The University of the Free State (UFS) uses an Admission Point (AP) system—similar to APS—to determine whether students qualify for undergraduate programmes.
To be admitted in 2027, applicants must meet both:
- General admission requirements
- Programme-specific requirements
1. NSC Requirements (Grade 12 from 2008 onwards)
To qualify for degree studies, you must have:
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Bachelor’s pass
- Minimum 50% (Level 4) in the language of instruction (English or Afrikaans)
- Meet the Admission Point (AP) requirements for your chosen programme
For diploma or certificate programmes:
- You need an NSC and must meet specific programme requirements
2. Senior Certificate (Before 2008)
If you completed matric before 2008, you must have:
- A Senior Certificate with endorsement or exemption
- Or a conditional exemption issued by the Matriculation Board
Your results will be converted into an M-score for evaluation.
3. How APS (AP Score) is Calculated at UFS
UFS calculates Admission Points using:
- 4 compulsory subjects
- Best 3 subjects from the designated subject list
This gives a total of 7 subjects used for calculation.
UFS AP Scoring Table
| Percentage | NSC Level | AP Points |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100% | Level 7 | 8 points |
| 80–89% | Level 7 | 7 points |
| 70–79% | Level 6 | 6 points |
| 60–69% | Level 5 | 5 points |
| 50–59% | Level 4 | 4 points |
| 40–49% | Level 3 | 3 points |
| 30–39% | Level 2 | 2 points |
Life Orientation Rule
- Life Orientation is not fully counted
- If you score Level 5 or higher, you only receive 1 point
Example AP Calculation
If your marks are:
- English: 65% → 5 points
- Mathematics: 70% → 6 points
- Life Sciences: 60% → 5 points
- Physical Sciences: 55% → 4 points
- Geography: 68% → 5 points
- Business Studies: 72% → 6 points
- History: 50% → 4 points
Total AP Score:
5 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 4 = 35 AP
4. M-Score Calculation (Pre-2008 Students)
For older qualifications, UFS uses an M-score system:
| Symbol | HG Points | SG Points |
|---|---|---|
| A | 8 | 6 |
| B | 7 | 5 |
| C | 6 | 4 |
| D | 5 | 3 |
| E | 4 | 2 |
| F | 3 | 1 |
The best 6 subjects are used to calculate your M-score.
5. Important Admission Notes
- Meeting minimum AP does not guarantee admission
- Some programmes require:
- Higher AP scores
- Specific subjects (e.g. Maths, Science)
- Admission depends on:
- Available space
- Competition
6. Programme-Specific Requirements
Each programme at UFS has its own:
- Minimum AP score
- Subject requirements
- Additional criteria
Examples:
- Health Sciences → Very high AP + strict requirements
- Education → Specific subject combinations
- Commerce → Maths or Maths Literacy requirements
Final Thoughts
Understanding the University of the Free State (UFS) APS (AP) system for 2027 is essential for planning your application.
To improve your chances.