Before you apply to Sol Plaatje University, you need one number, and that is your APS.
APS stands for Admission Point Score. SPU uses it to check whether you qualify for a specific programme. Your APS is the total points you collect from each of your matric subjects, based on the percentage you scored in each one.
Getting this number wrong can cost you an application. Here is how to get it right.
Step 1: Know Which Subjects Count
Your APS at SPU is calculated using your best six NSC subjects. Life Orientation is included in the SPU calculation, but it contributes limited points depending on your level. More on that below.
Step 2: Use the SPU APS Conversion Table
SPU has its own conversion table. It is slightly different from other universities because it adds bonus points for Mathematics and any official language taken as Home Language.
Here is the full breakdown:
NSC Level | Percentage | Base Points | Bonus (Maths or Language HL) | Life Orientation |
|---|
Level 8 | 90 - 100% | 8 | +2 | 4 |
Level 7 | 80 - 89% | 7 | +2 | 3 |
Level 6 | 70 - 79% | 6 | +2 | 2 |
Level 5 | 60 - 69% | 5 | +2 | 1 |
Level 4 | 50 - 59% | 4 | +1 | 0 |
Level 3 | 40 - 49% | 3 | +1 | 0 |
Level 2 | 30 - 39% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Level 1 | 0 - 29% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Two things to note here. First, the bonus points only apply to Mathematics and any official language you take as Home Language or Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT). Other subjects only get the base points. Second, Life Orientation only earns points at Level 5 and above.
Step 3: Work It Out With a Real Example
Say your matric results look like this:
English Home Language: 75% (Level 6) = 6 base + 2 bonus = 8 points
Mathematics: 65% (Level 5) = 5 base + 2 bonus = 7 points
Life Sciences: 58% (Level 4) = 4 points
History: 72% (Level 6) = 6 points
Business Studies: 61% (Level 5) = 5 points
Life Orientation: 68% (Level 5) = 1 point
Total APS: 8 + 7 + 4 + 6 + 5 + 1 = 31 points
Step 4: Check If Your APS Is Enough
Most Bachelor's degree programmes at SPU require a minimum APS of 30 points. Diploma and Higher Certificate programmes generally require a minimum of 25 points. Some programmes have additional subject requirements on top of the APS minimum, so always check the specific course requirements before you apply.
Meeting the bare minimum is not always enough to get into your desired programme, so aim as high as you can.
Skip the Manual Calculation
If you do not want to work it out by hand, use the SPU APS Calculator on VarsityToolkit. It does the maths for you in seconds.
You can also compare APS calculators across other South African universities/
If your APS is not where it needs to be and you have already applied, read this before you panic: How to Handle University Rejection and Keep Going.