You opened your results, did the APS calculation, and your score is below the minimum for the degree you have wanted for years. It hurts, but it is not the end of that dream. South Africa has more routes into a qualification than most students realise, and many successful graduates took a longer road to get there. This guide walks you through every realistic option.
A low APS closes one door, but there are usually several others to try
The Admission Point Score (APS) is a number universities use to rank applicants. It is built from your NSC subject percentages, converted into points from 1 to 7. Every programme sets its own minimum, and for popular degrees the real cut-off is often higher than the published minimum because there are more applicants than seats.
First, Don't Panic
Before you make any big decisions, remember that your APS is a snapshot of one set of exams, not a measure of your potential. Universities use it because they need a quick way to sort thousands of applications. It says very little about whether you can succeed in the course once you are inside it.
The students who recover best from a disappointing APS are the ones who act quickly, gather accurate information, and apply to several options at once. Take a day to settle your emotions, then work through the steps below.
"Your APS decides where you can start. It does not decide where you can finish."
Double-Check Your APS and the Requirements
Many students are rejected, or discouraged, because of a calculation mistake or a misunderstanding of the requirements. Before anything else, confirm the following:
Things to Verify Before You Give Up
- How the university calculates APS. Some institutions exclude Life Orientation, some count only your best six subjects, and some use their own points system instead of the standard 1 to 7 scale.
- Subject-specific requirements. Many programmes need a minimum mark in specific subjects (for example English, Mathematics, or Physical Sciences), separate from the total APS.
- The current year's admission requirements. Requirements change from year to year. Always check the university's official website or prospectus for the latest figures.
- Whether you were placed on a waiting list. A "not yet accepted" status is not the same as a rejection.
Use the Matric2Succes APS calculator to check your score, then compare it with each institution's own method of calculation.
Improving Your Results
If your marks are close to the cut-off, or you know you can do significantly better, there are formal ways to change your results.
Apply for a remark, re-check, or viewing of your scripts. If a mark is much lower than you expected, you can apply through the Department of Basic Education (or your exam body, for example the IEB) to have a script re-checked or remarked. There is a fee, the deadlines are short, and marks can go down as well as up, so apply only for subjects where you have a strong reason to believe the mark is wrong.
Write the supplementary exams. If you narrowly missed passing or qualifying for a particular pass level, you may be eligible for the supplementary exams held in the first quarter of the following year. Ask your school or district office whether you qualify.
Rewrite subjects to improve your marks. You can register as a part-time candidate and rewrite one or more subjects in a later exam session. Many students improve a key subject by a full APS level or more, especially with proper support.
Consider a Second Chance Matric programme. If you did not obtain your NSC, the Department of Basic Education's Second Chance Matric Programme offers support to help you complete it.
Important Before You Rewrite
- Check how the university treats rewritten subjects. Most use your best result, but policies differ.
- Make sure you understand the exam registration deadlines, as they are strict.
- Rewriting only makes sense if you have a plan to study differently this time, whether through tutoring, a structured programme, or fixing the gaps that held you back.
Extended Curriculum and Foundation Programmes
This is one of the most underused options in South Africa. An Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP), sometimes called a foundation programme, is a version of a degree or diploma with extra academic support built in. It usually takes one extra year, and the entry requirements are lower than for the mainstream programme.
You study in the same faculty, towards the same final qualification, but with additional teaching, tutorials, and academic skills support in the early years. Many universities offer these programmes in fields such as Engineering, Science, Commerce, Health Sciences, and Humanities, although the range differs between institutions.
Places in these programmes are limited and they have their own selection criteria, so apply early and ask the admissions office exactly what is required. Also check whether funding, including NSFAS, applies to the extended programme, as the longer duration affects how your funding is calculated.
Related Programmes, Diplomas and Higher Certificates
If the specific degree is out of reach this year, look at qualifications in the same field with lower entry requirements. These often lead to similar careers, and some can become a bridge to the degree later.
| If Your Dream Is... | Consider as a Stepping Stone | Possible Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering degree (BEng / BSc Eng) | Engineering diploma or extended programme | BTech or BEng Tech, or transfer with strong marks |
| Accounting degree (BCom Accounting) | Diploma in Accounting or Financial Management | Degree top-up or a professional route such as SAICA or SAIPA via the right qualification |
| Law (LLB) | Higher Certificate or BA with Law-related majors | Apply for LLB after a strong first year or a completed first degree |
| Teaching (BEd) | Higher Certificate in Education or another degree followed by a PGCE | PGCE after your first degree |
| Nursing | Higher Certificate or Diploma in Nursing | Bridging into the degree where available |
Always confirm with the institution whether credits from the lower qualification will count towards the higher one. This is called articulation, and it varies between universities and programmes. Do not assume it will happen automatically.
Other Routes Into Your Field
A university degree straight after matric is only one path. Depending on your goal, these alternatives can also get you where you want to go:
Start at a TVET college. TVET colleges do not use the APS system and offer N-level and NC(V) programmes in engineering, business, IT, hospitality, and more. Strong results can later help you apply to a university of technology.
Study at a private college. Registered private institutions often have different entry requirements and intake dates. Make sure the college is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training and that the qualification is accredited by the relevant bodies.
Do a different degree first, then transfer. Some students enrol in a related programme with lower entry requirements, perform strongly, and apply to transfer into the original programme. Transfers depend on available space and your first-year marks, so there is no guarantee, but it is a legitimate route.
Take a gap year to build your case. Use the time to rewrite subjects, work, volunteer in your field, or complete short courses. A well-used gap year can strengthen both your marks and your application.
Get a postgraduate route later. In fields such as law, teaching, and psychology, you can often move into the profession through a different first degree followed by further study.
Appeals, Waiting Lists and NBTs
Not every decision is final. Many universities have an admissions appeals process, and some programmes use more than the APS to select students.
Ways to Strengthen Your Application
- Write an appeal letter. If your results were affected by circumstances such as illness, family loss, or disruption to your schooling, explain this clearly and attach supporting documents.
- Ask to be placed on the waiting list. Spaces open up when accepted students decline or fail to register.
- Write the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs). Some universities and programmes use NBT results alongside your APS. A strong NBT score can help in borderline cases.
- Prepare portfolios or interviews for programmes that require them, such as design, music, or performance courses.
- Contact the admissions office directly. Be polite, specific, and prepared. Ask what remaining options exist for your programme.
Keep in mind that appeals are decided case by case, and universities are not obliged to change their decision. Treat an appeal as one option among several, not your only plan.
Your Action Plan
Here is a practical order of action to follow in the days and weeks after you receive your results:
Confirm your exact APS using each university's own calculation method, and check the subject requirements as well.
Decide whether a remark or rewrite makes sense, keeping the strict deadlines in mind.
List alternatives: extended programmes, related diplomas, higher certificates, TVET, and private colleges.
Apply to several options at once. Do not wait for one answer before applying to the next, and check each closing date and application fee.
Sort out funding early. Apply for NSFAS and bursaries as soon as the windows open, even before you know where you will study.
Speak to someone who can advise you, such as a school career counsellor, the university's admissions or student advice office, or a trusted teacher.
Enter your marks into the Matric2Succes tool to see which programmes you currently qualify for, including options you may not have considered. You can also browse the university list to compare institutions.
A low APS is a setback, not a verdict. Plenty of doctors, engineers, lawyers, and teachers started in a foundation programme, a different course, or after a rewrite. What matters is that you keep moving, keep asking questions, and keep your options open. Your dream degree may take a little longer than you planned, but it is still within reach.