What Can I Study with 26 to 35+ APS Points? (Top University Degrees 2026)

Key Takeaways: The “High Achiever” Dilemma

• The Reality: An APS of 26–35 puts you in the top 20% of the country. You are “Degree Material.”
• The “Wits Waitlist”: Wits officially asks for 36+ for most degrees, but they have a “Waitlist Zone” for students with 30–35. Do not be discouraged; apply anyway.
• The “Safety Schools”: If you have 30–32, universities like UFS and UWC will likely accept you immediately, while UP and Wits might put you on hold.
• High Demand: Medicine (MBChB) usually requires 35+ (often 42+ at UCT). Engineering requires 32–37. Law (LLB) requires 32+.
• Strategic Move: If you have 28 points, apply for an Extended Degree at a top university (like UJ or UP) rather than a general degree at a lower-ranked one.

So, you’ve calculated your APS. It’s a solid 32. Or maybe a respectable 28. You aren’t in the “Diploma Zone,” but you also aren’t in the “Genius Zone” (42+).

This is actually the most stressful place to be. You qualify for almost everything on paper, but you are competing with thousands of others for limited seats at Wits, UCT, and UP.

The secret to getting in is knowing exactly which tier your score falls into. A 29 is powerful at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), but it is a borderline score at the University of Pretoria (UP).

Here is the definitive guide to what your score can buy you in the 2026 academic market.

Zone 1: The “Good” Zone (APS 26 – 29)

You qualify for Bachelor’s Degrees, but usually not “Professional” degrees (like Engineering/Law) directly.

1. University of the Western Cape (UWC)

UWC is the king of this zone. They are a top-tier university that remains accessible.

• BSc in Biotechnology / Medical Bioscience: APS 27+ (Must have Maths/Science Level 4).
• BCom (General): APS 27+.
• BA (Law): APS 27+. (This is a 3-year degree that allows you to enter the 2-year LLB later).

2. University of Johannesburg (UJ)

UJ is famous for its wide range of Science degrees in this bracket.

• BSc in Physical Sciences (Chemistry/Maths): APS 26.
• BA in Interior Design / Fashion Design: APS 25–26 (Requires Portfolio).
• BCom Information Systems: APS 28 (Maths Level 4).

3. Vaal University of Technology (VUT)

• Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Lab Science: APS 27.
• Note: This is a professional degree that leads to a high-paying career in pathology labs.

4. University of the Free State (UFS)

• Bachelor of Social Sciences (Extended): APS 28.
• BSc (Extended Curriculum): APS 26–28.

Zone 2: The “Great” Zone (APS 30 – 34)

You are now in the “Mainstream” zone. You qualify for direct entry into most Humanities, Commerce, and some Science degrees.

1. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) – The “Waitlist”

This is critical information. Wits prospectus often says “APS 36+.” However, they have an official Waitlist Zone.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Requirement is 36+, but they waitlist students with 30–35.
• Bachelor of Education (BEd): Requirement is 37+, but they waitlist 31–36.
• Strategy: If you have 32 points, APPLY. You have a fighting chance if the 36+ students decline their offers.

2. University of Pretoria (UP)

• BCom (Marketing / HR / Business Management): APS 30.
• BSc (Geography / Biological Sciences): APS 32.
• BEd (Teaching): APS 28–30.
• BA (Law): APS 30–32. (Note: Direct LLB usually requires higher).

3. University of the Free State (UFS)

UFS is very welcoming to this bracket.

• LLB (Law – 4 Years): APS 33.
• BCom Accounting: APS 30–32.
• BSc Agriculture: APS 32.

4. University of the Western Cape (UWC)

• Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm): Official minimum is 27, but realistic acceptance is 32–34.
• LLB (Law): APS 33+ (Realistic selection score).

Zone 3: The “Elite” Zone (APS 35+)

You are the cream of the crop. You qualify for “High Demand” professional degrees.

1. Medicine (MBChB)

• Wits: APS 40+ (plus NBTs). Waitlist starts around 38.
• UP: APS 35 is the minimum to apply, but selection is usually 38+.
• UCT: Uses a “Faculty Points Score” (FPS), usually requiring 90%+ average.

2. Engineering (BSc Eng)

• Wits: APS 37+. (Maths & Science Level 5/6 required).
• UP: APS 35+.
• UCT: APS 36+ (Converted score).

3. Actuarial Science / Accounting Science

• Wits (BAccSci): APS 39+. (Maths Level 6).
• UP (Actuarial): APS 35+ (Maths Level 7 required).

4. Law (Direct LLB)

• Wits: APS 40+ (Waitlist 35-39).
• UP: APS 32+ (Often requires higher for selection).
• UWC: APS 37+ (Competitive).

Summary Strategy Table

Your APS	Best Strategy 2026	Top Course Picks
26 – 29	Apply to UWC or UJ Extended.	BSc Biotech (UWC), BA Law (UWC), BCom Extended (UJ).
30 – 34	Apply to UP or UFS for direct entry. Apply to Wits for Waitlist.	BCom (UP), BA Law (UP), BEd (Wits Waitlist), BPharm (UWC).
35 – 39	Apply EVERYWHERE. You are safe for almost anything except Medicine.	LLB (Wits), BEng (UP), Accounting Science (UJ).
40+	You choose the university.	Medicine, Actuarial Science.

Important: The “Maths” Disclaimer

Even with an APS of 35, Math Literacy will disqualify you from:

1. Medicine (MBChB).
2. Engineering (BSc Eng).
3. Science (BSc).
4. Accounting (Chartered Accountant stream).

If you have APS 35 with Math Literacy, you are the perfect candidate for Law (LLB) or Education (BEd).

Disclaimer: Admission requirements listed are based on the 2026 Prospectus data. “Selection scores” are estimates based on previous years’ trends and are often higher than minimum requirements.