If you passed matric with 23 APS points and are not sure which course to apply for at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), you have more options than you may think. A 23 APS score can meet the published minimum selection score for several TUT diploma programmes, but meeting the minimum does not automatically mean that you will be admitted. TUT ranks qualifying applicants and selection can depend on the number of available places.

That distinction is important. You should not simply choose a course because your APS is high enough. You should also ask whether the subjects you passed meet the course requirements, whether you can see yourself doing the work for three years, and what your employment prospects could look like after graduation.

TUT is not the only university option for students with 23 APS. If you are also considering the University of Mpumalanga, it is worth comparing the courses available there before making your final decision. Our guide on 23 APS at UMP: Courses You Qualify For explains which UMP programmes you can consider, the subject requirements and the career opportunities linked to each option.

This guide focuses on eight TUT diploma options that can be relevant to a student with 23 APS, based on the courses and minimum requirements provided. It also looks honestly at the jobs connected to each qualification, possible career paths and the areas where employment may be more competitive.

Important: Admission requirements can change. TUT’s latest published information should always be checked before you submit an application. Some programmes also have additional subject requirements that are not reflected by APS alone.

What Does 23 APS Mean for Your TUT Application?

An APS of 23 places you above the minimum published APS requirement for several of the programmes discussed below.

However, 23 APS does not mean that every course listed here is automatically available to you.

Before applying, students should always confirm the latest programme requirements, subject requirements and application information directly with Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), as admission requirements can change from one application cycle to another.

For example, TUT’s current information for the Diploma in Accounting and Diploma in Financial Management states an APS requirement of at least 22 for applicants meeting the relevant Mathematics/Accounting requirements, but 24 APS may apply where Mathematical Literacy is used. Life Orientation is excluded from the APS calculation.

This means a student with 23 APS should look at more than the total number. Check your:

• English achievement level
• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy result
• Accounting, Physical Science, Civil Technology or other required subjects
• NSC endorsement
• APS calculation used by TUT
• programme-specific requirements

The safest approach is to compare your matric subjects with the official TUT requirements before choosing your first option.

TUT Courses You Can Consider With Around 23 APS

Here is a quick overview of the programmes covered in this guide.

Faculty	TUT Diploma	Minimum APS listed	Duration	Main career direction
Arts and Design	Diploma in Interior Design	22	3 years	Interior design and built-environment support
Arts and Design	Diploma in Fashion Design	20	3 years	Fashion, clothing, production and entrepreneurship
Accounting and Finance	Diploma in Accounting	22*	3 years	Accounting, finance and business
Accounting and Finance	Diploma in Financial Management	22*	3 years	Financial management and accounting
Engineering and Built Environment	Diploma in Industrial Design	20	3 years	Product, industrial and design-related work
Engineering and Built Environment	Diploma in Geomatics	22	3 years	Surveying, GIS and geospatial work
Humanities	Dip. Adult & Community Education & Training – Civil Technology	22	3 years	Technical education and training
Humanities	Dip. Adult & Community Education & Training – Consumer Sciences	22	3 years	Community education, consumer sciences and practical training

*Subject-specific requirements and APS rules apply. TUT’s current information states that 24 APS can apply where Mathematical Literacy is used for Accounting and Financial Management.

1. Diploma in Interior Design at TUT

Minimum APS: 22
Duration: 3 years
English: Level 4

With 23 APS, Interior Design is one of the options worth investigating if you are interested in buildings, spaces, furniture, colours, materials and creative problem-solving.

TUT’s 2026 prospectus lists the Diploma in Interior Design at a minimum APS of 22, excluding Life Orientation, with at least Level 4 English for NSC applicants.

What can you do after Interior Design?

Possible career directions include:

• Interior designer
• Junior interior designer
• Interior design assistant
• Space-planning assistant
• Kitchen and bathroom design
• Retail or showroom design
• Furniture and product-related design
• Exhibition and display design
• Design consultant
• Self-employed interior design practitioner

Career path

A realistic path could look like:

Diploma → Junior/assistant designer → Interior designer → Senior designer/project coordinator → Design studio owner or specialist

You can also build a career by working with architects, property developers, furniture companies, hospitality businesses and retail companies.

