WHAT TO EXPECT
- 1. 1-Year Higher Certificates (The Best Degree Stepping Stone)
- 2. National Diplomas That Accept an APS of 18 to 22
- 3. TVET Colleges: Hands-On Trades and Practical Skills
- Comparison Table: Study Options by APS Score
- How to Bridge from an APS of 18–22 Into a Bachelor's Degree
- 3 Rules to Keep in Mind Before Applying
If you just calculated an Admission Point Score (APS) between 18 and 22 after your matric exams, do not panic. While this score is usually below the direct cut-off for a four-year bachelor's degree at traditional universities, it is not the end of the road.
Every year, thousands of South African learners use an APS of 18 to 22 to enroll in accredited Higher Certificates, National Diplomas, and practical vocational programmes. These qualifications open real career opportunities and can even serve as a direct bridge into full university degrees.
1. 1-Year Higher Certificates (The Best Degree Stepping Stone)
A Higher Certificate is a 1-year qualification registered at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5. It is specifically designed to bridge the gap between high school matric and university-level study.
If you pass your Higher Certificate with good grades, most South African universities will allow you to articulate directly into a 3-year Diploma or Bachelor's degree. This means you do not have to rewrite matric subjects just to qualify for higher education.
Top public institutions offering Higher Certificates in this score range include:
- University of South Africa (UNISA): Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences (APS 18), Higher Certificate in Education (APS 18), Higher Certificate in Law (APS 18), and Higher Certificate in Banking (APS 18).
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT): Higher Certificate in Water Treatment (APS 18), Higher Certificate in Resource and Waste Management (APS 18), and Higher Certificate in Administrative Information Management (APS 20).
- Central University of Technology (CUT): Higher Certificate in Community Development Work (APS 18) and Higher Certificate in Renewable Energy Technologies (APS 20).
2. National Diplomas That Accept an APS of 18 to 22
National Diplomas sit at NQF Level 6 and take 3 years to complete. They focus on practical, career-ready skills and often include mandatory work-integrated learning (WIL) with real employers.
Universities of technology and comprehensive universities provide several diploma programmes for learners with scores between 18 and 22, provided you meet specific language and mathematics requirements:
- UNISA: Diploma in Public Administration and Management (APS 18), Diploma in Tourism Management (APS 18), Diploma in Public Relations (APS 18), and Diploma in Information Technology (APS 18–20 depending on mathematics).
- University of Johannesburg (UJ): Diploma in Management Services (APS 19 with Maths, 21 with Maths Lit), Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacture (APS 18–20), and Extended Diplomas in Logistics and Operations Management (APS 19–21).
- TUT: Diploma in Fine and Applied Arts (APS 19–20), Diploma in Fashion Design (APS 20), and Diploma in Performing Arts (APS 20).
When selecting your field of study, exploring verified high-demand degrees in South Africa can help you identify industries that face ongoing graduate shortages.
3. TVET Colleges: Hands-On Trades and Practical Skills
If you prefer practical, hands-on learning over lecture halls, public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are an excellent choice. TVET colleges accept matric results with an APS starting from 18, and sometimes lower depending on your subject passes.
TVET colleges offer National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) N4 to N6 programmes, as well as National Certificate Vocational (NCV) qualifications. Once you finish 18 months of coursework and 18 months of workplace training, you earn a National N-Diploma.
- Popular Fields: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Infrastructure, Financial Management, Hospitality, Human Resource Management, and Early Childhood Development.
- Zero Tuition Stress: NSFAS covers 100% of TVET college tuition fees along with transport, personal care, and accommodation allowances.
Comparison Table: Study Options by APS Score
Here is an overview of what you can study across South Africa based on your calculated score:
| APS Score | Qualification Type | Typical Study Duration | Example Study Fields |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 – 19 | Higher Certificate (NQF 5) / TVET N4 | 1 Year (Full-time) | Education Foundation Phase, Law, Water Care, Accounting Sciences |
| 19 – 20 | Extended Diploma / TVET N4–N6 | 3 – 4 Years | Public Administration, Logistics, Fine Arts, Contact Centre Management |
| 20 – 22 | National Diploma (NQF 6) | 3 Years | Information Technology, Tourism, Operations Management, Fashion Design |
How to Bridge from an APS of 18–22 Into a Bachelor's Degree
Many students believe that if they miss the bachelor's degree cut-off in matric, they can never obtain a degree. That is a myth.
The smartest and most common alternative route is completing a 1-year Higher Certificate at an accredited public university like UNISA or TUT. If you finish your Higher Certificate modules with a 60% or higher average, you can apply directly into a Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Commerce, or Bachelor of Arts degree programme.
Before submitting applications, make sure you know how to apply for bursaries in South Africa so your funding is arranged well before the academic year starts.
3 Rules to Keep in Mind Before Applying
- Check Subject Minimums: An APS of 20 gets you into the candidate pool, but you still need the right subject pass. For example, IT diplomas often require pure Mathematics or a Level 4 in Mathematical Literacy.
- Apply to Multiple Institutions: Courses with an 18 to 22 APS threshold fill up quickly. Submit applications to at least two universities and one TVET college to keep your options open.
- Verify Portals Directly: Always check admission dates on the official Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) portal and register on the official NSFAS portal early.
