25 APS Score: What Degrees Can I Study? (University Requirements 2026)

Key Takeaways: The “Bachelor” Threshold

• The Good News: An APS of 25 is usually the minimum requirement for a Bachelor’s Degree (University Exemption). You are no longer limited to Diplomas.
• The Reality: While you qualify for a degree, you don’t qualify for every degree. Engineering, Medicine, and direct Law (LLB) are out of reach.
• The Strategy: With 25 points, you should target Humanities (BA), Public Administration, and Extended Commerce degrees.
• Top Universities for APS 25: North West University (NWU), University of Limpopo (UL), UNISA, and UJ (Extended).
• Maths Matter: If you have 25 points with Math Lit, your options shrink significantly compared to 25 points with Pure Maths.

Hitting an APS of 25 is a massive achievement. It is the “Golden Number” that separates Diploma students from Degree students. It means you can technically go to a traditional university (like UJ or NWU) and wear the gown.

However, 25 is often the floor. It gets you into the building, but maybe not into the room you wanted. You might be rejected for “BCom Accounting” (requires 30+) but accepted for “BCom Extended.”¹

If you are holding a report card with a 25 on it, stop looking at Wits (which usually requires 36+) and start looking at the institutions that value your score. Here is the definitive guide to what you can study in 2026.

1. Humanities & Social Sciences (The “Direct Entry” Zone)

This is the faculty where an APS of 25 is King. Most Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees require exactly 25 points.

University of Limpopo (UL)

• BA in Media Studies: APS 25.
• BA in Communication Studies: APS 25.
• BA in Contemporary English: APS 25.
• BA in Information Studies: APS 25.
• Why UL? They are very strict about the score. If you have 25, you are in. If you have 24, you are out.

North West University (NWU)

NWU is fantastic for 25 points, especially at the Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark campuses.

• BA in Public Governance (Public Admin): APS 25.
• BA in Communication: APS 24/25.
• BA in Industrial Psychology: APS 24/25.

University of Johannesburg (UJ)

• BA in Development Studies: APS 25. (A great degree for working in NGOs or Government).
• BA (General): Often accepts 25-27 depending on subjects.

2. Commerce & Business (The “Extended” Strategy)

If you want to be an Accountant or Economist, 25 points is usually too low for the 3-year degree. However, it is perfect for the 4-year Extended Degree.

UJ Extended Commerce (ECP)

• Bachelor of Commerce (Extended) in Accounting:
  • Requirement: APS 25 (Must have Pure Maths Level 3/4).
  • Note: If you have Math Literacy, you generally need 28+ for this stream.
• Bachelor of Commerce (Extended) in Business Management:
  • Requirement: APS 25.
• Bachelor of Commerce (Extended) in Economics:
  • Requirement: APS 25 (Pure Maths only).

UNISA (Direct Entry)

Because UNISA is distance learning, their requirements are lower.

• Bachelor of Commerce (General): APS 21–24.
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): APS 21.
• Strategy: You can study the BCom at UNISA with 25 points directly (3 years), whereas at UJ you would have to do the Extended (4 years).

3. Teaching (Bachelor of Education)

Teaching is competitive. The “official” minimum is often 26, but some institutions accept 25, especially for Foundation Phase.

Sol Plaatje University (SPU)

• BEd Foundation Phase (Grade R-3): APS 25.
• BEd Intermediate Phase: APS 25 (depending on subjects).

UNISA

• BEd (Early Childhood Development): APS 23+.
• BEd (Senior Phase): APS 23+.
• Note: With 25 points, you are comfortably safe for UNISA Education, provided you have the right school subjects (e.g., passed Maths if you want to teach Maths).

4. Law (The Indirect Route)

Can you study Law with 25 points? Directly? No.

Most LLB degrees require APS 28–32.

The Strategy:

1. Register for a BA in Law or BCom in Law (often APS 25/26 at NWU or UNISA).
2. In this degree, you take Law subjects (Introduction to Law, Private Law).
3. After 3 years, you graduate.
4. Then, you do a 2-year LLB.
5. Total Time: 5 Years (3+2), but you end up with Two Degrees.

5. What about “Maths Lit” vs. “Pure Maths”?

At 25 points, your subject choice dictates your destiny.

Scenario A: APS 25 + Pure Maths

• You qualify for: BCom (Extended), BSc IT (Extended) at some universities, and most BA degrees.
• Verdict: You have wide options in Science and Commerce bridging programmes.

Scenario B: APS 25 + Math Literacy

• You qualify for: BA Degrees, BAdmin, BEd (Foundation), and Tourism.
• You are blocked from: BCom Accounting (even extended), BSc, and Architecture.
• Advice: Focus on Public Management or HR.

6. Where NOT to apply with 25 Points

Don’t waste your application fee on these. They will auto-reject you.

• Wits University: Most degrees start at 34+. Even Humanities requires 30+.
• UCT: Extremely unlikely for a degree. You might get into a Higher Certificate in Music/Dance if you audition, but not a BA.
• UP (Pretoria): Most degrees require 28–30.
• Direct LLB (Anywhere): Law is too full. Stick to the BA Law route.

7. The “Diploma” Option (Don’t rule it out)

Just because you can do a Degree doesn’t mean you should.

With 25 points, you are a “Top Tier” candidate for a National Diploma at a University of Technology (TUT, VUT).

• Why choose a Diploma?
  • It includes practical work experience (Degrees often don’t).
  • You will be the “smartest student” in the Diploma class (High confidence), rather than the “struggling student” in the Degree class.
  • Employment: A Diploma in Cost & Management Accounting (TUT) often gets you a job faster than a generic BA (Degree).

Summary: Your 2026 Hit List

If you have 25 points, here is your application strategy:

1. The “Dream” Application: UJ Extended BCom (if you have Maths) or UJ BA Development Studies.
2. The “Solid” Application: NWU BA Public Governance (Mahikeng Campus) or UL BA Media Studies.
3. The “Safety” Application: UNISA BCom/BA (Open for Semester 2 if Jan is closed).
4. The “Smart” Application: TUT Diploma in Finance/HR (Practical and safe).

Action: Go to the North West University (NWU) website. Look for the “Humanities” faculty yearbook. They have the most accessible degree options for your score profile.

Disclaimer: Admission requirements (APS) are subject to change. Always consult the official 2026 Prospectus of the specific university.