The University of Pretoria is the largest contact university in South Africa and one of the most applied-to institutions in the country. Before any of that matters to you personally, you need one number: your UP APS.
UP uses your best six subjects, excluding Life Orientation, to calculate your APS. That part is straightforward. What catches students out is usually the subject requirements layered on top of the APS minimum, or the difference between the general minimum and what a competitive programme actually requires in practice.
This guide covers the full formula, a worked example, what each faculty needs, and where to calculate your score without doing the maths by hand.
Your APS is calculated by adding the achievement ratings for six recognised 20-credit subjects using the NSC 1 to 7 scale of achievement. Life Orientation is excluded, and the maximum possible APS is 42.
Simple enough. Six subjects, seven points each at the top, maximum of 42. No weighted formula, no bonus points, no partial credit for Life Orientation. Whatever you scored in LO does not appear in the calculation at all.
Each subject gets points from 0 to 7 based on your percentage. Here is how those percentages convert:
NSC Level | Percentage | APS Points |
|---|
Level 7 | 80 - 100% | 7 |
Level 6 | 70 - 79% | 6 |
Level 5 | 60 - 69% | 5 |
Level 4 | 50 - 59% | 4 |
Level 3 | 40 - 49% | 3 |
Level 2 | 30 - 39% | 2 |
Level 1 | 0 - 29% | 1 |
Add your six subject scores together. That total is your UP APS.
An Example
Say your matric results look like this:
English Home Language: 71% = Level 6 = 6 points
Mathematics: 64% = Level 5 = 5 points
Physical Sciences: 58% = Level 4 = 4 points
History: 75% = Level 6 = 6 points
Business Studies: 62% = Level 5 = 5 points
Life Sciences: 55% = Level 4 = 4 points
Life Orientation: 80% = excluded = 0 points
Total UP APS: 6 + 5 + 4 + 6 + 5 + 4 = 30 points
That 80% in Life Orientation is completely irrelevant to this calculation. Many students assume a strong LO score will push their APS higher at UP. It does not. The six academic subjects are the only thing that counts.
What APS You Need at UP by Faculty
The general minimum APS requirement at UP is 28, but specific programmes, especially in fields like Engineering, Medicine, and Law, require higher APS scores due to their competitive nature.
Here is a breakdown by faculty for 2026:
Programme | Minimum APS | Key Subject Requirements |
|---|
MBChB (Medicine) | 35+ | Maths, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences |
BVSc (Veterinary Science) | 35+ | Maths, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences |
LLB (Law) | 32+ | English level 5 minimum |
BEng (Engineering) | 33+ | Maths and Physical Sciences |
BCom (Commerce) | 30+ | Mathematics required |
BEd (Education) | 28 - 30 | Depends on phase |
BA (Humanities) | 28+ | Varies by stream |
BSc (Natural Sciences) | 28 - 32 | Maths and Physical Sciences |
Veterinary Science and Medicine are the most competitive programmes at UP, requiring 35 or more points. Most engineering programmes require 30 or more points.
Two things worth flagging on this table. First, these are minimum entry scores, not competitive admission scores. UP receives far more applications than it has spaces for in most high-demand programmes. The students who actually get in to Medicine and Veterinary Science are generally sitting well above 35. Second, some programmes have additional requirements beyond the APS. Medicine requires high scores specifically in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences. Engineering requires both Mathematics and Physical Sciences. A 35 APS built on strong performance in History and Business Studies will not satisfy the subject requirements for Medicine regardless of the total points.
English Is Non-Negotiable at UP
All programmes at UP are taught in English, so applicants must have at least a minimum APS of 5, which is 60 to 69%, in English as a Home Language or First Additional Language.
That applies across the board. A student with a 34 APS but only a Level 4 in English does not meet the language requirement for most UP programmes. Check your English result specifically before you calculate anything else.
Mathematical Literacy Is Not Accepted for Most Science Programmes
This catches students off guard. If your matric includes Mathematical Literacy instead of pure Mathematics, the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology and most Natural Sciences programmes are not accessible to you at UP. Mathematical Literacy is accepted for some Humanities, Education, and Commerce programmes but always check the specific subject requirements for your chosen programme before applying.
How UP Handles Preliminary Admission
Preliminary admission is based on Grade 11 results, but final admission relies on the final Grade 12 results.
This is useful to know because UP allows students to apply and receive preliminary offers before their final matric results are out. If your Grade 11 results meet the requirements, you can apply and receive a conditional offer. That offer becomes final once your matric results confirm you actually met the minimum. If your final results fall below the minimum, the offer is withdrawn.
Apply as early as possible. Applications for the 2027 academic year open on 1 April 2026. The general closing date is 30 June 2026, while applications for Veterinary Science close on 31 May 2026. Missing the Veterinary Science deadline is irreversible. There is no late submission option.
The FLY@UP Awards
The FLY@UP Assist First-Year Awards are automatic awards made to first-time entering first-year undergraduate students who meet specific academic criteria. Students do not apply for these awards. Qualifying students are identified and notified automatically.
This is worth knowing because many students do not realise UP offers automatic merit awards to qualifying first-year students. No separate application, no motivational letter required. If your results meet the criteria, UP identifies you and notifies you directly.
Skip the Manual Calculation
VarsityToolkit has a UP-specific APS calculator that applies the correct official formula instantly: varsitytoolkit.com/za/aps-calculator/up
To compare your score across all 26 South African universities at once and see where you are most competitive: varsitytoolkit.com/za/aps-calculator
If Your APS Is Below What You Need
A few paths worth considering honestly.
If you are close to the minimum for your target programme, identify which subject is pulling your APS down the most and whether rewriting it is a realistic option. A single subject improvement from Level 4 to Level 5 adds one point to your total. Two subjects improved by one level each adds two points, which can move you from below the threshold to above it.
If your APS is significantly below the minimum, or if your subject combination does not match the faculty requirements, look at whether there is a related programme with a lower threshold that could serve as an entry point. Understanding the difference between a diploma and a degree pathway is useful here: Differences Between a Diploma and a Certificate Course.
And if you have already applied and received a rejection, do not make permanent decisions from that position: How to Handle University Rejection and Keep Going.