Is Interior Design in demand?

Demand: Moderate and competitive.

This is not a qualification where you should expect companies to compete for you simply because you have a diploma. Creative industries can be competitive, and your portfolio matters enormously.

The positive side is that interior design skills can be used beyond traditional employment. A strong graduate can combine interior design with 3D visualisation, computer-aided design, furniture knowledge, construction knowledge and entrepreneurship.

Best advice: Start building a portfolio while you are studying. Do not wait until your final year.

2. Diploma in Fashion Design at TUT

Minimum APS: 20
Duration: 3 years
English: Level 3

A 23 APS score is above the stated minimum for this option.

Fashion Design can suit students who enjoy clothing, fabrics, styling, illustration, sewing, garment construction and developing original designs.

Career opportunities

Graduates can explore roles such as:

• Fashion designer
• Assistant fashion designer
• Clothing production assistant
• Pattern-making assistant
• Garment technologist
• Fashion stylist
• Fashion merchandiser
• Costume-related work
• Textile-related work
• Fashion entrepreneur
• Clothing brand owner

Career path

Diploma → Fashion assistant/production role → Designer or specialist → Senior designer/brand manager → Own fashion business

Is fashion design in demand?

Demand: Competitive.

This is one area where you need to be realistic. A fashion qualification does not guarantee a stable job immediately after graduation.

The industry can be difficult for graduates who have only a qualification and no practical experience, portfolio or industry contacts.

However, fashion can provide different routes into income. You could work for a clothing company, develop a niche clothing brand, sell products online, work in garment production or combine fashion with styling and digital marketing.

TUT itself has academic expertise in fashion and textiles, reflecting the broader field’s connection to design, clothing and textile industries.

Best advice: If you choose fashion, learn the business side as well as the creative side.

3. Diploma in Accounting at TUT

Minimum APS: 22 in applicable cases
Duration: 3 years
English: Level 4

Accounting is one of the more practical choices on this list for a student who enjoys numbers, financial records, business and structured work.

But there is an important warning for 23 APS students: do not rely on the APS figure alone. TUT’s current Accounting information includes subject requirements and states that applicants using Mathematical Literacy may need an APS of 24 rather than 22.

Career opportunities

Depending on your further studies and professional development, possible roles include:

• Accounting clerk
• Junior accountant
• Accounts assistant
• Bookkeeper
• Finance administrator
• Debtors or creditors clerk
• Payroll-related roles
• Tax-related support roles
• Management accounting support
• Financial reporting support

Career path

Diploma → Accounting/finance entry-level role → Advanced Diploma → Specialist/professional accounting pathway → Senior finance role

Accounting also has an important advantage: the qualification can form part of a longer professional development journey.

Is accounting in demand?

Demand: Relatively strong, but entry-level competition is real.

Accounting and financial management appear in South African skills-demand research, although demand varies significantly by occupation and level of qualification.

The mistake is assuming that every accounting graduate will immediately become an accountant. Entry-level finance jobs can attract many applicants.

Best advice: Add Excel, accounting software, data analysis and practical workplace experience to your qualification.

4. Diploma in Financial Management at TUT

Minimum APS: 22 in applicable cases
Duration: 3 years
English: Level 4

Financial Management is another strong option for students interested in business and numbers.

TUT lists career possibilities connected with areas such as cost and pricing accounting, project accounting, management accounting, financial control, financial accounting, business operations, budgeting and financial consulting.

Possible jobs

• Finance administrator
• Financial accounting assistant
• Budget assistant
• Costing assistant
• Financial controller assistant
• Project accounting assistant
• Management accounting assistant
• Finance consultant
• Business operations support
• Banking and insurance roles

Career path

Diploma → Finance assistant → Finance officer/analyst → Specialist finance role → Management

Is financial management in demand?

Demand: Moderate to strong, depending on the role and experience.

