for a matric rewrite for your weakest subject.
Final Verdict: Your Low APS Score Is Just a Speed Bump 🎯
Let’s be real. A low university admission score is not fun. It stings. But it’s also not a life sentence. Thousands of students with a low APS go on to get degrees, diplomas, and good jobs every single year. The ones who fail are the ones who give up. The ones who win are the ones who find the alternative routes – extended programmes, TVET first, higher certificates, rewrites, or private colleges. You are smart enough. You are capable. You just need a plan. And now you have one.
EduFunds Is Here to Help You, Low APS and All 🧡
At EduFunds.co.za, we don’t judge. We help. Whether you have a high APS or a low APS score, we believe you deserve a chance. We can connect you with funding options, and advice on extended programmes. You are not alone. Let’s turn that low APS score into a comeback story. 🇿🇦
Summary: A low APS score does not mean the end of your university dreams. You can take extended degree programmes, start with a higher certificate, go to a TVET college first, study through UNISA, or rewrite matric. Many students with a low university entry score successfully earn degrees and build great careers. The key is to stay calm, explore all your options, and take action. Your future is still bright. 🌍