If you’re considering a career in teaching and looking to study at Sol Plaatje University (SPU), it’s essential to understand the Admission Points Score (APS) and how it impacts your eligibility for admission to teaching programs. SPU, based in the Northern Cape of South Africa, offers a variety of academic programs, and the APS score plays a crucial role in determining whether you can be admitted to their teaching degrees.
What is an APS Score?
The Admission Points Score (APS) is a scoring system used in South Africa to assess the academic performance of students who have completed their National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams. This score helps universities determine if applicants meet the required academic standards for admission to specific programs.
The APS score is calculated by assigning points to your NSC subjects based on the grade you achieved in each. Higher marks in subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science contribute more points to your overall score. The APS score is an essential part of the university admission process, but meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission—final decisions also depend on academic performance and available spaces in the program.
Minimum APS for Teaching at SPU
For those interested in pursuing a teaching degree at Sol Plaatje University, the minimum APS score required for admission is 30. However, meeting this score does not automatically guarantee you a place in the program.
In addition to the APS score, you must meet specific subject requirements for the teaching program. Below are the key subject requirements for admission:
- English Proficiency:
- You must have at least NSC Level 4 (50-59%) in English Home Language (HL) or NSC Level 5 (60-69%) in English First Additional Language (FAL). English proficiency is a critical requirement for any teaching program, as teaching in schools requires effective communication skills.
- Mathematics:
- If you choose Mathematics as an elective, you must have at least NSC Level 4 (50-59%) in the subject. This is important for future teachers who will be required to understand and teach mathematical concepts.
- Science Subjects:
- If you take subjects like Biology, Life Sciences, or Physical Sciences as electives, you will need a minimum of NSC Level 4 in these subjects. Understanding science is fundamental to teaching in schools where these subjects are part of the curriculum.
How is the APS Calculated?
The APS is calculated by adding the points from your best six subjects (excluding Life Orientation). Here’s a breakdown of the APS points system for each level:
- NSC Level 7 (80-100%) = 7 points
- NSC Level 6 (70-79%) = 6 points
- NSC Level 5 (60-69%) = 5 points
- NSC Level 4 (50-59%) = 4 points
- NSC Level 3 (40-49%) = 3 points
- NSC Level 2 (30-39%) = 2 points
- NSC Level 1 (0-29%) = 1 point
For example, if you achieve the following results in your six best subjects:
- English HL: Level 5 = 5 points
- Mathematics: Level 4 = 4 points
- Life Sciences: Level 5 = 5 points
- Geography: Level 6 = 6 points
- History: Level 4 = 4 points
- Physical Sciences: Level 5 = 5 points
Your APS score would be: 5 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 4 + 5 = 29 points.
While this score is just shy of the 30 needed for teaching programs, it highlights the importance of high grades across multiple subjects to meet and exceed the minimum APS.
Other Admission Considerations
While the 30 APS minimum is a basic entry requirement, it’s important to note that meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission. Admission to the teaching program at SPU depends on:
- Your academic performance: Higher APS scores improve your chances of admission.
- Program space availability: Limited spaces in each program mean that applicants with higher APS scores are given preference.
- Other specific program requirements, which may include additional selection criteria or interviews.