What APS do you need to study medicine in South Africa?

Your child has decided they want to study medicine. Now the questions start. What marks do they need? Which university should they apply to? And what exactly is an APS score?

If you have been searching for clear answers, you are not alone. Every year thousands of South African families navigate this process without a roadmap. This article gives you the foundation. What the APS score is, why it matters for medicine, and what you need to know before your child submits a single application.

What is an APS Score?

APS stands for Admission Point Score. It is the number South African universities use to assess whether a matric student qualifies for a specific programme. Your APS is calculated from your final matric results, typically your best six subjects, excluding Life Orientation.

Each subject is given a point value based on the percentage achieved:

–       80–100% = 7 points

–       70–79% = 6 points

–       60–69% = 5 points

–       50–59% = 4 points

–       40–49% = 3 points

–       30–39% = 2 points

–       0–29% = 1 point

Add up your six best subject scores and that is your APS.

Simple in theory. But here is where it gets complicated, not every university calculates APS the same way.

Why Medicine is Different

Medicine is the most competitive undergraduate programme in South Africa. At every university that offers it, simply meeting the minimum APS is not enough. Universities receive far more applications than they have places, which means the actual entry score is always higher than the published minimum.

This is one of the most important things families misunderstand. A published minimum APS is the floor. the point below which your application will not even be considered. It is not a guarantee of entry.

What are the Admission Requirements for Medicine in South Africa?

Each of the seven major universities offering health sciences in South Africa has its own admissions process and they are more different from each other than most families realise.

Some use a straightforward APS calculation. Others use composite scoring systems that weight certain subjects more heavily. Another requires the National Benchmark Tests and factors them into a Composite Index alongside your matric marks. One uses an internal points system that is not comparable to the standard APS scales used anywhere. This means that a score that qualifies your child at one university may not be relevant at another.

This is one of the biggest reasons families become confused, each university assesses applicants differently, so it is important to understand the requirements of the institutions you plan to apply to.

The Subject Requirements Matter as Much as the Score

Here is something many families discover too late: a high APS score alone is not sufficient if your child has not taken the right subjects.

Every medical school in South Africa has specific subject requirements. English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences appear on almost every list. The required performance level in each subject varies by institution. A student who achieved an excellent overall APS but did not take the right subjects or did not achieve the required level in them, will not be considered regardless of their total score.

This is why subject choices made in Grade 9 and Grade 10 have consequences that reach all the way to university admission.

The National Benchmark Tests

Several South African universities require applicants to write the National Benchmark Tests, known as the NBTs, in addition to submitting matric results. These tests assess academic literacy and mathematics ability and are used differently at different institutions.

At some universities NBT results are used purely for placement into academic support programmes. At others they carry significant weight in the selection process itself. At one major university the NBT score accounts for 40% of the total score used to rank applicants.

The NBTs are written at specific venues on specific dates throughout the year. Missing the relevant deadline for your chosen university can delay your application by a full year.

What This Means for Your Child

The path to studying medicine in South Africa requires:

•        The right subjects chosen at the right time

•        Strong performance across all of them

•        A clear understanding of how each university calculates and uses your score

•        NBT preparation and registration at the right time

•        Applications submitted before deadlines that are earlier than most families expect

Each of these steps has its own timeline, its own requirements, and its own consequences if missed.

Common Questions about Getting into Medicine

What if my child's APS is not high enough or they don't meet the requirements?

A low APS does not necessarily mean the door is closed. Some universities offer bridging programmes or extended degree pathways that allow students to work toward entry into health sciences. There are also many other health science careers that offer meaningful, well regarded paths in the medical field. Consider applying for another health science degree that matches their strengths and interests. The right next step depends on your child's specific results and circumstances.

Can my child improve their APS after matric?

Yes, it is possible to rewrite matric subjects to improve results. However, universities differ in how they consider upgraded results, so it is important to check the admission policy of each university before deciding on this route.

Which university is the hardest to get into for medicine?

This is difficult to answer with a single number because universities use different selection criteria. What is consistent is that all South African medical schools are highly competitive and the realistic entry score at every institution is significantly higher than the published minimum.

How early should my child apply?

Earlier than most families expect. Medical school application deadlines are typically mid-year of Grade 12, and some universities require NBT results before that deadlines. Missing the window can delay your child's application.

How many students apply for medicine each year?

Medicine is one of the most competitive degree programmes in South Africa. Every year, thousands of academically strong students apply for a limited number of places a the country's medical schools. To put it into perspective, universities such as UCT and UP receive upwards of 10 000 applications for approximately 250 to 300 first year places.

Can my child apply to more than one university for medicine?

Yes. In fact, applying to multiple universities is often the best strategy. Each medical school has it's own admission requirements, selection process and number of available places. Submitting applications to several universities increases your child's chances of receiving an offer. Be sure to check each university's application deadlines, required documents and selection criteria, as these may differ.

Where to Get the Full Picture

The information in this article gives you the foundation of what it takes to study medicine in South Africa. If you are looking for university specific admission requirements, you will find the detailed answers in A Complete Guide to Health Sciences in South Africa which specifically gives you information on major universities offering medicine like UP, Wits, UCT, SU etc

A complete guide to Health Sciences in South Africa includes university-specific subject requirements, realistic APS scores, detailed admission processes, NBT information, application timelines, funding options, alternative health science careers and a year by year action plan from Grade 9 to Matric. It brings together career guidance, university requirements and application planning in a single resource.

Written by a Registered Psychometrist with years of experience guiding South African families through exactly this process, the guide covers medicine alongside many health sciences careers, various university profiles, and everything in between.

If your child is considering health sciences, this is the resource we wish every family had access to from the start.

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