UKZN APS Requirements Per Faculty – Full Breakdown (2026)
See the University of KwaZulu‑Natal’s APS requirements for each faculty in 2026. Includes ranges for Commerce, Law, Science and more, plus APS calculation tips.
Introduction
The University of KwaZulu‑Natal (UKZN) uses the Admission Point Score (APS)
to rank applicants for most undergraduate programmes. Knowing the required APS
for your chosen faculty helps you gauge your competitiveness. UKZN calculates
the APS by summing the performance levels (1–7) of your best six subjects
excluding Life Orientation. Some programmes also have
subject‑specific requirements and tests.
Table of Contents
- How UKZN Calculates APS
- Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management
- Faculty of Science and Agriculture
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Health Sciences and Medicine
- FAQs
- Internal Links
- Conclusion
How UKZN Calculates APS
UKZN’s selection procedure explains that the APS is derived from your top six
NSC subjects (excluding Life Orientation). Points are
allocated according to performance levels (Level 1 = 30–39%, Level 7 = 80–100%).
Programmes with limited places are highly competitive; meeting the minimum APS
does not guarantee admission.
Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management
- Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting/General: APS range 32–48.
Applicants need Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) and English at level
4 or higher. The extended curriculum programme accepts APS scores as low as
28. - Bachelor of Laws (LLB): Minimum APS 32–48. English must be
at least level 5. The extended programme may admit students with an APS of
28–31. - Bachelor of Business Science: APS 33–48 with Mathematics at
level 6 for specialisations like Finance or Economics.
Faculty of Science and Agriculture
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biological/Physical Sciences: APS range
33–48. Mathematics and Physical Sciences at level 5 or
higher are required for physical sciences streams. - Agricultural programmes: APS 30–36 with Mathematics and Physical
Science at level 4. Some programmes allow Mathematical Literacy but at a
higher APS.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): APS 28–36 depending on the major.
The BA in Music or Fine Arts may require auditions or portfolios. - Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.): APS 28–32 with specific subject
requirements for Foundation, Intermediate and Senior phases.
Health Sciences and Medicine
- MBChB (Medicine): Highly competitive; the APS is generally 48–minimum
and applicants must write the National Benchmark Test (NBT). The final
selection is based on a ranking of APS, NBT scores and interview performance. - Nursing & Allied Health: APS 30–36 with Life Sciences and
Mathematics/Maths Literacy. Programmes such as Occupational Therapy or
Physiotherapy may require shadowing or observation hours.
FAQs
Does UKZN count Life Orientation in the APS? No. UKZN calculates your APS
using the best six subjects excluding Life Orientation.
Is meeting the minimum APS enough for admission? Not necessarily. Many
programmes rank applicants and admit only the highest scores.
Can I get in with Mathematical Literacy? Some programmes accept
Mathematical Literacy at a higher APS; however, degrees in Commerce, Law and
Science require Mathematics.
Do I need to write the NBT? The MBChB programme and some Health Sciences
programmes require NBT scores in addition to APS.
Internal Links
Conclusion
UKZN’s APS requirements vary by faculty and programme. Commerce, Law and
Management degrees typically require an APS of 32–48, while
Science programmes start around 33–36. Arts and Education degrees
accept APS scores in the high twenties, and Health Sciences programmes are more
demanding. Remember that Life Orientation does not count, and
meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission. Use this breakdown to
focus your subject choices, improve your grades and plan your 2026 application
effectively.