Are you wondering what you can study with a 20 APS score? If you've received 20 points in your matric results, you still have a wide range of study options available at universities, TVET colleges, and distance learning institutions across South Africa.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the qualifications you qualify for with 20 points, suggest career paths, and show you how to easily find matching courses using our free AI-powered tool.
What Does It Mean to Have 20 APS Points?
Your Admission Point Score (APS) is calculated using your best six matric subject results. A score of 20 typically indicates that you have averaged between 40% and 49% in your subjects. While this may not be enough for most Bachelor’s degrees, you can still qualify for:
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Diploma programmes
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Higher Certificate courses
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Extended or bridging degrees
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TVET College qualifications
What Courses Can I Study with 20 APS?
1. Higher Certificate Programmes
Higher Certificates are entry-level university qualifications that usually require an APS of 15–20. Some options include:
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Higher Certificate in Business Management
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Higher Certificate in Education
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Higher Certificate in Information Technology
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Higher Certificate in Law
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Higher Certificate in Tourism or Hospitality
2. Diploma Courses
Many universities of technology accept applicants with 20 APS into diploma programmes. Popular options include:
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Diploma in Marketing
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Diploma in Public Relations
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Diploma in Tourism Management
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Diploma in Legal Assistance
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Diploma in Safety Management
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Diploma in Fashion Design or Fine Arts
✅ Examples of institutions offering these diplomas:
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TUT (Tshwane University of Technology)
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VUT (Vaal University of Technology)
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UNISA
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TVET Colleges (e.g., Ekurhuleni West, Sedibeng, and West Coast)
3. Extended Degree Programmes
If you are just below the APS requirement for a Bachelor's degree, some universities offer extended or foundation programmes that allow you to enter a degree through an extra support year.
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Extended Bachelor of Education
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Extended Bachelor of Social Work
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Extended Bachelor of Arts in Communication
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Extended BCom in Development Studies
These are offered by universities such as:
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University of Johannesburg (UJ)
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University of the Free State (UFS)
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North-West University (NWU)
How to Instantly Check Which Courses You Qualify For
Manually checking APS requirements for each university can be overwhelming. Instead, use our Free AI-Powered Course Match Report Tool to simplify the process.
👉 Generate Your Free Course Match Report
Here's how it works:
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Enter Your Matric Results
Input your subject marks and endorsement type (e.g., Diploma or Bachelor’s pass) -
Select Your Preferred University
Choose from popular institutions like TUT, UNISA, WSU, or others -
Get Your Course Report
Instantly see which courses match your academic profile and what career opportunities they open up
Why Use the Course Match Tool?
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Instant Results – No need to wait or search endlessly through prospectuses
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AI-Powered – Advanced technology ensures accurate matches based on official admission requirements
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Career Insights – Learn what jobs are linked to your qualifying courses
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Free to Use – No subscriptions or hidden fees
Career Paths with 20 APS
| Qualification Type | Possible Careers |
|---|---|
| Higher Certificate | Admin Clerk, IT Support Assistant, Legal Clerk |
| Diploma | Marketing Assistant, Tour Guide, Legal Secretary |
| Extended Degree | Social Worker, Teacher, Communications Officer |
Conclusion
Having a 20 APS score doesn’t mean your academic journey is over—it simply means you need the right guidance. There are plenty of accredited courses and career paths open to you through Higher Certificates, Diplomas, and Extended Degrees.
Use our Free Course Match Tool to find out exactly which qualifications you qualify for and take the first step toward building your future.
