VerifiedWith an APS of 15 you can apply for several Unisa higher certificates. Unisa counts your best six subjects on the 1 to 7 scale, leaving out Life Orientation, and most of these certificates also need at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning (see Unisa general admission requirements).
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Unisa higher certificates open at APS 14 or 15
| Higher certificate | APS | Extra requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Sciences (98201) | 14 | 30% in the language of teaching and learning |
| Banking (98225) | 15 | 30% language |
| Economic and Management Sciences (98237) | 15 | 30% language |
| Marketing (98229) | 15 | 30% language |
| Tourism Management (98226) | 15 | 30% language |
| Retailing (90014) | 15 | 30% language |
| Archives and Records Management (98577) | 15 | 30% language |
| Life and Environmental Sciences (98366) | 15 | 30% language |
| Supervisory Management (90015) | 15 | 30% language plus 30% Mathematics or 70% Mathematical Literacy |
| Mathematics and Statistics (90129) or Physical Sciences (90101) | 15 | 30% language plus 40% Mathematics |
All are NQF 5, 120-credit qualifications. The Higher Certificates in Law and Criminal Justice need APS 17, and Education needs APS 18.
Where a higher certificate can take you
- Unisa’s business and management higher certificates can lead to a related diploma or degree in the same college.
- The Higher Certificate in Physical Sciences can lead to Unisa’s engineering diplomas.
- Applications for 2027 run from 17 August to 9 October 2026, and places are limited.
A higher certificate needs at least a higher certificate pass in matric: 40% in your home language and two other subjects, and 30% in three more, with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning.
See all Unisa higher certificates and options with 16 points.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study at Unisa with 15 APS?
Yes. Several higher certificates, such as Banking, Marketing and Tourism Management, list APS 15.
Which Unisa course has the lowest APS?
The Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences lists APS 14.