Financial Management appears among areas identified in South African critical-skills research, but graduates should still expect competition for junior positions.

The strongest candidates will usually be those who combine financial knowledge with Excel, reporting, communication and digital skills.

5. Diploma in Industrial Design at TUT

Minimum APS: 20
Duration: 3 years
English: Level 4

Industrial Design is different from interior design. Instead of primarily designing spaces, industrial design focuses on products and how they are developed, used and manufactured.

You could work with products, consumer goods, furniture, packaging, equipment and other physical objects.

Possible career opportunities

• Industrial designer
• Product designer
• Junior product designer
• Design researcher
• Product development assistant
• Furniture designer
• 3D design specialist
• Design consultant
• Product development entrepreneur

Career path

Diploma → Junior designer → Product/industrial designer → Senior designer → Product development specialist or entrepreneur

Is industrial design in demand?

Demand: Moderate and specialised.

It is not one of the easiest fields for immediate employment because the number of dedicated industrial-design positions is smaller than the number of general business or administrative jobs.

However, the specialised nature of the qualification can become an advantage if you develop strong technical and digital skills.

Best advice: Become comfortable with 3D modelling, CAD, prototyping and understanding how products are manufactured.

6. Diploma in Geomatics at TUT

Minimum APS: 22
Duration: 3 years
English: Level 4

If your priority is career demand, Geomatics deserves serious attention.

Geomatics deals with location-based information, surveying, mapping, geographic information systems and spatial data. It connects technology with construction, infrastructure, land management and environmental applications.

TUT offers the Diploma in Geomatics within its Department of Geomatics.

Possible jobs

• Geomatics technician
• Surveying technician
• GIS technician
• Mapping technician
• Geospatial data technician
• Land-surveying support roles
• CAD-related technician
• Spatial data assistant
• GIS support specialist

Career path

Diploma → Technician/assistant → Experienced geomatics professional → Advanced Diploma/specialisation → Senior technical or professional pathway

Is Geomatics in demand?

Demand: Stronger than several of the creative options on this list.

GIS and geomatics-related skills appear in South African scarce-skills research, alongside surveying and other built-environment areas.

That does not mean every graduate will walk straight into a job. Experience, technical competence and software knowledge matter.

If you enjoy technology, maps, construction, outdoor work and solving technical problems, Geomatics could be one of the more strategic choices for a 23 APS student.

7. Diploma in Adult and Community Education and Training: Civil Technology

Minimum APS: 22
Duration: 3 years
English: Level 4

This programme is particularly interesting for students who enjoy construction and technical subjects but also have an interest in education and training.

TUT’s published course information lists English at Level 4 together with subject requirements involving Engineering Graphics and Design or Mathematics/Technical Mathematics, and Civil Technology or Physical Science/Technical Science.

Possible career opportunities

• Technical education and training roles
• Community education facilitator
• Skills development-related work
• Technical training support
• Vocational education pathway
• Construction training support
• Further-study pathway into education

Career path

Diploma → Training/education-related role → Advanced Diploma in Adult and Community Education and Training Teaching → More specialised education career

TUT identifies the Advanced Diploma in Adult and Community Education and Training Teaching as a possible further-study route.

Is it in demand?

Demand: Potentially useful, but the career route is more specialised.

South Africa has a continuing need for technical and vocational skills, and government has highlighted shortages in areas involving engineers, technicians and science and mathematics educators.

However, students should not assume that completing this diploma automatically guarantees a permanent teaching position.

Best advice: If your goal is teaching, understand the additional qualifications and professional requirements you may need after the diploma.

8. Diploma in Adult and Community Education and Training: Consumer Sciences

Minimum APS: 22
Duration: 3 years
English: Level 4

Consumer Sciences is broader than many students initially realise. TUT’s published information connects this programme with areas including food and nutrition, clothing, sewing, catering, community services, consumer products and practical education.

Possible career opportunities

Depending on your additional training and experience, you could explore:

• Community education work
• Food and nutrition education
• Catering
• Baking
• Sewing and dressmaking
• Consumer education
• Community service work
• Skills development support
• Family and community service agencies
• Small-business opportunities

Career path

Diploma → Community/skills-development role → Advanced Diploma → Education/training specialisation

Is Consumer Sciences in demand?

