Bachelors Pass Requirement Guide

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Guide to Bachelor’s Pass Requirements in South Africa


In South Africa, achieving a bachelor’s pass in your matriculation (Grade 12) exams is crucial for gaining entrance to study a degree program at a university or other higher learning institution. This guide will provide a detailed overview of the requirements for obtaining a bachelor’s pass, including subject requirements, grading system, and calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).

What is a Bachelor’s Pass?
A bachelor’s pass is the highest matric pass level achievable and qualifies students for entry into degree programs at universities or colleges. It signifies a strong academic performance and opens up a wide range of study options for students.

Diploma Pass Requirement

Higher Certificate Pass Requirement

Requirements for a Bachelor’s Pass
To achieve a bachelor’s pass, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Home Language: Attain a minimum of 40% in your Home Language subject.
  2. High Credit Subjects: Achieve at least 50% in four other high credit subjects, excluding Life Orientation.
  3. Other Subjects: Obtain a minimum of 30% in two additional subjects.
  4. Pass Rate: Pass six out of the seven required subjects.

It’s important to note that while meeting these requirements is essential, each tertiary institution may have additional admission criteria beyond the bachelor’s pass requirements.

Compulsory Subjects
Certain subjects are compulsory for all matric students. These include:

  1. Home Language
  2. First Additional Language
  3. Mathematics or Mathematics Literacy
  4. Life Orientation
  5. Either English or Afrikaans as one of your languages

High Credit Subjects
In addition to compulsory subjects, students must choose high credit subjects to fulfill their matric requirements. These subjects include:

  • Accounting
  • Business Studies
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Consumer Studies
  • Physical Sciences
  • Life Sciences
  • Tourism
  • Information Technology

Grading System
Marks obtained in matric exams are converted into points based on the following grading system:

  • Level 7: 80–100%
  • Level 6: 70–79%
  • Level 5: 60–69%
  • Level 4: 50–59%
  • Level 3: 40–49%
  • Level 2: 30–39%
  • Level 1: 0–29%

Calculating the APS
The Admission Point Score (APS) is a single number used by universities to determine eligibility for various courses. It is calculated based on the matric marks obtained in the top six subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Each mark corresponds to a specific point value, and the total APS is calculated by adding these points together.

Conclusion
Achieving a bachelor’s pass in South Africa is a significant milestone for students aspiring to pursue higher education. By meeting the minimum requirements and understanding the grading system and APS calculation, students can effectively plan their academic journey and maximize their opportunities for future studies.

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