If you’re planning to study at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in 2025, one of the first things you’ll need to understand is how your APS (Admission Point Score) is calculated. Your APS determines whether you meet the minimum requirements for your chosen course — and it plays a major role in getting accepted.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how UJ calculates APS, which subjects count, and how you can check if your score meets UJ’s requirements.
What Is an APS?
APS stands for Admission Point Score — it’s a system used by South African universities, including UJ, to measure your Grade 12 (NSC or IEB) performance.
Each subject you pass gives you a certain number of points based on your percentage mark. UJ then adds up the points from your best six subjects to calculate your total APS.
UJ APS Points Table
Here’s the official UJ APS conversion table used to calculate your points:
| NSC Level | Percentage | APS Points |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 80–100% | 7 points |
| 6 | 70–79% | 6 points |
| 5 | 60–69% | 5 points |
| 4 | 50–59% | 4 points |
| 3 | 40–49% | 3 points |
| 2 | 30–39% | 2 points |
| 1 | 0–29% | 1 point (not accepted) |
Which Subjects Count Toward UJ APS?
UJ uses six subjects to calculate your APS. These include:
-
English Home Language or English First Additional Language
-
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy (depending on the course)
-
Life Orientation (only 50% of the marks count at UJ)
-
Your three best other subjects (from the remaining electives)
So, the APS is the sum of your best six subjects, excluding Life Orientation (or counting only half its value).
Example: If you score 70% in Life Orientation (Level 6), you only add 3 points (half of 6).
Example: How to Calculate UJ APS
Let’s say your final Grade 12 marks are:
| Subject | Percentage | APS Points |
|---|---|---|
| English HL | 75% | 6 |
| Mathematics | 68% | 5 |
| Life Orientation | 80% | 3 (half of 6) |
| Life Sciences | 72% | 6 |
| Geography | 61% | 5 |
| Business Studies | 79% | 6 |
Now add the points (including half for Life Orientation):
👉 6 + 5 + 3 + 6 + 5 + 6 = 31 APS
So your final APS score would be 31 points.
Minimum APS Requirements for UJ Courses
Each faculty at UJ has its own minimum APS requirement. For example:
| Faculty | Minimum APS |
|---|---|
| College of Business & Economics | 28 – 35 |
| Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment | 30 – 36 |
| Faculty of Health Sciences | 30 – 40 |
| Faculty of Humanities | 25 – 32 |
| Faculty of Science | 26 – 34 |
Always check the specific programme on UJ’s prospectus or website — some courses (like BEd, BEngTech, or Law) have subject-specific requirements too.
UniWise APS Calculator
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