Demand: Moderate to limited for direct graduate employment.

This is an area where you should be honest with yourself. If your main objective is to obtain a qualification with the widest possible private-sector employment opportunities immediately after graduation, there are stronger options on this list.

However, it can make sense for someone who wants to work in community education, practical skills training or eventually build a small business around food, clothing, catering or related services.

Which 23 APS Course Is the Best Choice?

There is no single “best” course for every student. The better question is: which course gives you a realistic combination of admission eligibility, personal ability and employment potential?

Here is a practical comparison:

Course	Employment outlook	Competition	Best suited to
Geomatics	Strong	Moderate	Students interested in GIS, surveying, maps and technology
Accounting	Strong/Moderate	High at entry level	Students comfortable with numbers and business
Financial Management	Strong/Moderate	High	Students interested in finance and business
Civil Technology Education	Moderate/Strong in specialised areas	Moderate	Students interested in technical education
Industrial Design	Moderate	Moderate	Creative students who enjoy products and technology
Interior Design	Moderate	High	Students with strong creative and portfolio skills
Fashion Design	Competitive	High	Students committed to fashion and entrepreneurship
Consumer Sciences	Moderate to limited direct employment	Varies	Students interested in community education and practical skills

These ratings are career guidance rather than guarantees of employment. Labour-market demand changes, and employment also depends on location, experience, technical skills and the type of job being pursued. South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training maintains a National List of Occupations in High Demand specifically to support career guidance and skills planning.

What Should a 23 APS Student Apply for First?

If you have 23 APS and want to make a strategic decision, do not choose only according to what sounds interesting.

If you enjoy numbers and business, Accounting or Financial Management may be worth prioritising, provided your subjects meet the specific TUT requirements.

If you like technology, maps, construction and technical problem-solving, Geomatics deserves serious consideration.

If you are strongly creative, Interior Design or Industrial Design may suit you better than forcing yourself into a finance qualification you will dislike.

If your goal is fashion, understand from the beginning that you may need to create your own opportunities rather than depending entirely on advertised vacancies.

And if your passion is teaching and technical/community development, the Adult and Community Education and Training options can provide a more specialised route.

Do Not Choose a Course Only Because You Qualify

This may be the most important advice for a matriculant with 23 APS.

Being eligible for a course and being suited to the course are two different things.

You could qualify for Accounting but dislike working with numbers. You could qualify for Fashion Design but have no interest in building a portfolio. You could qualify for Geomatics but dislike technical software and fieldwork.

A three-year diploma is a significant investment of your time and money. Choosing the wrong programme simply because the APS requirement looks comfortable can leave you frustrated later.

Instead, ask yourself three questions:

1. Do I meet every subject requirement, not just the APS requirement?
2. Can I realistically handle the subjects in this programme?
3. What job would I want three years from now, and does this qualification move me towards it?

Final Advice for Students With 23 APS

A 23 APS score does not mean that your choices are finished. In fact, there are several TUT diploma routes that can give you a practical starting point for a career.

But do not treat the minimum APS as a promise of admission. TUT states that qualifying applications can be ranked and that only top-ranked applicants are selected according to available places.

Most importantly, choose with the job market in mind without allowing the job market to completely dictate your life.

For a student who wants a more technical and potentially stronger-demand pathway, Geomatics is worth investigating. Accounting and Financial Management can provide broader business and finance opportunities, but entry-level competition remains real. Creative programmes such as Fashion, Interior and Industrial Design can work well for students who build excellent portfolios and develop commercial skills. The education-related programmes make more sense for students who genuinely want to work in education, training or community development.

Your APS score gets you to the door. Your subject choices, skills, work experience, portfolio and career decisions determine what happens after that.

Before applying, compare your matric subjects against the latest Tshwane University of Technology admission requirements and use the university’s current prospectus as the final authority because requirements and selection arrangements can change.