How to Compare University Entry Requirements

Use one row for one qualification

Create a comparison table in which each row describes a specific qualification at a particular institution and intake. Include the full title, code, campus and mode of study where relevant. Similar names can conceal differences in qualification level, curriculum and progression routes. Avoid a university-only row that mixes the conditions of several courses. A clear row makes it easier to see exactly what an application would be assessed against.

Write down the score units

Record whether the institution uses standard achievement points, an eight-point table, weighted subjects, a raw percentage sum or an average. Also record the treatment of Life Orientation. Do not rank the options by the size of the score alone. The same school marks can produce very different numerical outputs because of the method. A transparent calculator should show the counted subjects and contributions so you can inspect the reason for the difference.

Keep subject conditions separate

Add columns for English or another language of learning and teaching, the mathematics route and other compulsory subjects. Record whether a percentage or achievement level is required. A total that meets the score condition can still fail a subject condition. Conversely, all named subjects may meet their minima while the overall score is below target. Keeping these checks separate shows which issue actually needs attention.

Compare certificate and applicant categories

NSC school-leavers, holders of older Senior Certificates, vocational applicants and applicants with international qualifications may use different entry routes or equivalency conversions. A university page for one category should not be used to assess another without checking the qualification instructions. Previous higher education or recognised prior learning can also change the route. Identify your category before importing a score or threshold into the comparison.

Additional selection is not an APS adjustment

Some qualifications include a portfolio, interview, audition, assessment or other selection procedure. Record it as a separate requirement, with the relevant application step. Do not convert it into guessed APS points or assume that a strong school total removes the requirement. A shortlist should distinguish a complete academic comparison from an application that still needs another assessment before it can be considered.

Use a consistent assessment stage

Compare the results requested for the application stage. Provisional assessment can use specified school results while a final offer depends on later results. Do not mix Grade 11 and Grade 12 marks by selecting whichever is higher unless the relevant rules permit it. When final results are issued, update every applicable row and recalculate. This prevents a provisional plan from being mistaken for a final eligibility check.

Add dates, documents and costs

Record the application period and required documents separately from the academic score. Include any applicable fee rule, funding deadline and accommodation process without assuming they share one deadline. A correct APS does not repair a missing document or late submission. Use a student budget for recurring costs and keep once-off expenses visible. Treat an unconfirmed bursary or future funding possibility as unresolved, not as cash already available.

Use the comparison to make decisions

Mark each requirement as checked, not met or unresolved. This produces a clearer picture than a single qualifies or does not qualify label. Follow up unresolved questions, consider appropriate alternatives and keep records of submitted applications. Meeting published minimums is not necessarily an admission offer, especially where selection and capacity apply. The final university outcome, rather than an online comparison, establishes whether a place has been offered.

Frequently asked questions

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