Updated matric bachelor pass requirements for 2023: All you need to know

Publish date: 2024-08-24

South Africa's Department of Basic Education sets Matric pass requirements for secondary school learners. One must meet the set requirements to advance their education after high school. You should also note that most top-rated universities and colleges in South Africa do not enroll students with low matric pass requirements and APS score points. If you want to learn about matric bachelor pass requirements for 2023, where to do your matric rewrites, and other relevant information, check out more details below.

You get a National Senior Certificate after finishing Grade 12 of high school. A student should achieve the minimum matric pass requirements to get a National Senior Certificate. You must be younger than 21 to sit for these exams. One can rewrite or upgrade their matric results if they are 21 or older. This article helps you understand the basic matric pass requirements and the minimum APS points for a National Senior Certificate, a bachelor's degree, a diploma, and a higher certificate.

What are the current matric bachelor pass requirements?

You need to understand the requirements for a bachelor's pass in matric before sitting for your exams. You can achieve matric pass requirements for a National Senior Certificate, but your scores may be lower than the set matric requirements for enrolling in a degree program. Below are the pass requirements for a bachelor's pass in South Africa:

Diploma pass requirements

A diploma takes longer than a higher certificate but is shorter than a bachelor's degree. Here are the pass requirements for a diploma‌ in South Africa:

Pass requirements for higher certificate

A higher certificate is an NQF level 5 qualification. The certificate confirms to employers that you have adequate practical skills in a specific field. Below are the higher certificate pass requirements:

NSC pass requirements

You should attain the pass requirements for Grade 12 to get a National Senior Certificate (NSC). The NSC is a school-leaving certificate in South Africa. The certificate is commonly known as a high school diploma or matriculation (matric) certificate. Below are the current NSC pass requirements:

Matric pass symbols and levels

A student must know matric certificate symbols for percentages they score in their subjects. Below are the current matric pass symbols and levels in South Africa:

Codes (APS Score)LetterPercentageMeaning
Code 7A80-100%Outstanding
Code 6B70-79%Meritorious
Code 5C60-69%Substantial
Code 4D50-59%Moderate
Code 3E40-49%Adequate
Code 2F30-39%Elementary
Code 1FF0-29%Not achieved

Below is an example of how a student's marks look and the total APS Score (If you add all the points, you will realize that this student’s total APS Score is 33 points):

Percentages (%)SubjectCodes (APS Score)
75%English Home Language6
85%Mathematical Literacy7
78%Life Orientation (Doesn't count for most degree courses)6
67%First Additional Language5
50%Business Studies4
45%Geography3
35%History2

How many subjects are there in Matric?

There are about 23 subjects in normal high school in Matric. You need to study and pass only seven (7) subjects; four (4) compulsory subjects and three (3) elective subjects.

Matric subjects

Matric subjects are the subjects you study in Grade 12 in high school. These subjects give you knowledge that helps you study at university, college or find entry-level work. These subjects are:

Language subjects

Non-languages

What subjects are needed for Matric?

Some subjects are compulsory and should be part of your Matric subjects list. You choose four (4) from the compulsory subjects. Your list must include your Home Language, English First Additional Language, Life Orientation, and one mathematical subject. You choose any three (3) subjects from the elective subjects.

Compulsory subjects

Elective subjects

How are matric results calculated?

The National Senior Certificate (NSC) partitions a subject's results into 25% and 75% to make your total score 100%. The 75 % is your final exam grade, while the 25% is school-based evaluations (tests, projects, and assignments for each subject before the exam). Life Orientation is not accounted for in the 75% because it consists of internal assessments.

What are the requirements for a bachelor's degree?

You should score at least 40% in your Home Language (a basic requirement but not compulsory), 50% in four other subjects apart from Life Orientation, 30% in the Language of Learning and Teaching (if you wish to join a tertiary institution), and pass six out of the seven subjects (with a minimum of 30% in one subject).

Is 21 points a bachelor pass?

The minimum APS Score for a bachelor's degree pass is 23 points.

Is 25 points a bachelor pass?

The minimum matric points for university entrance in South Africa is an APS Score of 23 points.

What can you pass matric with?

Below are the matric pass requirements for different levels (NSC, degree, diploma, and higher certificate) in terms of APS scores:

Bachelor degree requirements

Diploma pass requirements

Higher certificate pass requirements

National Senior Certificate basic matric pass requirements

How many 50s do I need to get a bachelor's?

A Grade 12 candidate can score 50% and above in a compulsory subject and four other subjects that are not Life Orientation to achieve a university entrance APS Score of 23 points.

What are the minimum points for a diploma pass?

You should achieve at least 19 APS Score points to get into a diploma course in South Africa.

How do I pass matric?

You should pass all your elective and compulsory subjects to pass matric. Your total matric points should enable you to score a minimum of 19 APS Score points to get into a diploma course and at least 23 APS Score points to apply for a degree course in South Africa.

How many subjects do you need to pass matric?

You should pass seven subjects; four compulsory subjects and three electives.

What are the basic pass requirements?

You should achieve a minimum of 14 APS total points (3 APS points in your home language, 3 APS points in other two subjects, and 2 APS points in 4 other subjects) to get a National Senior Certificate in South Africa.

How do you get a bachelor's pass in Grade 12?

You should achieve a minimum of 40% in your Home Language (a basic requirement, but not compulsory), 50% in four other subjects apart from Life Orientation, 30% in the Language of Learning and Teaching (if you wish to join a tertiary institution), and pass six out of the seven subjects (with a minimum of 30% in one subject).

What can I study with a Bachelor's pass?

You can study for a degree at a university or Technikon after attaining a Bachelor's pass. The score also enables you to enroll in distance learning courses.

Achieving the minimum matric bachelor pass requirements qualifies one to pursue a degree at a university, a TVET college, or an accredited higher learning institution. Getting the minimum diploma pass requirements allows you to pursue diploma courses at a university or a TVET college. Lastly, attaining the minimum higher certificate pass requirements qualifies one to apply for certificate courses at a college.

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