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Does Life Orientation Count for APS Score? (Detailed Breakdown by University)

Key Takeaways: The “LO” Confusion

  • The Myth: “Life Orientation is useless.”
  • The Reality: It depends entirely on where you apply.
  • Wits & UWC: YES, they generally count it.
  • UJ, UP, UCT, UKZN: NO, they generally exclude it.
  • UFS: PARTIALLY, they give it a maximum of 1 point.
  • The Tie-Breaker: Even if it doesn’t count for APS, a high LO mark is often used to choose between two students with the same score.
  • The Bare Minimum: You MUST pass LO to get your Matric. If you fail LO, you fail Grade 12, regardless of your 90% in Maths.

It is the subject everyone loves to hate. You spend hours doing Physical Education (PT) journals and answering questions about healthy lifestyles, often wondering: “Does this actually matter?”

When it comes to University Admissions, the answer is complicated.

In South Africa, every university calculates the Admission Point Score (APS) differently.

  • Some universities calculate your score out of 7 Subjects (Total 49).
  • Others calculate it out of 6 Subjects (Total 42).

If you calculate your score out of 49, but the university only looks at 42, you might think you qualify when you actually don’t. This leads to thousands of “surprise rejections” every January.

Here is the definitive breakdown of how South Africa’s top universities treat Life Orientation for the 2026 Intake.

1. The Universities That SAY NO (Excluded)

These universities calculate your APS using your Best 6 Subjects (excluding LO).

  • Max Score Possible: 42 (6 subjects x Level 7).1
  • Why? They view LO as a non-academic subject that inflates marks.

University of Johannesburg (UJ)

  • Verdict: EXCLUDED.
  • Rule: UJ calculates APS based on your six best subjects.2 Life Orientation is not counted.
  • Exception: In very rare cases for specific extended diploma programmes, they might look at it, but for 99% of degrees (BCom, BA, BSc), it is worth zero points.
  • Tip: Do not add your LO level to your UJ score, or you will over-estimate your chances.
See also  How to Calculate Your Final APS Score Using Grade 12 Results (2026 Guide)

University of Pretoria (UP)

  • Verdict: EXCLUDED.
  • Rule: UP uses the “Best 6” calculation. LO is ignored for the APS.
  • Note: You still need to pass it to graduate, but a distinction in LO will not help you get into Medicine or Law at UP.

University of Cape Town (UCT)

  • Verdict: EXCLUDED.
  • Rule: UCT uses a “Faculty Points Score” (FPS) or “Weighted Points Score” (WPS).3 They count English, Maths (for some courses), and your next best subjects. They explicitly state: “Life Orientation does not contribute to the APS.”

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

  • Verdict: EXCLUDED.
  • Rule: APS is calculated on the six best subjects excluding LO.4

Stellenbosch University (SU)

  • Verdict: EXCLUDED.
  • Rule: Stellenbosch is very strict. They generally look at your aggregate of your best 6 subjects (excluding LO).

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

  • Verdict: EXCLUDED.
  • Rule: Most faculties at TUT calculate APS based on 6 subjects.

Nelson Mandela University (NMU)

  • Verdict: EXCLUDED (Mostly).
  • Rule: APS is usually based on the best 6 subjects.5
  • The Quintile Bonus: NMU has a unique rule. If you are from a Quintile 1, 2, or 3 school (no-fee schools) and you score 50%+ in LO, they sometimes add extra points to your score as an equity adjustment. Check their prospectus for the “Applicant Score (AS)” formula.

2. The Universities That SAY YES (Included)

These universities calculate your APS using 7 Subjects (including LO).

  • Max Score Possible: 49+ (depending on bonus points).
  • Why? They believe LO reflects a student’s holistic ability and discipline.

University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

  • Verdict: INCLUDED.
  • Rule: Wits is unique. They calculate APS based on your Best 7 Subjects, which includes Life Orientation.6
  • The Calculation:
    • English and Maths often get “Bonus Points” (e.g., Level 5 + 2 points).7
    • LO is counted, but sometimes heavily weighted differently depending on the faculty (e.g., Engineering might ignore it, but Humanities counts it).
    • Correction: In recent years, Wits has counted LO but often giving it half-weight or full-weight depending on the specific “Wits Point Score” (WPS) vs APS. Always use the specific Wits APS Calculator on their website. Do not assume it is equal to Maths.
See also  Low APS Score Courses At UJ

University of the Western Cape (UWC)

  • Verdict: INCLUDED.
  • Rule: UWC calculates APS based on your Best 7 Subjects, explicitly including Life Orientation.8
  • Strategy: If you have a distinction in LO, UWC is a great option for you because that Level 7 boosts your total score significantly compared to UJ or UP.

3. The Universities That SAY “KIND OF” (Partial Points)

These universities count LO, but they cap the points so it doesn’t overpower “real” subjects.

University of the Free State (UFS)

  • Verdict: 1 POINT ONLY.
  • Rule: UFS includes LO, but not on the 1-7 scale.
  • The Formula:
    • If you get Level 5 (60%) or higher in LO = You get 1 Point.
    • If you get Level 8 (90%) in LO = You still only get 1 Point.
    • If you get Level 4 or lower = 0 Points.
  • Effect: It serves as a small bonus, but a distinction in LO won’t save a bad Maths mark.

4. Summary Table: Quick Reference 2026

UniversityDoes LO Count?Max Score Basis
UJNOBest 6 (42)
UPNOBest 6 (42)
UCTNOFPS / Best 6
StellenboschNOAggregate %
UKZNNOBest 6 (48*)
WitsYESBest 7 (Wits Scale)
UWCYESBest 7
UFSPARTIALBest 6 + 1 Point
TUTNOBest 6
NMUNOBest 6 (Bonus for Q1-3)

*UKZN sometimes scores out of 8 per subject for HL Maths/Eng, but generally excludes LO.

5. Why You Still Need to Take LO Seriously

If 80% of universities ignore LO, should you just aim for 30% and focus on Physics?

Absolutely Not. Here is why:

1. The “Tie-Breaker” Rule

Imagine two students apply for Nursing at UP.

  • Student A: APS 35 (Excluding LO). LO Mark: 85%.
  • Student B: APS 35 (Excluding LO). LO Mark: 50%.
  • Who gets the spot? Student A. When spaces are limited, admissions officers look at the full report card. A distinction in LO shows you are disciplined and hardworking.
See also  Aps Score For Law At University of Johannesburg

2. The National Senior Certificate (NSC) Rule

To get your Matric, passing Life Orientation is Mandatory.

  • If you fail LO (get less than 30%), you fail Grade 12.
  • It doesn’t matter if you got 100% in Maths and Science. No LO pass = No Matric.

3. Bursary Applications

Corporate bursaries (like Allan Gray or Sasol) look at your average mark across all subjects. A 90% in LO boosts your overall average, making you look like a stronger candidate.

Conclusion: Know Your Target

The strategy is simple:

  • If you are applying to UWC or Wits, study hard for LO because every point helps you cross the line.
  • If you are applying to UJ or UP, treat LO as a “Pass Requirement”—do enough to get a decent mark (60%+), but pour your real energy into Maths, Science, and English, because those are the only numbers that will get you in.

Action: Go to your target university’s website right now and find their specific 2026 Prospectus. Look for the “Admission Requirements” page and read the fine print about Life Orientation. Do not rely on what your friend told you.

Disclaimer: Admission policies are subject to change. Always verify with the official university faculty yearbook for the 2026 intake.

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